Tour du Mont Blanc camping
Tour du Mont Blanc camping
From mountain passes to valleys, from villages to glaciers, few mountain ranges offer such diverse scenery as the Mont Blanc massif.
In this magical landscape, enjoy the simple pleasures of camping. Enjoy nights in the wilderness, the sun rising over the peaks, and the feeling of exploring the mountains on your own…
Your tent and luggage will be waiting for you at the end of each stage. In the evenings, share unforgettable moments under the starry sky.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession, always with your happiness as his goal. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.
The advantages of the TMB camping
The best stages of the TMB in 7 days
A direction that makes sense, even though it’s the opposite direction to that which other agencies offer, which means the paths are less busy
Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up
Guides who come from the Mont Blanc region know this route like the backs of their hands
The convenience and comfort of meals in refuges and inns
Luggage transfers
Duration
7 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Starting from
Les Houches
Date of departure
11 departures during the summer
Accomodation
Tents
Luggage
Every evening
The programme in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
5 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Night camping – Dinner and breakfast in a refuge – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,260 ft) descent
Meet at 9am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches. We will then make our way to the Bellevue cable car. The route takes you through the Col de Tricot mountain pass and across the Alpage du Truc mountain pastures via a beautiful route along the foot of the glaciers.
Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night camping – Dinner and breakfast in a refuge – 1,300 m (4,265 ft) ascent / 950 m (3,120 ft) descent
Taking the voie Romaine path, we climb towards the Col du Bonhomme (2408 m) and then the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2408 m) or the Col des Fours (2665 m), our objectives for the morning.
After a picnic in front of a vast panorama, we’ll make our way to the Chapieux valley, at the far end of the Tarentaise, where Beaufort cheese is made.
Day 3: Les Chapieux – Val Veni
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night camping – Dinner and breakfast in a refuge – 750 m (2,460 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,300 ft) descent
After a short morning transfer to the Ville des Glaciers, you will embark upon a climb to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m / 8,250 ft), which marks the border between France and Italy. You will then enter the Aosta Valley via Val Veni. From here, the Italian side of Mont Blanc is revealed !
You will then return to the valley via Lac Combal.
Day 4: Val Veni – Courmayeur – Val Ferret
7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night camping – Dinner and breakfast at the campsite restaurant – 1,420 m (4,658 ft) ascent / 1,325 m (4,347 ft) descent
The day begins with a climb to the Col Checrouit before going down to Courmayeur and its pretty historic village. We then climb up to the Bertone refuge to admire the extraordinary panorama of the Mont Blanc massif. Breathtaking!
A beautiful balcony crossing then a descent to Val Ferret awaits you. We’ll spend a peaceful night in a tent.
Day 5: Val Ferret – La Fouly
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night camping – Dinner and breakfast in an inn – 850 m (2,790 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,300 ft) descent
Fifth day of walking and still another new country on your Tour du Mont Blanc!
This morning you take a taxi to Arnouva at the end of Val Ferret. From here you will climb up to the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m / 8,325 ft) pass to cross into Switzerland. The pass is situated at the foot of Mont Dolent, the famous meeting point between the French, Swiss and Italian borders.
The day ends with a gentle descent to the Peule mountain pasture to reach the little village of La Fouly, a real postcard of the Valais.
Day 6: La Fouly – Champex – Trient
Option 1: 715 m (2,345 ft) ascent / 925 m (3,030 ft) descent / 5 hours walking time
Option 2: 915 m (3,000 ft) ascent / 1,260 m (4,130 ft) descent – 7 hours walking time
After a quick transfer in Val Ferret to Champex, you will embark on a beautiful high-level traverse above Martigny and the Rhone valley. In the distance, the vineyards bear witness to the canton’s wine production.
Descent towards the small village of Trient along the irrigation channel. Depending on how the group feels and current conditions*, there may be an option to take a more alpine route via the Fenêtre d’Arpette. *Your guide will decide on the best option.
Day 7: Trient – Le Tour
Today it’s time to return to France. As you descend to the village of Le Tour, the views over the Chamonix valley open up and becoming more and more stunning. The small village marks the end of your adventure. Train back to the Prarion car park and end of the trip around 4:30pm.
Useful information
Useful information
Luggage transport
You carry only your stuff for the day, in a backpack of about 30L.
Level
Between 6 and 8 hours’ walking per day throughout the trek, with some more difficult sections, particularly at the start of the season when the snow is still present. You should be able to climb at least 1,000 m (3 200ft.)a day for several days in a row.
We strongly recommend that you practice an endurance sport regularly and train specifically for this trek.
Access and accommodation
Access to the starting point:
Meet at the parking lot in front of the Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, on the departure day at 9:00 AM.
By car: You can leave your vehicle at the Prarion parking lot in Les Houches. It is a free outdoor parking area. There are no free parking spaces in Chamonix.
By train: To reach Chamonix, it takes approximately 3.5 hours by train from Lyon, 8 hours from Paris, and 2 hours from Geneva. In just a few hours, you can be at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the center of Chamonix, without having to worry about parking, tolls, or heavy traffic. By choosing the train, you are opting for the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, while enjoying a comfortable journey, ensuring you arrive in great shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc.
You can find schedules and prices on the SNCF website : https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/home/search.
Return to the starting point: Train or local bus from Le Tour to Les Houches.
Accommodation before and after the trek:
- Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – + 33(0)4 50 54 40 10
- Hôtel Ibis Style : 333 Rue de l’Essert, 74310 Les Houches – +33(0)4 50 54 50 35
- Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – + 33 (0)4 50 54 42 28
Equipment
Even if you choose to do it in summer, it can get cold on the TMB! We strongly recommend that you pack clothes suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:
- A fleece
- A windproof and waterproof jacket
- Walking trousers.
The terrain is varied and we recommend you wear walking boots that protect your ankles.
The tent and mattress are provided. You will need a sleeping bag.
For more information, see our special TMB equipment page.
Insurance
To travel with peace of mind, Trekking Mont Blanc offers two insurance policies in partnership with Assur Travel, specially designed to meet the needs of a trek such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. These options, Cancellation and Multirisk, provide coverage to deal with unforeseen circumstances throughout your trip.
Cancellation Insurance :
This option covers the cancellation of your trip for a valid reason (illness, accident, etc.) before the departure date. You will be reimbursed for the amounts paid, subject to the conditions specified in the policy.
- Cost : 3.15% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
- In case of cancellation, you should contact the insurance company directly to file your claim, with our team’s assistance if needed.
Multirisk Insurance :
The Multirisk option offers comprehensive coverage, including :
- Cancellation Insurance
- Emergency repatriation assistance : perfectly suited for mountain treks
- Mountain search and rescue costs : up to €30,000
- Luggage: in case of loss, theft, or damage
- Medical expenses abroad
- Individual accident insurance
- Civil liability abroad
- Inability to return or quarantine in case of an epidemic
- Cost : 4.45% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
Whether you choose the Cancellation or Multirisk option, you will benefit from optimal coverage to enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind. The insurance cost depends on the price of your trip, and you can select the desired option when booking.
Booking
To book, you must:
- Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, accommodation and date options.
- Select your payment type (cheque, bank transfer, debit card): There are several ways to pay.
- To pay by cheque: please make it out to WATSE and send to: WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France.
- To pay by bank transfer: contact us for our bank details.
- To pay by debit card: your invoice will be in your online account as soon as your payment has been confirmed by the bank. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay a 35 % deposit or the balance for your trek
- Print out the booking form then fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by email or post. Your reservation will only be effective when 35 % of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
- The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc camping – 7 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Lend of tents and matresses
- Half board in accommodations close by
- Packed lunches prepared by a chef
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage transfer every night
- Cable car ticket on day 1
- The return train journey to Les Houches after the trek
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point of the trek in Les Houches
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe at the time of booking
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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Contact us!
Do you have a question about this trek? Write us a message and one of our guides will get back to you!