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
Every Sunday during the summer
Accomodation
Tents
Luggage
Every evening
The programme in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
Meet at 9am on the open space close by the Prarion cable car in Les Houches. We will then make our way Bellevue. 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
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 the famous Beaufort cheese is made.
Day 3: Les Chapieux – Val Veny
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 Veny. From here, the Italian side of Mont Blanc shows up!
You will then descend to the valley via Lac Combal.
Day 4: Val Veny – Courmayeur – Val Ferret
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
This morning you take a bus to Arnouva at the end of the Italian 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: 5 hours walking time / 760 m (2,495 ft) ascent / 930 m (3,050 ft) descent / 15kms
Option 2: 6 hours 30 walking time / 1170 m (3,840 ft) ascent / 1,330 m (4,365 ft) descent / 13kms
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
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 Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, on the departure day at 9:00 AM.
By car: You can park your vehicle at the TMB parking lot in Les Houches. It is a free outdoor parking area and can get very busy in peak season. Anticipate your parking in high season.
By train: The Prarion is located 10 minutes walk away from the “Viaduc Sainte Marie” train station.
You can check the schedules and fares on the website https://www.thetrainline.com/
By bus: From the city-center of Chamonix, the bus line n°1 takes you to the Prarion, last stop of the bus line.
Return to the starting point: Retour en bus jusqu’au Prarion. Il est possible de quitter le groupe plus tôt et de s’arrêter à Chamonix pour les personnes le souhaitant.
Accommodation before and after the trek:
- Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – + 334 50 54 40 10
- Hôtel Ibis Style : 333 Rue de l’Essert, 74310 Les Houches – +334 50 54 50 35
- Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – + 334 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 hight walking boots that protect your ankles.
The tent and mattress are provided. You will have to bring a sleeping bag though. If you want to bring your own camping equipment (tent and mattress) it is possible, do inform us in advance.
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” link and select the insurance, and date options.
- Pay a 35 % deposit to confirm your booking
- The balance must be paid at least one month before the beginning of your trek.
Transfers
Our team can arrange the transfer from your place of arrival (Chamonix train station, Geneva airport, etc) and the place of your stay, the starting point of your trek, for example.
To understand better what we are able to organize, please contact us.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc camping – 7 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Rental of camping gear for the night: tents and mattresses (exclusive of sleeping bag)
- Half board in accommodations close by
- Packed lunches prepared by a chef (exclusive of container and cutlery)
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage and camping gear transfer every night
- Cable car ticket on day 1
- Taxi transfer on day 6
- The return bus journey to Les Houches on last day
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point of the trek in Les Houches
- Nights before and after the trek
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- The container and cutlery for picnic
- Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
- Trekking equipment (sleeping bag, trekking poles…)
- 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!