Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days

The northern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, between Italy, Switzerland and France.

The Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days

This trek is for all those who wish to discover the splendid Tour du Mont Blanc in just a few days. This route, from Courmayeur to Chamonix, will take you through 3 countries and discover 3 different cultures in no time.

The northern part of our famous Tour du Mont Blanc, with multiple facets: the charm of Courmayeur and Val Ferret as well as the splendid landscapes of Switzerland will amaze you.

All this with a light bag and nights in comfortable mountain huts to give you an unforgettable adventure.

Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
Pierrick Delattre, guide Watse
Pierrick Delattre 06 65 93 29 29 contact@watse.fr
Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region. 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 in 5 days

most beautiful stages The best stages of the TMB in 5 days
comfortables accomodation Accommodation chosen for its friendliness and comfort
departure guaranteed Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up.
local expert Expert local mountain guide

Duration

duration5 days

Difficulty

difficulty3/5

Group

taille du groupe12 max.

Departure from

departure placeLes Houches

Departure date

departure dateEvery Wednesday in summer

Accomodation

accomodationDormitories

Luggage

luggageOne night without (day 1)

The program in detail

Day 1: Les Houches – Courmayeur – Bonatti

5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: refuge without luggage – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 200 m (660 ft) descent

Meet at 8.30 am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches, for a transfer to Courmayeur.

We then climb to the Bertone refuge to enjoy the extraordinary panorama it offers on the Mont-Blanc massif. Breathtaking ! We end with a beautiful balcony crossing to the Bonatti refuge*, marking the end of a beautiful stage.

*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, transfer by taxi to Courmayeur. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days - D1

Day 2: Bonatti – La Fouly

6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent

*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, you will take a taxi from Courmayeur heading towards Arnouva.

After a climb with a magnificent view of Mont Dolent, we pass the Grand Col Ferret to pass into Switzerland. The day ends with a gentle descent towards the mountain pasture of La Peule to reach the small village of La Fouly, a real postcard of Valais.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days - D2

Day 3: La Fouly – Champex

6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent

Today, discover Val Ferret Switzerland and its small traditional villages to reach Champex and its pretty lake.

This stage ends with a short climb to our accommodation for the day, a comfortable inn bathed in a soothing atmosphere.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days - D3

Day 4: Champex – Trient

Night in an inn

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 short 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. Depending on how the group feels and current conditions, there may be an option to take the Fenêtre d’Arpette route and enjoy a beautiful alpine setting. Your guide will take the best decision.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days - D4

Day 5: Trient – Le Tour

5 hrs walking time – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent

Your last day on the TMB and time to return to France. Views over the Chamonix valley open up on the way down, as you enjoy a final breathtaking moment before arriving at the village of Le Tour. Train back to the Prarion car park and end of the trip around 4:30pm.

Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days - D5

Useful information

Useful information
Luggage transport

The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided every day between the different accommodations (except on the evening of day 1 in Bonatti): one soft bag per person, of a maximum of 12kg each (duffle bag type).

You carry only your stuff for the day, in a backpack of about 30L.

Level
Ideally, you should have some hiking and/or trekking experience before embarking on this type of trek, but any physically fit beginner is welcome to join us. We’re here to guide you.

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.

Directions and accommodation

Directions to the starting point: Meet at Bellevue cable car station at 8.30 am on Day 1.

You can leave your vehicle in the Prarion car park a few meters above. It is a free outdoor car park.

> Map to get to the starting point

Return to the starting point: Local bus from Le Tour, not included in the price of the trip.

Bus timetables at the Chamonix tourist office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24)

Accommodation before and after the trek:

  • Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 40 10
  • Hôtel Ibis Style : 333 Rue de l’Essert, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 50 35
  • Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – 04 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 accommodations provide blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet, for hygienic reasons.

For more information, voir notre our special TMB equipment page.

Insurance
To ensure your TMB goes off without a hitch, Watse Trekking Mont Blanc offers three insurance policies with our partner April International Voyage, and a comprehensive Covid-specific contract. These contracts are designed especially for treks like the Tour du Mont Blanc. The Comfort cancellation contract covers you in the case of cancellation before your departure and/or a missed flight. The Comfort multi-risk contract includes:

  • Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
  • Missed flight and flight delay
  • Luggage and personal belongings option
  • Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
  • Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
  • Individual travel accident option
  • Third-party liability abroad
  • Impossible return and early return

The COVID contract includes:

  • Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
  • Missed flight and flight delay
  • Luggage and personal belongings option
  • Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
  • Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
  • Individual travel accident option
  • Third-party liability abroad
  • Impossible return and early return
  • Cancellation due to illness 30 days before departure
  • Cancellation due to denied boarding
  • Remote consultation before departure
  • Medical repatriation
  • Hotel costs and medical fees
  • Psychological support
  • Grocery deliveries and home help

The price varies according to the Tour du Mont Blanc you choose. To take out one of these two contracts, just select the option when you book your trek!

Booking

To book, you must:

  • Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, 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 30% 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 30% 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 in 5 days

Included in the price
  • Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
  • Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek programme
  • Half board, as described in the trek programme
  • Packed lunches prepared by a chef
  • Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
  • Luggage transfer every night (except day 1)
  • Showers where applicable (as described in the trek programme)
  • Transport from Les Houches to Courmayeur, day 1 
Not included in the price
  • Transport to/from the starting/ending point 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!