Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days – dormitories
The Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days
A not-to-be-missed trek for all mountain lovers, allowing you to explore the most beautiful landscapes of the Mont Blanc mountain range.
On a full circuit that takes you through France, Italy and Switzerland, discover the highest peak of the Alps from all angles, as well as the amazing surrounding scenery. As you walk along, the diversity of the different valleys on the Tour du Mont Blanc will be revealed to you.
Enjoy the pleasure of hiking with a lightweight pack and nights spent in comfortable mountain refuges for an unforgettable adventure.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the TMB in 7 days
The best stages of the TMB in 7 days
Accommodation chosen for its friendliness and comfort
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.
Expert local mountain guide
Duration
7 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Every Sunday from June to September
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without (day 4)
The program in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
5 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Inn or mountain hut – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,260 ft) descent / 12-14kms
Meet at 9am at the Prarion cable car in Les Houches. We will then make our way to 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: Mountain hut – 1,450 m (4,750 ft) ascent / 800 m (2,620 ft) descent / 18kms
This stage starts on the Roman road, which marks the start of the climb up to the Col du Bonhomme and the Col des Fours mountain passes. In the afternoon, you will reach the Les Chapieux valley at the end of the Tarentaise, home of the famous Beaufort cheese.
Day 3: Les Chapieux – Col Chécrouit
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: Mountain hut – 1,200 m (3,935 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent / 20kms
On the third day of your walk, it will already be time to enter a new country. After a superb climb with Mont Blanc ahead of you, you will pass through the Col de la Seigne, a route linking France and Italy. This will take you into the Aosta Valley via Val Veny and the Italian side of Mont Blanc is revealed. The evening is spent in a comfortable mountain hut.
Day 4: Col Chécrouit – Refuge Bonatti
6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a mountain hut without luggage – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent / 15kms
The day begins with a descent into the old village of Courmayeur. You will then climb up towards the Bertone refuge to enjoy amazing views over the Mont Blanc mountain range. Simply breathtaking! The day will be rounded off with a beautiful traverse to the Bonatti mountain hut*, marking the end of a stunning stage.
*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, transfer to Courmayeur. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.
Day 5: Refuge Bonatti – La Fouly
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent / 17 to 20kms
*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, you will take a bus to reach Arnouva, the starting point of today’s stage.
On the fifth day of walking, you will enter another new country on your Tour du Mont Blanc! After a climb with magnificent views of Mont Dolent, you will cross the Grand Col Ferret mountain pass into Switzerland. The day ends with a gentle descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and the small village of La Fouly, a picture postcard setting in the Valais.
Day 6: La Fouly – Champex -Trient
Night in an inn
Option 1: 780 m (2,560 ft) ascent / 1000 m (3,280 ft) descent / 5 hours walking time / 15kms
Option 2: 1150 m (3,775 ft) ascent / 1,400 m (4,595 ft) descent / 7 hours walking time / 15kms
After a short transfer in Val Ferret to Champex, you will embark on a beautiful 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.
Day 7: Trient – Le Tour
5 hrs walking time – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent / 12kms
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, which marks the end of your adventure. Train back to the Prarion and end of the trip around 4:30pm.
Useful information
Useful information
Luggage transport
The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided every day between the different accommodations: a soft bag, of the duffle bag type, of a maximum of 12kg per person.
You only carry your day’s belongings, 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.
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: Return by bus to the Prarion, included in the price. It is possible to leave the group and return direct to Chamonix if you wish.
Suggestions of 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 high walking boots to protect your ankles.
The accommodations provide blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet, for hygienic reasons. Sleeping bags are not allowed.
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 company helps you arrange private shuttles in order to move around the Mont Blanc region.
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 in 7 days – dormitories
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 (exclusive of container and cutlery)
- Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
- Luggage transfer every night (except day 4)
- Showers in the accommodations
- Cable car ticket for 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 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 (bed liner, 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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