Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days: Back to basics
The Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days
Discover the trails of this not-to-be-missed trek between France, Switzerland and Italy, offering mountain lovers an unforgettable journey. The majestic Mont Blanc and the many wonders that surround it accompany you throughout this adventure.
With no luggage transfers, this trek will give you an authentic hiking experience, carrying your backpack for the whole of your stay. Every evening, you’ll enjoy the warm welcome of typical Alpine inns and refuges, offering delicious local specialities for meals.
Opt for a unique trek around the highest peak in the Alps.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the TMB in 8 days
The most beautiful stages of the Tour du Mont-Blanc in 8 days
Authentic and friendly accommodation
A unique semi-autonomous hiking experience
A reduced carbon footprint by avoiding daily baggage transfers and by using public transport
An expert guide with a passion for the Mont Blanc massif and the region
Duration
8 days
Difficulty
4/5
Group
8 max.
Departure from
Chamonix
Departure date
Every 2 weeks, on Saturdays in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
No luggage transfers
The program in detail
Day 1: Chamonix – Argentière
Day 2: Argentière – Trient
Day 3: Trient – Champex – La Fouly
Choice 2 : 7 h walk – 1,260 m (4,130 ft) ascent / 915 m (3,000 ft) descent
Accommodation: refuge
*Your guide will decide on the best option.
Day 4: La Fouly – Refuge Bonatti
Day 5: Refuge Bonatti – Col Chécrouit
Day 6: Col Chécrouit – Les Chapieux
Day 7: Les Chapieux – Les Contamines
Day 8: Les Contamines – Les Houches
Choice 2 : 6h30 walk – 785m (2,575 ft) ascent / 910m (2,985 ft) descent
*Your guide will decide on the best option.
Useful information
Transfers & luggage
-
This trek includes only one transfer, on day 3, between Champex and La Fouly. To minimise the carbon impact of this trip, this transfer is made by public transport rather than by private minibus.
Level
The walks are between 6 and 8 hours a day for the duration of the trip. Some sections may be more difficult, particularly at the start of the season with the residual snow.
You should be able to climb at least 1000 metres per day over several consecutive days.
We strongly advise you to take part in regular endurance sports and to prepare yourself specifically for this trip.
Access and accommodation
Access to the starting point:
Meet at the Plan Praz cable car in Chamonix at 9.00am on the day of departure.
To come by car:You can leave your car at the Prarion car park in Les Houches. This is a free outdoor car park. Then, you take a bus from Les Houches to Chamonix. The cost for this bus is not included in the price.
Please note that there are not free car park in Chamonix.
To come by train:To reach Chamonix, it takes around 3 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 centre of Chamonix, without the constraints of parking, tolls or heavy traffic. By choosing the train, you’re opting for the most environmentally-friendly mode of transport, while enjoying a comfortable journey, so you can arrive in great shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc.
You can find timetables and prices on the SNCF website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/home/search.
Back to the starting point: End of the hike in Les Houches. Return by bus to Chamonix not included in the price of the trip.
Bus timetables are available from the Chamonix Tourist Office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24).
Accommodation to stay before and after the trip:
- Saint Antoine Hotel: 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10
- Richemond Hotel: 228 rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – +33 (0)4 50 53 08 85
- Hôtel du Clocher : 110 Impasse de l’Androsace, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – +33 (0)4 50 53 30 27
Equipment
- a fleece
- a windproof and waterproof jacket
- a hiking trouser, ideally convertible into shorts
We recommend you take a backpack of at least 50l, so that you can carry enough for 8 days’ walking, picnics and all the equipment you need. Be careful, however, not to overfill your bag. You need to be able to carry all your gear for the 8 days of walking, some of which will be very steep. We recommend that you opt for merino clothing that can be worn for several days without smelling, and for equipment that can be used for several purposes (Aleppo soap that can also be used as shampoo, a neckwear that can also be used as a head covering).
As the terrain is varied, we recommend high-top hiking boots that provide good protection for the ankles. Accommodation provides blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet for hygiene reasons. For more information, see our page dedicated to equipment for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Insurance
- Cancellation before departure and trip interruption
- Missed flights and air delays
- Luggage and personal effects option included
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Personal travel accident insurance
- Civil liability abroad
- The impossible return and the anticipated return
The COVID contract includes:
- Cancellation before departure and trip interruption
- Missed flights and air delays
- Luggage and personal effects option included
- Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
- Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
- Personal travel accident insurance
- Civil liability abroad
- The impossible return and the anticipated return
- Cancellation due to illness 30 days before departure
- Cancellation for denied boarding
- Teleconsultation before departure
- Medical repatriation
- Hotel and medical expenses
- Psychological support
- Grocery delivery and domestic help
The price varies according to the Tour du Mont Blanc you want to do. To take out one of these two contracts, simply choose the option when you book your trek! For more detailed information, see our page about travel insurance.
To book
- Click on one of the “Book” links and choose your insurance and date options.
- Choose your payment method (cheque, bank transfer, credit card). Several payment methods are available. For payment by cheque: Make payable to WATSE and send to : WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France. For payment by bank transfer, please contact us to receive our bank details. For payment by credit card: Your invoice will be in your online account as soon as the bank has confirmed payment for your holiday. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay 30% deposit or the balance of your stay
- Print out the registration form, fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by e-mail or post. The booking of your stay will only be effective when 30% of the amount has been credited to WATSE’s account.
- The balance of the trip must be paid no later than 1 month before departure without a reminder from us.
Transfers
Our agency offers a private shuttle service to get you around the Mont Blanc region.
Our team can liaise between your place of arrival (Chamonix station, Geneva airport, etc.) and the location of your hotel or the starting point of your trek, for example.
We also offer a number of transfers on the Tour du Mont Blanc, so you can avoid the parts that are less interesting or too difficult.
To find out more about the routes on offer and book a journey, click here !
Service available every day during the summer, from 6am to 8pm.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days without luggage transfers
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation, as described in the trek programme
- Half board, as described in the trek programme
- Packed lunches prepared by the accommodation
- Dried fruit and nut snacks
- Showers where applicable
- Plan Praz Cable car ticket
Not included in the price
- Transport to and from the start of the trek
- 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”
You will also like:
Embark on the full TMB and see the very best it has to offer.
Walk the paths of the TMB enjoying every evening accommodation selected for their comfort.
Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days
From Courmayeur to Chamonix, the northern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc will have no secrets for you!
A wild and alpine itinerary over high mountains and across glaciers. Not for the faint-hearted!
For those who want to do the TMB (almost) as fast as Kilian Jornet!
Experience nature at its most authentic as you camp your way round the best-known trek in the Alps.
From Chamonix to Courmayeur, get away from it all with this trek through varied landscapes offering breathtaking views.
Experience nature at its most authentic as you camp your way round the best-known trek in the Alps.