Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided in 7 days
The Tour du Mont Blanc in 7 days
The myriad landscapes that make up the Mont Blanc massif make it one of the most remarkable in the Alps and a paradise for hikers. Glaciers, villages, high peaks, flora and fauna are just some of the treasures to be discovered.
Set off for a week’s discovery, enjoying the most beautiful stages in complete freedom.
A dedicated guide will take full charge of your project, to meet your every wish. Our agency will also take care of all the logistics that you don’t want to have to deal with yourself.
Alone or with others, experience a Tour du Mont Blanc that’s just like you!
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the TMB self-guided in 7 days
A trek alone or with friends and family, in total freedom in the heart of the mountains
Accommodation chosen for its friendliness and comfort
The most beautiful panoramas and landscapes of the Tour du Mont Blanc for a week rich in emotion
The opportunity to discover 3 countries with a distinct Alpine culture in just one week
Tailor-made advice and assistance from our team of professional guides
Duration
7 days
Difficulty
3/5
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Every Sundays in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without (day 4)
The program in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Les Contamines
Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
*If no accommodation is available in Les Chapieux, the itinerary will be slightly modified to take you to another refuge nearby.
Day 3: Les Chapieux – Col Chécrouit
*If you spent the previous night in accommodation outside the hamlet of Les Chapieux, a supplement of €115 will be charged for the transfer from your accommodation to La Ville des Glaciers, the starting point for the hike. This price is valid for up to 5 people.
Day 4: Col Chécrouit – Refuge Bonatti
*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, transfer by local bus to Courmayeur. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.
Day 5: Refuge Bonatti – La Fouly
Today it’s time to reach the third country on this Tour du Mont Blanc. After a beautiful climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m), you arrive in Switzerland. After a few hours’ walk, you’ll reach the small village of La Fouly, nestling in the Swiss Val Ferret. Overnight in an inn or refuge in La Fouly.
Day 6: La Fouly – Champex -Trient
*Only take this route via the Fenêtre d’Arpette if you are in good physical and weather conditions. Don’t hesitate to ask the refuge keeper for more information before setting off, or to contact us.
Day 7: Trient – Le Tour
Useful information
Luggage transport
One piece of luggage per person is transferred each day between the different accommodation (except on the evening of D4 if you spend the night 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.
Is your Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided only part of your trip? You can leave any extra luggage you don’t need for your trek in Chamonix or the surrounding area. Many hotels and shops offer luggage storage services. In particular, you can use the website Bounce.com, which lists these drop-off points.
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.
Meals
As an option, we can provide picnics for the entire stay (€98 per person). Picnics will either be provided by the accommodation (if departing on a weekday) or prepared by us (if departing at the weekend).
If you do not take the picnic option, you can buy your own meals as you pass through the villages, refuges or grocery shops during the trek.
Additional charges may apply
Due to very high demand for accommodation on the Tour du Mont Blanc, some stages may have to be changed. We try to stick as closely as possible to the stages described, choosing accommodation as close as possible to the original refuges.
However, these changes may involve a private transfer, at an additional cost to the group, as described in the programme.
If Les Chapieux is unavailable at the end of day 2, the end of the itinerary will be slightly modified to finish the stage in another hut. A private transfer will therefore take place on the morning of day 3, at an additional cost of €115 for the group (up to 8 people).
Also, for departures between 08 and 14 June 2024, the same supplement of 115€ will be required for a transfer on day 3 between Les Chapieux and La Ville des Glaciers, as there is no shuttle service at the start of the season.
On day 4, if the Bonatti refuge is unavailable, a potential supplement of €30 per person may be applied for a night in a hotel in Courmayeur, as indicated in the programme.
Directions and accommodation
Access to the starting point:
Meet at the Bellevue cable car at 9.00am on the day of departure to collect your luggage and picnic.
To come by car:
You can leave your car at the Prarion car park a few metres further up. This is a free outdoor car park.
To come by train:
Les Houches SNCF station is easily accessible by train or bus and is less than 20 minutes’ walk from the meeting point. With an average journey time of 7 hours from Paris, 4 hours from Lyon and 2 hours from Geneva, the train is the means of transport with the lowest carbon impact. Enjoy a comfortable journey, so that you arrive in top shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc!
> Plan d’accès au point de départ
Back to the starting point: End of your trip at Le Tour. Return by bus or train, not included in the price of the stay
Bus and train timetables from the Chamonix Tourist Office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24).
Accommodation before and after the trip:
- Hôtel 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.
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.
Insurance
- 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!
Before and after the trek
The price of the stay does not include the trips before and after the trek.
Our team can help you find and book your plane and train tickets. We can also advise you about accommodation before and after your Tour du Mont Blanc.
Dates and prices
Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided in 7 days
Included in the price
- Nights in dormitories as mentioned in the programme
- Half-board in accommodation
- Transfers indicated in the programme
- Choice of: a paper roadbook (including IGN maps and map holder) or a digital roadbook with GPS tracking
- Luggage transport each evening (except the evening of D4 if you spend the night in Bonatti)
- Contact with Watse guides during your stay
Not included in the price
- A qualified guide
- The cable car on Day 1
- Transport to and from the start of the trek
- Drinks other than water at the table
- Personal hiking equipment (clothes, shoes, poles, etc.)
- Any private transfers or cable car rides not included in the programme
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to be taken out when you register
- Anything not listed in « Included in the price »
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