Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights
8 Days Starting in 45.821140,6.727370 and ending in 45.925461,6.869810
Visiting: France, Italy, Switzerland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
111
Group size:
2 - 14
Physical rating:
Challenging
Tour operated in:
EnglishFrom:
$1445
$1373 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$72
Tour Overview
Mont Blanc is one of the highest mountains in Europe (4,807m) and generous in its greatness, reaching into France, Italy and Switzerland. The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), which circumnavigates the massif, is also one of Europe’s greatest long-distance trails. This Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights route takes you in an anti-clockwise direction, but skips some of the tougher treks, over eight days. Stay in a mix of budget mountain accommodation, from local lodges to mountain huts, as well as hotels on the first and last nights, and with luggage transfers between each, when possible
Itinerary
Welcome to the charming, traditional village of Les Contamines. A short warm-up walk is possible depending on your arrival time.
Accommodation: Hôtel La Gélinotte, 2-star (or similar), half-board
Day 2: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux 6-7h
A short car transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge. Climb over Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme into Chapieux Valley. You get spectacular views over Aiguille des Glaciers today.
Walking for the day: 6-7h ?1,200m ?900m
Accommodation: Mountain lodge Auberge La Nova (dormitory rooms), half-board
PLEASE NOTE: If accommodation in Les Chapieux isn’t available, we will book you into a hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice instead. Depending on availability, the hotel would be either a 2-star with dinner included, or a 3-star with breakfast only. This is a supplemental cost of €28 pp. If this is the case, you need to take the bus from Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and return in the morning (approx. €4-6). If arriving before 25 June and after 27 August, private transfers will be required as the shuttle doesn’t run in low season. Supplement will be €190 in total for both transfers on Days 3 and 4.
Day 3: Les Chapieux – Refuge Elena 6-7h
Walk over Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border, journey with the most tremendous views. Descent into Val Ferret and take the bus from La Cantine de la Visaille to Courmayeur. Enjoy the great panoramic view over Grandes Jorasses. Then, you are off to Elena refuge, close to the Pré de Bar glacier.
Walking for the day: 6-7h ?950m ?1,000m
Accommodation: Elena refuge (dormitory rooms), half-board
Day 4: Refuge Elena – Champex (Val d’Arpette) 5-6h
Cross Grand Col Ferret and arrive at the quaint but beautiful village of La Fouly in Switzerland. Take in the exceptional views over the Combins massif in the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Short transfer by bus to Champex, a Swiss village with one of the TMB’s finest lakes. Continue on for around 45mins to your accommodation for the night, a lodge-hotel in Val D’Arpette.
Walking for the day: 5-6h ?600m ?1,000m
Accommodation: Le Relais Arpette (or similar) in dormitory rooms, half-board
Day 5: Champex (Val d’Arpette) – La Forclaz (or Trient) 8-9h
Today you ascend to the highest point of your TMB, trekking over Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,750m). The walk continues with breathtaking views as you continue along the Trient glacier. There is an alternative, shorter itinerary via Col de Bovine, which is highly recommended if the weather is inclement.
Walking for the day: 8-9h ?1,050m ?1,385m, or 5-6h ?800m ?1,135m (shorter option)
Accommodation: Mountain hut La Forclaz (or similar) in dormitory rooms, half-board
Day 6: La Forclaz (or Trient) – Le Tour 6-7h
Walk over Col de la Balme, with views back over to France as well as superb views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte. There are two options for your descent to Le Tour.
Walking for the day: 6-7h ?1,000m ?1,050m
Accommodation: Chalet de Tour refuge (dormitory rooms), half-board
Day 7: Le Tour – Chamonix 6h
Take in the beauty of Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges, before a trek up to Lac Blanc. Natural highlights today include Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and Mont Blanc itself of course. Descend to Chamonix via Le Praz. You can also opt to take the cable car at La Flégère or the local bus (transfers not included).
Walking for the day: Choice of 24, 16 or 8km with ?900, ? 500 or ?400m elevation gains
Accommodation: Hotel du Clocher, 3-star (or similar), bed and breakfast
Day 8: Departure or extra nights
Chamonix is a great base to spend a couple of days, and we would recommend that you add some extra nights here. There is superb walking in Aiguilles Rouges National Nature Reserve, take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (3,795m) or the train to the Montenvers on the Mer de Glace.
Check out our Q&As
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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