Mont Blanc Classic

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~~$1459~~

$1394

Mont Blanc Classic

8 Days Starting and ending in Chamonix Valley

Visiting: France, Italy, Switzerland

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

MBT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 15

Physical rating:

moderate to challenging

From:

$1459

$1394 (USD) Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$66

NB: Prices correct on 16-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

A trek around the highest peak in the European Alps where spectacular alpine scenery combines with the charm of French, Swiss and Italian mountain villages. This historic itinerary takes you across passes, around enormous glaciers and via stunning lakes to take in some of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Meadows crossed by clear melt water streams lead you downwards to green pastures where shepherds will sell their Beaufort cheese to you fresh! Mountain refuges and hotels provide a relaxing respite at the end of your day's trek. This journey is for experienced alpine walkers - providing an enthralling alpine experience with unsurpassed views around each bend.

Highlights

Trek through stunning alpine scenery around the highest peak in Western Europe
Experience the exhilaration of trekking through three countries in the European Alps
Participating in the camaraderie on the trail and at night in the refuges
Enjoying the culinary specialties such as Raclette

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive In Le Tour Begin Walk To Trient (6-7Hrs, +700M, -900M)

Meals Included: D

Leaving from the village of Le Tour you take the scenic high mountain path of Balme heading towards Switzerland. Weather permitting you will be able to take some wonderful photos of the Mont Blanc chain including the impressive “La Verte”, the Drus and the Needles of Chamonix. You will cross the border between France and Switzerland before making your way down to the village of Trient for overnight accommodation.
(9km, +700m/2297ft, -900m/2953ft)

Day 2 : Walk To Champex (5Hrs, +900M)

Meals Included: B, D

The trail continues through impressive forests with a strong ascent to the high mountain pastures of the Bovine Alps. The route takes you past shepherds huts and small farms always with views of impressive peaks such as Grand Combin to the south and later to the dramatic depths of the Rhone Valley. The Bovine hut is a great place to stop for lunch where you can spot Marmots playing in the slopes nearby. Descend along a forest trail to the pretty town of Champex located by the lake of the same name.
An alternative route is via the “Fenêtre d'Arpette” (2665m), however due to the instability of this trail we do not recommend this route.
(+900m/2953ft, -650m/2132ft)

Day 3 : Bus To Ferret And Cross The Grand Col Ferret, Bus To Courmayeur (5Hrs, +830M)

Meals Included: B, D

This morning you take a public bus (fare not included - 15 Swiss Francs) to the small village of Ferret (1705m) and commence walking. The route takes you out of Switzerland and into Italy by the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) pass. It’s a steady climb and at the Col you will be awe inspired by the sweeping views of the Pre de Bar glacier. After some time drinking in the Refuge Elena which is located at the base of the glacier and a great place to view the changing light on the alps. Continue to roadhead and take a local bus to Courmayeur.
(13km, +900m/2953ft, -500m/1640ft)

Day 4 : Walk To Elisabetta (5Hrs, +1560M,-460M)

Meals Included: B, D

This morning you will need to pack your overnight requirements for the next two nights in your daypack. Your main luggage will be waiting for you in Les Contamines on the afternoon of day 7.
From the centre of Courmayeur the walk heads steeply up a switchback trail to the Col Checroui. From here you continue the ascent to a steep spur at the top of the valley Veni where the views are spectacular. This balcony trail has some of the most dramatic views of the entire TMB trail. The descent is quite steep to the relatively flat valley floor. Skirting Lake Combal, the trail ascends at the head of the valley to the refuge.
(18km, +1560m, -460m)
Note: There are options to shorten by taking a bus in the event of poor weather or from around mid July to the end of August you can take a chairlift from Courmayeur (cutting out 700m of the ascent).

Day 5 : Cross The Col De La Seigne To France Enroute To Bonhomme (6Hrs, +1147M)

Meals Included: B, D

From the refuge Elisabetta, the trail takes you to the border of Italy and France at the Col de la Seigne (2518m) in time for an early morning view which, in good weather, will be extraordinary with sweeping views of the Mont Blanc massif and surrounding glaciers and valleys. Descend via a switchback trail to the Vallee des Glaciers, passing by a cheese maker where you have opportunities (if open) to sample Beaufort cheese. A big ascent (949m) leads to your overnight refuge just below the pass of Col de la Croix.
(20km,+1147m, -1004m)

Day 6 : Walk To Les Contamines Via The Col De La Croix Du Bonhomme (3Hrs +40M)

Meals Included: B, D

This morning the trail traverses mountain pastures to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2433m) where there are brilliant views southeast to the peaks of the Vanoise. The trail continues down to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) and crosses the Contamines Natural Reserve. A sharp descent through a pine forest fringed gorge takes us to an ancient Roman Road and the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, and further on to Les Contamines. where there is a bus or taxi service (payable locally) to Le Fayet and Chamonix.
Walking: approx 13km, +40m/131ft, -1316m/4317ft
Note: Your main luggage will be waiting for you in your accommodation in Les Contamines.

Day 7 : Walk To Les Houches (5 Or 7Hrs, +633M Or 1318M)

Meals Included: B, D

The trail takes you along the river valley and heads slowly to La Gruvaz before continuing to Le Champel and a fairly steep ascent via Bionnassay to the Col de Voza. A longer route can be taken following a combination of tracks and trails above Contamines before you ascend to cross a shoulder of Mont Truc followed by an ascent of the Col du Tricot (2120m) which forms the divide between the Miage and Bionnasay Valleys. From here you have some spectacular views of limestone cliffs and the pistes below. The descent follows a combination of gravel roads and tracks past some settlements to reach Les Houches.
Alternate route via the Col de Voza (4.5hrs, +633m, -646m)
(20km, +1318m/4324ft, -1478m/4849ft)

Day 8 : Walk To Flegere, Lift Descent To Les Praz, Walk To Chamonix, Trip Concludes (6-8Hrs, +1715M)

Meals Included: B

This is a big day. Its possible to shorten the walk by descending the lift from Brevent instead of going all the way to Flegere. If you have the stamina the longer walk is well worth it.
Cross the L’Arve River to continue up to the “Grand Balcon Sud” offering seriously good balcony trail views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley. The trail takes you all the way to the top of Flegere Lift. From here you can descend to Les Praz then continue along the River to reach the centre of Chamonix. Your luggage will be awaiting collection at your pre tour hotel from around 4.00pm.

What's Included

Accommodation
7 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels
7 nights accommodation in mountain refuges / gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis. It is possible to upgrade to 5 nights in a double room/ 2 nights dorms – additional cost applies. Please note that for the double room upgrade we cannot guarantee a doub
7 breakfasts, 7 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which may include regional specialities.
Information pack including Navigational App and TMB hiking map (1:50,000) per group of 1-4 people* – the route is waymarked. Note: if you wish to purchase an extra map (if you plan to walk separately) please let us know. Full IGN maps (1:25,000) and the C
Luggage transfer except days 5-6 (max 15kgs - soft duffel style luggage only). You will need to carry your overnight requirements on three consecutive days - 5 to 7. Your main luggage will meet you at the accommodation in the Contamines Valley on day 7.
7 nights accommodation in mountain refuges / gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis. It is possible to upgrade to a double room on 4 out of 7 nights – additional cost applies (only possible for 2 people travelling together).
Information pack including Navigational App and TMB hiking map (1:50,000) per group of 1-4 people* – the route is waymarked. *A group is the people in your booking party who you are travelling with, staying in the same accommodation.

What's Not Included

Travel to Le Tour and from Les Houches
Items of a personal nature
Lunch and drinks
Storage of luggage - please ensure your pre tour hotel can store luggage before you book
Transfers
Travel insurance
Public transport including cable cars

Accommodation

7 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels
Accommodation is mixed dormitory style in mountain refuges or Gîte hostels. There can be up to 40 people in one room in some refuges but less on most nights (around 10-12). Beds are often bunks but can also be one long platform with separate mattresses or one long continuous mattress. Blankets are provided - you need to bring a sleeping sheet. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Whilst the double room option offers the privacy of your sleeping quarters, often the bathrooms will still be shared. Please note if you elect the double room option you may stay in different accommodation and therefore follow a slightly different route. This should be kept in mind when travelling with friends as you may be split up if you choose different styles of accommodation. The double room option is not available for single travellers. In alpine huts if there is a free bed it will be sold regardless of whether you as an individual have requested a single room. To avoid this likelihood we do not offer a single option in this category. Single travellers should take the dormitory option.

Grading

MODERATE to CHALLENGING – GRADE 4
The walking is moderate to challenging (4) grade with daily walks of around 5-7 hours, between 8 and 20km and maximum ascents of 1320 metres per day. The timing provided in the itinerary is a guide only and is for the walking components only – rest breaks are not included. There are some challenging stages during the walk with steep uphills, descents, and many sections of the trail which require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good to excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. You should also be able to navigate in alpine regions using a map. Whilst the route is very well marked and well trodden, adverse weather conditions may make navigation difficult without reference to a map and our navigational App. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and alter the grading of the trip to advanced. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Danny Black(St Cloud)

Mont Blanc Classic

The Tour du Mont Blanc trail has been on my bucket

The Tour du Mont Blanc trail has been on my bucket list for years now. UTracks did an incredible job with every last detail. I would HIGHLY recommend using them.

J. Mark(Christchurch, New Zealand)

Mont Blanc Classic

Great trip, very well organised, fantastic pre tri

Great trip, very well organised, fantastic pre trip information. Amazing countryside and spectacular scenery. The walk was classified as moderate to challenging but by New Zealand standards we would rate it moderate (if you are just carrying a day pack).

L. Rees(Clifton Hill, VIC)

Mont Blanc Classic

The Mont Blanc Classic was perfect. Eight days was

The Mont Blanc Classic was perfect. Eight days was sufficient to experience the amazing walk, and going in the 'non traditional' clockwise direction I believe was just as spectacular as going anti clockwise. Having our luggage transported between refuges was an added treat - way less hassle.

J. Mosley(Mosman, NSW)

Mont Blanc Classic

We loved the Mont Blanc Classic trip (self-guided)

We loved the Mont Blanc Classic trip (self-guided). UTracks did a great job with the bookings and it went like clockwork, so much so that other walkers asked for UTracks’ details along the way. It is such a stunning walk, the hotels and food and general organisation were excellent. It is so much fun to do. In our family group we had 4 children aged from 18 to 8 and the trip was perfect for us (we gave a little assistance to the 8 year old on some of the bigger days). We will definitely use UTracks again.

M. Hurley(Brighton, Australia)

Mont Blanc Classic

Spectacular scenery every day. A real achievement.

E. McCall(Byron Bay, NSW)

Mont Blanc Classic

I wanted to complete the Tour de Mt Blanc while I

I wanted to complete the Tour de Mt Blanc while I still had the fitness level having recently celebrated my 70th birthday. My husband and I found it challenging at times, particularly up and down some of the long cols (passes) - Grand Col Ferret from Switzerland into Italy and Col du Bonhomme. Both had heaps of snow in mid June - eminently manageable with hiking poles. We’re new converts. The vistas throughout were glorious, the wildflowers beautiful, emanating a scent of honey, the pine forests refreshing and the sense of accomplishment not to be discounted. The camaraderie of fellow UTracks self guided hikers was the icing on the cake.

D. Howard(Illinois, USA)

Mont Blanc Classic

Great accommodations. Very good food at every ove

Great accommodations. Very good food at every over night Refuge.

J. Tucker(Wake Forest, United States)

Mont Blanc Classic

This was a hard hike with lots of beauty along the

This was a hard hike with lots of beauty along the way. Some overnight stays are better than others. Would recommend to anyone needing a challenge!

J. Pallarca(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Mont Blanc Classic

This trek is highly recommended! The views, peopl

This trek is highly recommended! The views, people you meet along the way and the food were some of the highlights of this trip.

Read all 9 reviews

Dates & Availability

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Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024

Tuesday - Tuesday

Jun 18, 2024 - Jun 25, 2024

~~$1459~~ $1394 (USD)