Tour du Mont Blanc

This is the famous classic of the Alps, a complete circuit of the magnificent Mont Blanc (4810m), the highest mountain in Western Europe.

The Tour du Mont Blanc or TMB is one of the most popular long distance walks in Europe. It circles the Mont Blanc Massif covering a distance of 168km (105 miles), passing through parts of France, Italy and Switzerland. It is considered one of the worlds classic long distance walking trails.

The route was officially inaugurated in 1952 but the history of the trail stretches back to 1758 when De Saussure, a man driven by the allure of Mont Blanc, made the first full circuit of the Massif du Mont Blanc.

Our TMB guided tours are group walking holidays with a guide. The itinerary is devised so that we can walk the entire circuit. We meet in Les Houches, France and from there embark on a journey taking in the rich history and culture of the mountains. We visit remote farms and refuges, ancient Roman towns and beautiful mountain villages. The alpine landscape is stunning, the high mountain peaks with unforgettable views, and the valleys with individual characteristics. There is an abundance of mountain flowers, adding their riot of colour, and alpine wildlife.

This is a challenging route with an accumulated height gain and loss of approximately 10,000M. It has, as the route crosses from valley to valley via the mountain passes, long and some steep, ascents and descents therefore participants on this holiday must be physically fit, and equipped to meet it.

Each night on the trail you stay in a different location. Accommodation varies from remote small family run village hotels to mountain huts. Staying at the huts is a wonderful alpine experience – the views as the sunsets in the evening, the stars at night, and sunrise in the early morning.


2011 holidays

Tour start dates

  • Dates to be advised.

Also available on request from June to September for private group bookings. Please contact us for availability and a price.

To book your holiday please click here.

Duration of tour
14 days (13 nights)

Total distance
105 miles

Price
Price £1065 per person
Prices include

  • 13 nights accommodation in hotels, gites and mountain huts.

  • Breakfasts and 10 evening meals.

  • Experienced guide.

  • Luggage transfer between overnight accommodation (except for the walks to the mountain huts Elisabetta, Bonatti and La Flegere when you will need to carry a small amount of overnight/next day gear).

Grade of walking
This is a challenging route with long and some steep ascents and descents.

Start of tour
Les Houches, France

End of tour
Les Houches, France

Group size
Maximum 10 people

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in comfortable hotels, gites and mountain huts. Rooms vary from twin occupancy to dormitory.

Meals
Breakfast and 10 evening meals are included in the price of the holiday. Lunches can be purchased on route.

Your guide
Your experienced Guide will provide daily information about the route, and guide the way. Your Guide will provide information about your accommodation and villages on route. Your Guide is emergency first aid trained.

Luggage transfer
Your luggage is transferred between overnight accommodation so all you need to carry is a day rucksack and its contents, except for the walks to the mountain huts Elisabetta, Bonatti and La Flegere when you will need to carry overnight/next day gear.

Travel
For information on travelling to and from the route please click here

Dossier
For further information about the route please click here.


Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Les Houches
Arrive in Les Houches and meet your guide for an informal briefing at your hotel.

Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines. Distance 10miles/16km
We start our tour from Les Houches, on a 650m ascent to Col de Voza (1653m), with stunning views of Chamonix Valley that get better as we climb. From Col de Voza we follow the traditional route as it descends through lush pastures and woodland, passing through tiny alpine villages, on route to the small town of Les Contamines.

Day 3: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux. Distance 11miles/18km
Starting along a Roman road we make the long ascent through mountain pastures to the Col de la Bonhomme (2329m). We then traverse the hillside to another slightly higher Col where ibex can often be seen, before a gentle descent to the lovely hamlet of Les Chapieux where herds of sheep, goats and cows spend the summer grazing.

Day 4: Les Chapieux to Rifugio Elisabetta. Distance 9.5miles/15km
We follow the road along the valley where cows produce the famous Beaufort cheese; with the opportunity to buy some for a picnic! A steady climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and into Italy with views of the ‘other side’ of Mont Blanc. From the Col we descend to Rifugio Elisabetta (2195m) for a true night in the mountains. Sunset views can be magical.

Day 5: Rifugio Elisabetta to Courmayeur. Distance 11miles/18km
We descend to the milky blue Lac Combal where the route then climbs to a balcony path with wonderful views. The route descends via Plan Checrouit and Dolonne to the ancient Italian town of Courmayeur.

Day 6: Rest day in Courmayeur
Today we have rest day in Courmayeur and after a leisurely breakfast there are a number of options, the town itself has some great shops cafes and bars for those who want to just wander peacefully. For the adventurous we suggest a trip up the cable car to point Helbronner and fantastic views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers of the valley blanche. Whatever you decide your rest day should leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges ahead.

Day 7: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti. Distance 7.5miles/12km
We leave the old quarter of Courmayeur and head up the Mont de la Saxe Ridge through pine forests to the Bertone Refuge for a coffee. Then along the ridge with some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range, before arriving at the Rifugio Bonatti (2025m) for our second night in the mountains. The Refuge pays homage to the great Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti.

Day 8: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly. Distance 12.5miles/20km
The day starts with a gentle traverse of the mountainside to the Rifugio Elena for morning coffee. A climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2537M) where we cross the border into Switzerland. Down through the flower meadows to the small village of La Fouly.

Day 9: La Fouly to Champex. Distance 9.5miles/15km
An easier day as we follow a Swiss mountain valley to Champex. Dairy cattle graze the pastures as we pass the local farming communities.

Day 10: Champex to Trient. Distance 10miles/16km
We leave Champex and begin to climb along the Bovine trail which traverses the mountainside through flower filled pastures. There are stunning views down to the Roman town of Martigny and the Rhone valley as we walk to Trient for the night.

Day 11: Trient to Argentiere. Distance 8miles/13km
As we come full circle we head up and over the Col de Balme from where Charles Dickens penned a letter describing the stunning beauty of the mountains. Along the Posettes ridge and down through the forests to the Argentiere.

Day 12: Argentiere to La Flegere. Distance 5miles/8km
From the Col des Montets we head up through the Nature Reserve to the famous Lac Blanc which provides a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc Massif, with its peaks and glaciers. Enjoy the flowers of the high mountain and see ibex and chamois, often we can get very close. We walk down to Refuge La Flegere (1875m) for our last night in the mountains.

Day 13: La Flegere to Les Houches. Distance 10.5miles/17km
We head for Le Brevent (2526m), the high point of the day, and an amazing full frontal view of Mont Blanc. From here we descend a steep path with spectacular views to Les Houches.

Day 14: Depart for home
After breakfast at your hotel depart for your journey home.