french-alps-hiking-guided-tour-du-mont-blanc

Guided groups

Hiking

lvl. 3
Itinérant circuit
Réf : E3MB
9 days Book / Enquire

Our trip

  • The most famous multi-day mountain hike in the Alps

  • France, Italy, and Switzerland: explore three alpine cultures (food, vine...etc.)

  • Start and finish in Chamonix centre.

Circling the Mt. Blanc Range means hiking as close as possible to this legendary alpine giant without actually climbing. Every day, enjoy so many new discoveries as you explore the different sides, cultures, and landscapes of the range: first through France, and then Italy and Switzerland. The well-marked trails and circuits are trade and communications that have been used, in some cases, since Antiquity. This is hands down one of the world's major and most classic multi-day mountain hikes!

Reservation

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Itinerary

Hiking : a relatively accessible activity, hiking offers the opportunity to explore a country or a region up close, on foot, and to meet and mingle with the locals. On a traverse or loop, whatever your skill level, embark on one of our through-hikes to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the great outdoors.

Level 3: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on well-marked trails and/or 600 to 800 meters of vertical gain, and/or distances up to 15 kilometers.

Duration : 9 days
Luggage transfers : Only your day pack
Lodging : Hotel
Guiding : French, english speaking, mountain leader (UIMLA certified)
Group : From 3 to 14 participants

Day by day

Day 1

Arrival day in Chamonix

Lodging : hotel. Included meals : dinner. Meals not included : breakfast, lunch.
Check in your hotel in Chamonix center and meet your guide at 6:00 pm in the lobby for a TMB briefing with your fellow hikers.

Day 2

Les Houches - col du Tricot pass - les Contamines-Montjoie

Distance : 11km / 6.8 mi - Ascent : 650 m. Descent : 1250 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Local morning transfer to Les Houches. Bellevue lift takes you up to Bellevue where starts the hike.  You first hike down to the end of Bionnassay glacier for a lovely view on the glacier from a "nepali hanging bridge". Climb up to Col de Tricot (2120 m). Nice trail down to chalets de Miage (1560 m), charming hamlet overlooked by the Dômes de Miage summit, time for a rest. Then hike up to chalets du Truc (1720 m). A last effort hiking down to the village: Les Contamines Montjoie were you overnight.

Day 3

Les Contamines - col de la Croix du Bonhomme - Les Chapieux - Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Distance : 15km / 9.3mi - Ascent : 1250 m. Descent : 950 m. Hiking : 7 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Short transfer with a local bus to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge (1210m) a famous Baroque church. Then start for the longest day of this week with an old roman road. Progressive ascent to Col du Bonhomme (2329m) between Mont-Blanc and Beaufortain ranges. You keep hiking up to col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme (2433 m). Beautiful panorama on the Vanoise range, first french national Park. Last stage of the day hiking down through alpine meadows leading to the typical hamlet of Les Chapieux. A 25' transfer with a private vehicle takes you to Bourg-Saint-Maurice to find an hotel (none in Les Chapieux).

Day 4

Bourg-Sant-Maurice - la Ville des glaciers - col de la Seigne pass - Courmayeur

Distance : 16km / 10mi - Ascent : 750 m. Descent : 850 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
After a morning transfer, start hiking from la Ville des Glaciers (1790 m) where you can see the cheese farm. Hike up through a nice alpine meadow to col La Seigne (2516 m) where you reach the french-italian border. Stunning point of view on legendary summits as Mont-Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peutrey, Grandes Jorasses... Then hike down into the val Veny to the end of Miage glacier. A short transfer brings you to Courmayeur (1226 m), the Italian Alps capital.
Day 5

Courmayeur - Grand col Ferret passs - La Fouly - Champex

Distance : 15km / 9.3mi - Ascent : 800 m. Descent : 900 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
A shorter day in the middle of the week allows you time to rest.  Short transfert from Courmayeur to the end of the italian side of Val Ferret. The hike begins at the foot of the Pré-de-Bar glacier to reach rifugio Elena (2052 m). Hike up to Grand col Ferret (2537m), italian-swiss border. One last sight on Italy and you hike down through the sweet Swiss alpine meadow to reach the hamlet of Ferret (1 740m). Afternoon transfer on a private vehicle to the village of Champex and his charming Lake.
Day 6

Champex - Bovines - Trient

Distance : 15.5km / 9.6mi - Ascent : 750 m. Descent : 900 m. Hiking : 5.5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
From Champex, you hike through famous Swiss moutain pastures and their cows producing some of the most famous cheese of the Alps! From Bovines, you get amazing views on the Rhône valley and Swiss Valais. The day ends at Trient village (1 280m).
Day 7

Trient - col de Balme - Argentière

Distance : 15km / 9.3mi - Ascent : 950 m. Descent : 950 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
From Trient, hike up to the Swiss-french border at Col de Balme (2191m). You get here one of the best panorama on the Mont Blanc summit and the Chamonix valley. Hike down to le Tour (1453 m) (Lift in option). A last effort to reach Argentière village (1250m).
Day 8

Argentière - lac blanc - Chamonix

Distance : 9km / 5.6mi - Ascent : 950 m. Descent : 500 m. Hiking : 5 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Last day in the mountains in the Aiguilles-Rouges range facing Mont Blanc range. You get perfect views all day on glaciers and summits on the other side of the valley. From Col des Montets (1461m), you follow a balcony trail up to lake des Chéserys, famous to reflect the most famous mountain of the Alps ! The itinerary continue to beautiful Lake Blanc (2352m). Finally hike down to La Flégère (1877m) to reach with les Praz de Chamonix with a cable car. Back to Chamonix hotel for a last dinner in town.
Day 9

Chamonix

Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.
End of our services after breakfast.
Please request for any additional activity or excursion in Chamonix

Pricing

Pricing

The price includes / does not include

The price includes
- French, english speaking trekking leader (UIMLA certified) and a second leader from 11 pax
- Accommodation as described : 8 nights in hotel - twin or double room
- Meals : 8 breakfasts, 8 dinners, 7 pack-lunches
- Cable-cars and transfers as described on the itinerary
- Luggage transfer every night
- Energetic snacks for the week

The price does not include
- Transportation to and from Chamonix
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance.
- Anything that is not specified in the "included in the price" list.

 Other expenses
- personal expenses, Drinks and tips
- Tickets to any additional visit.

During your trip

Our team

This trip is guided by a French - English speaking - UIMLA certified mountain leader. A second leader will assist from 10 people. Specialists of the Tour du Mont-Blanc, they will guide you on "their" trails through the three countries. Your guides will speak English...but don't be afraid if they speak as a French;-)

Day 2: transfer Chamonix to Les Houches
Day 2: Bellevue cable car
Day 3: Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Day 4: Bourg-Saint-Maurice to La Ville des Glaciers
Day 4: La Visaille - Courmayeur
Day 5: Courmayeur - Arnuva
Day 5: La Fouly - Champex
Day 8: La Flégère cable car
Day 8: Local bus to Chamonix centre.

Lodging

Twin / double  rooms in 3-stars hotels (or equivalent) and 1 night in a guest-house.
Single room is always "on request".

Meals

Our goal is to ensure that you eat well-balanced meals suited for the effort required each day, and to lighten your pack load as much as possible.
- Dinners (hot meals, very filling) and breakfasts are prepared by your accommodations.
- 2 dinners in a Chamonix restaurant are included. But dinner on day 3 in Courmayeur is not included to give you all options in town for a dinner on your own
- Lunches are pack-lunches either prepared by your guide or the accommodation.


Luggage transfer

Your luggage is transferred every day by car from one to the other accommodation

Currencies

France
France and Italy are part of the Euro zone. You may find ATMs easily in the main cities and towns.
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.

 


Italia
France and Italy are part of the Euro zone. You may find ATMs easily in the main cities and towns.
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.

Switzerland
Switerzland doesn't belong to Euro zone. The Swiss use their own currency, the Swiss Franc. The exchange rate is approximately 1 CHF = 0.9 EUR. Please check here for current rates.
Swiss shops and hotels may take euros (usually in bills only, and change in CHF), and usually offer an unfavorable exchange rate (for you). You are better off paying by credit/debit card or withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Access

Access

The best way to get to Chamonix is Geneva international airport.
From Geneva, we can organise a private transfer for you for 275€ per group up to 8 persons.

If you're on your own, we advice you to book one of the following shutttle service:
http://www.mountaindropoffs.com/fr/
http://www.chamexpress.com/?gclid=CJ-vzIOkuMoCFRUTGwod0SEFdA

Required before leaving

Formalities

France
Please check with your embassy.

Switzerland
Please check with your embassy.

Health

France

Vaccinations

Required vaccinations

No vaccinations are required.

Recommended vaccinations

Please check to make sure that all your vaccinations are current: DPT, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.

Dentist and general physician

We recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.

Getting ready

Physical fitness level 3

To take full advantage of your trip, make sure that you stay in good shape by walking or hiking least once per week (around 15km) on a trail with considerable vertical gain (250m/hr) or by participating in a moderately intense athletic activity for 1 to 1.5hrs.

Your first aid kit

For the medication and pain relievers listed below, we recommend that you check with your doctor beforehand, adding what you need based on personal requirements and the specificities of your trip.

  • An analgesic.
  • An anti-inflammatory (pills or gels).
  • An anti-diarrheal tablets
  • A disinfectant, band aids (several sizes), mole skin, sterile compresses, medical tape, Steri-Strips,

Gear list

Hiking equipment list

  • Daypack about 30 litres
  • Hiking boots and mountain socks
  • Shorts and hiking trousers
  • T-shirts
  • Thermal baselayer shirts (1 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve)
  • Fleece jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof overtrousers
  • One pair of gloves
  • Sunhat and warm hat
  • Sunglasses (category 3)
  • Sun protection and lipstick
  • Water bottles 2 litres
  • Trekking poles (highly recommended)
  • Travel / duffle bag
  • Washbag and toiletries
  • Head torch
  • Basic first aid kit and own medicines
  • Sleeping bag liner (in case of mountain huts overnight)
  • Travel clothes
  • Travel shoes
  • Ear plugs

Note : the weight of your daypack shouldn't be over 8kg and your main baggage should be under 15kg (for  luggage transfers).

Safety

The Mont Blanc Experience promise

No region in the world is 100% safe and without danger.

Allibert Trekking keeps you informed and is fully transparent when it comes to the potential risks. We gather security risk information from multiple sources: in-house research, monitoring specialized websites, meetings with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "safety and security" trips in the field, constant contact with our regional specialists, local teams on the ground, and France's travel agency federation (ATT-ATR).

Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot make any decisions for you.

If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to:

— Reinforce our guide team (for guided trips).
— Modify the itinerary for our tours.
— Place a tour or destination on hiatus for an extended period of time when we consider the level of risk to be too high.

Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.

Extend your trip

Additional nights

Book an additional night in a 3 stars Hotel in Chamonix center
  • Chamonix
    • Hotel 3 stars : from 80 to 160 € (depending on the season and / or service chosen)
      • Double room, single room, triple room (double with extra-bed), twin room
      • B&b
Price per person