About THE Tour Mont Blanc
At a glance...
Countries: France, Switzerland, Italy
Group size: Minimum of two (2)
Duration: 12 days/ 11 nights
Activity: Trekking and sightseeing
Travel style: Self-guided
Difficulty grade: Moderate to strenuous
Comfort: Various (hotels, dormitory-style refuges)
Availability: July 1 — August 20, 2024
Referred to simply as “TMB,” this bucket-list trek is a must-do for any serious international hiker, and with our self-guided package, we provide you with everything you need to remove the stress of planning and logistics. Hike at your own pace in the company of friends and family. (We require a minimum of two trekkers per departure.) On days when you’re not hiking to your hotel, your party will be picked up at the designated spot and transferred to a comfortable, two- to four-star accommodation for a hearty meal and hot shower. (One night, you will stay in a dormitory-style mountain hut, but you’ll be ready for that.)
With our self-guided travel packs, you’ll have everything you need – including maps, food and accommodation vouchers, and our GPX-equipped mobile app – to hike this circuit with confidence. We also provide a 24-hour emergency helpline. See? No worries!
Hobnail Trekking has worked diligently with our team in France to create an unmatched and unique experience. Just to add a little icing on the top, at the conclusion of the trek, you’ll enjoy two spectacular days in the famous French ski village of Chamonix. While there — and as part of your package — pamper yourself at the amazing QC Terme Spa, ride the iconic Aiguille du Midi cable car and visit the panoramic viewing platform at the top, and take the small, traditional train of Montenvers to experience the astonishing sea of ice and the ice cave!
Take three minutes to watch the video below. We PROMISE you’ll be psyched and ready to go!
Tour Mont Blanc
- This is a self-guided trek. Choose any 12-day block that falls during the following dates:
- July 1 — August 20, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to departure.
TOUR MONT BLANC Details
DAY OF ADVENTURE IN CHAMPEX
As if the fact that you are trekking around the impressive Mont Blanc massif isn’t enough of an adventure, you’ll have an entire day of it in Champex, about halfway through your trek. Sure, you can sit by the lake, relax, and read, but do it after taking a lift and hiking to the refuge of Orny, where you can observe alpinists training for mountaineering feats. Then, take the zipline back to Champex. What a way to spend a rest day!
THREE COUNTRIES IN NINE DAYS
One of the things that makes the TMB adventure so unique is that you are hiking through three different countries in just nine days. Starting in Switzerland, you’ll walk through parts of France and Italy before ending up in Chamonix, France. When can you say you’ve spent time in three countries in about a week’s time and really had the chance to experience those countries?
IT’S A CLASSIC!
The TMB is easily one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world and is one that — if you love adventure travel — you’ll definitely want to check off. With an average of 3,000 ft of ascent and descent each day, it’ll test you, but won’t destroy you. With training, patience, and relying on your app to help you stay on the trail, even those who aren’t expert hikers can complete this trek. No special equipment is needed other than a great, broken-in pair of hiking boots.
SELF-GUIDED IS REALLY COOL
If you’re nervous about a self-guided trek, don’t be. The TMB is clearly marked and hiking trails are well-maintained. But just in case, we provide you with a mobile app that tells you exactly where to go. Other than the need to get to your refuge for the night by a certain time, you’re not on anyone’s schedule but your own. Stop a little longer at that beautiful lake, start early so you have more time in that day’s destination village — whatever you choose, you can do it. Self-guided treks are sometimes called “Freedom Treks” for a reason.
CHAMONIX
Your time in this famous ski village will be memorable. For starters, take the cable car to the absolute most amazing view of the peaks that surround you. You can also “step into the void” — a glass observation booth — if you’re one of those really daring types. The next day, take a short but memorable train ride to see the largest glacier in France as it cuts its way through the Mont Blanc Massif. While there, enjoy a stroll to the historic Montenvers Hotel and grab a bite to eat. Finally, indulge yourself at the QC Terme spa. Already more awesome than most spas, this one has a large outdoor heated pool that faces the mountains. You could spend all evening just sitting there staring at those peaks as the moon rises over them. Skip dinner and stare a little longer; you won’t regret that you did.
- Hobnail Trekking Co. long-sleeve trekking shirt and ball cap
- Custom Hobnail mobile app
- Lots of freebies
- Opportunities to get to know your fellow trekkers including an invitation to a private Facebook group for your trek, group training hikes if trekkers live in proximity to each other, and other local social gatherings
- Travel pack with all documents necessary for your trip, including a travel guide with maps and a list of accommodations with booking details
- GPX travel app for directions and points of interest along the way
- Double occupancy in hotels and mountain lodges (usually with en suite bathroom)
- Meals on the trek as detailed in the itinerary
- Daily luggage transport to the next accommodation of one soft bag up to 15 kg per person
- Transfer on day 3, shuttle bus from Geneva airport to Les Houches on day 1
- 4* hotel in Chamonix, entrance tickets, cable car ticket, and luxury spa entrance ticket
- The company of new friends and the experience of a lifetime
- Travel insurance (See the Travel Insurance section on this page for details)
- International flights
- Entrance Visa
- Meals not included on itinerary Drinks
- Cable car on days 2, 6, and 9
- Evening transfer on day 4
- Shuttle transfer from Les Chapieux to Bourg St. Maurice on day 3, and from Bourg St. Maurice to Ville des Glaciers on day 4
- Bus transfer from Visaille to Courmayeur on day 4
- Bus transfer from Courmayeur to Val Ferret on day 5
- Bus transfer from La Fouly to Champex on day 5
- Transfer from Chamonix to Geneva airport
- Gratuities
- Spending money, including for souvenirs
- Personal trekking equipment (hiking boots, clothing, etc.)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, extra hotel nights, extra meals, etc.)
- All expenses associated with nonscheduled departure
We rate this trek as “intermediate” in difficulty, or three boots. This means that you should expect 3-7 hours of hiking
OK, here’s where we get serious. Hobnail requires that all trekkers purchase travel/medical insurance that covers them properly for all trekking activities.
There are a lot more details you need to know about travel insurance than we want to put in this limited space — including stuff about trip cancellations and what company we recommend — so when you’re ready, pop over to our Travel Insurance page.
We consider our treks to be adventures, not vacations. We’re not Hobnail Vacation Company, after all! Don’t get us wrong; we like vacations as much as the next person, but with our treks, you need to be physically and mentally ready. Here’s what we ask of you:
- You thoroughly read all the information we send you prior to departure.
- You get yourself an accountability partner and train properly. This doesn’t mean doing a few squats two weeks before departure.
- You familiarize yourself with your gear prior to leaving. Practice adjusting your backpack, filtering water if necessary, etc.
- If you purchase new boots, they are broken in well in advance of departure.
- When on trek, you FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR GUIDE. His or her only concern is helping you achieve your goal safely and in good health, but this won’t happen unless you follow their advice. This includes – but is not limited to – food recommendations, speed of pace, when to sleep and when not to, when to walk and when to rest, when to turn around due to illness, etc.
- When on trek, you treat your guide and the locals you encounter with the utmost respect. We are guests in their country and very grateful to be there.
All of these things may seem like common sense — and they are — but we feel that we must mention them. Hobnail’s goal is to provide you with the best experience possible, and you have an important role in achieving that goal.
A few days after registering for a trek (with a deposit of at least $500), we’ll give you a quick call to say hello and answer any initial questions you may have. If you use WhatsApp, we’ll add you to a group with your fellow trekkers so that you may interact with them, and possibly your guide, before departure. You’ll be able to post questions in the group anytime you’d like, talk about the cool gear you’re planning to take with you, organize group hikes if you live near each other, and generally just get to know those who will be sharing this incredible experience with you.
Within the first weeks after your trek is confirmed, you will receive a Welcome Kit from us. It contains stuff that you can use during training as well as on the trek itself, and some other just fun things to get you (even more) excited about your trip.
You’ll also receive a login to our Hobnail app, which is full of great information including a day-by-day schedule, nearby points of interest, beautiful photography, and yet another way to contact us – through its messaging service. As your trip gets closer, we will load your flights and other more specific information into the app so you’ll feel even more secure in knowing where you’ll be staying and even how to get around the airports you’ll travel through.
The closer you get to your trek, the more you’ll hear from us — but of course, you can reach out any time you have a question.
Our Mobile App
When you book, we send you the login credentials to your own, customized app. By departure, your app will contain your flight info, passport, travel insurance docs, and COVID info, as well as your full itinerary, points of interest, and other amazing stuff. Get more details at our app page.
TREK ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Geneva, transfer to Les Houches
You’ll arrive in the beautiful city of Geneva, Switzerland, already with a great view of Mont Blanc. Trust that the view of this peak won’t get old as you spend the next nine days trekking its circumference. Today, you begin your journey in the charming, traditional village of Les Houches, with your hotel and dinner arrangements provided for you. All you have to do is show up.
Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines
Wave goodbye to the village of Les Houches and begin the official start of the TMB trek! First up, travel via cable car to Bellevue.
From there, the TMB path contours through the forest high above the Bionnassay Valley while passing through pretty Alpine hamlets with excellent views of Mont Blanc and across the foothills of the Alps. The Dôme du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnassay dominate the views with the impressive glacier between them. You’ll begin the climb up the Col de Tricot followed by a descent through a series of switchbacks to Chalet de Miage. The riverside path at the end of the day’s hike will make for a very pleasing approach into Les Contamines.
Additional transfers: Les Houches to Les Contamines via cable car: around $16
Overnight: Hotel in Les Contamines
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Activity: 4-5 hours hiking, + 2,100 ft, – 4,185 ft, 6.8 miles
Day 3: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
Today, you’ll start with a short transfer (included) to Notre Dame de la Gorge on a shuttle bus. Next, you’ll climb over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme leading to the Chapieux Valley. Crossing over the Aiguille des Glaciers, you’ll find yourself in an incredibly picturesque postcard moment. Take a picture and send it to your friends back home — make them jealous you made this journey.
Dinner is on your own tonight, but you’ll have plenty of great choices.
Note: If rooms are not available in Les Chapieux, a hotel will be booked for you in Bourg St. Maurice instead. This will require you to meet the public shuttle by 5 pm sharp (approximately $7).
Overnight: Mountain lodge/hotel in Les Chapieux
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Activity: 6-7 hours hiking, + 3,940 ft, – 2,950 ft, 9 miles
Day 4: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur
Morning will come early as you meet your transfer at 6:55 am sharp to travel from Bourg Saint Maurice to Ville des Glaciers, where you’ll depart for today’s hike.
You’ll start by venturing over the Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border. The view on this hike is truly spectacular, and you’ll take note that you’ve been in three countries in just four days! Next, descend into Val Ferret and take a bus from La Cantine de la Visaille to Courmayeur. There’s a great panoramic view upon the Grandes Jorasses, often believed to be the most strikingly complex and powerful structure of the Mont Blanc massif.
You have a little time to relax in Courmayeur before settling in for the night. Dinner is on your own, but we can give some great recommendations if you’re having trouble choosing.
Additional transfers:
♦ Bourg Saint Maurice to Ville des Glaciers: around $6
♦ La Cantine de la Visaille to Courmayeur: around $6
Overnight: Hotel in Courmayeur
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch
Activity: 6 hours hiking, + 2,295 ft, – 3,280 ft
Day 5: Courmayeur to Champex (Val d’Arpette)
Starting from your hotel in Courmayeur, you’ll take a public bus to Val Ferret, the start of today’s hike. Cross the Grand Col Ferret and arrive in the quaint but beautiful village of La Fouly in Switzerland. Experience the exceptional views over the massif of Combins in the East and on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
You’ll transfer by public bus to Champex, the quintessential Swiss village boasting a beautiful lake and gorgeous mountain views. You’ll settle in with a fantastic dinner and then, relax and plan which activity(s) you’ll choose for tomorrow.
Additional transfers:
♦ Courmayeur to Val Ferret via public bus: around $3
♦ La Fouly to Champex via public bus: around $13.50
Overnight: Hotel in Champex
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Activity: 6-7 hours hiking, + 2,790 ft, – 3,280 ft, 8 miles
Day 6: Day of adventure (or rest) in Champex
You’ll love this charming village so much that you won’t be ready to leave after just one night here, so we’ve scheduled an extra day! You’ll stay in Champex one more night, allowing you to take advantage of some really great activities during the day.
Of course, you can also just opt to rest or relax by the lake today, reading a good book (we highly recommend Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp).
But if you’re interested in a more active rest day, you’ve got some incredible options:
- Take the lift from Champex to La Breya, and then zipline your way back down to Champex Lake. What a way to travel!
- Take the lift from Champex to La Breya. From there, a nice hike takes you up to the refuge of Orny, a base camp for alpinists who intend to do more intense mountaineering in the future. You can watch them improve on their craft, or just enjoy the view from the top, which is absolutely fantastic. For the trip back down, you have a few options:
- Take the lift back down the way you came
- Hike back down to Champex
- Take the zipline down for a really fun, unique, and thrilling experience!
You reserve and pay for the activities you choose on your own, but of course, we’ll give you all of the information you need so that the process will be seamless.
Lunch will be on your own today since you have so many options! And once again, you’ll be treated to a fantastic dinner at your hotel.
Activity fees: La Breya Chairlift: about $25; zipline about $20; chairlift and zipline combination: about $35
Overnight: Hotel in Champex
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: Champex (Val d’Arpette) to La Forclaz or Trient
After breakfast, your TMB trek resumes by crossing through the pastures of bovine via a balcony trail overlooking the Rhone valley.
Today’s journey is a bit more rustic, which increases the authenticity of the experience. Even your lodging will be more rustic than usual since you’ll stay overnight in a lodge instead of a hotel. (You’ll still have a double room in which to relax.) Even though you won’t be resting in the lap of luxury tonight, you’ll be safe, warm, and surrounded by great folks. This is life on the trail.
There’s a great little spot on today’s walk where you can get a delicious hot lunch. While we did everything we could to keep it a secret, word has spread and it may be hard to get a seat. So just in case, you’ve got your packed lunch as a backup plan.
Overnight: Lodge in Col de La Forclaz or in Trient
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Activity: 5.5 hours hiking, + 2,625 ft, – 4,315 ft, 8.4 miles
Day 8: La Forclaz or Trient to Argentière
Today, you’ll trek over the Col de la Balme and back to France with fantastic views of the Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte, and because choices are always good, you will have the option of two different routes for the descent. You can go either via Tour or via the village of Argentières. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Overnight: Hotel in Argentières
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Activity: 6-7 hours hiking, + 3,280 ft, – 3,445 ft, 7.9 miles
Day 9: Argentière to Chamonix
Today you’ll enjoy the wonderful Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges before your climb to Lac Blanc. Try to take in all the beautiful scenery that surrounds you: Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and last but not least, the Mont Blanc itself!
You’ll descend to Chamonix via Le Praz. Or, you can choose to take the cableway of La Flégère. Again, the choices are good.
Lunch and dinner are on your own, but there are amazing options available in Chamonix for dinner and a great little restaurant on the way to Chamonix for a hot lunch. We’re happy to give you some great recommendations.
Additional transfers: La Flégère cable car (optional)
Overnight: Hotel in Chamonix
Meals included: Breakfast
Activity: 6 hours hiking, + 2,950 ft, – 3,610 ft, 6 miles if taking the cable car OR 9 miles if hiking Le Praz
Day 10: Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi, and QC Terme (spa)
This morning after breakfast, you’ll take the cable car of the Aiguille du Midi and brave the famous “step into the void” — a glass observation booth — over the Mont Blanc massif. Even if you opt out of this experience, there are plenty of other interesting things to learn and breathtaking scenery to absorb while you’re up there. Don’t miss it.
When you come back down off the mountain, feel free to explore the city and the history of Chamonix. We’ll give you the tools to do it right. Don’t forget to stop at a traditional French bakery for lunch while you’re exploring.
Later this afternoon, you’re in for a real treat. Enjoy a relaxing late afternoon/event at QC Terme spa. There are a dozen ways for you to relax and unwind here, and the outdoor heated pool with a perfect view of the mountains is our favorite. Your entrance fee is covered, and that gives you access to almost everything that the spa has to offer – other than a massage, which you can arrange directly with the spa staff.
Overnight: Hotel in Chamonix
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11: Chamonix and the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”)
It’s the last full day of your trip, so take it all in and leave tomorrow with no regrets!
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take the small traditional train of Montenvers up the Mont Blanc to the Mer de Glace. Be sure to sit on the left side of the train on your way up for an incredible view of Chamonix as you incline. The train takes you to an astonishing lookout that gives you a perfect view of the largest glacier in France as it makes its way through the Mont Blanc Massif.
When you get to the top and after you’ve gawked at the view and taken a couple dozen selfies, be sure to take the gondola ride above the sea of ice. This takes you to the ice cave, where you enter the bowels of the glacier for a close-up, memorable inspection of an actual living sea of ice.
A short little walk takes you to the Glaciorium, where you’ll learn all about the history and evolution of this glacier and its effects on the mountain range. It’s easy to miss this spot – look for what appears to be a nice little rustic storage shed. It’s not a storage shed but a really well-done educational exhibit.
There are a couple of options for food while you’re there – most notably the mythical Montenvers Hotel, facing the Aiguille des Drus. This hotel is gorgeous, has truly incredible views, and gives off Stanley Hotel (The Shining) vibes, but on a much smaller and less scary scale. You definitely don’t want to miss this; just seeing the hotel up close helps you envision the visitors who walked in your same footsteps almost 150 years before.
Head back down the mountain (on the right side of the train this time) and find a good place for dinner. Once again, you can’t go wrong here in Chamonix.
Overnight: Hotel in Chamonix
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12: Au revoir (goodbye) and safe travels home
This morning, after breakfast and any last-minute shopping for gifts and souvenirs, you’ll hop on the shuttle bus and head back to Geneva to catch your flight home. We hope you had a memorable, inspiring, and bucket-list adventure on the Tour Mont Blanc!
GENERAL INFORMATION
More about the tmb route
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a long distance trekking trail passing through France, Switzerland, and Italy. The complete circuit is approximately 107 miles and has an altitude gain and loss of 6.2 miles, which is more than the height of Everest. The trail can be completed by marathon runners, however, it is comfortably hiked in 10 days. (For high-level athletes, 7 or 8 days will provide a decent challenge).
More about the Aiguille du Midi attraction
The Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix Town (1035m) up to the summit of the Aiguile du Midi (3842m). It is a two-stage journey. The first leg brings visitors to the Plan de l’Aiguille (2,317m). The second stage, without any support pillar, traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi at the top station (3778m). A footbridge connects the cable car top station with the Central Piton terrace. An elevator inside the rock rises the visitor the final 42m to the top terrace at an altitude of 3,842m.
More about the Mer de Glace Ice Cave
This will be a crazy-cool part of your Chamonix experience! A small cable car allows visitors to descend from the train station onto the Mer de Glace glacier where they can enter a man made ice grotto that is literlly cut into the living glacier. In fact, it has to be carved out every summer, because the glacier moves about 230 feet every year!
Ice sculptures and caves are inside — yes, inside — the glacier. The Gallery of Crystals features a collection of the finest crystal specimens in the Mont Blanc massif.
Tour Mont Blanc
- This is a self-guided trek. Choose any 12-day block that falls during the following dates:
- July 1 — August 20, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to departure.
