Tour du Mont Blanc – Bespoke Tours
Bespoke Guided Tour Overview
Our Bespoke Group Bookings allow you full breadth in planning your group’s Tour du Mont Blanc.
We can discuss variant options to the route, provide private transfers and backup vehicles throughout your tour, and arrange for Hotel accommodation and drivers for your group, should you not wish to stay in the mountain huts or just wish to experience different restaurants each night. Alpine Walks are experts in arranging flexible and enjoyable ‘highlight’ tours so if you’d like to get up high, but avoid the climbs, we can recommend which cable cars to use.
Everything you need to know in order to plan your bespoke journey on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), around Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain at 4,810 metres.
The oldest recording of a journey around Mont Blanc, (White Mountain) goes to Horace Benedict de Saussure, a Swiss Geologist, who undertook the journey in 1767 (aged 27). Since then each of the surrounding peaks have attracted thousands of climbers. The journey around the mountain has attracted those seeking adventure, solitude, or both! Alpine Walks tours on the TMB offers you the chance to visit France, Switzerland and Italy. The cultural and physical differences in each of these countries becomes immediately obvious as you enter them. Past physical barrier meant that for much of each year it was impossible to travel from one area to the other. Now, between June and September each year, the snow recedes to around 3,000 metres altitude. The passes are then open and an ‘Alpine Walks’ tour may be completed in warm temperatures and fairly settled weather conditions.
Sample Tour du Mont Blanc Itinerary
The itinerary below is based on a 12 day clockwise tour starting and finishing in Chamonix, France, 10 nights in hotels (3* or 4*) and 2 nights in Mountain Refuges.
Day 1 – Arrival at Chamonix
Arrive at Chamonix and check into the Hotel & Spa Heliopic . Meet your guide, who will run through the itinerary in more detail and answer any questions you may have. We finish with a short stroll into town for dinner.
Day 2 – Chamonix to Argentiere
Leaving Chamonix, we take the cable car up to Plan Praz at 2000 metres We start the grand tour with a climb of just under 500 metres towards the Aiguille de la Charlanon before turning towards Lac Blanc for lunch. The ‘White Lake’, is the prime spot from which to view the Mont Blanc massif from the French side. After lunch there are opportunities to spot Ibex as we descend into Argentiere. Distance of 12 kilometres, ascent 800m/descent 1100m.
Day 3 – Argentiere to Trient, Switzerland
Leaving our hotel, we walk through the old village of Argentiere and up to Montroc. Then a steady climb through the Pine forest rewards us with a view of Le Tour, and the Le Tour glacier. After a coffee break in one of the ‘Alpage’s’ we continue up to the Col du Balme refuge, the border with Switzerland. After lunch, spent gazing down the length of the Chamonix valley, we continue up for about 30 minutes to the Tete de Balme 2,321m. Beyond, our descent begins through Alpine pastures, inhabited by grazing cattle, giving way to the pine forests before arriving in Trient. A final short climb brings us to the Col du Forclaz and our hotel. Distance 9 Kilometres and 1200 metres ascent/1100m descent. The accommodation in this village is dormitory style – we therefore arrange private transport to the nearby town of Martigny for overnight hotel accommodation.
Day 4 – Trient to Champex Lac
After breakfast our private transport returns us to Trient to continue the route.
The Bovine Route (800 metre ascent, 6 hrs) with a lunch stop at the ‘Alpage’, is the easier option. Alternatively, if the weather is suitable and the group are feeling strong, there is the Finetre d’Arpette (1200m, 8 hrs) with its glacial views. Either route ends at the Hotel Splendide in Champex Lac.
Day 5 – Champex Lac to La Fouly
An easier day with an initial drop through forests to the valley floor. Our afternoon is spent on an easy incline following the valley up through a series of farming villages, over a long extinct terminal moraine and narrow paths above the river to arrive in the small resort of La Fouly. We then lodge overnight in a hotel.
Day 6 – La Fouly to Valle Ferret (Italy)
This morning we climb to the Grand Col Ferret, the border of Switzerland & Italy. We are now crossing into the western flank of the Mont Blanc massif. A chance to see the glaciers close up and some of the impressive rock formations that make up the Grande Jourasse. There are huts to stop at throughout the journey for refreshments. Our first hut stay is in the Rifugio Elena, located at the base of the Glacier, de Pre de Bard at the north eastern end of the Val Ferret. Rifugio Elena does have private double rooms or dormitory accommodation. The double rooms do not have private bathrooms. If you wish to stay in a hotel we can arrange a private transfer to the local town of Courmayeur, nearby. Distance 14 kilometres and 1200m up/1000m decent, 7.5 hrs.
Day 7 – Rifugio Elena to Courmayeur
We follow the traditional TMB route up into a rock amphitheatre before climbing to the Col Sapin. This place is very special to me, the one place on the TMB where you will find the ‘Stella Alpina’ (Edelweiss) growing in it’s natural environment on the rocky mountainside. We descend through forests, passing donkeys, goats and sheep before arriving in Courmayeur for a 2 night stay in the Hotel Bouton D’or.
Distance 21 km, 920 m ascent/1750m descent. 8.5 hrs. (a shorter route, missing out Col Sapin reduces the route to 19.5km, 615 m ascent/ 1470 m descent.
Day 8 – Courmayeur rest day
We take a ride on the cable car up to the glacier, visit the spa at Pre st Didier. Then another cable car up to an outdoor swimming pool for a sun bathe and swim or just walk along the old pedestrianised high street of Courmayeur for coffee and ‘Gelato’. In the evening we’ll stroll over to Dolonne and have dinner in one of the restaurants in this quiet mountain village.
Day 9 – Courmayeur to Refuge Mottets (France)
Climbing above the Val Veny offers fantastic close up views of Mont Blanc and the glaciere Miage below. We drop into the Val Veny high up and after a stop at the Rifugio Elizabetta Soldini we continue our climb to arrive at the Col du Seine, the border of Italy and France. An hour and a half descent brings us to the Refuge Mottets and our overnight stay. 14 kilometres, 1500m climb/1200m decent. 8 hrs.
Day 10 – Refuge Mottets to Refuge Nant Borrant
We follow the glacial waters along the valley for half an hour before beginning a steady climb to the Col du Fours. You should be lucky and see Ibex on this relatively quiet section. From the Col, our joint highest point on the circuit, we are only 25 minutes from the Refuge Bonhomme and lunch! After lunch we contour around the mountain for an hour before starting our descent into the valley below to arrive at the Refuge Nant Borant (home of ‘Oggy’). Please note you’ll have to book a trek if you want to know more! 15km, 900m ascent/1000m descent. 8 hrs..
Day 11 – Refuge Nant Borrant to Les Houches
This morning we start with a walk down an ancient Roman road to arrive at the the Notre Dame de la Gorge church. We continue along the valley to the village of Contamines and a coffee stop. Then we climb through the forest to the Auberge de Bionnassay for lunch. After lunch we continue up a short way to cross the cog railway that runs from Saint Gervais up to the Nidge Aiguille (you may spot a few eagles nests here) on route to the Goutier Hut. You now have the option of a pleasant descent into Les Houches or cable car if you want an early finish. accommodation in village hotel.
Distance 18.5 km, height gain 1322 m, descent 970 m
Day 12 – Les Houches to Chamonix
Today we have a steady climb that will once again bring us to the Plan Praz Cable car, via Brevent, and some stunning views of the Bossons Glacier as well as the Aiguille du Midi, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc du Tacal and Mont Blanc. A great place to picnic! After lunch we continue over Brevent and down to Plan Praz. Use the return portion of your ticket to descend into Chamonix and return to the Hotel & Spa Heliopic for the final night. 14km, 1625m ascent/550m descent. 7.5 hrs.
Day 13 – Departure after breakfast
We have reached the end of your Tour du Mont Blanc guided walk. We say our goodbyes and head home.
Included:
- Personal Group itinerary planned prior to trip
- Private Group Transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix
- Private Group Taxi from Trient to Martigny & back
- Guiding services each day
- Full board accommodation in a mixture of hotels on the tour
- Two nights accommodation in Mountain Refuges
- Cable cars included
- Baggage Transfers included (Hotels only)
Additional Information
Trips can be tailored to have hotel accommodation each night but some nights may include additional private transfers from trail head to hotel. If you wish to explore this option, please let us know when you enquire.
Dates available
These walks run any time from June-September available during any day of the week.
Accommodation Grades:
Arrival Day: 4* Hotel & Spa, Heliopic, Chamonix, France (B)
Night 1: 4* Les Grand Montets Hotel& Spa, Argentiere, France (B)
Night 2: 4*Hotel Vatel 4* Superior, Martigny, Switzerland (B)
Night 3: 3* Hotel Splendide, Champex – Lac, Switzerland (B)
Night 4: 3* Hotel Edelweiss, La Fouly, Switzerland (B)
Night 5: Mountain Rifugio, Elena, Italy
Night 6 & 7: 3* Hotel Bouton D’or, Courmayeur, Italy, 2 Nights (B)
Night 8: Mountain Refuge, Les Mottets, France
Night 9: 3* Hotel Gai Soliel, France (B)
Night 10: 3* Hotel & Spa St Antoine, Les Houches, France (B)
Night 11: 4* Hotel & Spa, Heliopic, Chamonix, France (B)
Excluded:
- Evening meal on the arrival day and on return to Chamonix (also rest day in Courmayeur)
Based on minimum group of 6 persons, shared twin/double room on 10 hotel nights and dormitory style accommodation (bunk beds) on 2 hut nights. Single supplements are only possible on the nights in hotels.
Additional Information
If you require 5 Star hotel & Spa options for Chamonix & Courmayeur, please look at these options:
Chamonix – Home – Grand Hotel Des Alpes
Courmayeur – lemassifcourmayeur.com
Dates available
These walks run any time from June-September available during any day of the week.
How fit do I need to be?
This trip is suitable for anyone who is a regular walker. You will need to carry a medium sized rucksack (a maximum of 30 Litres in size) and the total weight based on the kit list provided should not exceed 10 kilograms.
How long will we be walking for each day?
You should expect to be trekking for 5-8 hours per day, based on a walking speed of 3 kilometres per hour, known to some as ‘Alpine plod’. It’s not a race and there is plenty of time for taking in the scenery and stopping for picnic lunches on route. The tracks and paths are rocky in places, but of good quality.
Can we customise the experience?
Alpine Walk’s guided walking tours are all about the personal touch. We will plan your journey along a range of different routes that provide different challenges based on what you want from your walking break. Do you want the best views? Do you want the chance to experience some of the local wildlife?
You should also consider the different types of accommodation available on these routes. Spending a night in a hut does not necessarily involve sharing a dormitory with 30 other people! Some huts have smaller private rooms.
Things to consider:
- Start in Chamonix, France or Courmayeur, Italy?
- Go clockwise or anti clockwise?
- Full circuit or half circuit?
- Hotels, huts or a combination?
- When to go?
So if you are considering this journey and need to discuss your requirements, please feel free to contact us. We’ll arrange a chat on Skype to discuss your personal tour.
Tour du Mont Blanc Guided Walks
£4,210 Per Person
Basic requirements:
- Minimum group size is 6. If your group is larger than 12, you will have 2 guides.
- Suitable for anyone who is a regular walker carrying a medium rucksack (max 30 litres).
- You'll spend 5-8 hours walking per day at a moderate walking pace.