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Course
overview
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Course
dates & availability
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This
is the
complete classic Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) trek,
with no valley transport. The route is as follows;
Chamonix, Les Houches, Contamines, Croix du Bonhomme,
Elisabetta, Courmayeur, Bonatti, La Fouly, Champex,
Trient, Lac Blanc, and back to Chamonix. |
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A
key attraction of this course is that is can be
run on any dates as required, so if you have a group
of four or more, then get in touch. We operate the
Classic TMB from
mid June to late September. Discounts can be applied
for groups of eight or more. |
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There
is so much history and information about the local
area that our leaders have to share with you, as
well as showing you the amazing scenery, that it
is no wonder that this trek is one of our most popular
courses. |
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During
the week you pass through France, Italy and Switzerland,
so can enjoy the different cultures, architecture,
and the food of each country over the week. |
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The
treks are guaranteed to be led by a qualified International
Mountain Leader, to ensure your safety and to provide
the highest levels of mountain leadership throughout
your holiday. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live availability from our secure online
booking system. When you book online, you receive
immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice. |
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Extra
dates can be run on demand for groups of four or
more people for the same prices. Discounts can be
applied for groups of eight or more in a private
group. |
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Course Dates
TMB Classic
- [5+] 8 - 19 Jul 2012
- [5+] 5 - 16 Aug 2012
- [5+] 9 - 20 Sep 2012
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feedback |
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This
trek was truely superb, and it was an experience
I will remember forever.
Linda
Poe , Classic TMB Trek
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I'd
like to thank your Chamonix team for all
their help, and for the fantastic guiding
we had on our tour. I highly recommend this
trip to anyone, as it is one they will never
forget, and is a big achievement.
Rhian
Evans , Classic
TMB Trek
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So
why choose Icicle?
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We
are true specialists in trekking and the TMB. See
our blog, by clicking on the RSS logo (right). |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you trek the best routes on the TMB each day of
the holiday. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 guides, and a resort support
team, who all want you to enjoy the best days out
whilst trekking! For more details on the guiding
team and qualifications, please click
here. |
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Brief
Course Itinerary
The
itinerary below is designed to give you a flavour of exactly
where you will trek to each day, but one of the great things
about the Tour du Mont Blanc, is that there are many variations
on certain sections, so you can select more challenging routes
or even some summits. These options could even affect where
you stay each night, but do mean that you can tailor the route
a little on most days to suit how you are feeling, the weather
and conditions. Your guide will have a massive local knowledge
and experience, and will discuss the options with you en-route.
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Sun
Travel
to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed
by a course safety and itinerary briefing. These are really
useful, as you discuss the exact current conditions, and
get tips on how to save weight in your pack. You are shown
the route on a map, and talk through the plans for the
week. There is time for kit checks or rental. Briefings
are over by 19:00 and then you are free to go out for
dinner and drinks with your group. Night in Chamonix on
B&B basis. |
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Mon,
Distance: 19.6km, Ascent: +748m, Descent: -1233m,
Hours: c.7 hrs.
Day 1 of 10 trekking: Les Houches - Contamines. From Les
Houches, the route ascends over the Col de Voza, and then
the spectacular suspension bridge beneath the Bionassay
glacier. From there there are several route choices to
reach La Gruvaz or Chalets du Truc, before descending
towards the Les Contamines valley. The trek passes below
the summit ridge of the Domes du Miages and Aiguille du
Bionassay. Night is Les Contamines / Nant Borrant. |
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Tue,
Distance: 13.6km, Ascent: +1353m, Descent: -80m,
Hours: c.7 hrs.
Day
2 of 10 trekking: Contamines
- Croix du Bonhomme. After breakfast you travel to the
Contamines valley and the start of the Roman road at the
baroque Notre Dame de la Gorge church. This ascends past
the rock arch into the upper valley past La Barme, and
then the long climb into the higher alpages to reach the
Col du Bonhomme. Here the track turns left over a rocky
section to the next col, below which is the Croix du Bonhomme
hut. |
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Wed,
Distance: 19.8km, Ascent: +1025m, Descent: -1498m,
Hours: c.8 hrs.
Day
3 of 10 trekking: Croix
du Bonhomme - Elisabetta. If the weather is good, you
ascend over the Col du Fours and take in the summit of
the Tête Nord du Fours, before descending into the
remote valley beyond, on the route to Ville du Glaciers.
You pass the Refuge du Mottets, and ascend to the Col
du la Seigne, where you enter into Italy. This is a beautiful
region, and you pass the limestone pyramid peaks to reach
the superb Elizabetta Soldini refuge. |
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Thu,
Distance: 14.7km, Ascent: +484m, Descent: -1254m,
Hours: c.6 hrs.
Day
4 of 10 trekking: Elisabetta
- Courmayeur.
After leaving the refuge you trek past the moraine dammed
Lac Combal before ascending again to reach the stunning
traverse track that contours around to reach the Courmayeur
ski area and the Maison Vielle refugio. After a late lunch
here you hike down to Dolonne, and its cobbled streets
and archways, that leads you into central Courmayeur.
The night is spent in Courmayeur in a B&B, so you
can go out to eat in town. |
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Fri,
Distance: 12.3km, Ascent: +1038m, Descent: -28m,
Hours: c.7 hrs.
Day
5 of 10 trekking: Courmayeur
- Bonatti. You ascend from Courmayeur up to the Bertoni
refuge, and from there along the stunning ridge line of
the Mont de la Saxe. This provides amazing views across
to the Grandes Jorasses, before a choice of routes leading
down to the Bonatti refuge. This hut is namled after the
famous Italian mountaineer Walter Bonatti, and in the
evening you can watch the sun set behind Mont Blanc from
the hut terrace.. |
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Sat,
Distance: 18.9km, Ascent: +1014m, Descent: -1426m,
Hours: c.8 hrs.
Day
6 of 10 trekking: Bonatti
- La Fouly. You traverse towards the Refugio Elena, and
then climb up to reach the Grand Col Ferret, where you
pass into Switzerland. The vista gets better and better
as you ascend. Usually you stop for a lunch break at the
top to enjoy the view. On the far side of the pass, you
pass the picturesque hut and village of Ferret to reach
La Fouly. The architecture transforms to chocolate box
chalets. Night spent in La Fouly. |
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Sun,
Distance: 14.1km, Ascent: +585m, Descent: -706m,
Hours: c.6 hrs.
Day
7 of 10 trekking: La
Fouly - Champex.
Today is a little easier as you trek along the Swiss Val
Ferret, before you climb up towards Champex in the afternoon.
Champex is beautiful, and is nestled alongside the lake
that gives the village its name. This slightly easier
day is a welcome break, and lets you get your energy back
in time for the route choices of the next day, as you
make your way towards Trient. The night is spent in a
refuge in Champex village. |
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Mon,
Distance:
16.1 km, Ascent: +766m, Descent: -760m,
Hours: c.7 hrs.
Day
8 of 10 trekking: Champex
- Trient.
From Champex there are two route options available; over
the Fênetre d'Arpette or on the classic Bovine trail.
The first option is more ascent and scrambling, but requires
perfect weather. The second follows the 'true' TMB. Both
routes converge on the Col du Forclaz, from which you
hike to the Swiss village of Trient, nestled at the base
of the glacier that gives its name. The night is spent
in a refuge in the Trient village. |
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Tue,
Distance: 17.6km, Ascent: +1534m, Descent: -807m,
Hours: c.8 hrs.
Day
9 of 10 trekking: Trient
- Lac Blanc.
Today the first section of the hike is up to the Col
du Balme, where you pass back into France. The views
towards Mont Blanc from the col more than reward you
for the climb, and then you can traverse the Aiguilette
de Posettes ridge to reach the Col du Montets. From
here you ascend to Lac Blanc via the Aiguillette d'Argentiere
and a series of ladders and cables, before the final
ascent to the Lac Blanc mountain hut.
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Wed,
Distance: 19.2km, Ascent: +668m, Descent: -1695m,
Hours: c.7 hrs.
Day
10 of 10 trekking: Lac
Blanc - Les Houches.
The Lac Blanc hut is built next to the mountain lake,
and the views across to Mont Blanc are stunning. Today
is your last day of the trek, and there are several route
choices over / past Brevent, and onwards to reach Les
Houches, which is the end of the trek. You can select
which route you would like to take, depending on how much
energy is still left in your legs at this stage! The night
is spent in Chamonix. |
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Thu
Breakfast
at 08:00, then accommodation check out by 10:00. You are
free to depart at any time, but airport transfers leave
the resort approximately three hours before your flight
takes off.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this
is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please
use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of
route / activity that you will attempt.
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Course Prices |
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Standard
course
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10
days guiding, 12 days total in total |
£1299 |
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Premium
course
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12
days guiding, 13 days total in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£1398 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Inclusions:
1) UIMLA guide for ten days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment
discount voucher for UK shops, 5) 3 nights B&B accommodation
in Chamonix / Courmayeur (inc. bedding & towels), 6) 8 nights
mountain hut on a half board basis, 7) Free 36 page technical
Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Chamonix office for support and
logistics. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Personal laundry, telephone
calls, lunches, evening meals, & any purchases in mountain
huts / hotels / restaurants, 3) Road / rail transport as required
for you and the guide, 4) Activities insurance, & excess
baggage charges. |
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