Fast packing is the only way to complete the full TMB in a week, rather than the usual 10 days, without trail running it. You fast pack
every step of the TMB, staying in mountain
huts each night of the trek. This week will appeal to fast packers and quick walkers, or even slow runners,
who want to complete the tour in a week. It's
the connoisseurs choice, and will really appeal
to those who believe in the ethics of completing
every inch of the tour, but at a quick pace, so don't underestimate that this is a challenging but rewarding trip.
Don't
confuse this trip with 'highlights' or 'express'
options offered by other operators. We fast pack
every step in a week, and complete the full TMB route. Other companies take buses on
some sections, or take easier routes over
some sections. Ours is the most challenging
commercial full TMB treks in the market.
On
the way around, your leader will discuss any
variations of the route that you could undertake
each day, to make it easier or even more challenging
for you. That's one of the delights of the
TMB, in that it has so many options and variations
for you to trek along each day.
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, and you have the added experience
of staying in traditional mountain huts for
some nights set high in the mountains, away
from the valley villages.
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. The
treks are guaranteed to be led by a qualified
International Mountain Leader, to ensure your
safety and the highest levels of mountain
leadership.
All
our scheduled dates are guaranteed to run
with 3 or more people, for your peace of mind.
We cap numbers at 8 people in a group, so
you have great access to your leader. This
is a high standard, as other operators have
up to an eyewatering 16 clients per leader.
The
full TMB route involves roughly 168km, and
10,000m of ascent. With 7 days guiding, this
equates to an average of 24km trekking with
c.1500m altitude gain (and loss) each
day. This isn't one of the countless gentle
commercial bimbles around the TMB - it's a
tough and challenging trip, with long stages
each day.
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.
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 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.
Saturday
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 weather and conditions, and get tips on
what to carry in your pack. You will meet your guide,
and be able to ask them any queries, and are shown
the route on a map, to talk through the plans for
the week. There is time for kit checks and to pick
up any last minute supplies. Briefings are over
by 18:00 to allow you time to get any last minute supplies before the shops close at 19:00. The
group usually goes out for dinner and drinks. Night
in Chamonix on B&B basis.
Sunday - Distance: 24km, Ascent: +1750m, Descent: -1300m Les
Houches, Col de Voza, Col de Tricot. Night in
Nant Borrant After
a short bus / train ride to Les Houches you fast pack
up the rocky track to the Col du Voza (you can opt to ascend
using the Bellevue cable car) where there is a
great view of the Bionassay Glacier and back into
Chamonix valley. The trek leads through forest
to the exhilarating river crossing of the Bionassay
suspension bridge, then up to the Col du Tricot
(2119m). Descend past the huts of Chalets de Miage,
then trek up over Mont Truc (1814m). Descend through
the woods to Les Contamines, and onwards past
Notre Dame de la Gorge, to reach the Nant Borrant
refuge.
Monday - Distance: 15km, Ascent: +1300m, Descent: -900m Cross
the Col du Bonhomme, Col des Fours. Night in Les
Mottets The
route winds slowly upwards through woods and alpages
with stunning mountain views, past the Refuge La
Balme, and up to the high Col du Bonhomme. Here
you traverse across rocky ground to reach the Col
de la Croix du Bonhomme, then turn upwards to the
remote Col des Fours, and summit of Tete Nord des
Fours 2756m, the high point of today (photo to left).
Here you get an unforgettable panorama of the massif.
A steep descent brings you down the wild upper Tuffs
valley to reach the farm buildings at the Ville
des Glaciers. Night in Les Mottets.
Tuesday - Distance: 24km, Ascent: +1100m, Descent: -1700m Cross
Col de Seigne, Arete Mont Favre, Col Checroui, Courmayeur
area From
Les Mottets, you ascend steeply
at first, before the trail eases its gradient to
lead upwards to the Col de la Seigne (2513m), and
into Italy. This is the Val Veni, a beautiful region,
with great views of the huge Brenva face of Mont
Blanc. There is a short descent to the Elizabetta
Soldini hut, which is famous for its cakes. After
passing Lac Combal you ascend over the exposed Arete
Mont Favre, then across to Col Checroui and down
to the old cobbled streets of Dolonne to reach the
bustling town of Courmayeur, and it's labyrinth
streets and shops. Night in Courmayeur. Bag transfer.
Wednesday - Distance: 16km, Ascent: +1600m, Descent: -700m Ascend
to Bertoni, Mont de la Saxe, Pas Entre Deux Sauts,
Bonatti / Elena After
ascending steeply to the Bertone hut you gain
the ridge crest of the Mont de la Saxe (2346m).
At the far end, you traverse the slopes of Testa
Bernarda to reach the top of the Tete de la Tronche
(2584m). There are a few steep sections on the
ascent, but your guide is there to help, and the
views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and Grands
Jorasses are amazing. You then descend to Col
Sapin and up again over Pas Entre Deux Sauts (2521m).
Descend the Malatra valley to reach the spectacularly
located Bonatti / Elena huts, where you spend the night.
Thursday - Distance: 33km, Ascent: +1600m, Descent: -2100m Trek
Grand Col Ferret, Ferret, La Fouly, Praz de Fort,
Issert, Champex Lac
An easy mountain track takes you on a traverse towards
the Refugio Elena, famous for its hot chocolate.
You then start the steady but long climb up to reach
the Grand Col Ferret (2537m), where you pass into
Switzerland. Descend past La Peule, then once on
the river track, you pass the villages of Ferret,
La Fouly, Praz de Fort, and Issert. Shortly after
this, you climb up the last ascent of the day, on
the Sentier des Champignons to reach Champex-Lac.
You stay in a mountain hut / gite on the far side
of the village, next to the trail. Night in Champex.
Friday - Distance: 31km, Ascent: +1850m, Descent: -2000m Fast Pack Bovine to Trient, Col de Balme to Tre-le-Champ
/ Argentiere
Today begins with the climb up the Bovine alpage, with its stunning views down towards Martigny and the Rhone valley, before descending via Col de la Forclaz to reach the peaceful Swiss village of
Trient. Here you start the second ascent of the day up over the Col de Balme
to return to France. Ahead of you the Mont Blanc comes into view, down the length of the Chamonix valley. On the far side of the pass
you traverse over the Aiguillette des Posettes
to descend to Tre-le-Champ, where you spend the
night. Occasionally you stay near Argentiere in
high season.
Saturday - Distance: 25km, Ascent: +1500m, Descent: -1800m Fast Pack the length of Aiguilles Rouges, Flegere, &
Brevent to Les Houches
Fast pack up to Aiguillette d'Argentiere, then via
a series of easy short ladders to Tete au Vents.
There is a choice of routes across to Flégère,
via Lac Blanc or Chalet de Cheserys. Afterwards
you traverse to Planpraz, and up over Col du Brevent
to reach Le Brevent 2525m. Beyond is a descent
to the Bel Lachat mountain hut, where you start
a long steep descent down to reach Les Houches,
where you started the trek. You have now completed
the full circuit of the TMB! The group
usually meets in the evening for celebratory drinks and
a social, maybe with dinner. Night in Chamonix.
Sunday
Breakfast in Chamonix, then the accommodation check
out is by 10:00. You are free to depart at any time,
but note that airport transfers leave the resort
approximately three hours before your flight takes
off. Most people aim for flights leaving in the
early afternoon, so they have a little time in Chamonix
before leaving for the airport, to allow a little
time for buying any last minute souvenirs or presents.
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.
Course Prices
Standard
course
7
full days UIMLA guiding, 1:8 max ratio
9 days holiday in total, Saturday-Sunday
£999
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Inclusions:
1) UIMLA guide for seven days, 2) Chamonix course hosts
for logistics, bag storage, support and briefings, 3)
Pre course detailed kit list and information booklet,
4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shop, 5) 2 nights
B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding, linen
& towels), 6) 7 nights mountain hut on a half board
basis whilst on the trek (breakfast and dinner each day),
7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet,
8) Client VIP discounts for reductions in local shops
and restaurants in Chamonix, 9) Mid week bag drop in Courmayeur for clothing and equipment changes.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Personal laundry, kit
hire, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals in Chamonix,
& any purchases in lodges / mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 3) Cable cars (none are included in this
itinerary, as the aim is to walk every step of the trek),
4) Saturday pre-dinner drinks & final evening celebratory
meal & drinks, 5) Activities insurance, & excess
baggage charges.
Notes:
Included is a a mid-week bag transfer (up
to 30 litre rucksack in size per person) for a change of clothes. This is scheduled for a one hour window during the evening you are based in Courmayeur, as it is normally the only night you have road
access. Group sizes are a minimum 3, to maximum 8 clients, with 1 leader.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Fast Packing TMB
No Dates Available
Spaces
are indicated by the
number in square brackets
before each course date.
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if you prefer to have
a private group who are booking
together, it can be operated on
any date, though a supplement or discount
may apply*
Bespoke
group prices*
For
private groups of 4 people add £200pp.
5 or 6 people is at the advertised price.
7 or 8 people private groups each get
a £100 discount off full price,
so £799pp.
This
trek was truely superb, and it was an
experience I will remember forever.
I loved the night in the mountain hut,
eating tartiflette whilst watching the
sun set over the mountains Linda
P , Fast Packing TMB
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
to complete the full TMB Rhian
E , Fast
Packing TMB
The
accommodation on the trek was of an
excellent standard, and we were fed
well each night, which was always a
very sociable affair Andras
S , Fast Packing TMB
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Read
our full TMB article
Location
data for this trip
The
trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
€ & CHF
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
View
TMB Google Earth
We
have developed a Google Earth file with all the key features
and places of interest marked on it. Click
here for Google Earth file.
If you do not already have Google Earth installed on your
computer, click
here. This is a totally free download, and
the satellite images are constantly uploaded. You can
alter the viewing angles to 'see' the TMB in 3D, and to
explore the route.
View
full course equipment list, with examples of kit,
click
here
So
why choose us?
We
are true specialists in the Alps. See our blog,
by clicking on the logo.
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount you can achieve each day.
Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately.
We
have a team of over 30 guides, and a resort support
team, who all want you to have the best time possible!
For more details on the guiding team and qualifications,
please click
here.
Any
further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. Many people opt for this service,
and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are
keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and
that you select a course that is suitable for you. It
makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if
you are on the right trip.
NEW Tour du Mont Blanc guidebook and map
A brand NEW guidebook for the Tour du Mont Blanc, and an accompanying waterproof map, has recently been launched by Vertebrate Publishing. It's unique and innovative, in several ways; timings for trip planning for all trail users from steady walkers to faster trail runners, 1:40,000 scale custom mapping provided on the description pages of the guidebook, and full appendices and kit lists to help you plan a trip and learn all about the route. The book is a nice size format of 175mm x 120mm, and it's detailed yet compact at 140 pages long, weighing only 300g. It's been designed by a TMB expert.
That expert is none other than multi award-winning author, and veteran of over 50 laps of the TMB, Kingsley Jones from our guiding team. All of that experience of the route, timings, where to eat or stay, and customised itinerary planning, comes from him spending over a year of his life on the route. We are going to supply a FREE copy of the guidebook (RRP £16.95) and map (RRP £14.95) to each group on our self-guided TMB trips. If you'd like extra copies, or are on a guided trip, you can get them in advance of your trip for reading and planning. Order them from us; TMB guidebook and TMB waterproof map.
