This
is the complete full classic Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), trekking the route in the classic anti-clockwise
direction. You complete
the whole TMB, staying in a selection of popular gites, lodges and mountain huts. You can travel
light as you get your bag transported every
night.
This trip will appeal to those who want the
trekking experience, but to take it a bit
easier, and with a bit more comfort.
The
treks are guaranteed to be led by an English
speaking qualified UIMLA International Mountain
Leader. The trekking guides will ensure your
safety and provide the highest levels of mountain
leadership throughout your holiday, and are
trained to teach you about the history, flora
and fauna of each region.
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
with summits 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.
Our
scheduled dates are guaranteed to run, once
just 4 people have booked, 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 16 clients per leader. Extra
dates can be run on demand for groups of four
or more people for exactly the same price
as our scheduled dates.
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. The guide is also there to help and
lead you over any tricky ridges so you need
no previous multi-day trekking experience to join and
enjoy this trip.
During
the week you pass through France, Italy and
Switzerland, so can enjoy the different cultures,
language, architecture, and the food of each
country cooked and prepared for you during
the trek.
This trek has daily vehicle support for baggage collections and drops, and it tackles all the key passes on the classic TMB route; Cols de Voza, Tricot, Bonhomme, Seigne, Ferret, Forclaz, Balme and Brevent.
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
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.
Sunday
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.
Monday Les
Houches - Col du Tricot - Les Contamines
From
Les Houches, you
trek up the rocky track to the Col du Voza (1652m),
or ascend using the Bellevue cable car. A
short wooded descent brings you to the spectacular
suspension bridge over the river with fantastic
views of the Bionassay glacier. From there you
take the steep zig-zag path up to the Col de Tricot
(2119m), where there are great views of the
snowy Domes du Miages and Aiguille du Bionassay.
The route descends past the peaceful huts at Chalets
de Miage (1560m) and Chalets du Truc, then down to Les Contamines village.
Night in Les Contamines.
Tuesday Les
Contamines - Col du Bonhomme - Les Chapieux
After
breakfast you trek along the river to pass the Baroque church of 'Notre Dame de la Gorge'
with its famous carved wooden pillars, before following
the Roman road over the ancient Roman bridge and
steep sided river gorge. The route winds slowly
upwards through woods and alpages with stunning
mountain views up to the high Col de la Croix du
Bonhomme (2483m), the high point of today. There
are plenty of options for drink and rest stops along
the route. A
steep descent brings you to the sleepy village of
Les Chapieux (1553m). Night in Les Chapieux / Les
Mottets.
Wednesday Les
Chapieux - Col de la Seigne - Courmayeur
A short trek takes you to Ville des Glaciers where
you can look round the Beaufortain cheese dairy
and even buy some. Then a steady ascent takes you
up past the
mountain hut of Le Mottets, then up 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 take the bus to reach Courmayeur, and
discover it's labyrinth of cobbled streets and shops.
Night in Courmayeur / Palud.
Thursday Courmayeur
- Mont de la Saxe - Arnouva
After
a short ascent along wooded trails past the Bertone
hut you continue the track up the ridge then the
summit of Mont de la Saxe (2346m). There are a few
steeper sections on the ascent, but your guide is
there to help, and the views of the Italian side
of Mont Blanc and the Grand Jorasses are amazing.
Once over the summit, you traverse round past the
Bonatti hut - famous for its fantastic food and
home made biscuits. For the photographers amongst
you, this day is an absolute treat! An easy trek
to finish in Anouva beside a river. Night in Arnouva
/ Courmayeur / Palud.
Friday Arnouva
- Col du Grand Ferret - La Fouly
A
short trek up to the Refugio Elena, then a steady
climb up to reach the Grand Col Ferret (2530m),
where you pass into Switzerland. You stop for a
lunch break at the top to enjoy the view and take
some well earned photos. There
are great views of the summit of Mont Dolant which
is the only peak in the Alps to have the border
of three countries at its summit (France, Italy
and Switzerland). Over
the pass, the route winds through peaceful alpages
and wooded glades to reach La Fouly which is a picture
postcard village and 'chocolate box' chalets. Night
in La Fouly.
Saturday La
Fouly - Sentier des Champignons - Champex
Today
is a little easier as you trek along the beautiful
Swiss Val Ferret, then the track winds up the '
Sentier des Champignons' or route of mushrooms where
there are many carvings and wooden sculptures. Champex
is beautiful, and is nestled alongside the lake
that gives the village its name. The village cafes
enable you to try local specialities, and there
is a shop so you can stock up on supplies. 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.
Night in Champex.
Sunday Champex
- Fenetre d'Arpette - Trient
Today
there are two choices of route depending on the
weather and how the group is feeling. The first
option is the
steep and rocky challenge of the famous 'Fenetre
d'Arpette' (2670m). This option involves nearly
1200m of ascent, but gains fantastic views of
the towering seracs of the Trient Glacier.
A poor weather or easier alternative is the
peaceful Bovine trail through meadows above the
treeline, overlooking Martigny and the Rhone valley
with its vineyards covering the lower slopes.
You descend to the peaceful Swiss village of Trient.
Night
in Trient.
Monday Trient
- Col du Balme - Argentiere
From the village of Trient (1296m) you gain a
little height on a wooded trail to reach the Col
du Balme (1526m), where you cross from Switzerland
into France. At the col to your right are striking
views of the Glacier de Tour and the surrounding
peaks of the snowy Aiguille Verte and Mont Blanc.
From here we can also see the long stretch of
the Chamonix valley, the end of the trek. Descending
the steep ridge of the Aiguillette des Posettes,
there are a few short sections of steps before
gaining the easy track through the beautiful hamlet
of Tre le Champ. Night in Argentiere / Montroc.
Tuesday Argentiere
- Col du Montets - La Flegere - Chamonix valley
From
Argentiere, you trek
up to the Col du Montets (1461m), then a take
a steep track to the Lac Blanc via the Aiguillette
d'Argentiere. There are a series of easy short
ladders and some cables, but there are handrails
and chains to help, and don't worry, your guide
will help if you are unsure. You
trek the Grand Balcon across to reach Lac Blanc
(2352m), which is a shimmering glacial lake and
provides stunning views across to the Mont Blanc
massif. After time for a break and photos there
is a track down through the woods to return to
the valley. Night in Chamonix.
Wednesday La
Flegere - Brevent - Les Houches - Chamonix
A short bus or train ride to start the trek up (or you can
opt to catch the cable car up) to La Flégère
(1900m). You trek across first to Planpraz (2000m)
and can watch the paragliders take off, then up
to the summit of Brevent (2525m). The views are
amazing of glaciers, Mont Blanc and the long Chamonix
valley. After time for photos and lunch you descend
the rocky track to Les Houches and the Chamonix
valley. 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.
Thursday
Breakfast
from 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.
Course Prices
Standard
course
10
full days UIMLA guiding, 1:8 max ratio
12 days holiday in total, Sunday-Thursday
£1999
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Inclusions:
1) UIMLA english speaking guide for ten 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
self-catered accommodation in Chamonix, one at either end of
the trek (inc. bedding, linen & towels), 6) 9 nights
hut / gite / lodge on a half board basis whilst on the trek
(breakfast and dinner each day), 7) Free 36 page technical
Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Road / rail transport as
per itinerary, 9) Services of a support vehicle for baggage
transfers, 10) Icicle discounts privilege card for reductions
in local shops and restaurants in Chamonix.
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 / gites
/ restaurants, 3) Cable cars (as suggested by guide, if
required, budget up to c.£20pp), 4) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & final evening celebratory meal & drinks,
5) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Group
sizes: 4 - 8 people per UIMLA
mountain guide. For group sizes of over 8 people, there
are multiple guides, and the teams travel independently
of each other.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Full Classic TMB trek
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*
The
accommodation was great, and each evening
we enjoyed eating local dishes to fuel
us for the next days trekking Steve
T
, Classic Full TMB
I'd
like to complement your whole team on
the organisation, pre-holiday correspondance,
guiding on the trip, and logistics.
A perfect holiday for us, and we'll
recommend you to friends Siobhan
T
, Classic Full TMB
Awesome
views and great food in the huts - a
memorable trek that has inspired me
to try the summit of Mont Blanc next
year. Thanks guys. Mark
B
, Classic Full 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.
