The
Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is the legendary 180km
circuit of Mont Blanc. This is one of the world's
finest most famous circular treks, and it is easy
to understand why. Mont Blanc presents a different
landscape on each of its aspects, from the steep
wooded valley sids in the Val Ferret, to the stony
deserts of the Col du Bonhomme, and the glaciers
tumbling down to Chamonix.
Icicle
is a genuine specialist in the Tour du Mont Blanc
(TMB), as we have groups on it nearly every week
of the summer season from June through to late September.
If you have a group of four or more don't worry
if none of our scheduled dates suit, as we can run
a tailor made TMB on any dates, with discounts for
8 or more.
The
TMB traverses the three Alpine countries of France,
Italy and Switzerland, each of which have a unique
mix of culture, food and architecture. These provide
a great variety of flavours and feels along the
trek, and really add to the amazing experience.
Please
do get in touch if you have any queries at all about
the TMB, as we are the experts in it, and can even
tailor make a custom designed itinerary for you.
Read some of our itineraries below, to get a flavour
of what is possible, and to provide you inspiration.
Our
Chamonix office is a great logistical support for
those on guided or self-guided TMB treks, to allow
for baggage storage, itinerary flexibility, and
support for the guiding teams out on the route.
We are the only British operator of TMB treks to
have a local logistics office in Chamonix, so this
is unique support whilst on holiday.
Excellent
local knowledge and logistics, to ensure
that our holiday went without a single hitch.
Thank you. Jo
Alison , Tour du Mont Blanc
It
was brilliant to see how well known and
liked our guide was by each of the hut guardians,
and that ensured we got even more food each
night! Mark
Jenkins , Tour
du Mont Blanc
We
really appreciated the itinerary flexibility
to do some of the challenging variations
and extra summits along the route, which
was great. Sally
Watson , Tour
du Mont Blanc
The
our guided treks are guaranteed to be led by a qualified
UIMLA International Mountain Leader, to ensure your safety
and to provide the highest levels of mountain leadership
throughout your Alpine trekking holiday.
We
offer a wide range of itinerary options to suit all lengths
of holiday, and the styles of trekking desired. To trek
the TMB is a privilege that we want to ensure that you
enjoy, and the selection of the best itinerary is key.
Itinerary
options for trekking the Tour Mont Blanc
7
days guiding (9 days total):
Argentiere, Trient, Champex, Bonatti, Courmayeur,
Chapieux, Contamines, Les Houches, Chamonix. Lodging:
5 nights hut (half board), 3 nights B&B Trek price: £799 per person
(min
4p, max 8p)
Extra dates run for 4+ booking together.
3
days guiding (5 days total):
Les Contamines to Croix du Bonhomme, Croix du Bonhomme
to Elisabetta, Elisabetta to Courmayeur. Accommodation:
2 nights mountain hut (half board), 2 nights B&B Price for guided trek: £499 per person
(min 4 people, max 8 people) Dates:
On demand for 4 or more booking together, June to September.
Please note that this course can be run on any date you
require.
10
days guiding (12 days total):
Les Houches, Contamines, Croix du Bonhomme, Elisabetta,
Courmayeur, Elena, La Fouly, Champex, Trient, Lac
Blanc, Chamonix. Variations for weather. Lodging:
8 nights hut (half board), 3 nights B&B Trek price: £1299 per person
(min 4p, max 8p)
5
days guiding (7 days total):
A week of trekking classic Chamonix area sections of the
TMB, and other highlights of the area, based each night
in comfy valley accommodation. One night (optional) spent
in a mountain hut. Accommodation:
1 night optional hut (half board), other nights B&B Price for guided trek: £499 per person
(min 4 people, max 8 people) Dates:
4
- 10 July 2010, 22 - 28 August 2010,
& on demand for 4+ per
For
those of you who enjoy running, we also offer the Demi
TMB as a trail run over two days, rather than three. Click
on the photo to the left to read the full details of the
Demi-Ultratrail from Les Contamines to Courmayeur. You
are guided by an International Mountain Leader who is
also an experienced mountain marathon and ultra trail
runner. Please
note that this course can be run on any summer date you
require.
If
you are an experienced hiker, you could also consider
a self guided Tour du Mont Blanc, where we supply you
with route information and information cards and maps,
and arrange the logistics for you. All you need to worry
about is reaching the pre-booked huts each day, taking
the walks each day at your pace to enjoy the stunning
scenery. Self
guided tours can be arranged any week of the summer.
Advice
about the Tour du Mont Blanc
Guided
TMB leaders
Experience
- The Tour du Mont Blanc is suitable for people
with previous hiking experience, as every day you
are walking for around six hours, and often more
if you opt for tougher variations. Don't worry about
technical experience such as scrambling or navigation,
as that is what your leader is there to help you
with and to show you the way. The TMB is a great
challenge to undertake, but it is still a holiday
rather than a boot camp.
Mountain
Huts - Whilst on the trek, all accommodation
is in mountain huts or gites. If you have never
stayed in a hut before, you may not know what to
expect, so here goes... They are purpose built refuges,
sleeping between 20 and 120 people. They are run
by a guardian and their staff, and rooms generally
vary from four to twenty people in size. Your evening
meal and breakfast is provided, and you can order
a packed lunch.
Training
& Fitness - The TMB is a popular
trek, but you should not underestimate the level
of fitness that you will require. Each day involves
roughly six to eight hours trekking, & while
each day may not be difficult on its own, the cumulative
effect is tougher.
Lightweight
Daypack Only - You do not need to carry
any more than a 30 litre backpack, as all the bedding
and food is provided each day. All you are carrying
is a day bag, with some spare clothes, waterproofs,
water and snacks. You do NOT need to carry sleeping
bags, tents, etc. This is a lightweight trek, and
all bedding and your breakfast and evening meals
are supplied by the huts.
Leaders
- On
guided treks you are led by an International
Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest
qualification for leading trekking groups
in the Alps (where it is a legal requirement)
and worldwide.
Illegals
- Some
trekking operators do not provide qualified
leaders, and flaunt the laws, by stating
that their paid employees are walking
'with the group, not leading them'.
Check before you book! We cut no corners
with your safety.
Training
- To
become an IML, it takes several years
to train. During the treks their focus
is on your comfort, enjoyment, education
and safety, all equally important.
Value
added - You
will learn about the environment, flora,
fauna, glaciology, geology, and geography
of the region. It's essential to have
leaders who speak the language.
We
send a course specific equipment list to all
those booking on our courses, but due to the
popularity of this course, we outline a typical
packing list for the TMB trek in the kit list
below...
Basic
clothing - Light colour wicking base
layer
- Trekking or soft shell trousers
- Mid layer fleece jacket / gillet
- Shorts for hot weather trekking
- Very well worn in trekking boots
Equipment - Telescopic trekking poles
- Head torch (LED is lightest)
- Waterproof jacket (eg Goretex)
- Gaiters to keep boots / feet dry
- Sleeping bag liner for in huts
Altitude
gear - Synthetic insulation jacket
- Thick waterproof gloves / mitts
- Waterproof trousers (eg PacLite)
- Survival blanket for emergencies
- Warm hat & gloves, sunhat / cap
General
kit - Close fitting sun glasses
- Pocket snacks (eg Haribos)
- Water bottle or bladder type
- Rucksack (up to 35 litres max)
- Blister kit, Aspirin, suncream
For
more equipment advice, and the range of Icicle
kit for hire in Chamonix, please visit the
equipment
pages
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.
Vehicle
Support - As the huts provide all the
bedding and main meals, there is no need for vehicle
support, as all extra lugguage is left in Chamonix
for when you return there. Some outfits offer a
vehicle support service, but this limits the choice
of accommodation each night to the valley floor
next to the road, thus missing out staying in the
spectacular high mountain huts and escaping the
crowds, which is surely the key reason why you are
looking at the TMB in the first place. Aside of
the ecological downsides of vehicle support, if
all you really require is a change of clothes every
day, most huts have good clothes washing and drying
facilities. Also on our TMB Highlights trip you
have a night in the valley mid week, where you can
change clothers.
Trip
advisor - If you would like to speak to an
experienced trip
advisor who has been on, or who
has even guided your chosen Icicle TMB trip, please
click on the link above. If you prefer, we can even
have a trip advisor call you back at a time of your
choice.
Photo
Galleries - Have a look at the TMB
Icicle client photo gallery to
admire the stunning scenery that you trek though
each day.
Tour
Mont Blanc links
Top
tip for the TMB
Even if you have never normally use trekking poles,
we recommend them for the TMB to take the strain
off your knees, and to walk more efficiently. Popular
brands are Leki, Black Diamond and Ferrino.
