The Tour du Mont Blanc, or simply the TMB, is, without a doubt, one of the most famous trekking trips in the mountainous world. The tour circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, passing through three countries - France, Italy and Switzerland - and no less than 7 alpine valleys.
We will cover around 140 km of trails and climb over 8000 meters (equivalent to the height of Mount Everest) during a full week of varied and interesting walking with amazing views all around us. Along the route, there is plenty of opportunity to admire the changing alpine scenery and the abundance of alpine flowers and wild life.
Although individual days are not too hard, the days are long and the total trip requires us to have good fitness and a high level of stamina. Our accommodation will be a mixture of traditional mountain huts, hostels and hotels.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a very popular route. Those who prefer to do the tour when the trails and huts are quieter should choose our June or September departures.
Brief itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive Chamonix valley and meet with leader in the evening for welcome and briefing.
Day 2:
We take the lift from Les Houches (993m) in the Chamonix valley and climb to Col de Tricot (2120m). From here we descent below the breathtaking Dome du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnasay to the Nant Borrant hut (1450m).
Day 3:
From Nant Borrant we start the ascend over three cols - Col du Bonhomme (2329m), Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2479m) and Col des Fours (2665m). From here we descend to La Ville des Glaciers (1789m) followed by a short ascent to Refuge des Mottets (1870m).
Day 4:
We leave Refuge des Mottets and ascend to Col de la Seigne (2516m). We are now in Italy and begin the mainly descending journey along the beautiful Val Veny into Courmayeur (1226m).
Day 5:
From Courmayeur (1226m) we travel along Val Ferret and climb to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) and descend to Ferret (1705m) in Switzerland.
Day 6:
From Ferret (1705m) we travel through mountain pastures along the idyllic Val Ferret to Champex (1477m).
Day 7:
Leaving Champex (1477m), we ascend to the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665m), which we cross and descend into Trient (1297m).
Day 8:
We leave Trient (1297m) and return into France via Col de Balme and descend to Argentière (1244m). We are now back in the Chamonix valley.
Day 9:
Depart Chamonix.
Tour du Mont Blanc trek
View image gallery:
Trekking and walking holidays: Chamonix Spring Walking ; Best of Mont Blanc Walking ; Tour du Mont Blanc trek ; Haute Route trek, Chamonix to Zermatt ; Gran Paradiso trek.
Tailor made trekking and walking: Weekend Explorer trek ; Trekking skills weekend ; Tailor made trekking ; Tailor made trekking expeditions.
Snowshoeing in the Alps: Best of Mont Blanc snowshoe week ; Weekend Explorer Snowshoeing ; Tailor made snowshoeing.
Corporate activities
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