Tour of Mont Blanc (Inn-to-inn hiking tour)
Meet: Chamonix, France
Depart: Chamonix
Length: 12 days, 11 nights in a combination of 3-star village hotels, mountain inns and huts
Hike Rating: Strenuous, 5-8 hours/day, 2500'-4500' elevation gain/loss
| 2007 Departure: | July 25 - August 5 |
| Tour Cost: | $3495 (double) |
| $300 (single supplement) |
The Tour du Mont Blanc (also called the TMB) is undoubtedly one of the finest hiking tours in the world. On this tour, we'll trek across 8 passes and tour through 3 countries - France, Italy, and Switzerland - enjoying an unequaled variety of cultures, views, and beautiful hikes.
We'll be on the move often, staying in a combination of 3-star village hotels, traditional country inns, and mountain huts. Along the way, our luggage is transported separately so you can hike unencumbered.
Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn, which gives us the energy needed for a big day of inn-to-inn hiking. Soon we'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours. With 8 passes to cross, the hiking is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!
We should finish our hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and gaze upon Mt Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, we'll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are usually multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal and good conversation provide a satisfying end to our day.
The Tour of Mont Blanc and Tour of Mont Blanc Express are organized and led by Louis Marino, a local Chamonix guide and a great hiking companion. They include luggage transport by a dedicated van and driver, and are limited to just 8 hikers. In addition to hotels, meals and mountain transfers, and unique among our tours, the TMB and TMB express tours include airport pickup and dropoff in Geneva and mountain rescue insurance.
With 3 countries worth of soaring, beautiful mountains, lofty passes, and gorgeous trails, the Tour of Mont Blanc is an exhilarating trek that fully deserves its world-class reputation.
Day 1 Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Here we'll meet, enjoy our first impressive views of Mont Blanc, and talk about the trip to come.
Day 2 One of the classic hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc for an introductory dayhike. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. We'll make good use of local cablecars so we can enjoy more time hiking near the lake. Return to Chamonix for a 2nd night.
Day 3 We continue the TMB tour with a morning transfer down the Chamonix valley to the nearby village of Les Houches. From here a moderate hike takes through the Bionnassay valley. With the glacier-covered Aiguille de Bionnassay on our left, we drop through pine forests to the small village of les Contamines.
Day 4 We'll begin today with a beautiful walk along the wooded Bon Nant stream. A long and pleasant ascent then takes us across two nearby passes, Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, on this strenuous day. We'll descend to Le Chapieux and stay the night in a rustic mountain inn.
Day 5 In Chapieux, enjoy a guided visit of a local cheese dairy before crossing the Col de la Seigne into Italy. We're greeted by an amazing view into the Veny valley and the Mont Blanc range. The Aiguille Noire de Peuterey is particularly impressive from this vantage point. We'll continue on to the medieval village of Courmayeur, where an impeccable, friendly 3-star hotel is our cozy home.
Day 6 Free day today to explore the surrounding area, or to just relax and enjoy the distinctly Italian flavor of the village. With spectacular views of the Brenva glacier, Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), and the Grande Jorasses, and a fun and manageable village center, there are plenty of options for a day in Courmayeur.
Day 7 We'll hike into the beautiful Val Ferret with the vertical cliffs of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses towering above us to the west. An optional detour takes us to the outstanding lookout at Monte de la Saxe before dropping down to the valley. We'll stay tonight at the newly restored and comfortable Bonatti hut, a favorite on the TMB circuit.
Day 8 A short uphill hike brings us to the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland. We'll descend through tidy green fields with high cliffs and glaciers draped along the side. Finish this relatively short day in the tiny Swiss village of la Fouly.
Day 9 The long option for today (weather permitting) involves a long and spectacular climb to the Cabane d'Orny, a hut perched at the foot of a glacier. A shorter option involves and easy walk downvalley followed by a wooded ascent to the lakeside village of Champex, yet another of Switzerland's hidden gems.
Day 10 An undulating trail leads us through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone valley. Weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads to the Fenetre d'Arpette and along the Trient glacier. We'll finish with a short van transfer to a small hiker's inn at Finhaut.
Day 11 Our final pass, Col de Balme, brings us back full circle to sweeping views of Mt Blanc and the Chamonix valley. A possible sidetrip to the nearby Posettes ridge leads to even greater views, with a delightful trail leading down to the valley floor. We'll spend our last night of the Mont Blanc tour celebrating in Chamonix.
Day 12 Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-TMB tour destinations.
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| Arrive: | Plan to arrive July 25 at the latest (flights from the US would depart July 24). The closest airport is Geneva. This tour includes airport pickup and dropoff. |
| Depart: | Plan departure for August 5 at the earliest. The Geneva airport is 1 hour away by van or taxi, so it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. The Swiss Card rail pass is not useful for this tour. |
This year's Tour of Mont Blanc will be led by Louis Marino. Born in North Africa of a French mother and a North American father, Louis spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, followed by stints on the East and West Coasts of the USA, where he completed degrees in International Relations and French. He has summited Cho Oyo (8201m) and attempted Mount Everest, North Ridge, and for the past seven years has made the Chamonix valley his home base. He is the first, and, so far, the only American to become a fully certified French trekking guide (AMM) and European Mountain Leader (BAEML), and provides the leadership skills that will make your trip not only safe, but also insightful.
Read Josh Roberts in USA Today recap his Mont Blanc trip with Alpinehikers in 2003.
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