Mt Blanc: The Grand Tour (Walking Holiday)

8 Days/7 Nights Hotels & Refuges Full Board July to Sep €590

Follow the famous “Tour du Mt Blanc” in a walk of 7 days..
Discover 3 different cultures and their gastronomy; French, Italian and Swiss. .
Witness gigantic glaciers and massive 4000m peaks..
Relax in our typical mountain chalet huts!

A Walking Holiday around Mont Blanc in France, Italy, and Switzerland. The “Tour du Mont Blanc”, also called “TMB”, is one of the most famous and iconic walking trails through the Alps. It passes through three countries offering three diverse experiences; the Italian slopes with their large rock faces, the Swiss slopes with their soft valleys and the French glacial slopes.
The route below was selected so as to allow you to carry as little heavy equipment as possible. There is no need for a bivouac, tent, stove or pan so you can hike in comfort with just a day pack. Altitude ranges between 1164 m (Argentiere) and 2671 m (Window of Arpette). The paths are well marked in general and should not cause any trouble for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.

Maps

Our team has specially designed this trip to allow you to experience the highest peaks in Western Europe. During the hikes you just have to take your day pack while we transfer the rest of your luggage to the next stage. One Food Abroad also provide detailed walking notes and maps, which help you get the most out of your time in the mountains.

Day By Day

DAY 1 – Coming to Les Contamines (1150m)**
After your flight to Geneva, you will be pre-booked in a modern hotel in the heart of Les Contamines, close to all facilities.

Town: Internet, ATM, shop, all facilities.

Accommodation: 2* chalet-style hotel, right in the centre of the resort and in a quiet and sunny location. Balconies, terraces, swimming pool, sauna and fantastic views of the valley! Double rooms en-suite.

DAY 2 – Col de la Croix du Bonhomme 2433m [6h, +1319m].
Today you will have to carry your overnight gear, while the rest of your luggage is being transported to the next stage at the “Refuge des Mottets” (See Day 3). From Les Contamines (1164m), the path ascends gradually to Notre Dame de la Gorge (1210m). You can visit the small, renovated church before ascending more steeply along the Roman way to the Refuge de la Balme (1706m). Shortly after, you will have the option to go to the “Lac Jovet” (2174m) in a natural reserve (+2hrs return), or to continue straight on.
At the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2483m), we enter the Beaufortain province. The Refuge “Croix du Bonhomme” (2433m) is our reststop for the night.

Facilities: Food shop at the refuge, phone.
Accommodation: Very comfortable mountain hut [2433m]. Hot water showers. Rooms of 4 & 6 beds.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 course dinner

DAY 3 – To the Refuge des Mottets (1887m) [1: 5h30 +313 -876m, 2: 5h, +316 -879].
For this stage, you have 2 options. Both routes are beautiful, but the first should only be attempted if the weather permits!

1- A challenging route up to the “Col des Fours” (2265m), then steeply down to Les Turfs (1993m). It’s an impressive walk below Mt Tondu (3150m).

2- The easy way down to “Les Chapieux” (1554m) through grassland. Then, an easy trail up to the “Refuge des Mottets” (1887m).

Facilities: Food shop, phone.
Accommodation: Rooms of 4 & 6 beds. Hot water showers, open fire.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 course dinner

DAY 4 – Col de la Seigne – Col de Checroui 1956m [7h, +974m, -888m].
The “Col de la Seigne” (2516m) opens on the Italian side on the valley called “Goms Veni”. A short ascent to the summit of Mount Fortin (2758m) will give you breathtaking views of the massive “Brenva” face of Mt Blanc. Then, an easy balcony trail brings you to the “Refuge de Maison Vieille” (1956m), where you will spend the night.

Facilities: Food shop, phone.
Accommodation: Rooms of 4 & 6 beds. Hot water showers, open fire.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 course dinner

DAY 5 – To Courmayeur 1244m & to Champex 1470m [7h, +1201m, -1345m].
Descent to Courmayeur (1244m) under the ridge of the “Mont de la Saxe” (2348m) with great views of the “Mont Blanc” (4810m) and two other 4000m peaks; “Grande Jorasse” & the “Dent du Geant”. From Courmayeur (1244m), there is a short transfer to Arnuva (1769m) by bus ( €2.50) to avoid walking on the road. Ascend to the “Col Ferret” (2490m) that marks the border with Switzerland. Then descend into the “Goms Ferret” where you can enjoy a rest and even a drink while waiting for your direct bus to Champex-Lac (1470m) at 17h30 (€5).

Town: ATM, food shop, bar, pubs, internet
Accommodation: 2* hotel, double rooms, great views of the valley.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 course dinner.

DAY 6 – Trient 1326m [6h, +1201m, -1345m].
Today you have two options from which to choose:
1- Take the relaxing path along green pastures to the “Col de Forclaz” (1526m) and descend to the picturesque village of Trient (1300m).
2- Follow the challenging “Fenetre d”â„¢Arpette” (2671m), close to the giant Seracs of the “Glacier du Trient”.

Town: Food shop.
Accommodation: Simple “ËœRelais-Auberge”â„¢ (inn), double rooms, the hotel has a lot of charm and the owner, Eliana, will make you feel right at home.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, 3 course dinner

DAY 7 – Col de Balme – Chamonix 1150m [5h, +865m, -941m].
There is a steep ascent to the Col de Balme (2191m) at the French border, but the views over the valley of Chamonix are tremendous. We take a “variant” path leaving the main TMB on our right. The descent on the French side to the village of Montroc (1354m) is easy . Here, you can either walk to Chamonix (1150m), or take a short train ride [15mins, every half an hour].

Town: ATM, food shop, Internet, all facilities, pub, bar and clubs!
Accommodation: 2* hotel in the heart of the town, very friendly and homely atmosphere. En-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch. We don’t include the dinner here as we thought it would be more fun for you to choose from the dozens of restaurants and “brasseries” that Chamonix has to offer.

DAY 8 – Chamonix. End of the adventure**.
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We also recommend that you spend some extra time in Chamonix – why not take the cable-car up to the “Aiguille du Midi (3870m) for a closer look at Mont Blanc?

Note: We can also arrange for you to attempt the summit at 4810m!

Meal: Breakfast

How To Get There

To Switzerland

The easiest way is to fly to Geneva with Aer Lingus, BA or Swissair.

To start your walk: Les Contamines

- Best option: Shared shuttle bus (2h00 – 40€pps each way). See www.ski-lifts.com.

- BUS: Take a bus from Geneva airport to St Gervais le Fayet (takes 2hrs, €30). Then take another from St Gervais le Fayet to Les Contamines (takes 15mins, €7). www.sat-montblanc.com.
- TRAIN: Alternatively, you can travel by train (1hr30) to St Gervais le Fayet and then take a bus Les Contamines.

Back home

There is an early bus from Chamonix to Geneva airport (2hrs, €35). www.sat-montblanc.com

About The trip

Included

Not Included

4 nights in a 2* hotel, 3 nights in refuge
Full Board
Your Luggage transported from hotel to hotel. except on day 2, see above.
Detailed Walking Notes

Flights
Holiday Insurance – recommended
Drinks
The 2 public buses [day 5]
Transfers from/to airport

Hotels

Please note that all of our hotels, refuges and guest houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, food, friendliness and character, and are subject to availability. If the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with one of the same standard of comfort & price.

Night 1 – 2* hotel

Night 2 – refuge

Night 3 – refuge

Night 4 – refuge

Night 5 – 2*hotel

Night 6 – Auberge

Night 7 – 2*hotel

Official “Tour du Mont Blanc” Marker

Llunches

Luggage

“Lunch boxes” are provided every day. They are filling and very tasty. They usually contain ham or chicken sandwiches (vegetarian options available), a salad and fruit.

Luggage transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walks
you only carry your day pack! Except on Day 2 where you will have to carry your overnight gear.

Prices & Options

Period	Price (€)		Single departure supplement (€)		Single Room Supplement (€)		Transfer from/to Geneva airport (€)	Rafting Day 8 in Chamonix
End of June to early September	590		200		90		up to 6 people: €250 each way up to 4 people: €200 each way	€50 per person
Period	Extra Night in Chamonix				Extra Night in Geneva
	2* & breakfast (€)		3* & breakfast (€)		2* & breakfast (€)		3* & breakfast (€)
	Single room €	Double room (€ pps)	Single room €	Double room (€ pps)	Single room €	Double room (€ pps)	Single room €	Double room (€ pps)
End of June to early september	80	60	100	80	85	65	110	85
Special rates for groups of 6+

Single Room Supplement: €90

Additional night and breakfast in Chamonix or Les Contamines

2* Hotel: Twins / Double Room en-suite + Breakfast: €60pps (single €80)

3* Hotel: Twins / Double Room en-suite + Breakfast: €80pps (single €100)

Additional night and breakfast in Geneva

2* Hotel: Twins / Double Room en-suite + Breakfast: €65pps (single €90)

3* Hotel: Twins / Double Room en-suite + Breakfast: €85pps (single €110)

Transfer from/to Geneva airport

up to 4 people: €200 each way

up to 6 people: €250 each way

Rafting Day 8 in Chamonix: €50 per person