Tour du Mont Blanc - all inclusive
A trek in the Alps that you will never forget
with Elina Osborne

One of the most famous routes in the world. A journey through the French, Italian and Swiss Alps with the Mont Blanc as your witness

Dates: July 15 - July 24, 2023 (1 spot left)

EUR 3350

A 25% deposit is due to secure your reservation. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the start of the expedition.

(View the cancelation policy below in the section "Price and Details")

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Elina Osborne, aka Tip Tap will be your creative guide in this journey.

Elina is a storyteller, an adventure film-maker and an avid hiker. She created an award-winning series that documented her thru-hiking journey on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Elina Osborne is joining Vagabond Trails to explore the best of the Alps. Along the way, Elina will be sharing her tips and expertise on adventure filmmaking and thru-hiking

This is an all-inclusive trip, meaning that you don't have to worry about anything, because we have arranged everything for you from the moment you arrived at Geneva airport.

This is the perfect trip for those who want to experience an authentic long-distance trek that will challenge you physically and mentally. We will be covering 100 miles/160 km journey with lots of ups and downs. This amazing route traverses three countries, it takes us from Chamonix - France through Italy, Switzerland, and back to Chamonix.

It is difficult to describe the beauty of this trek in words. You must live and feel the TMB to understand why this is one of the World’s top ten 'must do' routes. Just imagine the high alpine meadows, the glaciers, the snow-capped peaks, the lakes, the Mont Blanc itself, and, of course, the physical and mental challenges that make this route one of the most beautiful trekking places in the world.

We promise you that this will be a fantastic adventure in the heart of The Alps. Read what some of our guests say!

Is this tour for me?

If you have hiking experience this tour is for you. The itinerary is challenging, but it does not require any technical climbing skills. However, you do need to be fit enough to cover the daily distance and elevation gain. You will have an average of 16.5 km/ 10 mi per day. Please, also take into consideration the elevation gain/loss described in the itinerary below.

The trip is planned so that when you arrive at the next overnight accommodation, you have time to relax, have a glass of wine, read a book and enjoy the alpine views. Some days the distance can be reduced by taking either a cable car or public transportation.

For the entire tour, you will be led by a certified International Mountain Leader. Your safety and comfort are our main priorities.

Please, make sure that your physical condition is adequate to the itinerary described below. Get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Chamonix

Transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix. Depending on your time of arrival you will have time to walk around the vibrant village of Chamonix, make last-minute gear shopping, or just relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our chosen hotel in Chamonix. In the evening we will have a group safety briefing. Dinner tonight is not included.

Day 2 | Chamonix – Nant Borrant

Today is the official start of our journey. We leave Chamonix and take a short transfer to Les Houches. Once here, we take the cable car heading to Col du Voze, where we start the downhill through the woods passing charming chalets and rustic farms as we head towards the Tricot Pass and through the quaint Miage valley on one of the prettiest corners of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

We will pass L'Auberge du Truc which is all about alpine pastures and is located on a plateau 1750 m/5741 ft above sea level on the Col du Tricot section. The panoramic view spans 360 degrees across the Domes de Miage and the Aravis mountain range. We will arrive at our overnight destination after the village of Les Contamines.

The route: 10 mi / 16km - High gain/loss +2332ft/711m | -3704ft/1129m approx
Highest point at 2110 m / 6922 ft
Approximate time 7 - 8 hours

Day 3 | Les Contamines– Refuge de Mottets/Les Chapieux

Easy riverside trails take us to the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. After the church, we have a long and steep ascent leading to Col du Bonhomme. Depending on weather conditions the pass might show snow patches. A little bit higher we reach the second col of the day the Croix de Bonhomme at 2440 meters of altitude, where we will enjoy amazing views of the valleys on both sides. A nice and runnable trail takes us downhill to Les Chapieux, from here we will have a mix of a flat trail to a steady easy uphill towards Refuge Les Mottets at 1864 meters, which will be our hut for the night.

The route: 11.18 mi / 18km - High gain/loss +4419ft/1347m | -3195ft/974m approx.
Highest point at 2440 m / 8000 ft
Approximate time 8 - 9 hours

Day 4 | Refuge de Mottets – Courmayeur

The day starts with a steep trail, but the views will be our boost to continue and finally cross the border into Italy at Col de la Seigne. Once on the col, you will admire the views of the French and the Italian valleys. On the Italian side, we will have a long descent into Val Veny. If we are lucky, the valley will be covered in yellow flowers with sparking glaciers descending off Mont Blanc. A long flat path will take us to the start of the steep trail towards the ridge on Mont Favre, and then on to the Col Checrouit where we take the cable car down to Courmayeur. To give you the freedom to explore Courmayeur on your own terms, this night dinner is not included.

The route: 12.4mi / 20km - High gain/loss +4166ft/1270m | -3832ft/1168m approx.
Highest point at 2500 m / 8200 ft
Approximate time 8 - 9 hours

If you prefer not to take the cable car, the alternative route will be an extra 5km/3.1mi and -2480ft/756m.

Day 5 | Courmayeur – Val Ferret

We start the day with a vertical climb toward Rifugio Bertone. After admiring the views, we follow an almost flat, beautiful, easy but high trail towards Rifugio Bonatti where we will stop for a coffee. We continue our way down towards Val Ferret where we will spend the night.

The route: 12.4mi / 20km - High gain/loss +5115ft/1560m | -2336ft/712m approx.
Approximate time 8 - 9 hours

Day 6 | Val Ferret – La Fouly

From Val Ferret we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass of the route and the border between Italy and Switzerland the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m / 8323ft. We will contemplate the spectacular views of the Swiss and the Italian valleys from the col. A beautiful descent on a single trail of alpine meadows and grazing cows will take us down to La Fouly, where we will spend the night.

The route: 9mi / 14.5km - High gain/loss +1972ft/600m | -3386ft/1032m approx.
Approximate time 6 - 8 hours

Day 7 | Champex Lac – Col de Forclaz or Trient

We start the day with an early bus transfer towards Champex Lac. Leaving Champex Lac behind we head up through the forests on an easy-open path until Plan de l’Au where we start a steep ascent traversing around the mountain to La Giete. Once in the highest point we run downhill towards Col de la Forclaz and continue our descent to the last Swiss village and its iconic pink church in Trient.

The route: 8.69mi / 14 km - High gain/loss +2624ft/800m | -3182.41ft/970m approx.
Approximate time 6 - 8 hours

Day 8 | Trient - Trelechamp

We climb up to reach the French border at Col de Balme 2191m / 7188ft. From the col the entire Mont Blanc Massif stretches ahead; the Chamonix Valley, the summit of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles, the Mer de Glace and the Argentière glaciers. The route then continues via the Col des Posettes and Aiguillette des Posettes, with wonderful views throughout, then a descent into the Chamonix Valley at Tré le Champ.

The route: 7m / 11km - High gain/loss +3608ft/1100m | -3280ft/1000m approx.
Approximate time 6 - 8 hours

Day 9 | Trelechamp - Chamonix

A day that takes us to the outstanding views along this section of the 'Grand Balcon Sud. From Tré le Champ the trail climbs via Aiguillette de Argentière to the Grand Balcon Sud of the Aiguilles Rouges, taking in a few fixed ladders on the way. We reach the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve and sightings of ibex and marmots are common. We will pass Lac de Cheserys and the views of the Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges mountains are spectacular along the way. Once at the top we have a steep descent towards Chamonix (cable car optional).

We have come to the end of an epic journey and we will close our trip with a celebration dinner.

The route: 10.5m / 17km - High gain/loss +3608ft/1100m | -4593ft/1400m approx.
Approximate time 7 - 8 hours

Day 10 | Chamonix (out)

We enjoy a last breakfast together and then time to pack all the memories back home.

The entire tour is done in English.

*We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, huts availability, National Parks regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances

This tour is governed by the Terms and Conditions

How Challenging ?

High effort. This is a challenging adventure where we can expect 6 - 8 hours of hiking per day, with up to 1200 meters of elevation gain. Previous hiking experience is recommended.

To participate comfortably in the tour, you will require a certain level of fitness. To make a self-assessment of whether or not this is for you, you should consider yourself to be in good fitness, be accustomed to hiking, and be able to do it comfortably for at least 3 hours in a day. Please consult a doctor if you feel that this might be a challenge before booking.

Price and Details

The tour includes:

Everything described in the tour
All of the scheduled activities
Transport from Geneva Airport to Chamonix
Transport from Chamonix to Geneva Airport
All accommodations during the tour (9 nights)
Huts or refuges in shared rooms/dorms only
4* hotel in Chamonix and Courmayeur, only
Single room supplement (if available) for an extra price only in Chamonix and Courmayeur
All main meals during the tour (9 breakfasts, 8 packed lunches, 7 dinners))
Cable car to Courmayeur
All transport during the tour (except those by feet!)
A certified International Mountain Leader
Amazing trails & beautiful landscapes

The tour excludes:

Transport to Geneva (e.g. flights)
First dinner in Chamonix and dinner in Courmayeur
Insurance. All participants are required to have their own insurance appropriate for outdoor sports; such as health, accident, mountain rescue, repatriation, cancellation, personal liability, etc.
Trail snacks - dried fruit, nuts, or energy bars
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Expenses for extra activities, such as; massages, spas, sauna, hot tub
Any accommodations for extra days in Chamonix
Tips for the International Mountain Leader

Price: 3350 EUR

25% deposit is due to secure your spot, the remaining balance is due 60 days before the start of the trip. Once the trip is confirmed your deposit is non-refundable, however, it can be transferred to any other trip.

Participants:

Min 7 - Max 13

Start: Geneva (Cointrin Airport)

End: Geneva (Cointrin Airport)

We reserve the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, and unforeseeable circumstances.

This tour is governed by the Terms and Conditions

Cancellation policy:

Trip pending: a 25% down payment is fully refundable
Trip confirmed: a 25% down payment is non-refundable. You can transfer this down payment to any other of our trips within the next year
60 days or less before the trip starts no refund available

Travel insurance is required for all of our trips. Make sure that your insurance covers trip cancellation (in case of any unforeseen circumstances).