Mont Blanc TMB Circuit

• Trek one of the most spectacular classic hiking paths through the European Alps
• Fully guided and supported (no heavy bags to carry)
• Visit 3 countries in one trip (France, Italy and Switzerland)
• Experience different cultures, food (cheeses) and wines as we trek into remote valleys
• Stay in cozy family-run boutique hotels perched on the Mont Blanc massif
• Included exclusive tours of Chamonix and the ancient town of Aosta
• Trek quiet mountain passes, glacial valleys, dine in Europe's highest restaurant and more....

The trip was fantastic and everything went so smoothly thanks to your organisation skills. It was one of the prettiest treks I have been on. We were so well looked after it was a pleasure to do the hard yards each day only to finish it to stay in lovely accommodation. I want to thank you for all the help you gave me during the booking of the trip and the wonderful experience of my first visit to Europe. Our guide Ismael was fantastic, he really looked after us and is a great person to be in the Alps with. We even discussed other treks with him. Morocco is looking good for next year. Anyway, thanks again for being a great team to book with. Denise Bird (Australia)

Our experience on the Tour du Mont Blanc was beyond our wildest expectations, thanks largely to the thought and organisation that went into the trek. Our Chamonix accommodation  (La Chaumiere)  was very comfortable and welcoming and although not 5 star, we had no hesitation in extending our stay there after completing our trek. We enjoyed all aspects of our trek, the track itself, the views, sounds and the people we met en route. Our personal highlights included the pensions and hotels chosen, most particularly in Contamines, Courmayeur and Champex-Lac. We'd love to be able to return and spend more time in some of these places. Of course, our personal tour guide, Ismael, is without peer. He is so confident and competent we were reassured even in the more challenging parts of the track. He made us so relaxed that we are forever spoiled in our evaluation of tour leaders. Your recommendation of Annecy was greatly appreciated, we really enjoyed our stay there. It was a very interesting and relaxing culmination to our trip. Thanks again for enabling such a fantastic experience.  Judy and Brian Wignell (Australia)

"I had the most awesome time. The whole trip was so much fun. The countryside was beautiful, trekking challenging, food divine, guide was gorgeous and people were lots of fun. Thank you so much for the experience". Carol Hill Australia. 

Breathtaking views, winding paths, green forests and rolling meadows are just a few of the majestic sights you will see on your 13-day trek. Of course, the big attraction is Western Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc, with its snowfields and hanging glaciers. Once you see these, you'll understand how the mountain got its name.

The TMB Circuit will take you through some intense valleys and mountain passes that cover all kinds of terrain. You'll hike for at least 5-6 hours per day, taking in the pristine mountain views at every turn. The trip encompasses a trek around the mountain that includes visiting three different countries: Italy, Switzerland and France. You will get a look at the very best each has to offer while experiencing the trip of a lifetime and getting to know people from all over the world. Each day of your trek begins and ends with great views, great food and great people.

Mont Blanc's massif has seven valleys that flow into Italy, Switzerland and France, each with its own culture, architecture and landscapes. Together, along with your guide, we will explore each of these valleys, hiking up the ridges, and down into the valleys below, covering roughly 160km in 9 days of walking. You will have plenty of time to explore the gems of nature, including the snow-capped peaks, green mountain meadows and beautiful glaciers. This trek will give you a new appreciation of nature and all it has to offer. The Mont Blanc circuit offers some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Perhaps that is why it remains one of the most popular treks among hikers and adventurers.

Your Mont-Blanc tour begins in Switzerland, where you will be transported by coach from Geneva to the lovely commune of Chamonix, one of the oldest Ski Resorts in France. Here you will have some time to explore this unique and charming town. There are several activities to choose from, such as the Aguille de Midi cable car. Once you ascend to the top, you can enjoy a fabulous lunch in Europe's highest restaurant (3842 m) and once again take in the breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc. Or, you can choose to take the train to Mer de Glace, where you can walk inside a glacier. Chamonix also offers other activities like mountain biking and paragliding.
 

After a couple of days gathering our bearings, we head off onto the Tour du Mont Blanc. Along the way, the steep terrain will take you 1200 m up and down each day. You will have peace of mind, though, knowing that this is a supported trip. You will be accompanied by an experienced and accomplished tour guide. You will also be glad to know that all you have to carry with you throughout the day is a day pack. At the end of each day, your luggage and belongings will await you at your hotel.

You will stay another night in Chamonix after your trek where you will enjoy a celebration dinner in one of the great restaurants in town together with your group. On your last day, you will be transferred back to Geneva by coach where you can start the next leg of your adventure or choose to return home. Once you experience our Tour du Mont Blanc, we know you will want to come back every year.

"It is hard to find the words that describe vistas you see while doing this trek, we walked into France, Italy, and Switzerland, with steep, snow-capped mountains towering over the valleys...And Ismael, our Guide, to say he is a wonderful guide and person is an understatement, his knowledge, and passion....made us all see it through his eyes as if he had not done this many time before." Jane McKenzie Australia

Day 1: Transfer to Chamonix from Geneva. Check into the hotel and free time.
Day 2: Chamonix town tour followed by free afternoon before your trek briefing with your guide. (B, D)
Day 3: Trek from Les Houches to Les Contamines, 5/6 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, 7 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Les Chapieux across Col de la Seigne and into Italy to Courmayeur, 8 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Aosta Tour followed by a Free Afternoon in Courmayeur. (B)
Day 7: Courmayeur to Val Ferret, 6 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Val Ferret across the Col de Grand Ferret into Switzerland to La Fouly, 6 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 9: La Fouly trek to Champex, 4/5 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Champex across Bovine to Col de la Forclaz and then on to Martigny, 7 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Martigny across Col de Balme back into France to Argentiere, 6 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Argentiere to Chalet de la Flegere then down to Chamonix, 7 hrs. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Depart Chamonix to Geneva. (B)

Note: Trekking times are calculated including breaks (morning tea, lunch, short afternoon break), but might vary according to weather, group strength, etc.

WHAT DO OUR MONT BLANC EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE?

SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN GUIDE

Our lead guides are fully trained, registered and licensed IFMGA members who work for us regularly. All mountain lovers, they have skied, climbed and hiked many of the routes around the area and spend their days exploring more in the Mont Blanc range and the rest of the world.

WHY CHOOSE A GUIDED TOUR?

Walking with a Guide provides security and the possibility to discover the natural and historical heritage of the area you visit.
A professional guide will provide you with weather updates and trek conditions daily. Their great knowledge of the area gives him/her the ability to adapt the route according to weather conditions and group strength.

While you need to ensure to get into an adequate physical shape for the trek your guide will look after all the required preparation for trekking safely in the mountains while you enjoy an unforgettable experience.

SERVICES OF VEHICLES TO CARRY LUGGAGE AND EQUIPMENT

Throughout this expedition, we will be fully supported by our support vehicle. This vehicle will take all our luggage from one overnight stay to the next so all we need to carry is our day pack. This vehicle may be used to transport guests as well however this will be at the guests' expense.

ACCOMMODATION

This is one area that our trip DIFFERS from many others. You will have included in the trip 3 nights in Chamonix.

The small hotels used are locally owned and run. They are very comfortable with a great warm feel and often serve up excellent homemade meals. In Chamonix, you will be residing in a boutique hotel right in the center of town.

From 2018 we will not be using Refugios along the way.

MEALS WHILE ON EXPEDITION

No matter where we take you, food is an important component of any No Roads Expeditions trip. Europe is no exception.

All meals are outlined within the Itinerary. 

With our fully supported trips, our driver will supply us with fresh fruits and snacks every day. Breakfast is normally a European buffet style. For lunches we will be provided with delicious cheeses, meats, salads and more, all supplemented by our support team or hot meals at selected Rifugios along the way. Now that is trekking in style!

Breakfast: Coffee, tea, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, bread and conserves.

Lunch: Picnic style with bread, cheeses, meats, etc. However, on several days we will eat our lunches at wonderful Refuges along the way. These usually consist of local favourites.

Dinner: Generally consists of a first-course soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or pasta, a dessert course.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO WALK THE TMB?

The TMB is open between June and September each year. However, there are a few factors in play that will determine when to go.

The first is the weather. Usually, high passes can be snowed under even into mid to late June and the snow can return mid to late September. Thus mid-June to Mid September to finish the trek.

The second factor is European and in particular French holidays. These start late July early August. The trail can get very busy and accommodation is difficult to find at these times.

Thus the best times to go are late June to the end of July and mid-August to the first 2 weeks of September.

DAY 1: Arrive in Geneva and transfer to Chamonix from the airport. Check into your hotel and meet other trekkers on the trip. Free time to yourself.

DAY 2: Chamonix

Today you will have time to explore Chamonix and its surroundings. After an introductory town tour by our local guide, you may want to take the infamous “Aiguille du Midi” cable car leading up to the highest restaurant in Europe or wander around the cobbled streets, taking a coffee in one of the street cafes or even a spot of last-minute expedition shopping. Chamonix is a wonderful place to explore and a great place to relax before your expedition the following day. This evening we will go out for dinner and receive your briefing with our trek leader. (B, D)

DAY 3: Trek from Les Houches to Les Contamines 5/6 hrs.

We begin by driving a short distance down the Chamonix valley to Les Houches and then taking the Bellevue cable car to the Col de Voza. This avoids a steep and relentless slog right at the beginning of the trek. Many climbers heading for Mont Blanc also use this cable car. We descend gently to cross the melt stream of the giant Bionnassay Glacier by a swaying bridge before climbing to the Col de Tricot (2120m) from where we begin to have magnificent views of the glacial chaos of the north face of the Domes de Miage. The path descends steeply at first to the homely Miage refuge in the Miage glacial valley. Here we will have a rest before heading up over another pass before heading down into the charming hamlet of Les Contamines, where we spend the night. Les Contamines inhabits the valley floor with the spire of the old church reflecting the magnificent rocky mountains that surround. Les Contamines is the last major settlement before Courmayeur in Italy. Overnight in a charming local hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Les Contamines to le Chapieux 7 hrs.

Transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge. From there we pass the Baroque church built in 1699. From there we head along the Chemin Romain which is an old Roman road, thus the name before crossing the river again over a Roman stone bridge. From there we continue to la Balme where there is a refuge and then up a steep section to Col du Bonhomme at 2329m. From here we continue to Col de la Croix de Bonhomme at 2450m. From here we start our descent continue to Les Chapieux and stay in the only remaining hotel that dates back to the late 19th century. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Le Chapieux to Courmayeur 8 hrs.

Today we start with a 15-minute transfer to the Ville des Glaciers. From here we head up another 750 meters in altitude to Col de la Seigne which is the frontier between France and Italy. There is an information centre just below the Col on the Italian side with good information on the area, including a 3D map of the massif. Another long down to the valley below with the wonderful Refugio Elisabetta at one end, where you can get a hot meal or your first Italian coffee. Those with a keen eye will be able to pick out some of the most famous climbing routes on the mountain including the Peuterey Ridge and Brouillard Face.

From here, glaciers slowly pour off the massif, creating amazing valleys and wonderful waterfalls during the summer. If the weather is fine we will be able to take a high route towards our final destination of Courmayeur, otherwise, we will take the valley floor through lush grasslands and glacial moraine fields. Courmayeur is a wonderful Italian town with great views of Monte Bianco. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Aosta Town Tour followed by Free Time in Courmayeur.
In the morning we head off for a trip to Aosta, an ancient Roman town only one-hour south-east of Courmayeur. There we explore the streets and even under the city of the Roman outpost with our local guide.
The afternoon is free for you to explore Courmayeur, Italy's answer to Chamonix. During winter is one of Italy's premier ski resorts. Charming cobbled streets open only to pedestrians create a relaxed village atmosphere with sophisticated bars, cafes, and restaurants. The dark stone Mont Blanc massif with its snow peaks looms over Courmayeur forming an amazing backdrop to one of Europe's most beautiful towns. This is a day to explore ancient history, relax and explore and your guide can give you options of where to go and what to do. 

DAY 7: Courmayeur to Arnuva (Val Ferret) 6 hrs.

After a relaxing breakfast, we set off up a path from Courmayeur crossing a torrent then climbing steeply through thick larch forests (some of the most beautiful on the trail) on a good path to the Rifugio Bertone (1989m). This is a great place for a cappuccino. From there, if the weather is good we can take the high route ascending the Mont de la Saxe ridge, a wide grassy ridge dotted with wildflowers which has superb views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the South Face of the Grandes Jorasses, before crossing the airy summits of la Tete Bernarda (2534m and la Tete de la Tronche 2584m). After three and a half hours, we reach Refuge Bonatti before heading down to the valley floor to Val Ferret. Low route alternative would be an easier option with less altitude gain, and also with a reduction of the final time (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Val Ferret to La Fouly 6 hrs.

This morning we head up to the Grand Col Ferret the frontier between Italy and Switzerland. Along the way, we will stop at Refuge Elena for a morning tea or coffee. There are spectacular views towards Mont Dolent whose summit divides three countries, Italy, France and Switzerland. From there we head down to la Peule which is a great place for lunch. Here we will have our picnic lunch made of local produce such as cheeses, cold cuts and bread (delicious). From here it is another 2 hours through wildflower meadows along sinuous streams to the village of La Fouly where we will check into the delightful Hotel Edelweiss (B, L, D)

DAY 9: La Fouly to Champex 4/5 hrs.

A small mountain road comes up the Swiss Val Ferret to La Fouly from Champex but we are able to walk on the opposite side of the valley on a path which meanders through pleasant pine forests. We pass through the village of Praz de Fort and to the well-preserved village of Issert. We hike along the narrow street between old chalets and grain stores in their original condition. This day is notable for the beautiful old Alpine buildings that we pass.

The trail then branches off the main valley and climbs gradually around the hillside, traversing above the pretty village of Champex with its deep blue lake. (For those who wish to shorten this day it is possible to take a local bus from La Fouly to Champex.) We continue along the lakeshore and finally climb 200 meters to the hotel Splendide (1627m). (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Champex to Martigny 7 hrs

One of the best mountain days on the whole trek takes us across the Fenetre d'Arpette (2665m). This high Col lies at the head of the Val d'Arpette and the crossing is one of the finest variants on the TMB circuit. The ground is fairly rough but never technical and when we reach the pass we are rewarded with a fantastic view down to the Trient Glacier and across into the glacial bowl of the Plateau du Trient with the Aiguille du Tour (3544m) rising above (Crossing the plateau de Bovine is an easier or bad weather alternative).

From Col de Forclaz we will transfer down to Martigny, a Swiss town with Roman roots in the Rhone Valley. (B, L, D
 
DAY 11: Martigny to Argentiere 6 hrs.

Transfer to Col de la Forclaz. The second last big climb of the TMB sees us ascending 900 meters to reach the Col de Balme (2200m). This ancient pass forms the border between Switzerland and France and as we descend down towards the village of Le Tour on the French side a spectacular panorama opens up across the entire Mont Blanc range and we find ourselves gazing down the valley towards Chamonix

Our accommodation for the night is in Argentiere that serves up excellent meals and a great bed to rest in. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Argentiere to Chamonix 7 hrs.

From Argentiere, we transfer to the Col des Montets and ascend via Cheserys lakes into the Aiguilles Rouge on a spectacularly high-level path known as the Grand Balcon Sud. In this elevated position, we can gaze across the valley towards huge Argentiere Glacier and the tremendous Aiguille Verte (4122m). At Cheserys we can make a detour to Lac Blanc (2352m), a famously photogenic spot where the Chamonix Needles can sometimes be wonderfully reflected in its still waters. After lunch, we continue on for another 3 hours to Planpraz cable car that will take us directly into Chamonix. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Depart Chamonix to Geneva

Return transfer this morning from Chamonix to Geneva airport. (B)

Note: Trekking times are calculated including breaks (morning tea, lunch, short afternoon break), but might vary according to weather, group strength, etc.

Additional Day in Chamonix: There is an option of adding a day in Chamonix before or after the trek. Please contact the office for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are variations to this itinerary due to weather and the fitness of the group. While we try and stick to the plan sometimes things need to be changed. This adjustment may alter the exact distance walked in a day so the above itinerary should be used as an indication of overnight stops/ distances. The accommodation outlined in the itinerary might change slightly. In this case, hotels of the same standard will be used.

• Pick up transfers from Geneva airport to Chamonix return
• 3 Nights in Chamonix hotel with 2 breakfasts & 2 dinners
• Qualified Mountain Leader 
• Luggage transportation throughout 
• Any fees and permits
• 9 nights accommodation in cosy hotels (twin-share)
• All meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Picnic lunches and lunches in mountain Refuges
• Lift tickets at Belle Vue and Plan Paz.
• Chamonix Town Tour
• Aosta Tour

If you are traveling alone and are not able to share accommodation, a Single Supplement of $1250 will apply. 

• International airfares
• Insurance