TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Trip Details

Treks confirmed to run summer 2008:
Trek 1: 10th to 20th July
Trek 2: 20th to 30th August

The Tour du Mont Blanc

A spectacular nine day trek circumnavigating the Mont Blanc massif and passing through diverse and beautiful scenery in France, Italy and Switzerland.
The McNab Alpine TMB offers you the comfort of mostly hotel accommodation (there are some refuges where there is no alternative accommodation) and provides you with vehicle support to take your bags on to your next accommodation, so you only need to walk with a 1 or 2 day pack.

For:

Walkers who wish to experience their first trek. Experienced trekkers who prefer hotels to refuges and prefer to trek with a lighter load.

The McNab Alpine TMB starts from the comfort of our lovely chalet in Argentiere, where guests will spend the first two nights.
On the first night you'll meet with your trekking guide who'll be able to answer any last minute questions, before sitting down to a hearty 3 course meal.
Using the first day of the Tour as a warm up day you'll return to the chalet for the second night allowing you the opportunity to make any changes to your equipment or packing before setting off for the next 7 nights.

Fitness level:

Walking the Tour du Mont Blanc (with heavy bags or not) is not for the faint hearted. The days are long and the descents and ascents can be tough. At the end of the day the best of you are going to feel achy and exhausted, but oh so very good about yourselves too.

Itinerary in brief

Day One: Arrival at Chalet McNab
Day Two: Argentiere to Les Houches
Day Three: Les Houches to Les Contamines
Day Four: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
Day Five: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur
Day Six: Courmayeur to Refuge Bonnati
Day Seven: Refuge Bonnati to La Fouly
Day Eight: La Fouly to Champex
Day Nine: Champex to Trient
Day Ten: Trient to Argentiere
Day Eleven: Departure day

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival Day. Chalet McNab, Argentiere.

Guests are welcome to arrive at any time during the day, and transfers can be arranged from the airport as required. The first evening you'll have the opportunity to meet up with the rest of the group and your Trekking Guide who will come round to meet with the group on the first evening.

Day 2: Argentiere to Les Houches.

Via Lac Blanc, Felgere and Brevant with stunning views all day.
Accommodation: Chalet McNab
Approx walking time: 7 hours.
Notes: This is the first leg and your warm up day rolled into one. Returning to the chalet on your first night gives you the chance to re-pack, change or hire any equipment you feel you need.

At Lac Blanc

Day 3: Les Houches to Les Contamines.

We start the day by taking the cable car to Bellevue (the start of the Mont Blanc ascent). At the top of the Bellevue there are spectacular views of the Dome du Gouter and the Aiguilles. From here you'll get an idea of the magnitude of the trek and the fascinating scenery the trek has to offer.
Accomm: Hotel in Les Contamines
Approx walking time: 5 hours
Notes: Bags taken ahead to Contamine.

Day 4: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.

An early start we set off alongside clear running streams and pine forests before ascending alongside the river Le Bon Nant. Uphill from there to the Col de Bonhomme with some spectacular views back down the way of the valley from where you started. At the Col it's downhill to the lovely hamlet of Les Chapieux.
Accommodation: The Gite at this lovely hamlet is the only place to stay at Les Chapieux.
Approx walking time: 6 hours
Notes: no vehicle support due to difficult access. Walkers should take a 2 day pack when departing Les Contamines.

Day 5: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur.

From France to Italy, via the Col de la Seigne (2513m) we walk on towards Courmayer. The route will be via Lake Combal or Col de Chavannes (2603m). Vehicle support to our Alpine Chalet/Hotel accommodation.
Accomm: Hotel just above the town of Courmayeur
Approx walking time: 6 hours
Notes: Vehicle support from Courmayeur to the hotel if required

Day 6: Courmayeur to Refuge Bonnati

From Courmeyeur we head up the Monte De La Saxe Ridge (a spectacular grass ridge with wonderful views) via the Bertone Hut, with fantastic views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the Grande Jorasses.
Accomm: Refuge Bonnati, a lovely refuge perched on the mountainside.
Notes: In the morning there will be vehicle support across the Courmayeur valley to the start of the ascent of Monte de La Saxe Ridge. Walkers will need to take a two day pack as there is no vehicle support due to access.

Day 7: Refuge Bonnatti to La Fouly. Italy into Switzerland.

Staying high we head along side the lower valley and onto the Elena Refuge which leads to the start of the days climb and the col du Grand Ferret and passage into Switzerland. From the top of the col you will be able to see the snow capped Grand Combin 4,090m and also Mont Dolent 3,823m the summit of which is shared by France Switzerland and Italy. The terrain is very different on the other side and the descent down to la Fouly is much more passive.
Accommodation: Hotel in La Fouly
Approximate walking time: 5 hours
Notes: Bags will be brought to La Fouly

Day 8: La Fouly to Champex.

A relatively easy day which starts off with a gentle downhill walk through woods and pretty Swiss villages. There will be time to sample the delights of local hosteleries and a time to look stop in the beautiful village of Champex.
Approximate walking time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Champex
Notes: Bags will be brought to Champex

Day 9: Champex to Trient.

The Fenetre route is perhaps one of the most demanding days of the tour but the reward is quite magnificent. On reaching the rocky col 2,670m, the spectacular view of the Trient glacier is quite breathtaking. You will need to stop a while to fully appreciate the position you find yourself in looking down towards the seracs and crevasses. An alternative route for those with a less stout constitution, or indeed a wet weather variation, is via the Bovine route. This is a gem in its own right and provides spectacular views of the Rhone valley.
Approximate walking time: 6 and a half hours.
Accommodation: Gite/hotel
Notes: bags will be brought to Trient

Day 10: Trient to Argentiere

We retrace our steps along the Trient valley for only a short time and start the climb up through the woods to reach the Col de Balme. Our destination of the col can be gained in a number of different ways depending on the weather. The route via Les Grands allows us to linger over views of the Trient Glacier again and to see the exposed position of the Fenetre col crossed the previous day. On reaching the Col de Balme we cross the boarder back in to France for the ambling descent into Argentiere via Le Tour and a welcome return to Chalet McNab our accommodation for the last two days of the Tour.
Accommodation: Chalet McNab in Argentiere.
Approximate walking time: 6 and a half hours.
Notes: arrival back at the chalet

Day 11: Departure day

You are welcome to depart the chalet at any time during the departure day. Rooms need to be vacated by 10.30am but you can leave your luggage in the foyer until your departure time.
Staying on If you'd like to stay on a few days afterwards at the chalet (or before you arrive) the chalet is available for bed and breakfast bookings. To enquire about availability please contact us.
Transfers
Transfers to and from the airport can be arranged as required. The price per person is 68.00GBP/80euros return.

Changes to the Itinerary

The Trekking Guide may change the itinerary as detailed above. These changes may be made due to the weather conditions, changes in accommodation, or fitness of the group.

Price includes:

• 10 nights accommodation - gites/hotels - room accommodation whenever possible. The accommodation maybe in a dortoir at one or two of the refuges.
• 10 days full board, breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals will be included throughout the trip.
• 9 days of trekking with qualified Mountain Trek leaders
• 7 days vehicle support. There is vehicle support every day apart from the overnight at Les Chapieux and the Bonnatti refuge, when guests would be expected to take a two day pack when departing Courmayeur.
• Lifts where required.
• Transport when required during the trek.
• Maximum group size is 8

Price does not include:

• Flights to Geneva Airport.
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Insurance
• Snacks.