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Tour du Mont Blanc 2009

Hut-to-Hut

The Trip

The Mont Blanc Massif, composed of Mont Blanc (15,536') the highest peak in Western Europe and a flank of impressively spectacular peaks and glaciers, uniquely straddles the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Rich in alpine history and cultural diversity, this region has been attracting mountaineers and hikers from the world over for over two hundred years.

Circling the base of the magnificent Mont Blanc Range, the route wanders through alpine meadows, over barren passes, into small hamlets, and beneath gigantic glaciers. During our 12 day tour you will view Mont Blanc, and its surrounding peaks, glaciers and alpine valleys from three different countries as we hike in the French Alps, Swiss Alps and Italian Alps.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is undeniably one of the truly classic hut-to-hut hikes in Europe. This route was initially comprised of century old trade routes, which were linked together to form what the French call a Grande Randonnee. Simply put the Tour du Mont Blanc is a great hike!

Since 1988 Distant Journeys has been guiding the Tour du Mont Blanc, over 50 times around! Let us introduce you to an area we’ve been hiking for a long time. Let us introduce you to the families of the hotels and huts and local farms. Join us for a remarkable trip around Mont Blanc.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Geneva, Cointrin International Airport. Group transfer to Chamonix, France at 1:00 pm. Welcome dinner and orientation. Chamonix is home a dazzling array of many of the highest peaks in the Alps including Mont Blanc (15,860').

Day 2: Short transfer to Les Houches and cable car to Bellevue. Here we begin today’s hike passing by the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay then up through lush meadows to the Col du Tricot (6,995') with spectacular views of the Aiguille du Bionnassay, Dome du Gouter and the entire Chamonix Valley. After our steep descent from the col we arrive at our refuge.

Day 3: From our refuge we continue to the village of Les Contamines where we have time to linger and buy lunch items for the next day. Departing Les Contamines we hike up the Mont Joie Valley, past a 15th century mountain church, Notre Dame de la Gorge, cross a small ancient Roman bridge and continue up this broad alpine valley to our overnight stop.

Day 4: Departing our refuge we begin a steady climb to the Croix de la Bonhomme and to the Col des Fours (8,960'). After a long descent passing though the Ville des Glacier and maybe stopping to buy some beaufort cheese at a farm, we will end our day at the remote and rustic refuge.

Day 5: Today’s hike will lead us to the Italian border at the Col de la Seigne (8,300'). Hiking down the Val Veny, the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif and Mont Blanc itself will dominate the scene with its myriad of glaciers and towering rocky peaks. Transfer by bus to our hotel located in the village of Courmayeur, Italy.

Day 6: Rest day in Courmayeur. The day can be spent exploring the town’s narrow streets, sampling the local pastries and cuisine, day hiking, or taking a series of cable cars up to Point Helbronner and into the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Day 7: Transfer by bus to the end of the spectacular Val Ferret. Hike to Ferret, Switzerland over the Col Grand Ferret (8,372'). Stopping for lunch en route we are offered views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret and the skyline is dominated by the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret.

Day 8: A moderate day of hiking leads us down the Ferret Valley through small Swiss hamlets and beautiful gardens. The hike ends with a climb up to the picturesque lake village of Champex.

Day 9: There are two hiking options for today, one via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other more difficult route up and over the ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d’Arpette. Both route offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps.

Day 10: Hike from Trient to le Buet, France over the Col de Balme (7,230). Crossing into France at the col, once again the spectacular sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc Range with its dramatic peaks and glaciers will be breathtaking. We will end our day at a quiet hotel in Vallorcine.

Day 11: Le Buet to Chamonix via the “Grand Balcon Sud” with ever-changing views of the Aiguille Verte, the Aiguilles des Chamonix, the glaciers of le Tour, Argentiere and the Mer de Glace.

Day 12: Depart Chamonix at 6:30 am for group transfer to the Geneva Airport arriving at about 7:30 am.

If you don’t have quite enough time to complete the 12-day tour call us and ask about a shortened trip.

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Additional Information

Included:

Group transfers to and from the Geneva Airport, all accommodations, all continental-style breakfasts, all dinners except 2, all group transfers on ski lifts, buses and trains as described in the itinerary, guides, great hiking and memories!

Not Included:

Airfare, lunches, 2 dinners in Courmayeur, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature.

Luggage:

This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it's possible to keep your pack weight to 15 to 20 lbs. including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel in Chamonix.

Who would enjoy this hike?

Our Tour du Mont Blanc trips are perfect for hikers who look forward to wonderful, challenging hikes and like the thought of staying in hotels as well as some rustic accommodations. This is such a fantastic and varied hut hike!

Why travel with Distant Journeys?

The owners and staff plan the trips, talk to prospective hikers on the phone carefully answering any questions or concerns. We have hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc over 60 times. We want you to take a trip with us that is suited to you. All this allows for flexibility, value, personal attention and safety. We are very proud of our trips and our high return rate of hikers. Please ask us for a list of past participants as they will give you honest insight to Distant Journeys.

Hiking Grades:

The Tour du Mont Blanc is graded strenuous with some moderate. The hiking trails are generally well graded and well defined, which makes for great hiking. There are sections that include mud, snow, loose rock, and scree. This is a great route and participants should be in condition appropriate for the trip and be able to hike in varied terrain and weather.

Any hiking trip in the mountains requires a certain amount of effort and proper fitness training will enhance your enjoyment. In the mountains, time and elevation gain or loss as opposed to distance, tend to be the determining factors when defining hiking grades or level of difficulty. We have done our best to grade our trips consistently. Please call us for further clarification.

Easy: Hike 3 to 4 hours daily carrying a daypack on generally gentle terrain. Distances from 4 to 8 miles. Elevation gain and loss 500' to 1,500'.

Moderate: Hike an average of 4 to 5 hours daily on varied terrain. Distances from 5 to 9 miles. Elevation gains and losses generally 1,500' to 2,500' or about 2 hours.

Strenuous: Hike 5 to 7 hours daily on varied terrain, with consistent ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 2,500' - 3,500'. Distances from 6 to 11 miles. There are some sections that include steep uphill and downhills.

Strenuous Plus: 5 to 8 hours partly on rocky, challenging terrain with consistent steep ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 3,000'-5,000'. Distances from 6 to 15 miles. Though each day is not strenuous plus some sections that may include rough terrain and open and exposed trails.

Accommodations and Facilities:

The accommodations on the TMB vary from comfortable 3 star hotels to rustic mountain refuges.

Hotels: For our 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc we spend 6 nights in comfortable hotels with private baths. Chamonix (2 nights) Courmayeur (2 nights) Champex and Le Buet. All are friendly, family run hotels that reflect the local character. We are certain you will find these hotels comfortable and welcoming.

Hiker’s Hotels: In Switzerland we spend two nights in hiker’s hotels that offer private double rooms with shared facilities. These hiker’s hotels offer simple though comfortable accommodations.

Refuges: We spend 3 nights in mountain refuges. They are wonderful rustic farms that have been converted to accommodate hikers. They have bunkrooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and hot showers.

Travel:

It is easiest to fly to Geneva. However, there are frequent trains from Zurich or Paris just be sure to allow for extra travel time. Included in the trip cost is a group transfer from the Geneva Airport on day 1 and to the Geneva Airport on day 12.

Meeting point:

Geneva airport at 1:00 pm on the first day for a group transfer to our hotel in Chamonix.

Ending Point:

Included is a group transfer from the hotel in Chamonix the morning of the last day arriving the Geneva airport arriving about 7:30 am.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.