Lac Blanc in the Alps
8-day adventure

Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc

France
  • Trekking & Hiking
  1. Homepage
  2. France
  3. Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Code: FRTM

8 days
Moderate
Trustpilot
Download trip dossier
Classic Tour Du Mont Blanc Route Map

Contact
our UK team

Enquire now

Our local team

Our team in the Alps are based in Chamonix and are managed by Quentin Beauvy. They organise dynamic, challenging and beautifully scenic treks for small groups. Our team work with passionate and professional guides who live year round in this alpine arena. They will take you along iconic treks such as the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route or help you to scale new heights up Gran Paradiso in Italy. Your safety and the quality of your trips is...
Learn more
View destination guide

Kandoo's view

The iconic Tour du Mont Blanc is world-famous for good reason. Circuiting the rooftop of Europe allows you to uncover an incomparable land of high mountains and glistening glaciers, with mighty Mont Blanc dominating the scene at 4807m. With seven valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 peaks, the Mont Blanc massif is extraordinary. 
From the Chamonix valley to Courmayeur, from the Fenetre d’Arpète to the wild Val Ferret, along the Swiss, Italian and French slopes, the path winds its way between pastures, glaciers and peaks, over passes and through valleys. You’ll finish with an exceptional trek in the reserve of Aiguilles Rouges, where Lac Blanc reflects the magnificent panorama of the peaks and glaciers of the massif. 

Trip highlights

  • One of the worlds most iconic trekking routes
  • Comfortable hotel accommodation
  • Trekking through France, Switzerland and Italy
  • Transfers from Geneva to Chamonix included

Experiences

  • Trekking & Hiking
    Hikers in Thorong, during the Annapurnas Tour
    Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes

Gallery

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrival

    The Kandoo team will meet you at Geneva airport and transfer you to your pre-trek hotel in Chamonix. Later you will attend a pre-trek briefing with your Guide to prepare you for your tour. There are many typical Savoyard restaurants close to your hotel where you can sample some alpine specialities.

    • Transport: Private transfer (1.2 hours, 100 km)
    • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Day 2

    Chamonix to Argentière

    We will transfer to Les Praz village by either bus or train, and from here we will ride the cable car to La Flégére (1813m). The view of the Chamonix Valley and the Mer de Glace is breath-taking. We start our hike on a balcony path, climbing gently up and leading us to Lac Blanc (2352m) and its spectacular view of the Mont Blanc massif: the Drus, the Vert, the Aiguille du Midi and, of course, Mont Blanc itself. We head down through one of the most beautiful trails in France, bordering the Cheserys lakes, to Argentière where we will spend the night in a hotel in a peaceful, wooded setting.

    • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
    • Ascent: 250 m
    • Descent: 1240 m
    • Max. altitude: 2352 m
    • Accomodation: Hotel
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • Day 3

    Argentière to Champex

    After breakfast, we will take a short private transfer to cross the Swiss border via the villages of Châtelard and Trient to the Col de la Forclaz (1527m). From here, we start our trek through a pine and larch forest to reach the grazing pastures at Bovine. We will enjoy views of the valley and the impressive Coude du Rhônes below us, as well as the northern foothills of Mont Blanc. On the eastern side, the impressive Combins massif stays in our sight all day long and leads us to Champex, a charming lakeside village.

    • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
    • Ascent: 790 m
    • Descent: 740 m
    • Max. altitude: 1527 m
    • Accomodation: Hotel
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • See more
Classic Tour Du Mont Blanc Route Map See the map

Please note

This programme may be modified by the guide or tour organiser, according to mountain and weather conditions, required physical condition of participants and, above all, your safety. For safety reasons and to ensure the programme operates smoothly, we need to ensure that all participants have the required level of mental and physical ability. We reserve the right to end your participation if your ability does not match the minimum required level. In this eventuality, there will be no reimbursement or payment of compensation.

Details

Trip information

Difficulty

Whilst a high level of fitness will make the hikes a lot easier it by no means requires super human fitness. We often take people who are not in peak physical condition, however that being said, a solid  training plan will allow you to better prepare for the hikes and enjoy yourself when you're on the trail. What all successful hikers share though is a real Kandoo attitude and that means high levels of grit and determination. 


There is a lot of steep ascent and descent on this trek, so your legs will be getting a good workout. If you are comfortable walking for 6-7 hours with an ascent of 1000m then you are certainly fit enough to succeed on the Tour. Think of it as climbing Snowdon or Ben Nevis every day for six days! If you can do this then there is no reason why you can't make the entire Tour du Mont Blanc.

Food & drink

This trip is on a full board basis (except for nights in Chamonix). For your evening meals in Chamonix there is a wide range of local restaurants for you to sample. If you have a dietary requirement or are a vegetarian then just let us know when you book so that we can plan a suitable menu.


 The hotels provide hearty, traditional and generous meals. Drinks are not included with dinner, so please make sure you have some Euros and Swiss Francs with you. Hotels in small villages and town may not accept card payments.   


Packed lunches will be produced by your guide and include local meats and cheeses, crusty bread and fresh seasonal vegetables. The lunch items will be shared between all of the group for carrying each day. Remember to bring your favourite snacks (cereal or energy bars, dried fruits, chocolate) with you to keep you going through the day.


Tap water is typically safe to drink in France so you can fill up your water bottle each morning at the hotel. On the trek itself, you will be passing many refuges where you will also be able to top up your water if needed.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Chamonix is in a 3-star hotel in twin rooms. You will stay in Chamonix on the first and last night of the trip. Please note that your evening meal is not included when you are in Chamonix.


You will spend four nights on the trek in 3-star hotels in twin rooms, with evening meal included. Accommodation will differ on day 6 when we spend the night in the Chapieux Valley. Here you will stay in a traditional gite/hostel and you should expect to share a dormitory room with other trekkers.

Luggage

You will need two bags for this trip. One travel bag for your replacement clothes which will be transferred between locations by vehicle (max 10kg). Please do not lock your bag as it may need to be checked by Swiss customs. Please note: Do not leave computers, tablets, cameras and valuable objects in your travel bag. One 30-40L rucksack with a large chest strap that you will carry during the day.  You will carry your own personal equipment (spare warm clothes, waterproofs, water bottle, camera and sun screen) and valuables, as well as your packed lunch in your rucksack.

How do I get there?

For travelers based in the UK or the US, it is best to fly to Geneva International Airport (GVA). Lots of airlines fly to Geneva from all of the major UK airports, and many of the larger US international airports as well.

We will collect you from Geneva airport and transfer you to your hotel in Chamonix. Airport transfers are included in the cost of your trip on arrival and departure days only. If you decide to arrive in the Alps early or stay on a little longer after your trip, please call us to arrange a private transfer.  The drive to Chamonix takes roughly one and a half hours. Please be aware that we may ask you to wait at the airport for up to 90 mins if there is other Kandoo Adventures guests arriving shortly after you. Transfers back to Geneva after your trip depart at 9am from your hotel in Chamonix.

When you arrive in Geneva, please look out for our driver in the arrivals area, they will be holding a large "KANDOO ADVENTURES" sign. 

Budget & change

The currency in France and Italy is the Euro (EUR) and in Switzerland the Swiss Franc (CHF).  For the latest exchange rates please see www.xe.com. 

Euros are accepted in Switzerland although the exchange rate will not be very good. However, if you are only likely to be buying the odd drink or snack while you are in Switzerland, this would probably be easier that exchanging money into Francs. Foreign money can be exchanged at the Global Exchange in Geneva airport on arrival or you can bring money already exchanged with you, as both these are open currencies.  We would recommend the latter as it is no longer possible to exchange foreign currency notes in banks in France, so you may find it difficult to exchange your money after leaving the airport. The only places that exchange foreign banknotes are bureau-de-change which can be found in large cities. You will, however, be able to withdraw money from ATMs in Chamonix on Day 1 of your trip.

The simplest way to pay for things in the Alps is to use an international credit card or debit card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere alongside standard travel cards such as Monzo and Revolut. You may wish to have some Euros to hand, to pay for smaller items or souvenirs in case the trader does not accept cards. Credit and debit cards are also not accepted at the mountain refuges so you will need to carry enough cash for snacks, drinks and any personal expenses. 

The average cost of a meal for 2 in Chamonix is around €50 ($55). Its not a cheap place to eat out, however it makes up for this by offering free public transport all around the town. If you are wanting to buy some souvenirs to take home then these generally cost anywhere between €5 ($6) for small items to €500 ($550) for larger more bespoke gifts. Don't forget you will also need to budget for drinks whilst in the refuges too. Therefore, our recommended guidance for spending budget in the Alps would be roughly €220 on top of any tips, to give you ample souvenir spending money. 

Tips

Tipping customs vary all over the world and can be very confusing when travelling to a new country. There is not a strong culture for tipping in France, but that said, anything you wish to give your guide in appreciation of his services will be welcome. You may wish to buy him a drink in the refuge or hotel.
Tips are not a substitute for good wages: our guides are all well paid and well looked after. Tipping is completely voluntary, and at your discretion. If you are unsure of how much to tip, a general guide of €10 per person for the entire trip should suffice. On the other hand, if you receive bad service or have not been treated well, you would not be expected to tip at all.

Formalities & health

Passport

Most travellers will require a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific requirements and please be aware that proof of onward travel may be required.

Visa

Travelling to France is visa free for up to 90 days, for UK and US citizens

Vaccinations

There are no specific health risks in the Mont Blanc region. However, you should ensure that your routine vaccinations and boosters are up to date, such as tetanus and MMR.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. Many insurance policies will have a maximum altitude limit, if you are climbing Mont Blanc or Gran Paradiso you should ensure you are covered for climbing up to 5000m. We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.

Medication

Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items: - Painkillers - Anti-inflammatory tablets/gel - Second Skin Elastoplast (to prevent blisters)/ bandages - Sunscreen and after sun cream (for sunburn) - Personal medication

Equipment & clothing

Clothing to bring

HEADGEAR
  • Sun hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
  • Sunglasses – high UV protection
  • Neck gaiter or scarf
  • Warm beanie style hat – fleece or wool

UPPER BODY

  • Gloves – warm fleece or wool gloves
  • Short sleeve shirt/t-shirt – lightweight, moisture wicking (x2)
  • Long-sleeve shirt/t-shirt – light/medium weight, moisture wicking (x2)
  • Fleece or soft shell jacket
  • Insulated jacket – down or primaloft
  • Water/windproof hard shell outer jacket

LEGS

  • Trekking shorts
  • Trekking trousers – lightweight – convertible trousers work well
  • Wind and waterproof over trousers (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Gaiters

FEET

  • Trekking boots – with good ankle support
  • Training shoes or sandals – to wear in the hotels in the evening
  • Light-weight trekking socks (x3 pairs)
  • Breathable, high-wicking liner socks (x2 pairs)

Equipment to bring

  • Travel bag for your replacement clothes – avoid suitcases
  • 30-40L rucksack with chest strap and waterproof cover - to carry water, packed lunch and personal items each day
  • Trekking poles
  • Water bottle or hydration bag – must be able to carry 2.0L of water
  • Drybags or heavy duty plastic bags – provide additional waterproofing for the kit in your rucksack and travel bag
  • Individual plastic tub and cutlery – for your picnic lunch
  • Headlamp (plus extra batteries)

OTHER ACCESSORIES

  • Sunscreen and lip balm (high SPF)
  • Toiletries, including wet wipes, after sun and hand sanitiser
  • Camera and spare batteries
  • Thermos flask (optional)
  • Personal medication and first aid kit
  • Personal snacks and energy bars – dried fruit and nuts are also good
  • Microfibre towel
  • Ear plugs, if you are a light sleeper
  • Toilet paper and lighter
Trustpilot

Dates & prices

From To Price Availability Book Enquire
23/06/2024 30/06/2024 $3,245 £2,499
Available
Book now Enquire now
07/07/2024 14/07/2024 $3,245 £2,499
Available
Book now Enquire now
21/07/2024 28/07/2024 $3,245 £2,499
Available
Book now Enquire now
04/08/2024 11/08/2024 $3,245 £2,499
Available
Book now Enquire now

Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!

Contact us

Price includes

  • Return transfers from Geneva to Chamonix
  • Full supervision by a professional mountain guide
  • 7 nights accommodation (6 nights hotel, 1 night hostel)
  • Full board: all breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals (except in Chamonix on day 1 and 7) 
  • Luggage transfers throughout the trek
  • Private transfers on the route as indicated
  • Cabin pass for Skyway Monte Bianco (day 5)

Price does not include

  • International flights
  • Evening meal on day 1 and 7 in Chamonix
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Snacks: cereal  energy bars, dried fruits, chocolate etc
  • Extra optional activities on day 5 in Courmayeur
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for your guide

Options

  • Additional hotel nights before or after your trek

You may also like

View of Cheserys lake/Lac De Cheserys

Best of the Haute Route - Trek Only

France
  • 8 days
  • from $3,705
Trekker in Patagonia

Peaks of Patagonia

Argentina / Chile
  • 17 days
  • from $7,795
Matterhorn in the Alps

Best of the Haute Route

France
  • 10 days
  • from $4,555
French Alps Mont Blanc

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc

France
  • 9 days
  • from $2,725
Climbers on their way to the Gran Paradiso

Climb Gran Paradiso

Italy
  • 5 days
  • from $2,075
Lighthouse in Patagonia

The Land of Fire

Argentina / Chile
  • 14 days
  • from $6,365