8-day adventure
Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
France
- Kandoo Trekking
from
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£2,399
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our UK team
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...
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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 begin 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 and finish traversing the beautiful Col du Bonhomme where glorious alpine meadows sprawl below snow-capped peaks.
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
-
Kandoo Trekking
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
-
Day 4
Champex to Courmayeur
Today we transfer from Champex to La Fouly in a private minibus and begin our hike from the village of Ferret. We will cross the Grand Col de Ferret (2537m) from where we can enjoy an exceptional view of the Val Ferret and the Glacier de Pre de Bard. Italy opens its doors to us as we descend from the pass to Arnouva, where we will take a bus to our hotel in Courmayeur.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 810 m
- Descent: 970 m
- Max. altitude: 2537 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 5
Courmayeur
This morning we will take the Skyway Monte Bianco, which lifts us effortlessly to the Punta Helbronner (3466m). In just 10 minutes, we will find ourselves facing Mont Blanc and the highest peaks in Europe. Returning for lunch in Courmayeur, you will have chance to savour some famous Italian specialities. Taking a break from walking, you will have the afternoon free to explore this lively town. If you prefer, you can have fun rafting in the Aosta Valley or spend a relaxing afternoon at the thermal baths of Pré-Saint-Didier (additional charges apply).
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 6
Courmayeur to Bourg St Maurice
Climb aboard the bus and enjoy the ride to Visailles, at the foot of the Glacier du Miage. We will then stretch our legs, climbing up to the Lée Blanche Valley, where sheep graze during the summer. We will reach the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and cross the border to return to France once more. The south face of Mont Blanc is now behind us as we head down to Les Mottets. We will then transfer down the mountain to Bourg St Maurice where we will spend the night.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 1292 m
- Descent: 967 m
- Max. altitude: 2516 m
- Accomodation: Hostel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
-
Day 7
Les Chapieux to Chamonix
Our final day on the trek begins by heading up to the Chalet de la Raja, which marks the beginning of the slopes to reach the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme refuge (2443m). The refuge is located right before the Col de Bonhomme (2329m). From the pass we will descend into a valley that will lead us to La Balme refuge and the Nant Borrant refuge. We continue our descent to Notre Dame de la Gorge and its small chapel before reaching Les Contamines. We will transfer by private bus to Chamonix where will spend our final night at the hotel and you can enjoy a leisurely evening in town.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 894 m
- Descent: 1408 m
- Max. altitude: 2443 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
-
Day 8
Departure
We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Geneva airport.
Please note: there is only one transfer to Geneva at 9am.- Transport: Private transfer (1.2 hours, 100 km)
- Meals included: Breakfast
- See more
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
The Tour du Mont Blanc is not to be under estimated, there is a lot of steep ascent and descent on this trek, so your legs will be getting a good workout. Yet, whilst a high level of fitness will make the days a lot easier it by no means requires super human fitness. We have reduced the amount of trekking days on this trip and you will have a rest day in the middle of the trip to allow your legs a bit of recovery time. Having a solid training plan in the months prior to departure will allow you to better prepare for the hikes and enjoy yourself when you're on the trail. You will need to reach particular points on the trail each night so you may find the pace of walking to be a little faster than on Kilimanjaro, for example. This is by no means a sprint, and your comfortable accommodation will allow for a good night's sleep at the end of each day, however a good level of fitness will ensure you have a positive experience all round.
Trekking poles are also a lifesaver, especially on the steep Alpine passes! If you are comfortable walking for 6-7 hours with an ascent of 1000m over consecutive days then you are certainly fit enough to succeed on the Tour. Think of it as climbing Snowdon or Ben Nevis three days in a row! If you can do this then there is no reason why you can't complete the trek. We find that all successful hikers share a real Kandoo attitude and that means high levels of grit and determination.
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.
Travelling Responsibly
Alternatively if you wish to travel more responsibly, then there are other ways to reach Chamonix. Flixbus and BlablaCar offer routes from London to Chamonix with a change in Paris. These take around 22 hours and tend to cost between £75-120 each way. The other option is to travel by train. This is a much quicker option taking between 10-12hrs London - Chamonix, with changes at Paris and Chambery, however this does come at an increased cost. Expect to pay around £250-300 each way on an advance ticket. Tickets can be found at Rail Europe.
If you choose to travel via train or bus, get in touch and let us know because we like to reward our responsible travellers!
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 Gran Paradiso you should ensure you are covered for climbing up to 4100m.
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.
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
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/07/2024 | 14/07/2024 | £2,399 $3,115 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 21/07/2024 | 28/07/2024 | £2,399 $3,115 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 04/08/2024 | 11/08/2024 | £2,399 $3,115 |
Sold out
|
Sold out | Enquire now |
| 22/06/2025 | 29/06/2025 | £2,499 $3,245 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 06/07/2025 | 13/07/2025 | £2,499 $3,245 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 20/07/2025 | 27/07/2025 | £2,499 $3,245 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 03/08/2025 | 10/08/2025 | £2,499 $3,245 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice 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
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