A Circuit of Mont Blanc - One of the Classic Treks of the World

The Tour du Mont Blanc—the classic 10-day circuit of Western Europe’s highest peak (15,781')—is one of the world’s most famous treks, and we’ve been hiking it for 40 years. See chiseled peaks and glistening glaciers while hiking inn-to-inn through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. At night, kick back and enjoy a hearty meal with fresh bread, local artisanal cheese, and fruity red wine.

Activities

Our Tour du Mont Blanc includes 10 days moderate to strenuous hiking (max. elev. 8,300')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Classic 10-day circuit of the Mont Blanc massif—every mountain hiker’s “must-do”
• Three countries, three cultures, three cuisines—all on one great trip!
• Take in views of spectacular peaks and glaciers every single day
• Charming hotels and fine dining, including gourmet picnic lunches featuring regional specialties

2011 Prices
$3,795 (9-14 members)
$4,195 (4-8 members)
Single accommodations in Chamonix only

Duration: 12 days Start Location: Geneva End Location: Geneva Best time to go: June - September

Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive, Transfer to Chamonix

  Meet in Geneva, Switzerland. Transfer to the mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France.

• Day 2 : Chamonix – Warm-up Hike

  Hiking in Chamonix for spectacular views of the Mer de Glace (second largest glacier in the Alps), the Drus, and the Grandes Jorasses.

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  Days 3 - 4 : Montagne de Chailloux / Bionnassay – Les Contamines

  Enjoy fabulous views of the north face and glaciers of Mont Blanc while hiking to Les Contamines, a traditional unspoiled French village with picturesque wooden chalets and fine old churches.

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  Days 5 - 6 : Savoie and Beaufortain / Into Italy

  Hike into Italy via grassy trails and old Roman roads, crossing three passes en route.

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  Day 7 : Rifugio Bonnatti

  A hike with remarkable views of Mont Blanc, which appears Himalayan in scale - the mountain rising in a breathtaking abruptness from the Veny Valley to the summit 10,000 feet above.

• Day 8 : Into Switzerland

  Cross the Grand Col Ferret (8,300') into Switzerland. Descend to La Fouly (5,280'), then transfer to Les Champex.

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  Days 9 - 10 : Alpine Pastures / Over the Smuggler's Route to France

  Hike high above the Rhône Valley, then follow an old smuggler's path to the Col de Balme (7,188') and the border with France. Great views of the Mont Blanc massif with the Chamonix Valley stretched out below.

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  Day 11 : The Chamonix Valley

  From Le Col De Montets (4,800') we will hike to Les Cheserys (7,130'), enjoying views of the Le Tour and Argentiere glaciers, and all the Mont Blanc range. Descend to Chamonix.

• Day 12 : Fly Home

  Return to Geneva and depart.

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  Hotel Les Aiglons

  Chamonix
  
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  Hotel du Bois

  Les Houches, France
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  Hotel La Chemenaz

  Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
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  Auberge de la Nova

  
  
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  Hotel Glacier and Sporting

  Today, Isabelle and Yves Biselx continue the family hotel tradition and look forward with pleasure to receiving you! The fifth generation with their three sons, Adrien, Térence et Timothée, seems well prepared to assure the future.

  The Hotel du Glacier and the family Biselx a happy couple for over 100 years. Therefore, don't miss to visit us, we'll tell you a lovely story …

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  Hotel du Col de La Forclaz

  
  
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  Hotel Berthod

  Courmayeur

  The ancient residence of the Berthod and De Morò families, Hotel Berthod is owned and run as a family establishment, and guests can expect a customized welcome. Just steps away from Courmayeur's main street, outfitted with indoor spa facilities and cozy, personalized rooms.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way. Leader assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

• Florence Simond

  A native of Chamonix, Florence is a descendant from two of the area’s oldest families. After growing up in the Chamonix Valley, “Flo” spent several years in the south of France, and then traveled abroad to South America and Asia. She returned to her ancestral home, where the mountains now form an integral part of her life. She has led nearly 50 trips to the Alps, not counting how many times she has done this trip for her own fun! In addition to being an accomplished hiking guide, Flo is a skier and climber. As a member of the Compagnie des Guides, she follows in the footsteps of her forefathers.

• Jean-Marc Vaillant

  As a member of the Compagnie des Guides, Jean Marc began guiding for MTS several years ago. He is what the French call polyvalent (“able to do many things”). His talents range from being a licensed pyrotechnic specialist, snowboard manufacturer, journalist, musical group crew, and theater worker. If this weren’t enough, in addition to his passion for hiking, he also teaches children the skills of mountain biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Jean-Marc has led over 60 trips to the Alps and proudly carried the Olympic torch to the 2008 Ticino winter games.

• Laurent Langoisseur

  Laurent Langoisseur hails from Normandy, France, having grown up in Argentan (a small village that became famous in August 1944, “tournai sur dives”). At the age of 12, Laurent read La Grande Crevasse by Roger Frison-Roche, and became fascinated by the guiding and climbing descriptions of the Chamonix-Mont Blanc area. At 16, Laurent visited the area and was hooked. At 19, Laurent joined the French alpine troops, and after a year of service, moved to Chamonix. In 1991, he obtained his European Mountain Leader (certification), and in 1995 he was awarded the coveted patch of the Compagnie des Guides. An avid sports enthusiast and inexhaustible hiker, Laurent has hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc more close to 100 times. He is also an accomplished mountaineer, having summated Mont Blanc 3 times, as well as several other mountains over 13,000’. When he is not hiking and climbing, Laurent can be found running long distances for fun. Laurent recently completed a 48-mile race in 6 hours; and has also finished 48 miles in 9 hours with 10,000’ of ascent/descent. Laurent has been guiding for MTS since 1995, and is a Senior guide on our Tour du Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc Express, Mont Blanc to Matterhorn (Haute Route), GR5, Gran Paradiso, and French Riviera trips, as well as any other trip we can get him on! His knowledge of the culture, history, plants, birds, and the name of every single peak and glacier along the trail is a wonderful complement to his guiding skills. When he isn’t guiding for us, he teaches First Aid and Mountain Rescue to mountain and hiking guides; and during the winter, he’s a ski patrol monitor in the mountains above Chamonix.

• Stéphane Berger

  Stéphane is a true man of the mountains, with a Savoyard father and Swiss mother. He grew up in Chamonix, then left the valley to follow his first love, architecture. But the call of the wild proved too strong: numerous travels in North Africa, Siberia, and the Himalaya opened a new door to him—the profession of hiking guide. Nowadays Stéphane lives in a chalet in Chamonix from where he escapes frequently to travel the mountain areas of the world. “Steph” has now been a member of the Compagnie des Guides for many years, with over 100 trips to the Alps under his belt.

photo credits: ©Tara Starr-Keddle