Tour Du Mont Blanc Packages

Tour du Mont Blanc is a bucket-list experience for hikers of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned trekker seeking a challenging multi-day hike or a nature lover focused on taking in the scenery, the grandeur of the Alps will not disappoint. The Tour du Mont Blanc hike spans three countries, France, Switzerland, and Italy, and takes you through alpine meadows, rugged mountain passes, and charming villages. Adding to the heavenly landscape is the majestic Mont Blanc massif itself—the highest peak in the Alps, standing at over 15,700 feet (4,785 mt).

Tour Du Mont Blanc Overview

Encircling the snowy mountain range, the Tour du Mont Blanc covers a distance of approximately 105 miles (170 km). Depending on your pace of hiking, a standard Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary typically takes 7 to 10 days to complete. If you choose to take a self-guided Tour du Mont tour, you always have the flexibility to customize your hike as you like by choosing to spend fewer or extra days at a destination and including or certain excluding excursions and activities. At AdventureTripr, we allow you to modify your itinerary even if you book a Tour du Mont Blanc guided tour. We make it a point to ensure that our Tour du Mont tours cover as much of what you would like to see and do.

Country Name and location

Country Name: France, Switzerland, and Italy

Location:

• France: Les Houches, Chamonix, Les Contamines-Montjoie, and Les Chapieux

• Switzerland: Champex-Lac, La Fouly, and Trient

• Italy: Courmayeur, Val Ferret, and Val Veny

What are the visa requirements for traveling to the Tour du Mont Blanc for US Citizens?

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike is fuss-free as far as visa requirements go for U.S. citizens. All three countries—France, Switzerland, and Italy—allow U.S. nationals to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism purposes.

What are the major attractions of the tour du mont blanc?

1. Alpine Villages and Towns As you hike the Tour du Mont Blanc trail, you’ll pass through the villages of Chamonix, Courmayeur, Les Contamines, and Champex Lac, each offering its own uniqueness from culture to cuisine. While Chamonix puts on a dazzling display of fireworks during the annual Fetes des Guides festival in August, Courmayeur captivates with a carnival-like atmosphere at the Festa de San Pantaleone in July. Les Contamines offers peace and tranquility in the mountains, and Champex Lac affords varieties of alpine fauna and flora.

2. Mountain Scenery and Peaks The Mont Blanc massif, in all its towering glory, houses other peaks that are equally impressive. On your Tour Du Mont Blanc tour, you’ll be treated to the snow-clad peaks of Les Drus, Les Grandes Jorasses, and Mont Maudit, which offers stunning views from its summit. But the most iconic sight to behold in the alpine mountain range is the spire-like granite structures reaching for the skies known as Aiguilles. Viewable from Chamonix in the French Alps, Aiguilles is a trekker’s delight, with its tallest peak, Aiguille Verte, standing at the height of 13,524 feet (4,120 mt).

3. Cheese and Chocolate On a Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, trekkers will enjoy the spectacular alpine scenery and the finest cuisines of France, Switzerland, and Italy. Don’t miss feasting on Swiss staples like fondue and world-famous chocolates, savoring the fine regional wines of Italy, and sampling various French cheeses. Good food is definitely a highlight on a Tour du Mont Blanc trek, and you can easily burn off the calories while hiking!

Tour Du Mont Blanc Route Description

The route you decide to take for Tour Du Mont Blanc depends on the number of days you want to spend in the scenic alpine mountains. The typical Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided tour takes 10-12 days. You’ll begin hiking from the Le Brevent viewpoint in Les Houches, which can be reached by a gondola. Over the next two days, you’ll pass through Col de Voza and the Bionnassay Glacier to reach the quaint village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, popular for its ski resorts.

From Les Contamines-Montjoie, you’ll head to Les Chapieux, where you will see the baroque-style 17th-century chapel called the Notre Dame de la Gorge and Col du Bonhomme mountain pass. Continuing from Les Chapieux, you’ll hike to Courmayeur via Col de la Seigne, the international border between France and Italy. One of the many highlights of Tour Du Mont Blanc, Col de la Seigne, is a mountain pass that affords panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Additionally, it’s home to native flora and fauna that are easily visible on the trek.

Having covered about 39 miles (62 km) till here, Tour Du Mont Blanc itinerary continues to Rifugio Bonatti through forests and meadows. Prepare yourself to be blown away by the views of the Mont Blanc range of powdery white peaks. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret, which is the border between Switzerland and Italy, the Grand Combin mountain pass surrounded by glaciers like the Corbassière Glacier and the Boveire Glacier will leave you awed. Along the way, your eyes will be peeled for prominent peaks in the Alps, namely Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, and Weisshorn, before arriving in the village of La Fouly.

With about 20 miles (32 km) to go on the Tour de Mont Blanc trail, forge ahead through the idyllic Swiss landscapes to Champex-Lac. From here, there are two trail options you can set off on to reach Trient for the journey back to Chamonix. The Bovine Route offers a more leisurely pace through lush pastures and meadows replete with cows. The route has several vantage points from where you can see the surrounding Rhone Valley. For a more challenging trek, the Fenetre d'Arpette route brings you closer to glaciers and peaks by way of steep ascents and descents. However, the route is not recommended if you are not in optimal physical health because the terrain can be rugged and unstable in some places.

At AdventureTripr, we also offer shorter Tour de Mont Blanc guided and self-guided tours. These range from 3-4 days to 7-day Tour de Mont Blanc itinerary. We are flexible in our offering and work with you to customize a Tour de Mont Blanc trek based on your interests and budget.

How to reach Tour Du Mont Blanc?

Several international airlines operate to and from major U.S. cities to Geneva Airport in Switzerland. From the airport, buses and shuttles connect to Chamonix or Les Houches in France.

If you would like to join the Tour du Mont trail from another town, there are several buses and trains that connect to towns like Courmayeur and La Fouly. The advantage of public transportation is that it gives trekkers the flexibility to skip stops.

If you choose to rent a car, Chamonix is accessible via major highways from Geneva and Courmayeur is accessible through the Mont Blanc Tunnel from Italy. If you have a valid U.S. driver's license, you can in France, Switzerland, and Italy. In France and Italy, it is recommended that you carry a notarized translation of your licenses in French and Italian, respectively.

Best Months and Seasons for Tour Du Mont Blanc

Summer: Undertaking Tour du Mont Blanc between the months of June and September is by far the most popular season, with August being the busiest month. To avoid the crowds, many trekkers choose to traverse the route in an anti-clockwise direction. Even though the weather is warmer in the summer, the Mont Blanc massif remains blanketed in snow. The valleys, meadows, and pastures are in full bloom, and native wildlife like marmots and deer are out and about.

Winter: The winter brings sub-zero temperatures and plenty of snow to the area, making the Tour du Mont Blanc treacherous to attempt.

What types of adventure experiences are available specifically on the Tour Du Mont Blanc?

• Hiking

• Trekking

• Camping

• Mountain Biking

• Paragliding

• Trail Running

• Skiing

Is it better to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided or with a guide?

Being a well-marked trail, you can book a guided or self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc hike. The advantages of taking a guided hike with AdventureTripr are that all the logistics, like transportation, accommodation, and meals, are taken care of. More importantly, the guides are equipped to handle inclement weather conditions and emergencies if they arise. If you opt for a self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary, it’s important to have all the necessary equipment and navigation tools, including an old-school map and compass.

How much does it cost for a Tour Du Mont Blanc?

Given its accessibility, the cost of a Tour Du Mont Blanc package is quite affordable. Packages range from $1,100-$3,650, depending on how many days you plan to hike, where you choose to stay, and how you choose to travel. At AdventureTripr, we work with you to customize a Tour Du Mont Blanc itinerary according to your budget without compromising on the overall experience.

Essential Advice and Tips for Tour Du Mont Blanc

Get Fit: As with all hiking trips, the Tour Du Mont Blanc requires a good level of fitness and endurance. To minimize the chances of exhaustion and injuries while on the trail, it always helps to start training at least six months before undertaking the hike.

Plan and Book Ahead: In the summer, Tour Du Mont Blanc is a busy trail, and accommodation options tend to get booked out quickly. If you are taking a self-guided tour, make sure you book well ahead of time once you know your dates. However, if you choose a guided tour, you won’t have to worry about not finding accommodation at AdventureTripr, we take care of all the planning and booking for a stress-free experience.

Keep It Light: It is highly recommended that you carry a backpack with necessary and essential items. This includes medication and minimal sets of clothing. You don’t want to tire out with a weighty load, so pack smartly for Tour Du Mont Blanc. We recommend keeping your backpack under 20 pounds (10 kg).

Stock Up: As a rule, you should always carry snacks on a hike, and the  Tour Du Mont Blanc is no exception. Nutrition and fruit bars, as well as nuts and dehydrated fruit, are easy to pack. Of course, you will also have the option to pick up snacks in the alpine villages along the Tour Du Mont Blanc trail and enjoy hearty meals along the way.

Tour Du Mont Blanc Accommodation

The kind of accommodation available depends on the Tour Du Mont Blanc package you choose. These include:

Mountain Refuges/Huts: Basic and comfortable, mountain refuges/huts offer dormitory or sharing-style accommodation.

Hotels and Chalets: If your budget allows, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and chalets are sought-after accommodation options for Tour Du Mont Blanc. Not only do you enjoy the hamlets and villages these are found in, but you get added comforts and private rooms.

Camping: For a truly one-with-nature experience, camping is the most budget-friendly option. Keep in mind that you can’t just pitch a tent wherever you feel like! Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds on the Tour Du Mont Blanc route.

What essential travel gear should one pack for a trip to the Tour Du Mont Blanc?

Clothing: Pack just the essentials for a Tour du Mont Blanc tour. These include lightweight clothing and layered apparel. A waterproof jacket, a cold-weather jacket, sweaters, and fleece are a must.

Footwear: A good pair of hiking boots with sufficient ankle support is essential for the Tour du Mont Blanc. We recommend buying them ahead of time and breaking them to avoid blisters. Don’t forget to pack socks, too!

Accessories: In addition to clothing and footwear, carry a stainless steel water bottle, hat/cap, sunscreen, and flashlight. It’s very important to stay hydrated while trekking Tour du Mont Blanc to avoid exhaustion and muscle cramping.

Extras: If you’re booking a self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc tour, bring a sleeping bag, trekking poles, maps, and guidebooks so you don’t get lost on the route. You can also carry a camera, snacks, and a personal first-aid kit.

Documents and Money: Make sure you have important documents like your passport and insurance card with you at all times. As far as money goes, most places accept credit cards, but it is advisable to carry cash with you for places where plastic isn’t accepted. The currency in France, Switzerland, and Italy is the Euro.

What level of fitness is recommended for a trip to the Tour Du Mont Blanc?

The Tour du Mont Blanc hike requires a moderate to advanced level of fitness. Endurance, stamina, and the ability to carry weight on your back are essential. Expect to hike for 5-7 hours for multiple, consecutive days with an average terrain coverage of 12 miles (20 km) comprising ascents and descents. The best way to prepare for the Tour du Mont Blanc is to sign up for strength and weight training classes well ahead of your hike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do I need special equipment for the Tour du Mont Blanc hike?

Answer: While no special equipment is required, we recommend having proper hiking gear, including hiking boots and clothing.

Question: Is it necessary to book a guided Tour du Mont Blanc tour?

Answer: It is not necessary to book a guided Tour du Mont Blanc tour, but if it is your first time hiking this trail, we recommend going with a guided package that covers accommodation, transportation, and all the logistics needed for a safe and successful trek in the Alps.

Question: What is the distance and elevation of a Tour du Mont Blanc trek?

Answer: The Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary covers approximately 105 miles (170 km) across three countries—France, Switzerland, and Italy. The standard elevation gain on the trek is about 32,800 feet (10,000 mt).

Question: What is the best way to make a Tour du Month Blac booking?

Answer: Our team at AdventureTripr offers expert advice and guidance and can create a customized Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary for you. We take care of all the planning details and booking arrangements according to your budget.

Question: Is travel insurance mandatory?

Answer: We highly recommend securing travel and medical insurance not only to cover any emergencies during the trip but also last-minute cancellations.