Tour du Mont Blanc - FAQs

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most iconic long-distance treks in Europe, circumnavigating the Mont Blanc massif and covering approximately 170 km (105 miles) through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It offers breathtaking alpine scenery, diverse landscapes, and a mix of cultural experiences. The Tour du Mont Blanc features in the World’s top ten 'must do' treks.

The TMB is a challenging trek with significant daily ascents and descents. It requires good fitness and stamina. Guided treks offer the support of a guide, while self-guided options require strong navigation skills and self-sufficiency.

TMB TREK GRADING - GRADE 3: DIFFICULT

Treks are graded 1-4 (low to high) with 1 being relatively easy and 4 being the toughest. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a grade 3 trek. Described as difficult, the TMB is hard and physically demanding. You will be travelling over rugged and mountainous terrain with a sustained amount of ascent and descent on a daily basis. You can expect to hike roughly 15km (10 miles) each day with a height gain and descent of 1,000 metres (4,000 ft).

The TMB Full Guided Trek takes 10 days with 12 nights accommodation.

Shorter treks - A ‘Best of’ trek, Easterly or Westerly trek routes are available and take between 4-6 days.

The trek is best done from mid-June to mid-September, when the mountain passes are snow-free and accommodations are open. Early-season treks (June) may have some lingering snow, while late-season treks (September) offer quieter trails and cooler weather.

If you feel, for whatever reason, you are unable to fully complete the trek, it will be necessary for you to return to your start or finish hotel, using public transport. If you inform the Mont Blanc Treks office, we will try and help with your arrangements. This will incur extra charges for any extra accommodation that may be necessary and unfortunately will result in you forfeiting any already booked accommodation on the trek which you may not have used.

Col du Bonhomme & Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (France)

A long and sustained ascent from Les Contamines (1,150m) to Col du Bonhomme (2,329m), followed by another steep climb to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,483m). The climb is exposed, often snowy early in the season, and followed by a long descent to Les Chapieux.

Col de la Seigne (France - Italy)

A long ascent from Les Chapieux (1,549m) to Col de la Seigne (2,516m) marking the border between France and Italy. Strong winds, unpredictable weather, and a steep final push to the top.

Grand Col Ferret (Italy - Switzerland)

A long climb from Rifugio Elena (2,062m) up to 2,537m, with some of the most sustained elevation gain on the TMB. Cold temperatures, strong winds, and snow possible early in the season. The descent into Switzerland is long and tiring.

A guided trek provides expert navigation, local knowledge, group camaraderie, and added safety.  Our guided treks are led by a qualified UIMLA mountain professionals. They ensure your safety at all times as well as offering you a wealth of information on all aspects of the trek including the flora, fauna and history of the area along the Tour du Mont Blanc.

We run our guided treks with between 2 and 10 people. We NEVER oversubscribe our groups to ensure that each client enjoys their time with the guide and the group and that the group remains safe.

If you would like to check who else is booked on a guided trek, please just contact us. We can tell you the make-up of your group, the ratio of males to females and give you an idea of the group’s age profile.

Our guides are very experienced, fully qualified Mountain Leaders who live and work in the Alps all year round.

UIMLA Qualification

The Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) (UIMLA) was founded in November 2004 and is an internationally recognised qualification that sets standards for mountain leaders all over the world.

Mountain Leader Associations

Mont Blanc Treks are affiliated to SNAM & BAIML the French & English Mountain Leader Association who are full members of the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). They look after the professional interests of International Mountain Leaders in Europe & around the world.

UIMLA: Union of International Mountain Leader Associations

BAIML: British Association of International Mountain Leaders

SNAM: Accompagnateur en Montagne European

You don't have to carry all the gear you need for your guided trek as we offer, for an extra charge, a bag transfer service. You will need a suitable rucksack to accommodate your daily clothing/equipment, food and drink and any other items you wish to have with you during the day. On ALL our treks some nights are spent in mountain refuge accommodation that have no vehicular access and so cannot be accessed by the baggage transfer team. On those days it is necessary to carry an overnight bag. See our Bag Transfer page for further information.

We book your accommodation and meals, give you unlimited expert advice and supply you with all the necessary information before you depart. We supply you with a detailed itinerary, daily route cards, emergency and language cards, IGN 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 Swiss Topo maps, safety and information cards giving you further essential information on your chosen trek.

We meet you before you start your trek to give you any last minute advice and route information that will be essential to the smooth running of the trek.

Yes, self-guided trekkers should have experience with multi-day hikes, navigation, and managing varying weather conditions in the mountains.

Mont Blanc Treks provides 24/7 emergency support, detailed route guidance, and logistical assistance to ensure a smooth journey.

If you require a different itinerary to one of those advertised on our website we can tailor make the itinerary to suit you. Perhaps you require additional rest days or would like to start or finish in a different location.

It's sometimes a good idea to add in an extra day before the trek starts or after it finishes to explore the area fully. Let us know what you have in mind and we can tailor the self guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek to suit you (additional costs will apply if extra nights are required).

On the Tour du Mont Blanc trek we use 3* hotels, auberge or mountain refuge accommodation depending on location. Rooms are on a twin/double basis unless requested otherwise. Single rooms are available most nights at a supplement. Private twin rooms are available in the refuges at a supplement and are subject to availability. You can request your room preference at the time of booking.

See our Where to Stay page for more information.

Bed, breakfast and 3 course evening meals will be included with the exception of Chamonix and Courmayeur, which will be breakfast only. Please let us know any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Breakfast:

This varies depending on accommodation. You can expect at least cereal, milk, break and jam and hot drinks. Our hotels on the treks offer a more substantial breakfast including yogurt, cheeses, cold meats, eggs and pastries.

Picnic lunch:

This is not included and you will need to purchase a picnic to carry with you each day. This is easily bought from local bakeries or supermarkets and when staying in more remote locations it can be ordered from the refuge on the night of arrival. Allow approx. 10 euros each day for your picnic. Make sure you take plenty with you and don’t rely on stopping for lunch en-route. Although on some days this will be possible it’s always good to have your own provisions in case the refuge or café is closed or busy.

Evening meal:

When on the trek, this is always provided and will consist of 3 courses, typically you will have soup or a salad for the starter, a meat or vegetarian option for the main course and a home-made dessert or cheese.

Some of the hotels offer a laundry service (e.g. the hotel in Courmayeur at the halfway point on the Tour du Mont Blanc). We recommend that you take clothing that can be washed by hand and dries quickly.

Essentials include:

• Hiking boots with ankle support

• Waterproof jacket and trousers

• Warm layers (fleece, down jacket)

• Trekking poles

• Daypack (25-30L)

• Hydration system (water bottles or hydration pack)

• Head torch, sunscreen, sunglasses

View our What to Bring page for more detailed information.

Yes, trekking poles are highly recommended for stability and reducing strain on descents.

We advise you to carry the basics, including plasters for blisters and pain killers for aches and muscle strains. (Don’t forget any of your usual medication). You will be able to replenish supplies along the routes in certain locations.

Once you have decided on your trek all you have to do is fill out our booking form, make the payment and get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

It is essential that you fill in all the relevant sections, so we have all the necessary information at the time of booking.

Once we have received the booking form and a deposit payment, we will confirm your booking and send you further information about the trek. To make the booking a simple process, we have explained all the methods of payment we accept. If you have any queries while booking your trek, do not hesitate to get in touch with us in Chamonix.

We recommend you take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking your trek. Should you need to cancel you will need to inform Mont Blanc Treks Ltd by email. If you cancel your trek the following conditions apply: 

• More than 12 weeks before trek start date - loss of deposit. 

• 6 – 12 weeks before trek start date - loss of 50% of the trek fee. 

• Less than 6 weeks before trek start date loss of 100% of the trek fee.

Yes, travel insurance covering trekking activities, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations is required.

Medical

Your own insurance is crucial. If you are on a guided tour, your guide will do their utmost to ensure your safety, but accidents can happen and even trivial accidents can result in a hefty bill if evacuation off the mountain or transport is involved. If you are unsure of your insurance cover, please ask us before the trek, rather than at the time when you may require assistance.

Possessions

Equipment can easily be lost or left behind on a trek and Mont Blanc Treks cannot be held responsible for your private possessions. During transfers, bags are left for collection and again after delivery, in some relatively public places within the hotels we use. Please make sure possessions, bags and equipment are adequately insured and kept safe. Suggestions for trekking insurance companies that have been used by previous clients are:

For residents worldwide: World Nomads, TravelEx 'Adventure Plus Pak', True Traveller

For residents in the UK: British Mountaineering Council, World first

For UK and EU residents: Globelink

For residents in the USA: TravelEx 'Adventure Plus Pak'

For residents in Australia:Insure4less

Most TMB treks start in Les Houches (France) or Courmayeur (Italy). The nearest airports are:

Geneva (Switzerland) – The most common arrival point, with transfers available to Chamonix/Les Houches.

Turin or Milan (Italy) – Suitable for starting in Courmayeur.

Airport transfer can be booked online. See www.mountaindropoffs.com and by using our promotional code MBTCHX you will receive a discount off their flexi fare. The flex fare gives you peace of mind if your flight is delayed as they will transfer to the next available transfer unlike the supersaver which if missed, will be recharged. This would cost approx. 45€ per person each way. If you are a group of 4 or more, we can get preferential rates for you. Please contact Mike Booth at Alplinks and mention that you are trekking with us. He can be contacted via the Resort Rides website: www.resortrides.com or by email: info@resortrides.com.