The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 2000m approximately per day.
Running time: 6 to 9 hours per day.
Type of trek: The Tour du Mont Blanc is a mountain route presenting no particular technical difficulty but stages that are very (or too long) for most hikers.
This trip is aimed at a well trained public who regularly practice trail running.
You must be able to easily do 40km of trail running (in the plains) and have already experienced trails in the mountains.

GUIDING

Number in a group between 6 and 10 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.
It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in dormitory, in gites, refuges or in hotel.
All accommodation offer hot showers (included in the tour price)

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3630 OT - Chamonix and Top 25 - 3531 ET - Saint Gervais (1/25 000)

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point Sunday at 8:30am in front of the Chamonix train station.

BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:18pm (or 2:18pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:50pm (8:50pm).
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return : departure from Les Houches at 2:20pm (or 3:20pm), arrival at Paris-Gare de Lyon at 7:42pm (or 9:22pm).
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.

BY CAR      
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow the main road towards Argentière and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentière) or exit at Les Houches, Bellevue/Prarion.
There is ample parking at the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet or in the village of Le Tour 1km away.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
The easiest option for your return is to leave your car at the end point of the tour at the Prarion gondola in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet.

CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2h15 by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)

End point Saturday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Prarion gondola in Les Houches.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the way back to the departure point in Montroc-le-Planet is easy via bus.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

By request we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your tour.

Les Houches
Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10
www.hotelsaintantoine.com
Hôtel les Campanules: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 71 www.hotel-campanules.com   

Le Tour Chalet Alpin: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16

Chamonix Tourist Office : +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com

If you book a night in the Chamonix valley, ask the hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley.                               www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• trail shorts
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper and Gore-Tex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Gore-Tex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Running trail socks (1 pair per day)
• Running trail boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable trail backpack of 10 to 15 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!