The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: The Tour of Mont Blanc is a long hike route accessible to any person with a good physical condition. Although it does not involve any technical difficulty (no rock climbing or very steep path...), this trip remains a demanding hike where you will need to be able to walk almost 1000 meters up every day for a week.
Advised preparation : regular practice of a cardio sport (hike, running, bike...), 3 to 4 hours of sport every week. 
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: Level of difficulty

Please note: snow and névés will be present on the paths until mid-june at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. Be prepared!

GUIDING

Number in a group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.

To thank your guide, it is usual to tip him at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

6 nights in a 2-person bedroom in gite, refuge or hotel.
1 night in gite in dormitory of 6 persons.
1 night in refuge in dormitory of 4 persons.
Bedding is providing in all accommodation (a sleeping bag liner is always handy just in case!) Towels are providing, except at the refuge des Mottets.

All accommodation offers hot showers.

Booking possible for 2 persons.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products.
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 on Saturday at 9:30am at the Flégère cable car in Les Praz, Chamonix.

BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:17pm (or 14:16pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:13pm (8:13pm).
There are regular buses throughout the Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Chamonix www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return : departure from Les Houches at 16:14pm (or 17:14pm), arrival at Paris-Gare de Lyon at 9:43pm (11:pm).
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on
www.oui.sncf

BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix. Or exit at Les Houches, Bellevue/Prarion. 
Free parking: Chemin du Biolay, opposite the Montenvers train station in Chamonix.
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 cable car in the village of Les Houches and take the bus to the meeting point in Chamonix.

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 Sunday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Prarion cable car in Les Houches.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the return to the departure point in Chamonix is easy via bus.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

On request, we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your trek.

Les Houches - Hôtel St Antoine: +33 (0)4 50 54 40 10
Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
Hôtel Vallée Blanche: +33 (0)4 50 53 04 50
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24
www.chamonix.com

If you book a night in the Chamonix valley ask your hotel reception for a bus/train pass so you can 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 us as soons as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking 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 backpack of 30 to 40 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 big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.