Hiking details

Dates & prices

Dates	Status	Prices
From 12/07/25 To 20/07/25	Open departure	1740 €	Book online
From 16/08/25 To 24/08/25	Open departure	1740 €	Book online

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THE PRICE

The price includes:

Booking fees and supervision by a qualified mountain leader and a qualified mountain guide for the Aiguille du Tour ascent;
Half-board accommodation, picnic lunches and snacks;
Tourist tax and shower tokens;
Climbing equipment hire (helmet, crampons and harness);
The lifts (on days 1 and 9)
Luggage transfer (except on days 1, 2, 4 and 8) and the road transfers.

The price does not include:

The luggage transportation on days 1, 2, 4 and 8 ;
Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), visits ;
Cancellation insurance;
Airport taxes and other exclusions clearly and duly described on the corresponding data sheet;
Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

Personalised tour available

The itinerary day by day

Day 1

Meeting on Saturday at 8:45am in front of the Bellevue cable car in les Houches

LES HOUCHES - REFUGE DE TRE LA TETE
First easy ascent via the Bellevue cable car! Traverse the Bionnassay glacier tongue, then climb to Col du Tricot (2120m). Descend to the beautiful Miage pastures, traverse above the Contamines valley via the Armancette valley and the beautiful Claudius Bernard trail. Night at the Tre-la-Tête refuge at the foot of the glacier with your head in the stars at an altitude of almost 2000m. Night without baggage.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1350m -1150m

Day 2

REFUGE TRE LA TETE - REFUGE ROBERT BLANC
The day begins with a nice descent to the Combe Noire waterfall. Cross the Tré la Tête river then climb up through the Bonhomme valley before leaving the classic TMB route for the Jovets lakes and the Enclave pass. A wild and technical route with a few cabled passages to reach the refuge on the mountain balcony. Night at altitude at the Robert Blanc refuge, in dormitory, without luggage.
8 hour walk / Elevation: +1700m -900m

Day 3

REFUGE ROBERT BLANC - REFUGE MONTE BIANCO
Wild and technical traverse with cabled passages to reach Col de la Seigne (2516m). Here we rejoin the classic Tour of Mont Blanc route and immediately leave it and cross to the Mont Fortin. Crests dotted with fortifications dating from WW2 with breathtaking views into the Val Veny below and the southern slope of the Mont Blanc massif. We leave these sumptuous landscapes to reach the mountain pastures and the accommodation for the evening.
Night at the Monte-Bianco refuge.
8 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1300m

Day 4

COL DE MALATRA - RIFUGIO FRASSATI
Transfer by local bus to Courmayeur, then in the Val Ferret to the hamlet of Lavachey where the hike begins. Climb up to the Malatra valley via the Bonatti refuge. At an altitude of 2,930 m, the Col de Malatra is a wild pass, sometimes still covered in snow until late in the season. Descend into the combe des Merdeux to reach the eponymous lake and the Frassati hut.
Night in refuge, without the luggages.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300m -410m

Day 5

COL DE ST-RHEMY - HOSPICE DU GRAND-SAINT-BERNARD
The route continues down the Combe des Merdeux to the Combe de Thoules. Cross the Col de Saint-Rhémy, then traverse the balcony to the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard. Arrive at the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a thousand-year-old crossroads in the heart of the Alps.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +760m -830m

Day 6

FENÊTRE DE FERRET - LACS DE FENÊTRE
Back to the Great St Bernard Pass to climb up to Fenêtre de Ferret. Descend due north to the Fenêtre lakes. If the sun is shining, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the high peaks of the northern part of the Mont-Blanc massif (Mont Dolent, Aiguille d'Argentière, Aiguilles Dorées, etc.). The route continues downhill until it reaches the Dranse de Ferret, which it follows to the hamlet of Ferret.
Transfer by bus to Champex-lac.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +360m -1120m

Day 7

FENÊTRE D'ARPETTE - TRIENT
Climb all the way up the Val d'Arpette to reach the Fenêtre d'Arpette, a major stop-off point for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Descend into the Trient valley to reach the village with its characteristic pink church. Overnight in Trient.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1030m -1380m

Day 8

COL DE BALME - REFUGE ALBERT 1er
A steady ascent to the Col de Balme, the border crossing between France and Switzerland and the entry point to the Chamonix valley. Mont Blanc is once again in sight. Once over the col, the route continues uphill below the Pointe des Grands. The Albert 1er refuge is soon in sight. This is followed by a final, relatively steep climb to the refuge, where you will meet up with your mountain guide for the next day.
Overnight in a dormitory in the refuge, without luggage.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1430m -30m

Day 9

AIGUILLE DU TOUR ASCENT (3540m)
Early departure with your mountain guide. The route descends gently to the Tour glacier. Take a short break to gear up before setting foot on the glacier. Gradual ascent to the upper Col du Tour. Crossing into Switzerland on the Trient glacial plateau before a rocky final ascent to the summit of the Aiguille du Tour. There's a 360° view of the highest peaks in the northern part of the Mont Blanc massif (Aiguille du Chardonnet, Aiguille d'Argentière, etc.), with Mont Blanc in the background. Take the same route back down to the refuge and then to the Charamillon gondola to finish the trip in the village of Le Tour.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +740m -1580m

End point on Sunday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Charamillon gondola in Le Tour.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.

The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 700 to 1250m approximately per day.

Walking time: 6 hours average per day.

Type of trek: mountain route for experienced hikers with sections of technical trails. The final day's glacier crossing requires specific equipment but does not present any technical difficulties.

Climbing to the Aiguille du Tour summit involves walking with crampons without any major technical difficulty, however it is a long glacial walk. The last meters to the summit are steep and more technical and may induce vertigo in those sensitive to heights. It is always possible to not carry out this stage.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 6 to 8 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

GUIDING

Maximum 11 people in a group supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader and high mountain guide.

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

8 nights in dormitory, in gites and refuges.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader and guide, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products.

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 8:45am in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.

BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:45pm arrival in Chamonix at 7:50pm.
Return: departure from Chamonix at 3:50pm arrive Paris-Gare de Lyon at 9:50pm.
www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Montroc-le-Planet and Les Houches.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Return night train: in progress...
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.
There is ample parking at 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 in the free parking in the village of Le Tour and take the bus to the meeting point in Les Houches.

CAR-SHARING Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr https://covoiturage-libre.fr https://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 of the trek on Sunday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Charamillon gondola in Le Tour.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the way back to the departure point in Les Houches or to Chamonix is easy via bus.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

By 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
www.hotelsaintantoine.com/accueil

Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
www.hotelarve-chamonix.com

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

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, already broken in with a good sole stiff enough to support crampons (no trail running shoes or flexible hiking shoes). Crampons to suit all types of hiking boots will be available, it is not necessary to have glacier mountaineering boots.
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 for the climb to the summit)
Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of about 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.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE SUMMIT

Crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe for climbing the Gran Paradiso summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, waterproof gloves, waterproof jacket and supplementary warm layers to add if necessary). High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory. Poles are essential.

LUGAGGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be delivered daily, except on days 1, 2, 4 and 8. Access is not always easy. Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

For nights 1, 2, 4 and 8, you won't have your luggage at the accommodation (you'll find it the next day). Here's some advice on what to bring (around 2 kg is enough!):
- a small toilet bag
- your sheet-bag
- a change of clothes for the next day (just what you need!) and comfortable clothes/shoes for the evening.

HAUTE ROUTE OF TOUR DU MONT BLANC

From 1740 €

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HAUTE ROUTE OF TOUR DU MONT BLANC

The wordly known TMB on the massif's highest trails crowned by the ascent of the Aiguille du Tour standing at 3540m

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