The Haute Route du TMB is an original circuit, far removed from the usual itineraries. Intended for experienced hikers, it takes place in a wilderness setting while retaining the character of the Tour du Mont Blanc, with major panoramic views and the crossing of major passes. Accommodation has been chosen as close as possible to the summits, in the footsteps of mountaineers past and present. The tour ends with a superb traverse of the Vallée Blanche, at the summit of France's largest glacier.
An express but unforgettable experience on an exceptional variant of the Tour du Mont Blanc, with a circuit as close to the peaks as possible !
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Contact us for a customized tour for your group!
THE PRICE
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meet Sunday at 8:45am in front of the Prarion 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
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 *Night without baggage.
8 hour walk / Elevation: +1700m -900m
REFUGE ROBERT BLANC - REFUGE TORINO
Wild and technical traverse with cabled passages to reach Col de la Seigne (2516m). Here we rejoin the classic TMB 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. Once at the Visaille, a bus takes us to Entrève to head for the peaks via the Monte Bianco Skyway, which takes us to the summit of the Helbronner peak at 3470 m altitude. A short walk takes us to the Torino refuge, where we spend the night.
Night in refuge.
8 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1300m
REFUGE TORINO - AIGUILLE DU MIDI - CHAMONIX
The highlight of the tour. A traverse on the aptly named glacier du géant, between crevasses, vertiginous faces and mythical summits: Mont Blanc du Tacul, Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Verte... No particular difficulty before the ascent to the Aiguille du Midi, and the final ridge will leave no one indifferent!
Return to Chamonix by cable car.
5h30 hour walk / Elevation: +750m -400m
End of he hike at around 4.00 pm in Chamonix train station
LEVEL ****
Ascent: +/-1000 to 1700 m on average per day, less on glacier days.
Walking time: 6 to 8 hours per day.
Itinerary: Technical route for the first few days, with a few cabled or vertiginous passages,
Crossing the Vallée Blanche: crampon-wearing, with no particular technical difficulties, but a long glacier-walking stage with frequent crevasse crossings.
As a prerequisite for all our discovery tours, such as glacier trekking, or for learning mountaineering, you need to be a good hiker, including off-piste, and be used to walking 6 to 8 hours in a day. A sporty background is recommended, and a taste for effort is essential to get the most out of the day. It is essential to arrive rested and fit for any high-mountain tour.
Click here for a description of the different levels: tour levels
TRAINING
Number of participants between 4 and 9, supervised by qualified professionals (mid-mountain and high-mountain guides).
ACCOMMODATION
CLASSIC :
3 nights in mountain huts, in dormitories for 4 to 10 people.
Please bring a meat bag.
Lodgings are not equipped with showers (except evening 1).
For the nights without your baggage at the accommodation, here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner are served in your accommodation.
For lunch, your guide will prepare a picnic lunch, generally consisting of a variety of salads and regional produce.
LUGGAGE TRANSPORT
Luggage is transported on your own.
Luggage can be accessed on day 3, before taking the cable car to Torino.
MAPS
IGN 1/25000 3531 ET Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains
Meeting point Sunday at 8:45 am in front of the Prarion cable car in Les Houches.
BY TRAIN / BUS
Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:18pm (or 2:18pm), arrival in Chamonix at 7:32pm (8:32pm)
Return : departure from Les Houches at 3:57pm (or 5:57pm), arrival at Paris-Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm (11:42pm).
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf
There are regular buses throughout the Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Flégère.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
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 point Saturday at 4:00pm at the bottom of the Charamillon gondola in Le Tour.
At the end of the tour the way back to the departure point in Les Houches or to Chamonix is easy via bus.
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
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.
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
 
Clothing
Other Equipment
*Crampons, harness and mountaineering equipment will be supplied.
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.
Your luggage is transported by a logistics vehicle on day 3. Your change of clothes should be packed in 1 soft bag not exceeding 10kg ! We would particularly like to stress the size and weight of your luggage: during your tour, it will be handled several times a day by a driver (please think about their backs!) and taken to refuges that are not always easy to access.
Use one piece of luggage per person, as grouping the belongings of two people in a single container generally results in excessive weight. Better two 10kg bags than one 20kg bag!
Please note that drivers will not take on luggage that is too heavy or too bulky !
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.