Tour du Mont Blanc Week
8 Days Starting in Col de la Forclaz and ending in Chamonix
Visiting: France, Italy, Switzerland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TWP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Mont Blanc Circuit is deservedly one of Europe's classic walks, circumnavigating western Europe's highest mountain. This exciting itinerary concentrates on some of the most spectacular sections of the circuit, thus enabling us to produce a hard and exhilarating one-week trip for the trekking enthusiast. Overnighting in simple family-run accommodation, we trek clockwise around the Mont Blanc Massif, enjoying hearty local cuisine from three countries, phenomenal views and some of Europe's best walking.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Col De La Forclaz, Switzerland
Meals Included: Dinner
We start at the designated hotel at Col de la Forclaz. A short (unguided) walk to view the Trient Glacier is an option this afternoon, depending on arrival time. In the evening, there is an introductory briefing by your leader and time to spilt bags between items to be delivered to the hotel in Chamonix, for the end of the trip, and things you will carry with you.
Accommodation: Hotel Col de la Forclaz, Switzerland
Day 2 : Follow The Bovine Route To The Pretty Village Of Champex Lac And On To Orsières
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave the Col de la Forclaz (5,010ft/1,527m) from where we can look directly down into the Rhône valley and the Swiss town of Martigny. Following our path through the forest and up to high alpine pastures (great for flowers in the early season), the Bovine Route (6,720ft/2,049m) affords dramatic views over Swiss peaks and valleys. After lunch, we descend to Champex (4,880ft/1,486m) and the east side of the Mont Blanc massif. Walking south, we descend through woods to the Val Ferret and onto Orsières (2,910ft/887m), a pretty alpine village in the valley at the foot of the St Bernard Pass.
Accommodation: Hotel de l'Union in Orsières, Switzerland
Day 3 : Short Bus Transfer To La Fouly And Climb To The Highest Point, Grand Col Ferret, And Descend Into Italy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We hop aboard the local bus to rejoin the TMB at the village of La Fouly (5,250ft/1,600m), which is dominated by the glaciated face of Mont Dolent, whose summit is the meeting point of the French, Swiss and Italian borders. Still following the valley and the river, La Drance, we climb steadily to the Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft/2,537m), the highest pass of the tour. The mountain views from the col are stunning with Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. Now in Italy, we descend into the valley also called Val Ferret (5,770ft/1,760m) then travel by bus to our hotel in La Palud.
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria in La Palud, Italy
Day 4 : Trek From Val Veny Over Col De La Seigne To Les Chapieux
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by bus to La Visaille (5,450ft/1,660m) then climb gently along the Val Veny beneath the massive glacier de Miage and pass Lac Combal. The gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road and head for today’s pass: the Col de la Seigne (8,250ft/2,516m), which marks our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through La Ville des Glaciers (5,870ft/1,789m) and finally, after a long walking day, to Les Chapieux (5,100ft/1,553m), a small hamlet inhabited only during summer. From here we take a private transfer down the valley to our accommodation.
Standard accommodation: Basecamp Lodge in Bourg St Maurice, France
Day 5 : A Tougher Day Over Two Cols; Croix Du Bonhomme And Col Du Bonhomme; Descend To Les Contamines
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A morning transfer back to Les Chapieux, where we have reached the southwest corner of the circuit and we turn north to climb once again. Today is a big day, first we ascend to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,130ft/2,479m), then contour across to the Col du Bonhomme (7,641ft/2,329m) and finally descend again on a Roman road into the Val Montjoie and the town of Les Contamines (3,860ft/1,175m). Our path continues through the village and we arrive at our overnight stop with time for a well-deserved cold drink.
Accommodation: Auberge (inn) Gelinotte in Les Contamines, France
Day 6 : Over The Col Du Tricot To The Chamonix Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Another big day! Our route continues with a steady ascent to the Chalets de Miage (5,120ft/1,560m), a great spot to sample home-cooked delicacies. From here, we take a trail that climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (6,950ft/2,119m) before descending very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay with good views of the north side of the Mont Blanc massif. Eventually, we make another ascent to reach the Col de Voza (5,420ft/1,652m) where we re-enter the Chamonix Valley, and finally descend to the village of Les Houches (3,260ft/993m) and take the bus to our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Richemond in Chamonix, or Ibis Styles in Les Houches (22nd June 2024 departure), France
Day 7 : Final Day Trekking Past Lac Blanc Before Descending To Chamonix
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our final day presents perhaps one of our most spectacular walks; trekking a section of the Grand Balcon Sud route past the beautiful and photogenic Lac Blanc (7,715ft/2,352m) with grand vistas over the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc behind. Our route then drops sharply down to Chamonix (3,380ft/1,030m) and the end of our trek.
Accommodation: Hotel Richemond in Chamonix, or Ibis Styles in Les Houches (22nd June 2024 departure), France
Day 8 : End Chamonix
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 6 dinners.
* All breakfasts and 6 dinners
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation not available
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Travel insurance
Food
All breakfasts and dinners are included except dinner in Chamonix on day 7 of
the itinerary.
*Typical Meals*
Breakfast: Will usually consist of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit,
bread, and conserves.
Lunches: No lunches are provided but can easily be bought locally from either
shops or the hotel
efuge.
Evening meal: Generally consists of a first course of soup, salad or
charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or
pasta, a dessert course. Drinks are not included in the price of evening
meals.
Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the
time of booking.
If you take a vegan diet we recommend that you bring supplementary food and
should expect that variety of food may be limited whilst on this trip.
Unfortunately it is relatively uncommon in this region and we cannot
guarantee that the hotels will provide meals that have the necessary variety
to be considered satisfying when on a more restricted diet.
Accommodation
Throughout our mountain adventure, we stay in a collection of family-run hotels and auberges, all of which have spent years caring and catering for weary hikers. For the uninitiated, an auberge is equivalent to an inn: simple accommodation (often in a rural setting) that provides a warm, welcoming place to stop for travellers and hikers.
Most of the properties in which we stay offer panoramic views over the Alps, while culturally reflecting the local community. Though most are relatively basic, all are clean, well run and set up with the needs of the trekker in mind, while acting as a vital source of income to the local people.
Worth knowing
Room sizes are - twin, double, triple or quad. Facilities vary between accommodations and sometimes between rooms within a property.
On one night, bathroom facilities may be on the landing rather than inside the room (dependent on availability and group size).
Couples always have their own room but we cannot guarantee whether this will be a twin or double.
Single clients maybe required to share twin, triple or quad rooms.
We can’t accept bookings for single rooms due to the small size of the hotels used and the fact we are usually staying only one night in each property.
Due to limited availability, occasionally we may need to change a hotel to one further down the valley, and will provide a bus or taxi transfer.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 18 year age people can go on this tour.
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What is the maximum group size?
14
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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