Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures on the Tour du Mont Blanc, a circuit hike around Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain at almost 16 thousand feet, and one of the world’s classic hikes. In this circuit we spend each night in a different location as we hike around the base of this white, glacier covered massif. We travel on foot from France to Italy to Switzerland and back to France. We also journey back in time, since our base, Chamonix is the birthplace of mountaineering in the Alps. Our 2009 departure will be posted soon: please stay tuned. Self-guided options also available late June through early September.
We’ll hike on well-established trails your luggage will be shuttled most days to the next destination for you daily, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular scenery with only a day pack. We combine comfort with challenging hikes with stays in charming hotels and guesthouses or huts. The itinerary we have listed below describes our public guided tour. It can be expanded or revised for private or self-guided groups.
Highlights:
- History of mountaineering and the conquest of Mount Blanc
- Spectacular circuit hike around Europe’s highest mountain passing through France, Italy and Switzerland
- Views of glaciers
- A walk on an old Roman road
- Charming local guesthouses with excellent regional cuisine.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meeting in Chamonix – Optional Warm-up Hike – Trip Orientation and Welcome Dinner
Independent arrival in Chamonix. We will provide you with connecting information from the Geneva airport or other points. You can join your guide for a warm-up hike on the North Balcony and experience the incredible Mer de Glace glacier up close and personal, or you can relax and just explore this charming and historic town. Tonight we have our trip orientation, and welcome drinks and dinner.
Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines-Montjoie
We transfer by bus from Chamonix to Les Houches. After a short cable car ride we hike from Bellevue, cross a suspension bridge with view of the Bionnassay Glacier and then it’s up and over the Col de Tricot. We descend to the summer village of Le Miage, and end our day in a comfortable small hotel in the village of Les Contamines-Monjoie. We may instead hike via Bionnassay and La Gruvaz for an attractive alternative, especially if the weather is not cooperating.
Day 3: Les Contamines – Notre Dame de la Gorge – Col de la Croix du Bonhomme - Les Chapieux
In addition to the scenery, which continues to be spectacular, a highlight of today’s hike is the stretch where we walk on a path, which is believed to be part of a link with the Roman Empire from the heartland of Gaul (old France). We start today with a short bus ride to Notre Dame de la Gorge, a pilgrimage site, and then follow the Roman Road, recognizable by the huge slabs of stone and a bridge that is more than 2,000 years old. After enjoying lunch at the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, we continue on to our charming guest house at the summer village of Les Chapieux, the southern limit of the Mont Blanc massif.
Day 4: Les Chapieux - Col de la Seigne – Courmayeur
It is difficult to identify the highlight is of today’s adventure: crossing the Col de Seigne from France to Italy with the backdrop of some of the best views of Mount Blanc? Walking in the footsteps of countless Roman legionnaires as we enter the Aosta region of Italy? The polenta at the Elisabetta Hut (“rifugio”) where we stop for lunch? The glaciers behind the hut? Today we shuttle from Les Chapieux to the start of our hike at La Ville des Glaciers and hike up to the Italian border at Col de la Seigne and on to the Elisabetta Rifugio for lunch. After lunch we walk down from the hut to the outskirts of Courmayeur and then transfer into town.
Day 5: Day of Rest and Exploration in Courmayeur
Today we have the opportunity to relax, wash our hiking socks , and explore this delightful Italian resort. Options include café sitting in the pedestrian zone, sampling gelato at various ice cream shops to see who makes the best gelato in town, or, if you can’t get enough walking, going on an optional hike. Tonight’s dinner is on your own, giving you a chance to select from Courmayeur’s excellent trattorias or pizzerias.
Day 6: Courmayeur (Italy)– La Vachy – La Fouly (Switzerland) – Champex (Switzerland)
Today we hike over a continental divide between Italy and Switzerland. As we pass over the Grand Col Ferret from Italy into Switzerland we’ll have views of a glacier, and, hopefully, chamois. Rain falling on the Italian side of this pass, which has been in use for several centuries, ultimately flows into the Po River and the Adriatic Sea. Rain falling on the Swiss side flows into the Rhone River and then into the Mediterranean. Our day starts with a transfer to La Vachy and then a walk down the Ferret Valley. As we cross over the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland we have a great view of Mont Dolent, whose summit is shared by France, Switzerland and Italy. We hike to the village of La Fouly and then transfer to the charming French Swiss town of Champex.
Day 7: Champex (Switzerland) – Trient (Switzerland) via the Bovine Route or Champex – Fenetre d’Arpette – Trient
Weather permitting, today we experience the most challenging hike of the TMB, the Fenetre d’Arpette, or rock window across a ridge. We start our day with a walk from Champex up the Arpette Valley. We pass through a rocky chasm and then up to the Fenetre. We have a two hour descent to Trient down next to the right side of the Glacier de Trient. We treat ourselves to cheese fondue tonight at our guesthouse.
Day 8: Trient (Switzerland) – Col de Balme – Argentiere (France)
When we return to France today the feeling of excitement will be great as we near the last stage of our adventure. After leaving Trient via a steep trail through larch forest we hike up to and over the Col Balme and cross the French/Swiss border. We start the day with views of the Trient Glacier and then have a view over the glacier to the Fenetre d’Arpette, the scene of yesterday’s challenging high point. We spend the night in Argentiere, a village in a dramatic setting with views of the Mont Blanc massif. We are now back in the Chamonix Valley with the Arve River.
Day 9: Argentiere – Lac Blanc – La Flegere – Chamonix
For our return into Chamonix and the completion of the Mont Blanc circuit we enjoy the famous Mont Blanc Massif reflection in Lac Blanc and a view of the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”). We feel proud of our accomplishments as we walk back to Chamonix. Our last hike, though high in drama, is our shortest leg (about four hours), leaving us time to make connections elsewhere. Those who are staying on for another day on their own in Chamonix will have time to explore the town, perhaps visiting the Alpine Museum to admire the feats of their mountaineering predecessors.
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites and accommodations may vary due to season, special events or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost for guided departures:
- $2800 per person double occupancy
- $300 single supplement: limited availability for single supplement and not available all nights
- Price includes breakfast and all dinners except 1
- Price includes transfers and experienced guide service
- Price does not include lunch and 1 dinner
- Guide gratuity not included
- These pricing notes apply to July 1 - 9, 2008 guided trip; custom and self-guided trips are priced separately based on the specific terms of the trip.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Italy
Switzerland
Hiking & Trekking
Archeology/History
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