High-Altitude Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A high-mountain guide accompanying you during glacier crossings
    • Accommodation in mountain refuges (dormitories and rooms)
    • 7 days of hiking along more challenging sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc
    • Half board in mountain refuges, packed lunches, and snacks
    • Luggage transfers for 2 nights
    • Technical equipment for the glacier crossings

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to the starting point and transportation from Le Tour back to Les Contamines
    • Airport transfers — we recommend Mountain Drop-Offs
    • Any personal expenses (such as drinks)
    • Any private transfers and cable car tickets that are not part of the program
    • Travel and mountain rescue insurance — highly recommended
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To participate in this high-level Tour du Mont Blanc guided adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You’ll be trekking 7 days in a row for up to 8 hours each day—with an elevation gain of up to 5,250 ft (1,600 m). There will be a couple of glacier crossings on this tour as well (a different high-mountain guide will accompany you during those). You should have strong experience of hiking in hilly and mountainous terrain and a good stamina. We suggest you adopt a training regiment in the weeks leading up to the trip, with long daily hikes in hilly terrain, as well as activities like jogging, swimming, playing squash, or circuit training. In short, you should practice by doing various endurance activities multiple times a week. However, you won’t be expected to walk at a fast pace, you will be taking multiple breaks each day.

  If you are an intermediate hiker, you can check out the classic Tour du Mont Blanc Trek.  If you are looking for a hiking adventure in the Alps suitable for beginners, check out the Mont Blanc hiking tour from Chamonix and the hiking adventure in the Julian Alps.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack (around a 30-40L bag)
    • Trekking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Crampon compatible hiking boots with good ankle support
    • Lightweight fleece gloves and warm and waterproof gloves
    • 2 short-sleeve T-shirts and 2 long-sleeve T-shirts
    • Fleece jacket (or softshell), waterproof and windproof jacket, down jacket
    • Fleece tights (or similar), hiking pants convertible into shorts, lightweight protective pants
    • Gaiters
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Sunhat, beanie or headband, buff or scarf
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sheet sleeping bag
    • Travel towel
    • Sunglasses
    • Survival blanket, silk sheet, multipurpose knife
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Keep in mind that the weather will most likely be warm and fairly stable, so there is a high chance that you’ll be able to hike in shorts and T-shirts and only occasionally put on other layers. However, there is always a possibility of unseasonal weather conditions with heavy rain, low temperatures and even snow. In short, being well-prepared is a prerequisite for a safe hiking experience during the high-level TMB trekking trip. You’ll be able to discuss the packing list with your guide before the adventure.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

  Hiking the high-level version of the Tour du Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Les Houches, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA). You will meet your guide at 9am in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches. We suggest you arrive in the village the day before and stay in one of its hotels or chalets.

• Covid measures in France, Switzerland, and Italy

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Mont Blanc areas in France, Switzerland, and Italy please refer to France Diplomacy’s advice for travelers and foreign nationals, Switzerland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines, and Official Italian Tourism Website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.