Tour du Mont
Blanc
Mont Blanc Circuit |
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Tour
du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc, ‘TMB’ for short, is one of the most famous trails of the Alps. It completely encircles the ever spectacular ‘Mont Blanc’ and offers views which simply cannot be surpassed. The route begins in ‘Chamonix’ and reaches an altitude between 1.500 meters and 2.600 meters, at first on the Italian, then on the Swiss side of ‘Mont Blanc’. Over lovely meadows, precipitous gullies and countless passes we return to ‘Chamonix’ having completely circumnavigated the highest peak of the Alps. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a circular trail of the superlative, simply a classic! |
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Trip Description:  |
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 Trip Description: |
| Services: |
• Mountain
guide
• 6x half pension
• 1x cable car
• 3x bus transfer |
| Duration
of the tour: |
7 days, Sunday to Saturday |
| Participants: |
6 - 12 people |
| Meeting
point: |
Meeting point is at 12 o’clock at the cable car ‘Les Houches’ (991 m). |
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Region:
Central Alps (France, Italy, Switzerland)
Daily routine:
Day 1:
Meeting point is at 12 o’clock at the cable car ‘Les Houches’ (991 m). We take the gondola to the ‘Bellevue’ (1.790 m) summit station. From here a wonderful trail takes us over the ‘Col de Tricot’ (2.120 m) to the ‘Ref. de Miage’ (1.560 m). Hiking time approx. 3 hours, ascent 500 m, descent 700 m.
Day 2:
After breakfast we start via the ‘Chalet du Truc’ (1.650 m) toward ‘Les Contamines’. Above the popular ski resort we continue on a beautifully built panorama trail toward the ‘Tré-la-Tête’ hut (1.970 m) (lunch break). Up via the Combe Noir to the Chalet ‘Nant Borrant’ (1.500 m), our today’s destination. Hiking time approx. 7½ hours, ascent 950 m, descent 1.100 m.
Day 3:
Ascent via the ‘Chalet de la Balme’ over the ‘Col du Bonhomme’ (2.329 m) to the ‘Col des Fours’ (2.665 m), the highest point of this week. Here we hike on the south side of Mont Blanc. Over rocks and steep meadow paths we reach ‘Ville des Glaciers’ and descend gently down to the ‘Chalet les Mottets’ (1.868 m). Hiking time approx. 8 hours, ascent 1.300 m, descent 1.000 m.
Day 4:
The ‘Aiguille des Glaciers’ is always in view, while we ascend in big sweeping turns to the ‘Col de la Seigne’ (2.516 m). From there we have the best view of the Mont Blanc. We reach the ‘Rif. Elisabetta’ (2.258 m) in time for lunch. After lunch we descend via ‘Lac de Combal’ and take the bus, via the town of ‘Courmayeur’, to ‘Arnuva’ (1.769 m). Along a gentle road we walk up for another hour to the newly built ‘Rifugio Elena’ (2.062 m). Hiking time approx. 8 hours, ascent 1.200 m, descent 900 m.
Day 5:
Today we start the morning with a rather steep ascent to the ‘Grand Col Ferret’ (2.537 m). On Swiss ground our trail leads down to the village of ‘Ferret’ (1.700 m). From here we travel comfortably by bus to the village of ‘Champex’ (1.477 m). On foot again we ascend the ‘Val d`Arpette’, where the cosy ‘Relais d`Arpette’ hut is situated. Hiking time approx. 7 hours, ascent 800 m, descent 800 m.
Day 6:
We have the chance to enjoy the entire ‘Val d`Arpette’ today, until we reach the high ‘Fenêtre d`Arpette’ pass (2.665 m), which is 1.000 m above the valley bottom. The view of the ‘Trient’ glacier and the ‘Aiguille du Tour’ is overwhelming. The descent leads us through rocks, then over a moraine to the ‘Chalet du Glacier’ (1.583 m), possibility for lunch here. Near the end it levels out towards the ‘Hotel de la Forclaz’, todays’ destination. A beautiful, but a long day. Hiking time approx. 8 hours, ascent 1.050 m, descent 1.200 m.
Day 7:
We ascend the ‘Col de Balme’ (2.191 m), where we have another awesome view. On the right hand side is the ‘Aiguilles Rouges’, on the left ‘Mont Blanc’, seperated by the ‘Arve’ valley. Now we have almost completed the circuit. Back on French trails to ‘Le Tour’ (1.453 m) and by bus back to ‘Chamonix’ and Les Houches, arriving there at approx. 3:30 p.m. Hiking time approx. 6 hours, ascent 800 m, descent 700 m. From here you can either commence your homeward journey or you are welcome to stay a little longer in ‘Chamonix’. |
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Dates
2012 |
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| 24.06. - 30.06. |
| 08.07. - 14.07. |
| 22.07. - 28.07. |
| 19.08. - 25.08. |
| 26.08. - 01.09. |
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