Tour du Mont Blanc Camping Trek

15 days
From $230/day
$3,450
From: 
$4,658
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
Trip last updated: 1/1/2020
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
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Overview

Highlights

    • Complete one of the world’s great hiking circuits: the Tour du Mont Blanc
    • Join a small group guided by an International Mountain Leader with expert knowledge of the area
    • Marvel at the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps
    • Spend three rest days in Alpine towns, including Chamonix
    • Camp in stunning mountain settings, sharing beautiful views with your small group

What's this trip about?

    Ranked among the best hikes in the world, the Tour du Mont Blanc takes in three diverse countries – France, Switzerland and Italy – and offers the greatest mountain scenery in Europe. Experience has taught us that 15 days is the perfect duration to fully appreciate this memorable circuit around Mont Blanc – 10 days of trekking complemented by three rest days. Overall the trekking will feel tough with long walking days but the three rest days are incorporated to give you time to rest the legs whilst enjoying three fascinating alpine towns. Courmayeur is an old worldly Italian gem with windy pedestrian streets lined with chic shops and delightful cafes, bars and restaurants. A short, free, bus ride away is the luxurious QC Therm Spa and wellness centre, a lovely treat. Les Contamines and St Gervais are charming alpine towns with interesting local markets, electric bike hire and gondoliers taking you up to stunning view points. The last free day is in Chamonix, the vibrant heart of the Mont Blanc massif, with a wide choice of activities to try, including paragliding and taking the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to 12,605ft (3,842m) for spectacular, close-up views of Mont Blanc. Led by an experienced International Mountain Leader, you will climb over six mountain passes, cross beneath colossal glaciers, meander through beautiful alpine meadows, and discover picture-postcard villages. We sleep in campsites throughout the trek, often with outstanding views that aren’t possible from a hotel room. Tents are modern and spacious – designed for three people but only allocated to two – and an unlimited number of single tents is available. For those seeking a little more comfort, mattresses and sleeping bags are also available to hire. While getting back to nature is a rewarding, energising experience, we recognise that having a comfortable stay along the way can make a camping trek even more special. Delicious three-course meals are on the menu when in camp, and five restaurant meals are also included during the trek. Your baggage is transported between each location by our dedicated camp support leader and van, and tents are put up by our camp crew before you arrive at each campsite, leaving you free to enjoy the inspiring scenery found only on this classic trek.A spectacular point-to-point trek with three rest days to enjoy the beautiful mountain surroundings
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityLes Bossons
End CityLes Bossons

Travel Themes

Activities

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches, 12 dinners
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Group arrival and departure transfers available

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start at Les Bossons, near Chamonix

Our start point is the campsite in Les Bossons, which has wonderful views of Mont Blanc and the dramatic, crevassed Glacier des Bossons, especially at sunset. In the evening, there is an introductory briefing by the trek crew. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons

Day 2 Follow the Grand Balcon Sud from Chamonix to Les Frasserands

From Les Bossons (3,320ft/1,012m), we have a short bus journey to Chamonix from where we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère (6,100ft/1,860m). The trail today is named the Grand Balcon and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, afford...

Day 3 Cross over Col de Balme to Switzerland and camp at Trient

After a scenic train ride up the valley to Les Frasserands, we begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (7,200ft/2,201m), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (7,190ft/2,191m) where we follow one of the paths across the border from...

Day 4 Cross Col de la Forclaz to Champex

We climb first to the Col de Forclaz (5,010ft/1,527m) and then onwards to look directly into the Rhône Valley and the small Swiss town of Martigny. We follow a historic path used to take the cows to summer grazing, the ‘Bovine route’ (6,720ft/2,049m), which takes us t...

Day 5 Head up Val Ferret to La Fouly

Now on the east side of the main Mont Blanc massif, we walk south, descending through woods to the Val Ferret and on to Issert (3,460ft/1,055m) and other pretty alpine farming villages. If you are visiting early in the season (June/July), this is a great day to see fl...

Day 6 Climb to Grand Col Ferret, the highest pass of the trek

Following the same valley and the river La Drance, we climb to the Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft /2,537m), the highest pass of the tour. Now in Italy, the valley is also called Val Ferret. The mountain views from the col are stunning, with Grandes Jorasses dominating the ...

Day 7 Rest day

Today is free for you to rest after the first week’s exertions. The nearby former spa towns of Courmayeur and Entrèves have picturesque older areas that are worth a visit, especially for keen photographers. We also highly recommend the Skyway cable car from La Palud t...

Day 8 Climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Val Ferret around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur and on to Val Veny

We start with a short bus ride to pick up the Tour du Mont Blanc route, and from the road (5,500ft/1,675m) climb up to the Bonatti refuge (6,640ft/2,025m). Today, we follow a beautiful contouring path around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur. The views of the south Mont B...

Day 9 Re-enter France across Col de la Seigne and through La Ville des Glaciers to Les Chapieux

Today’s trail climbs gently along the Val Veny, beneath the moraine of the massive Glacier du Miage. Passing Lac Combal, the gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road across the Col de la Seigne pass (8,250ft/2,516m), marking our re-entry into France. A...

Day 10 Climb to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and contour around to Col du Bonhomme

We have now reached the southwest corner of the circuit and turn north to climb once again. Today is a longer day; first we make a steep climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,130ft/2,478m) and then contour around to the Col du Bonhomme (7,640ft/2,328m). We then descend (again on a Roman road) to our campsite in Les Contamines (5,900ft/1,180m). Campsite: Camping le Pontet, Les Contamines

Day 11 Rest day

A chance to rest or enjoy independent exploration. There are short and long optional walks in the area, many accessed by a chairlift or gondola, with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Mountain cafes make a nice place for a scenic lunch. Alternatively, you could take th...

Day 12 Cross Col de Tricot and Col de Voza to re-enter Chamonix Valley and descend to village of Les Houches

Today will be another long but rewarding day as we return to the start point of our trek. We walk through Les Contamines, ascend to Chalets du Truc (5,614ft/1,720m) and then descend to the Chalets de Miage (4,120ft/1,560m). From here, we take the trail that climbs ste...

Day 13 Some of the best views of Mont Blanc today on the long ascent to Brévent; descend to Plan Praz

We cross to the north side of the Chamonix Valley and climb through a pine forest. The high point of the day is Brévent (8,290ft/2,525m), from where there are panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif and Chamonix Valley. We walk down to Plan Praz (6,460ft/1,970m), the...

Day 14 Free day at Les Bossons

Today is a free day for optional walks or sightseeing. Your leader can advise you of possible walking routes or you may choose to visit the bustling alpine resort town of Chamonix, which has numerous shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. There are several cable car excu...

Day 15 End Les Bossons

The adventure comes to an end in Les Bossons after breakfast. Start your return journey home, and perhaps start planning your next great walking adventure.

Dates & Availability

Price from
$3,450
Price per day
$230

Tour du Mont Blanc Camping Trek Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
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Anonymous

Jan 2018

Another one ticked off the bucket list!

Fantastic experience with a great group! This is one of the great hikes in the world and a fantastic way to experience the Alps. The camping element added to the c...

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Anonymous

Aug 2016

Fabulous in every aspect

John and Graham run this trip as a well oiled machine. Everything is well set up on the camping side and they establish an efficient schedule for everything from bre...

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Anonymous

Aug 2018

Fantastic holiday

A great trip well planned and one of the most enjoyable treks i habe ever done.

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Anonymous

Aug 2016

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

What an excellent trip. I feel privileged to have undertaken it. Overall the group was fortunate enough to have nice appropriate weather to undertake the challenging...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Absolute classic just about sums it up.  In exchange for our (sometimes quite physical efforts) we were rewarded with stunning views and that "great to be alive...

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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Details

Accommodation:

14 nights camping, mostly in good campsites with hot showers, occasionally in the wild
10 days walking with vehicle support; 3 rest days
8 days challenging and 2 days moderate walking
Altitude maximum 2536m, average 1525m The campsites are in stunning settings and sharing an after-trek drink with newly made friends as the sun sets over a glaciated mountain is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors. Campsites: The chosen campsites are comfortable and modern. On 12 nights, hot showers are available and there are electricity points to recharge batteries. Many campsites have a bar and wifi, plus a lounge or sitting area. We provide a large communal tent (if we do not use the communal area in the campsite), where we eat at tables with benches and have an unlimited tea and coffee station, plus a camp bar. Two remote campsites are in stunning locations but are a little more basic than others and do not have showers. We eat in restaurants on these nights. Camp life: Accompanying you throughout the trek is a dedicated camp support leader who takes care of the logistics and catering. Your tent is put up for you each night. In the morning, you will be asked to take your tent down (this should take no more than three to four minutes), put your bag in the back of the van and wash your breakfast dish. On four nights out of 14, you will be asked to join a washing up team and help with the dishes that evening – a 20-minute job. Otherwise, you are free to relax and your time is your own. Tents and equipment: All our equipment is bought with both comfort and practicality in mind and we hope represents a higher quality than most individuals would buy for themselves. You spend 14 nights camping in roomy waterproof tents designed to sleep three people, but with a maximum of two people per tent. We use modern dome tents incorporating a 6.9ft x 6.9ft (2.1m x 2.1m) inner tent with sewn-in ground sheet and a supplementary 7.5ft x 2.3ft (2.3m x 0.7m) covered porch that is an ideal place to leave your walking boots and poles. Single tents are available for a small additional cost, as are camping mats and sleeping bags with liner and pillow. Our full-length camping mats are filled with air and foam, which is comfortable to sleep on and provides excellent insulation from the ground. Our sleeping bags have a synthetic filling, as opposed to feathers, with a three-quarter-length zip and provide plenty of warmth. Worth knowing Thermal mattress hire: Approximately £36 – please request in advance with your sales representative. Sleeping bag hire (three- or four-season), pillow and liner: Approximately £73 – please request in advance with your sales representative.

Group size:

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum number of people in group:

14

Trip Excludes:

  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations

Meals included:

We provide 14 breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches, eight home-cooked three-course group meals in camp and four group meals in local restaurants. Due to the small size and remoteness of several of these restaurants, and for speed when serving a large group, these will be set menus. Breakfast: Usually consist of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunch: Picnic-style lunches will normally include bread, cold meat, cheese, sometimes boiled eggs or tinned fish, fresh salad and fresh fruit. You may wish to bring (or purchase locally) snack bars for an extra energy boost during the day. Evening meal: Whether in camp or in a nearby restaurant, we endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to. Each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group, consisting of a soup, salad or similar; a main course of meat, fish or vegetarian served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates; and a dessert. Beer, wine, bottled water, coffee, tea or other drinks are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants. Coffee and tea are included with the evening meal when we eat in camp and beer and wine are also available for purchase at a modest cost. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians – please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: If you adhere to a vegan diet, you may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region. The feedback we receive for the food we serve is great but please be aware that facilities are limited and practicality forces us to put our efforts into making one excellent group meal with a vegetarian option. Of course, any allergies will be respected.

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