Tour of Mont Blanc, South Side
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationMont Blanc Massif - France / Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions37.17 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Discover mountain trekking with this guided 4-day trip on the southern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
This trek is a perfect warm-up for getting started. We begin our stay in the village of Les Houches in the Chamonix valley and head towards Courmayeur in the heart of the Aosta Valley.
You'll be captivated by the rolling mountain paths and the beautiful, varied landscapes of this superb trek . Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and fully enjoy this wonderful adventure discovering the forests, alpine pastures, glaciers, and other treasures that the Tour du Mont Blanc has to offer.
The highlights
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The most varied part of the Tour du Mont-Blanc
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Luggage transport every evening
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Small group of 12 people maximum
Photos
PHILIPPE - verified review - july 2024
PHILIPPE - verified review - july 2024
PHILIPPE - verified review - july 2024
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
You only carry your backpack for the day. Your belongings are transferred daily.
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1075 m
- Average daily descent: 913 m
Management
French
Your guide is a true enthusiast ! They will lead you along the trails and share their extensive knowledge of the environment. Beyond their expertise in safety and navigation, they will introduce you to the region's treasures : natural (wildlife, flora, minerals, terrain, etc.) and cultural (people, traditions, legends, cuisine, heritage, etc.). They will help you appreciate the group adventure and make your stay unforgettable.
Program
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Les Houches – Bionnassay
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
At 9 a.m., meet the group and your guide at the Prarion cable car in Les Houches . The day begins with a hike through the forest, leading you to the summit of Prarion (1969 meters), offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama. Afterwards, you will descend to the Fioux refuge where you will spend the night.
Day 1 -
Bionnassay – Les Contamines
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Get ready for a breathtaking day on our second day of hiking! We'll follow a beautiful path at the foot of the glaciers, cross the Col de Tricot (at 2120 meters altitude) and traverse the Truc alpine pasture. Then, we'll descend back to the village of Les Contamines where we'll spend the night.
Day 2 -
Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 1450 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Following the Roman road, we climb towards the Col du Bonhomme (at 2408 meters) and the Col des Fours (at 2665 meters) in the morning. After a picnic with a sweeping panoramic view, we head towards the Chapieux valley , located at the edge of the Tarentaise, famous for the production of Beaufort cheese!
Day 3 -
Les Chapieux – Courmayeur – Les Houches
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1050 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today promises to be a superb day with a splendid view of Mont Blanc! It all begins with a climb to the Col de la Seigne, located at 2,514 meters altitude, which marks the border between France and Italy. Next, we enter the Aosta Valley via the Val Veni, where we can admire the Italian face of Mont Blanc. We then descend to Courmayeur and return to Les Houches by taxi. Arrival is expected around 4:30 pm.
Day 4
Note
The itinerary and walking times are approximate. Your guide reserves the right to adapt the program according to the group's abilities and possible variations in the route.
On certain dates, the itinerary may be different.
Accommodation
Bring a sleeping bag liner. Blankets and pillows are provided in the accommodations.
Bring a sleeping bag liner. Blankets and pillows are provided in the accommodations.
Access
On the last day, a shuttle picks you up in Courmayeur and takes you back to the starting point in Les Houches.
Go to the starting point
🚗 Tour du Mont-Blanc car park, near the Prarion cable car, free parking but often very busy in peak season.
Plan your parking carefully by checking in advance.
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a qualified Mountain Guide
- Overnight stays in dormitories as indicated in the program
- Half-board in the accommodations indicated in the program
- Lunchtime picnics prepared by a catering chef (excluding containers and cutlery)
- Dried fruit snacks from your catering chef
- Luggage transport every evening
- Showers in the accommodations indicated in the program
- The return trip from Courmayeur to Les Houches by taxi
The price does not include
- Transportation to and from the trek's starting point
- Drinks other than water at the table
- Picnic container + reusable cutlery
- Any private transfers or cable car rides not included in the program
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to be purchased at the time of registration
- Nights before or after the trek (Hotel Saint Antoine, Ibis Styles, Rocky Pop, Gîte Michel Fagot)
- Tips
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also bring your health insurance card.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner (bag sheet) required
- Walking sticks recommended
- Personal toiletry kit and bath towel
- Water bottle for the day's hike, minimum 1.5 L
- Picnic container (Tup box) + reusable cutlery
- Multi-purpose knife
- Camera
- A soft duffel bag for luggage transfer and a lightweight daypack of approximately 30 to 40 liters are recommended. A rain poncho is also necessary.
- Category 4 sunglasses preferred, and a case
- Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 40
Clothing to bring
- A hat or headband
- A hat or a cap
- A buff or scarf to protect against dust and sun
- Breathable and comfortable short-sleeved T-shirts (preferably made from natural fibers)
- Breathable and comfortable long-sleeved T-shirts (preferably made from natural fibers)
- Micropolar or equivalent (second layer)
- Fleece or softshell jacket
- Gore-Tex type protective jacket (third layer)
- A lightweight down jacket
- Hiking pants that can be converted into shorts or not
- Lightweight protective trousers, such as Gore-Tex.
- Gaiters or stop everything at the start of the season
- Comfortable socks. Choose a size smaller to avoid blisters. Comfortable, waterproof high-top hiking boots: don't start with brand new shoes to avoid blisters.
- Comfortable shoes for the evening at the accommodations
- Lightweight fleece-type gloves
They traveled with us
