Jackie C. & Brian G. (Tour du Mont Blanc 2023)
Tour du Mont Blanc
Only once you are standing on the “Rooftop of Western Europe”, admiring the towering mountains ahead of you and the lush valleys below, can you fully appreciate why National Geographic Magazine ranks the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) as one of the top 10 hiking trails that will “blow your mind!”
Our journey on the TMB is by no means new. In fact, it dates back several centuries when Roman soldiers and Celtic tribes used these trails as a trade route. Today, it is a hiker’s dream that crosses through 3 countries (France, Italy and Switzerland), 7 valleys, 168km in distance and 10,600m of total ascents and descents (we have taken the liberty of including a few shortcuts here & there). True, it’s not for the faint of heart, but if you are willing to undertake this journey with us, the rewards are nothing short of spectacular!
We begin (and conclude) our tour in Chamonix, a town world-famous for its mountaineering history and dramatic scenery. Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. From this starting point, the TMB loops in a counter-clockwise direction around the Mont Blanc massif. It is one of the top long-distance hikes in Europe, and in fact the world. It delivers superlative, pristine mountain scenery day after day - from rugged cols, high alpine meadows and conifer forests. You are likely to see plenty of flowers in addition to marmots, chamois, ibex and birds of prey. Of course, the star attraction will always be the incredible mountain ranges and glaciers, seen from different angles and perspectives, with the famed Mont Blanc itself (the highest in Western Europe at 4810m) taking centre stage!
The TMB also has a chain of mountain huts along the way, which provide the perfect opportunity for a WC break, a cappuccino or cold beer and, in one case – homemade tarte de myrtilles (which you MUST try). We will be staying in comfortable hotels, lodges and simple inns combining ideal locations and local alpine charm. Your luggage will be transferred for you from hotel to hotel, so that all you need to carry is your daypack.
Ready for a trip of a lifetime? Then hit those hills and prepare for what promises to be a journey you will wear as a badge of honour forever.
Note: In order to provide comfort and flexibility, we will be keeping the groups on the smaller side, so we will be running 2 groups of 10 simultaneously. Each group will have their own IML certified hike leader. On most evenings, the two groups will meet up at dinner and be staying at the same hotel, so we can trade stories. When you register for the trip, it doesn’t matter which group you fall in to, and this doesn’t have to be decided until we are actually in France, so you can choose which group you wish to be in AND you can switch groups as the trip progresses. It’s quite a flexible program, so it gives everyone a better chance to hike at their preferred pace.
| Dates | July 9 to 23, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Grade | Very Challenging |
| What's Included | - 14 nights' accommodations |
| Cost | $7195 CAD land |
| My Own Room | If you would like to share accommodations, we offer a roommate pairing service. If there is another solo traveller looking to share accommodations, we will pair the two of you up together; in this case there would be no single supplement to pay. |
| Meeting Times/Places | July 9, 2024 |
| Status | Get on the Interested List NOW for 2025! |
Daily Synopsis
Map
Photo Gallery
Accolades
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Terms & Conditions
Daily Synopsis
| Day 1 | ARRIVAL INTO CHAMONIX |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | DAY OF LEISURE IN CHAMONIX |
| Day 3 | LES HOUCHES TO LES CONTAMINES |
| Day 4 | LES CONTAMINES TO LES CHAPIEUX |
| Day 5 | LES CHAPIEUX TO LA VISAILLE |
| Day 6 | DAY OF LEISURE IN COURMAYEUR |
| Day 7 | COURMAYEUR TO ARNOUVA |
| Day 8 | ARNOUVA TO LA FOULY |
| Day 9 | LA FOULY TO CHAMPEX |
| Day 10 | DAY OF LEISURE IN CHAMPEX |
| Day 11 | CHAMPEX TO COL DE LA FORCLAZ |
| Day 12 | TRIENT TO ARGENTIERE |
| Day 13 | ARGENTIERE TO FLEGERE VIA LAC BLANC |
| Day 14 | FLEGERE TO BREVENT SUMMIT |
| Day 15 | AU REVOIR |
Interactive Trip Map
Click on the interactive map to see where we'll be hiking.
Select satellite view to get even more detail.
Photo Gallery
We have some great photos of previous tours of this location.
Click on the photo gallery link to view the gallery.
What an experience!
"We want to thank you so much for an awesome journey! The people we travelled with were a special group and the bonds we formed amazing! As we sat at the gate yesterday still laughing and joking I thought of how lucky we were. The guides were fantastic but you also added to the experience in a huge way, always cheerful, professional and a great leader! Thanks for everything,"
Jackie C. & Brian G. (Tour du Mont Blanc 2023)
"What a fabulous trip. Comfortable Hiking is the best and you run a quality operation second to none."
Vance H. (Tour du Mont Blanc 2023)
"Thank you again Maddalena for making this trek so wonderful and exhilarating. The experience shall remain with me forever and I applaud your assistance and guidance throughout our tour of Mont Blanc!"
Ursula H.. (Tour du Mont Blanc 2023)
Make a Reservation
We're so glad you've decided to take a trip with us! We will do our very best to ensure you have a great time. Thank you for your business and we look forward to seeing you.
Please fill out the registration form below.
It is important that you read the Terms and Conditions before completing this form.
Terms & Conditions
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required at the time of booking (see individual trips for amount required for deposit). The balance is due 60 days prior to departure unless otherwise specified. Late payments causing penalties to be levied by the airlines or any other supplier shall be the responsibility of the traveller.
Reservations are to be made online. We accept credit cards and personal cheques (payable to Comfortable Hiking Holidays). If paying by cheque, mail cheque along with a reservation form to:
Maddalena Molino
Comfortable Hiking Holidays
251 Consumers Road, 7th floor
Toronto, ON M2J 4R3 Canada
6079113 Canada Inc., doing business as Comfortable Hiking Holidays, is an independent travel affiliate with Vision Travel DT Ontario-West Inc., a Canada corporation registered under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 Registration Nos. 50023501 and 50023502.
DEPOSITS AND CANCELLATIONS
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Comfortable Hiking Holidays will base the decision whether or not to proceed with a trip taking into account several key factors, including but not limited to: the Canadian government’s travel advisory, the state of entry/exit requirements in each specific country, as well as the overall COVID-19 situation at that time. Rest assured, that our number one priority remains the safety and well-being of all our guests.
After the balance has been paid, refund will be made (less $50 per person and less any incurred charges by hotels, airlines etc.) if YOU can find a replacement person. If no replacement is found, then all monies paid will be forfeited. No refund for any unused portion of a trip. All cancellations are only considered to have been received on the date of receipt of written cancellation in the office of Comfortable Hiking Holidays.
If we are forced to cancel a holiday, Comfortable Hiking Holidays will endeavour to recoup any monies already paid, however full refunds are not guaranteed.
AIRFARE
Group airfare is not offered for any of our trips, but we can recommend and book flights for you. We can accommodate any itinerary that suits you and from any city, including stopovers. There is a service fee for booking flights, which is not included in the cost of the tour package.
Should you decide to book your own flights (which is not a problem at all), Comfortable Hiking Holidays will provide a meeting time and place for you. It will be your responsibility to ensure that you coordinate your schedule to fit with the trip’s itinerary, so that you can take advantage of transfers between airports and hotels together with the group.
Do not book your airfare until you check with Comfortable Hiking Holidays that we have the minimum number of participants to move ahead with the trip. Comfortable Hiking Holidays is not financially responsible for additional expenses incurred by you (such as non-refundable airline tickets) should a trip be cancelled.
Call us to discuss and we will tailor your flights to meet your needs.
TAXES
H.S.T.
The Harmonized Sales Tax will be added to all trips taking place in Canada.
INSURANCE
Medical and cancellation insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED and can be arranged through our offices; we work with Allianz Global Assistance. If insurance is declined, a signed form will be required.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
It is the traveller’s responsibility to determine what documentation is necessary for each country to be visited. All Canadian and U.S. citizens require valid passports for travel. It is recommended and sometimes necessary that passports have a minimum of 6 months to expiry. Other nationalities should check with Comfortable Hiking Holidays. For more information on travel requirements per country, visit www.voyage.gc.ca.
It is imperative that the traveller discloses to Comfortable Hiking Holidays any medical condition(s) that may affect his/her ability to complete the hike and/or tour. Examples include (but are not limited to): allergies, ailments, diseases, medical conditions, special diets, medications and so forth. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, but if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, they are authorized to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be responsible for additional costs incurred.
In booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described. If you have any doubt about your abilities, please call us to discuss.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Prices are quoted are in CANADIAN DOLLARS (with some exceptions which are quoted in USD). They were calculated based on the exchange rates at the tme of publishing and are subject to change without notice. Should tour costs increase, Comfortable Hiking Holidays reserves the right to increase the price accordingly. If the price change is more than 7% of the total price for the travel services (except for a price change that is a result of Government Taxation), you are entitled to cancel if you wish, with full refund. You must notify us of your intention at least 48 hours after notification or if the change is a last minute change, within 24 hours of notification.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Prices quoted are for shared accommodations (two to a room). A roommate will be arranged when possible, otherwise the single supplement will apply. Single rooms are available on most holidays; cost for the single supplement is available on request.
PHOTOGRAPHS
The scenery is always picture-worthy so please take as many photos as you wish. We will do the same, but please note that it is customary for us to use photographs taken on actual hikes for our promotional materials. If you do not wish to have your photo used in any of our promotional materials, please inform your hike leader at the BEGINNING OF THE TRIP.
SMOKING
As the great majority of trip participants do not smoke, those who do are requested to refrain from smoking while with the group (e.g. on the bus, during the hikes, at meals, in the bar and in your room if sharing with a non-smoker).
CHILDREN
All participants must be at least 18 years of age.
SITE ACCURACY
Comfortable Hiking Holidays has attempted to make this site accurate. However, changes might occur for reasons beyond the control of Comfortable Hiking Holidays. In addition, the right is reserved to substitute hotels or change the itinerary when necessary, provided the travel facilities or other services are of at least the same standard or value.
HIKE LEADERS
All of our leaders are experienced hikers and have had first aid training. A representative of C.H.H. will accompany all of the trips (unless otherwise specified) to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently. Our hike leaders will be your guides on most holidays, but in some cases we will use local guides. C.H.H. reserves the right to make changes in hike leaders when necessary.
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither Comfortable Hiking Holidays nor Vision Travel shall be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond their control or a supplier’s reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, terrorist acts, fire, earthquakes, weather conditions, storms, hurricanes, flood, civil or military authority, government requirement or restriction, disease, epidemic or pandemic.
OPERATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
Comfortable Hiking Holidays and Vision Travel the operators, its agents, and/or suppliers of services act only as agents for the traveler and accept no responsibility for services of any hotel, aircraft, vessel, train, motor coach or any other conveyance used in connection with these tours, nor any delays, loss or accident to travelers or baggage occasioned by such services, from whatsoever cause. In the event it becomes necessary due to changes by supplier's airlines, or for the comfort or well being of passengers, or for any other reason, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the operator. The extra cost, if any, resulting therefore, shall be paid by the tour members. Conversely, refunds will be made to passengers if any savings are effected thereby. The right is reserved to cancel any tour and to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, at any time. Acceptance of the initial service to be provided under the tour shall be considered an acceptance of all these conditions. There may be different living standards and practices and different standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodations outside Ontario. Climate conditions may affect the provisions of services and the accommodations included in our tours. Accommodations offered in the tour are, to the best of our knowledge, available at the time of printing and accurately described.
TRAVEL WAIVER
AIRLINE CLAUSE
The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omissions or event during the time the passengers are not on board the aircraft. The Passenger Ticket in use by the airline(s) when issued constitutes the sole contract between the airline(s) and the purchase of the ticket and/or passenger.
Although every precaution is taken for your safety, this type of excursion involves, by its very nature, a certain amount of risk. All participants are therefore required to sign a form releasing Comfortable Hiking Holidays and Vision Travel of all liability.
Effective September 7, 2023, until further notice.
