Tour du Mont Blanc ** replacing Via Alpina **

 ** This trip is replacing the Via Alpina trip.  The dates are unchanged and the existing waitlist is still valid

If you are interested in joining this adventure please note the following sections below:

   - Difficulty level

  - Preparing for the trip

  - How to qualify

 The selection process will run from November through mid-December.  This will allow time for interested members to train and qualify for the trip.

** Trip Overview

What is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

Tour du Mont Blanc, (TMB), is a spectacular trek around Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. We will hike in a counter-clockwise direction, starting in France. Our itinerary will circumnavigate the mountain taking our group through 3 countries - France, Italy and Switzerland.  We will be staying at various hotels, hiking 9 days of our trip and taking 3 rest days to explore.  There will be a rest day in each of the 3 countries. 

Along the trails, there will be rifugios where we can stop for rest, water, food and to enjoy the scenery and company of other hikers.

Breakfast will be provided every morning that we are on the trail, and some of the hotels will provide dinners as well.  At hotels where dinner is not provided, we will explore the local cuisine at the numerous restaurants in the vicinity.

This trip was developed and managed by Walkers Britain, the same company that sponsors the Via Alpina trek.  The 2 tours are very similar in structure, in terms of - active/rest days; luggage handling; meals, lodging and the excellent guide books provided by Walkers Britain.

The trip is best suited for members with positive, adaptable, and flexible spirits. Excellent physical fitness and endurance are crucial as we will be hiking challenging terrain on consecutive days. That said, we are not out to set endurance records. Each day we will review our progress and physical status and discuss the next day’s plan. Hiking in such beautiful surroundings, we will allow plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, rest and socialize while still hiking our average of 12 miles per day.

 Who are Walkers Britain?

Walkers Britain (WB) is a tour company based in the UK that specializes in planning outdoor activities throughout Europe and extensively in the UK.  They have been in business for more than 50 years, when they were originally known as Sherpa Expeditions.

WB is the tour company that has coordinated the  Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) for the AOC for the past few years.  Traveling with WB offers a “no surprises” experience.  They will provide the following services in preparation for our adventure:

>> Hotel reservations for each stop on our journey

>> Door to door luggage transfer.  (Hikers will only need to carry daypacks on the trail.)

>> Three well-placed rest days to allow recovery from the trail in the most desirable and beautiful alpine villages (see rest day locations below).

>> Breakfasts every morning, 6 dinners, and the option to buy a packed lunch at most hotels. 

>> On the nights where dinners are not provided, WB provides a list of restaurants and stores where food can be purchased.

>> Detailed trail notes that include information about        refugios (mountainside rest areas), trail characteristics, alternate trails, hotel amenities, and transportation options (buses, cable cars, etc) if there is a need to skip a day of hiking.

Walkers’ services allow their customers to focus on the fun and leave the logistics to others.

 ** Travel Path and Daily Itinerary 

 Day 2 (8/16): Les Houches to Les Contamines, 12.6 miles, 7h

 Day 3 (8/17): Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, 10.8 miles, 8h

 Day 4 (8/18): Les Chapieux to La Palud, 18.7 miles 9h

Day 5 (8/19): Rest day at La Palud

Day 6 (8/20): La Palud to La Fouly, 14.5 miles 6.5h

Day 7 (8/21): La Fouly to Champex-Lac 9 miles, 4.5h

Day 8 (8/22): Rest day at Champex-Lac 

Day 9 (8/23): Champex-Lac to Triente, 12.9 miles 7h

Day 10 (8/24): Triente to Argentiere 13 miles, 8h

Day 11 (8/25): Argentiere to Chamonix, 10. miles, 6.5h

Day 12 (8/26): Rest day in Chamonix

Day 13 (8/27): Chamonix to Les Houches 7.7 miles, 4h

Day 14 (8/28): Group breakfast, goodbyes and travel home or to next adventure

** Rest Days

Walkers Britain has scheduled our rest days in three beautiful Alpine towns - La Palud/Courmayeur, IT; Champex-Lac, CH; Chamonix, FR

Courmayeur Italy | Mont Blanc - A Walking Tour Of One Of The Most Beautiful Villages In The World

Champex-Lac | Switzerland Tourism

Home | Chamonix

** Lodging

Lodging will be in hotels and guest houses for 11 nights, and huts/refugios for 2 nights.  Both hotels and huts will provide double occupancy rooms* for our group.

* Gender mix will be a factor in selection for participation on the trip and roommate assignments.

**Difficulty Level

 This event will be at the AOC D6 difficulty level. The total distance is 109 miles and the total elevation gain is 34,000 feet. There are 2-3 D6 days based on AOC difficulty ratings, and 5 D5 days. The “average” daily elevation change is about 3,750 feet gains and similar elevation descents on most days. The ascents and descents on TMB are more abrupt than our local day hiking trails, which makes it feel much more difficult than the “average” number can convey. The continuous nature of daily hiking also adds to the challenge to our fitness and endurance.

 Some of the trail sections can be shortened if desired by the use of cable cars, train, or a local bus service.  These options can be used by any team member who feels the need for an easier trek on any given day.

**Preparing for the trip

It is imperative that all participants train well and be physically prepared before taking on such a challenging trip. Being in optimal physical condition enables us to enjoy the beauty of our surrounding rather than constantly feeling tired on the trail. We must do fitness training at least a few times each week for a minimum of 6 months prior to the trip. Hiking steep mountains such as Kennesaw, and many of the north Georgia mountains is the best way to train. I will schedule D4 and D5 hikes prior to the trip to assist with everyone’s training.

** Traveling to the trailhead

 The closest major airport to the Les Houches hotel is Geneva, Switzerland.  

Specific instructions for ground transportation to and from airports to trailheads will be provided by WB as soon as our trip is confirmed.

**How to sign up

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list.

** How to qualify

Group will be selected by:

>> Regular participation in the club

>> Recent D5-D6 experience with the AOC. (Recent experience means multiple D5 or D6 hikes with the club within the past year, using the AOC criteria for D-level hikes.)  If recent club experience is lacking or marginal, recommendations from Trip Leaders may be required.

>> Social compatibility

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own. All costs are non-refundable.

Expenses

Expenses of 1 person for twin shared room are listed below.

$25 non-refundable AOC Service Fee

£2650 pay to the outfitter (assuming group size of 6 or more).  Price for less than 6 people is £2790.

Supplement for single occupancy room: £480

This payment to the outfitter includes:

* 13 nights lodging (11 nights in 2, 3-star hotels, 2 nights in mountain huts) for twin shared hotel room, i.e. 2 twin beds shared by 2 persons.

* Luggage transfer - maximum weight 20 kg (42 lbs)

* 13 breakfasts and 8 dinners

* Information pack

* Emergency hotline

Refund Policy

* Non-refundable down payment GBP 250 at the time of registration.

* The balance payment is due 70 days before the trip start date, partially refundable according to the following terms.

* Cancellation 36 to 70 days before the start date, will be eligible for a refund of 50% of the trip cost.

* Cancellation 35 days or less before the start date, will not be  eligible for any refund.

Following items are not included in the payment to the outfitter:

* All lunches & beverages

* Dinners not included at lodging

* Ground transportations: bus and train tickets etc.

* Airline tickets

* Cable cars or local bus service to shorten some sections

* Souvenirs

* Travel insurance

* Other personal expenses not mentioned

Weather

Weather in the Alps can change quickly, so we must be prepared for variable weather conditions including sunny and rainy days, and even an occasional light snow.

State Department travel advisory

The State Department has issued a level 2 travel advisory for France; for more information go to Advisory.

The State Department has issued a level 2 travel advisory for Italy; for more information go to Advisory.

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

If you miss the payment date, you will be removed from the list.