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Light pack hiking Tour du Mont Blanc 'north half'
Duration:
4 days
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 250m or distance up to 5km.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 500m or distance up to 10km.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 1000m or distance up to 20km or multi-day routes with carrying personal belongings for the day.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 1400m or distance up to 25km or multi-day routes with carrying personal belongings for the duration of the trek.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1400m or distance exceeding 25km.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For walkers, capable of navigating wide mountain trails suitable for vehicles.
Technical Level 2: For occasional hikers, capable of navigating non-technical mountain trails.
Technical Level 3: For regular hikers, capable of navigating slightly uneven mountain trails with roots or rocks.
Technical Level 4: For experienced hikers, capable of navigating rugged mountain trails with boulders, large steps, or exposed sections.
Technical Level 5: For seasoned hikers, capable of navigating off-trail routes or mountain trails with equipped sections, such as cables or ladders.
Comfort :
Level 1. The comfort of your stay is minimalist. You sleep in a tent and carry your personal belongings throughout the stay.
Level 2. The comfort of your stay is limited. You mostly sleep in refuges or hostels, in dormitories, and carry your personal belongings throughout the stay.
Level 3. The comfort of your stay is intermediate. You mostly sleep in refuges, hostels, or hotels, in dormitories. Assistance is provided for the transport of your personal belongings, when possible.
Level 4. The comfort of your stay is high. You mostly sleep in hotels, in rooms. Assistance is provided for the transport of your personal belongings, when possible.
Level 5. The comfort of your stay is very high. You mostly sleep in 3- or 4-star hotels in rooms. Assistance is provided for the transport of your personal belongings, when possible.
General information
For those who wish to experience the Tour du Mont Blanc but don't have enough time to spare, we offer shorter trips to complete a portion of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Our northern and southern half-tours provide a 4-day experience on the trails of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
This southern half-part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, starts in the Italian Val Ferret and guides you to the Chamonix Valley, traversing the Swiss Val Ferret. You will stay in small hotels or inns in dormitories or shared rooms. Luggage transport is arranged during the trip. You will only need to carry your day's essentials in your backpack. Transfers will be by taxi or public transport. Picnics are provided daily.
To experience the entire Tour, consider complementing this journey with our South half-tour on your next visit.
Group booking
The collective formula associates several people who do not necessarily know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : See below for the group booking module
Price 2027 : to come
This price includes :
- the organization of the trip
- the supervision by a state qualified trekking guide
- half-board accommodation (dinner, breakfast and night) in inns or basic hotels in shared room or dormitory, mixed
- picnic lunches
- lift passes
- transfers throughout the hike
- transportation of one piece of luggage throughout the trek : soft bag, no hard suitcase. Max 15 kg, in case of excess weight, your luggage will not be transported by our provider
This price does not include:
- Transportation to the starting point of the hike
- Accommodation before and after the hike
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, drinks, etc.
- Ski lifts or taxi transfers in case of personal inability to complete the planned stage
- Mandatory repatriation insurance. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. (Residents of the following countries—Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—can purchase repatriation and cancellation insurance at the same time as their trip registration. This insurance is non-refundable in case of cancellation.)
- Booking fees
- Anything not mentioned under "This price includes"
Private booking
Want to go hiking with family or friends? Want the freedom to choose your departure dates*, enjoy a tailor-made itinerary adapted to your desires, and benefit from guidance specifically suited to your level? Choose the private package!
This is the traditional relationship between a guide and their clients. It allows you to be alone or in a group with your guide, who will respond to your specific needs. The ideal package for realizing your plans, as it guarantees maximum comfort.
Discounted rates based on the number of participants.
*Subject to availability of accommodation.
Contact us for a quote.
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience
Meeting point : Meet at 7.30 am in front of the Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix.
Ability level : 3/5 - The North half-tour hiking trip is a moderate trek. A minimum of 700m (2296ft) and a maximum of 900m (2953ft) vertical gain and about 5 to 7 hours of hiking daily. Hiking on generally well-maintained mountain trails, sometimes including out-of-trail sections. For active people who do not mind training to prepare for the hike and practice sport regularly. A great multiday hike for people with trekking experience.
Itinerary: The guide may need to adjust the itinerary based on weather conditions and/or the physical and/or technical abilities of the group
Guiding policy : minimum 7 and maximum 12 people per guide. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy guarantees the most balanced groups as possible as well as high-quality personalised advice. Registration possible from 16 years of age. Registration is not permitted to anyone under the age of 18 without a legal guardian.
Accomodation :
- During the trip : 3 nights in inns or basic hotels in shared rooms or dormitory.
We cannot guarantee that you will share your room with persons of the same gender
- Before & after the trip : benefit from preferential prices from our partner hotels in Chamonix.
Documentation :
- Participants must have sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance offering both of these types of cover when you sign up.
- Participants must also take valid ID with them.
Preparing for the trip : An information meeting with your guide is scheduled the day before departure at 6pm at the Compagie des Guides office. We highly recommend your participation, as this meeting provides an opportunity to fine-tune your preparation.
Equipment
Weight is a hiker's adversary, so it is crucial to carefully select your equipment as it plays a key role in ensuring the success of your trip
Your gear
- A 30L backpack
- A compact and sturdy travel bag, maximum 15 kg
- A pair of top quality hiking boots
- A pair of telescopic poles
- A hat or cap
- A warm hat
- Category 3 sunglasses
- Breathable long and short-sleeved T-shirts
- A polar fleece
- A warm down jacket
- A Gore-Tex waterproof jacket
- A rain poncho
- A hiking trouser
- A Gore-Tex waterproof trouser
- A short
- A pair of gloves
- Hiking-appropriate socks
- A minimum 2L water bottle
- A pocketknife and a spork
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- A sleeping bag liner
- Toiletry kit, towel, earplugs, and toilet paper
- Minimal personal pharmacy: blister pads like Compeed, medications for common ailments such as diarrhea, constipation, sore throat, headaches, pain, allergies
ID, money for personal expenses
- Spare shoes
- Spare clothes as per your preference
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Millet (excluding crampons, ice axes and helmet), Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Swiss Val Ferret
After reaching Arnuva, the trail takes us to the Grand Col Ferret (8,170ft), marking the border between Italy and Switzerland. We are greeted by relaxing alpine meadows, overlooked by distant snow-capped peaks like Dolent or A Neuve and their glaciers. We descend into the Swiss Val Ferret, reaching La Fouly, where we will spend the night.
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet - loss: 4,250 feet - Distance : 11.8 miles
Day 2
Trient Valley
The day begins with a transfer to the village of Champex-Lac. As we hike towards the Bovine alpine pasture, we can admire the Rhône Valley with its vineyards, the high mountains of the Bernese Oberland, and the dizzying peaks of the Combins Massif. We descend to the Col de la Forclaz, a key passage between the Rhône Valley and the Trient Valley. Overnight in Trient.
Elevation gain: 2,600 feet - loss: 3,000 feet - Distance : 10 miles
Day 3
Trélechamps
Our trail leads us to the Col des Posettes (6,550ft), a famous border between Switzerland and France. From the pass, the view of Mont-Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges is breathtaking. This fantastic scenery accompanies us to the classified hamlet of Trélechamps, where we will spend the night.
Elevation gain: 3,000 feet - loss: 3,000 feet - Distance : 8 miles
Day 4
Chamonix Valley
From Trélechamps, we ascend via the Grand Balcon Sud trail to the Chéserys Lakes and then to Lac Blanc, where the Mont-Blanc massif is reflected, creating a magical spot for a final picnic. We pass by La Flégère and descend to the village of Les Praz with the gondolas. Return to Chamonix in the afternoon.
Elevation gain: 3,300 feet - loss: 1,600 feet - Distance : 6.2 miles
Booking
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Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 71 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 71 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 7.1€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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