Light pack hiking Tour du Mont Blanc 'south half'

The Tour du Mont Blanc requires a good level of fitness and experience of walking for several days in a row. Depending on the stages, you’ll generally need to walk between 5 and 8 hours a day, with both ascents and descents. The trails are well-maintained and do not present any major technical difficulties, but the consecutive days of walking make it a demanding challenge. Regular training before you set off will ensure you get the most out of your trip.

Yes. Regular hiking or endurance training is strongly recommended before setting off on the TMB. The difficulty lies less in the technical nature of the route and more in the repeated physical exertion over several consecutive days. We advise you to go for regular walks in the weeks leading up to your departure, ideally with a small rucksack and on hilly terrain.

The full route covers around 170km / 106 miles and involves a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 10,000m / 32,808ft. Some days involve between 800m / 2,624ft and 1,500m / 4,921ft of ascent, with some steep descents at times. The main challenge lies primarily in the length of the trip and your ability to complete the stages day after day. We offer several options to tailor the experience to each person’s ability and expectations.

The full route is approximately 170km / 106 miles long and involves a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 10,000m / 32,808ft, which equates to 10 days’ walking on our full tour. We also offer other tours lasting 6 to 8 days, including transfers, so you can enjoy the experience to the full without having to walk the entire route on foot.

Depending on the stage, you can expect to walk between 12km / 7.5 miles and 25km / 15.5 milrs a day, with an elevation gain of between 800m / 2,624ft and 1,500m / 4,921ft. The duration of each stage generally varies between 5 and 8 hours’ walking, depending on the group’s pace and the terrain. Some days may be more demanding than others.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is usually undertaken from mid-June to the end of September. June often offers quieter trails and landscapes ablaze with flowers, but some high-altitude sections may still be covered in snow. July and August offer the most stable conditions, whilst September brings a more peaceful atmosphere and the first hints of autumn colours.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a very popular route in summer due to its international reputation. June and September are often quieter, but you will almost always come across other walkers on the trails. If you’re looking for a wilder and more secluded experience, we also offer less-frequented routes in the mountain ranges around the Mont Blanc.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is usually walked in an anti-clockwise direction: France, Italy and then Switzerland, before returning to Chamonix. This direction follows the historic route and allows for a natural progression through the stages. It is also possible to walk it in a clockwise direction in order to encounter fewer walkers during the day.

Even if your child is fit and active, we generally recommend waiting until they are 8 to 10 years old to get the most out of a multi-day trek. Mountain hiking requires stamina and a certain degree of independence. We also offer trips specially designed for families and children, so they can explore the mountain range in the best possible conditions.

We offer several ways to experience the TMB, all with a guide: an authentic mountain-hut experience with no luggage transfer; a comfort package in hotels with luggage transfer; or a premium stay in high-end hotels with luggage transfer. Each itinerary is designed to offer an experience tailored to your fitness level, the time you have available and the level of comfort you’re looking for.

The level of comfort varies depending on the package chosen:
- Our premium trips offer double rooms with en-suite bathrooms and toilets (unless otherwise stated in the itinerary).
- Our comfort packages include nights in double rooms, sometimes with shared bathroom facilities.
- On our authentic packages, accommodation is mainly in mixed-sex dormitories with shared bathroom facilities.
 

No. Mountain refuges prioritise welcoming hikers in areas that are sometimes remote, where resources remain limited. Dormitory-style accommodation, shared toilet facilities, no Wi-Fi and limited shower facilities may all be part of the experience. In return, you’ll enjoy a unique immersion in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s unique to the mountains.

For ‘Comfort’ and ‘Premium’ stays, a single room may be available at an additional cost, subject to availability. This option is not available on our ‘Authentic’ mountain hut packages, which include shared dormitories.

We cannot guarantee that you will be paired with someone of the same sex, particularly in shared accommodation and dormitories. As groups are formed based on bookings, room allocation depends on availability at the time of your stay.

Most accommodation options have them, but not all. In hotels, there are always showers, which may be shared depending on the package. Some mountain huts do not have sufficient water supplies to offer this service.

Yes, especially in mountain huts or dormitories. After several days of hiking, a good night’s sleep is essential for proper recovery. Shared accommodation can sometimes be noisy, and earplugs often make for a much more comfortable night’s sleep in the mountains.

Yes. You will always carry your daypack: water, warm clothes, rainwear and a packed lunch. Some packages include the transfer of the rest of your luggage between accommodation stops. Even with a transfer, it is important to keep the weight of your daypack reasonable.

On a multi-day hike, a lightweight rucksack greatly improves walking comfort. Weight quickly becomes the hiker’s enemy as the days go by. We therefore advise you to limit your kit to the essentials and to prioritise equipment suitable for the mountains.

We advise you to choose a rucksack suited to your body shape and adjusted correctly. Remember to test it before you set off so you can adjust the fit properly. In the mountains, every gram counts: lightweight, well-organised kit will allow you to walk more comfortably over several days.

A soft bag, such as a travel bag or sports bag, is recommended. The maximum weight allowed is 15 kg / 33 lb / 2.5 stone per item to facilitate transfers. Hard-shell suitcases are not permitted. Fragile items and valuables are not accepted in luggage. Neither the carrier nor the Compagnie des Guides can be held responsible for any loss, damage or theft.

High-top walking boots that you’ve already worn, which fit your feet well and provide good grip, are essential. We advise you to try them out before you set off to avoid blisters and aches and pains during your trip. Comfortable footwear remains one of the most important pieces of kit.

Yes, walking poles are strongly recommended to take the strain off your knees, improve your balance and reduce fatigue on descents. They also provide greater comfort on long stages and help distribute the effort more evenly.

Wear shoes that have already been broken in, keep your feet dry and avoid carrying bags that are too heavy. Also, remember to air your shoes every evening after walking and to pack socks suitable for multi-day hikes.

The weather in the mountains changes quickly, even in the height of summer. We recommend packing breathable, warm and waterproof clothing so that you can easily adapt to the different conditions you’ll encounter during your trip. The equipment list provided for each hike has been drawn up in consultation with our guides.

Even in summer, it can be hot in the valleys and cold at higher altitudes. Mountain weather can change rapidly, and you may still encounter rain, wind or even snow, depending on the conditions. We therefore advise you to bring kit suitable for all situations.

Yes. Even in the height of summer, there may be occasional snowfall on certain high-altitude sections. These conditions are usually short-lived but serve as a reminder that the TOUR DU MONT BLANC  is, first and foremost, a mountain route.

No. Rain does not lead to the cancellation of the trip, and we advise you to bring a full set of good-quality rainwear. However, if conditions become unfavourable for the group’s safety, the guide may adjust the timetable or alter certain stages.

The Tour du Mont Blanc remains a mountain route that requires preparation and caution. Being accompanied by a professional ensures you can hike in the safest possible conditions and allows the programme to be adapted if necessary. As with any mountain activity, it is important to follow the guide’s instructions.

Chamonix can be reached by train, by car or via the airports in Geneva, Lyon and Turin. We recommend that you plan to arrive the day before your departure so that you can start your holiday feeling more relaxed. Find all the information you need on the Chamonix town website.

The town of Chamonix offers several parking options for multi-day stays. You can find all the information on the official Chamonix website.

Yes. Several luggage storage services are available in Chamonix to look after your luggage whilst you’re on your trek. Some hotels also offer a luggage storage service for their guests.

There are some drinking fountains where you can fill your water bottles whilst trekking, but we recommend always asking your guide for advice before drinking the water. The availability of water varies depending on the stage of the trek and the level of drought (dryness of the conditions).

Some mountain areas are not covered by the mobile network. Wi-Fi is available in some accommodations but can sometimes be limited at high altitudes. The Tour du Mont Blanc is also an opportunity to enjoy a proper break from the digital world.

Mobile phone charging is not guaranteed in all the mountain huts. A power bank is strongly recommended, particularly for stays in huts and long stages without easy access to electricity.

No. The natural areas we pass through and the majority of accommodations do not allow dogs, in order to protect the wildlife and ensure the group’s peace and quiet. Nor can the guides manage the logistical challenges posed by having dogs on the trek.

A multi-day hike remains physically demanding, and it is important to be properly prepared before setting off. If a participant is unable to continue a stage of the trek, the guide will help them find a suitable solution, but any transport costs will be their responsibility.

The return time depends on the group’s pace, the weather and trail conditions. If you need to organise your return journey, we advise you to arrange flexible transport or an extra night’s accommodation in Chamonix.

The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix is a not-for-profit organisation bringing together guides who are deeply attached to their local area and to Alpine culture. For over 200 years, it has played an active role in the life and development of the Chamonix valley. Choosing the Compagnie means setting off with local professionals who live and work all year round in the heart of the Mont Blanc region.

Unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, our trips include pre-trip organisation, guidance from a qualified professional, half-board accommodation and packed lunches from the first to the last day. Full details of the services included can be found under the ‘Price includes’ section of each programme.

If the minimum number of participants required to confirm the trip is not reached, our teams will contact you as soon as possible. You can then choose to join another guaranteed departure or receive a refund of the amount paid in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

For all bookings, a deposit of 30% of the total cost of the trip is required. Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of payment.

The balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the start of your trip. If we do not receive payment from you, the amount may be automatically debited from the credit card used at the time of booking.

Bookings close 30 days before departure for trips of more than 6 days and 15 days before departure for trips of less than 6 days. After this deadline, please contact us: booking is only possible if there are still places available in the accommodations.

Any voluntary interruption of the trip on your part will not entitle you to a refund for any unused services. We recommend that you take out suitable insurance before departure.