KE's Bex recently ticked the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc off her bucket list. Starting in the stunning Chamonix Valley, Bex and her group spent six unforgettable days trekking around the breathtaking Mont Blanc Massif through France, Italy and Switzerland - all in just one week! Discover how they did it and get answers to the most frequently asked questions about this incredible Mont Blanc walking holiday...

The Best of The Tour du Mont Blanc really is a complete adventure package! You walk all the very best sections of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc, missing out the less exciting parts and enjoying transfers to your comfortable accommodation where your bags have been dropped off for you - no overcrowded camping and heavy backpacks here. Each evening, you’ll be treated to a delicious home cooked meal and the next day brings a hearty breakfast and a packed lunch for your picnic on the trail - all included! The only thing you need to worry about arranging is a cold beer at the end of the day – and maybe some Swiss chocolate to take home!

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a world famous trek so the trails are well-maintained and present no huge challenges underfoot. There is a decent amount of ascent and descent as you are staying in the comfortable guesthouses in the valleys, rather than high in the mountain huts, so I would say this is where the challenge lies but your guide will find a good pace for your group and you’ll be on a roll! You walk for an average of 15km per day and I would say it’s perfectly manageable for regular hillwalkers. Plus, all of your luggage is transferred for you so all you need to carry is your light day pack – making you the envy of all your fellow trekkers on the trail!

Another amazing thing about having a guide is the opportunity for some off-the-beaten-path experiences. Your guide knows the mountains intimately and may lead you on some exciting “off-roading” adventures, depending on the weather and your group’s preferences.

The accommodation was exceptional! We enjoyed a wonderful mix of guesthouses and hotels, each one as welcoming as the last. A standout for me was a small family-run guesthouse in Les Chapieux. As we descended into this tiny village and spotted the guesthouse with its quaint outdoor bar, vegetable garden and free-roaming chickens, we knew we were somewhere special. A family member gave us a tour, showing us the heated boot rail, cosy lounge and our well-equipped room. Dinner was served at 7pm for everyone and featured a feast of local produce - from fresh salads from the garden to cheese from the nearby cows, it was a meal to remember! Breakfast was just as delightful and our homemade takeaway packed lunches were perfect for the day ahead. Another special aspect of this guesthouse was its lack of Wi-Fi! We lost 3G/4G signal on our approach into the valley and without Wi-Fi overnight, everyone talked to each other instead! This was the only hotel where we were disconnected.

Overall, we stayed in a mix of old and new accommodation, some even with spa facilities and balconies offering breathtaking mountain views. Each place greeted us with friendly faces, hot showers and comfortable beds - everything we needed after a day of trekking!

Also brilliant! If you think you’re going to lose weight on this trip with all the walking – think again - the French are feeders! One of the best aspects of this adventure is that all your meals are included, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. On day one, our leader asked about any allergies or dislikes, ensuring that everyone’s preferences were accommodated.

Breakfasts were served buffet-style at our accommodation, featuring fresh bread, croissants, fruit, yogurt, cereals and good coffee to kickstart our days. Lunch was always provided by our leader and varied from day to day. We enjoyed quiches from local bakeries, homemade salads and picnic spreads filled with fresh fruit, local cheeses, cold meats and high-protein snacks. This was incredibly helpful, especially on days when our accommodation was far from shops and bakeries. Enjoying picnics also meant that we did not have to rely on the, often busy, mountain refuges and allowed us to pick our perfect lunch spot every day!

Our evening meals were equally delightful and always three courses! Most evenings, we dined in our accommodation, which was always tasty, well organised and created a wonderful camaraderie among everyone. On a couple of occasions, we enjoyed dinner at local restaurants with a set menu which was also delicious and kept things easy too. The food alone makes this trip excellent value!

There were so many highlights, it’s hard to choose! Day 2 stood out as a personal favourite - it was one of our toughest days but also one of the most rewarding. We hiked from point to point on varied terrain and experienced such a range of landscapes. We explored the impressive Notre Dame Gorge and crossed two stunning passes: Col de Bonhomme and Col de Croix de Bonhomme, reaching an elevation of 2,469m, passing vibrant flora on the way and enjoying views every step of the way.

One of the most memorable aspects of this trip was crossing into Italy and Switzerland. There’s something truly special about hiking up to a pass in one country, snapping a photo with the border stone and then descending into another country - it’s an experience I’ll never forget!

How can I talk about my highlights without mentioning Lac Blanc? It left me truly speechless. I had seen many photos online but I still wasn’t prepared for its breathtaking beauty. The crystal-clear water, set against the majestic Mont Blanc Massif, is simply spectacular. It’s definitely worth stopping at the Lac Blanc refuge for a refreshment and taking some time to soak in those stunning views.

Most importantly – boots! I wore a pair of lightweight mid boots that had a good amount of flexibility as well as ankle support and they were perfect for the trek. You do not need heavy duty boots, they will just weigh you down!

I was never a fan of trekking poles before I embarked on the TMB but now I understand! Initially, no one in my group had used poles so we were all quite reluctant however after a bit of help and training from our leader, we quickly got the hang of it. I highly recommend taking some even if you haven’t used them in the past. They helped with power and speed on the ascent but I found them especially useful for support on the decline, especially in the wetter weather!

Don’t forget your waterproofs! We had one day of wet weather and we were incredibly grateful for them – decent trousers and jacket were absolutely essential! The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so it’s wise to pack your jacket in your daypack every day; you never know when a shower might strike. Our leader even had a poncho which I was rather jealous of!

Talking of day packs – myself and my group all had packs of around 25-35L and these were just right. It’s helpful to have one that has space for a water bladder so you don’t have to stop to hydrate. Each day, all we had to carry was our waterproof jackets, lunch, water and maybe a warm layer depending on what the weather.

• Take a lightweight power bank - you don’t want to weigh down your backpack but if you’re like me and plan to take countless photos, your battery will drain quickly, especially on sunny days.
• Pack a multi-plug adapter - Switzerland uses different sockets than the EU.
• A little bit of trail mix goes a long way – it’s best snack for on the go and the perfect energy booster!
• Consider adding a few extra days in Chamonix at the start or end of your trek - I spent some time there before we started and took a trip up the Aiguille du Midi - it was absolutely breathtaking!
• If you go on the final departure of the season (like me), you might get to soak up the incredible atmosphere of the UTMB and enjoy the amazing end-of-season sales in Chamonix!

Bex and her group opted for the "Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc" experience, allowing them to complete this incredible adventure in just one week and instead of huts and camping, they enjoyed the comfort of hotels and guesthouses along the way with all their meals included. Check out the details below and don’t hesitate to give Bex a call at +44 (0) 17687 73966 with any questions!