Holidays
Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc

11 reviews

Ke Classic

Holidays

Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc

France, Italy, Switzerland

11 reviews

Available Departures: Jul, Aug, Sep

13 days from

US$3,805

without flights

View Dates & Prices

Walk & Trek

Guided Group

CHALLENGING

Our unique high-level way to walk the Tour du Mont Blanc

Trip Code: UTM

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Section:

Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc

Name: Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc
Brand: KE Adventure Travel
Rating: 5 (11 reviews)

Highlights

Challenge yourself on our ultimate version of the Tour du Mont Blanc
Trek hut-to-hut, staying in amazing mountain refuges inaccessible by road
Travel through Alpine wildflower meadows and stay in the Cabane d’Orny
Excellent IML guide and baggage transfers are included

At a Glance

Group Size 6 to 10
11 days trekking
Max. altitude 2831 metres
Join In Chamonix

Accommodation & Meals

12 Breakfasts
9 Dinners
3 nights Hotel
7 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge
2 nights Hostel

Overview

Situated at the junction of France, Italy and Switzerland, the glaciated massif of Mont Blanc is circled by one of the world's greatest and most popular long distance walks - the Tour du Mont Blanc. Using our unrivalled experience, we have devised a walking holiday that provides the 'ultimate' version of this historic route, incorporating several exciting variants.

Taking the high-level option wherever possible, we traverse passes like the Col des Fours (2665m) and the stunning Monte de la Saxe Ridge. En route, we stay in incredible mountain huts and hostels including the dramatically located mountain hut - the Cabane d'Orny. We offer baggage support where we can and there are just 4 nights where you do not have access to your main luggage. This superb adventure presents the best of the Mont Blanc region, with a blend of breathtaking views, Alpine meadow trails, picturesque hamlets and an abundance of wildflowers... the Ultimate Tour of Mont Blanc.

Is this holiday for you?

This is a classic Alpine walking holiday on good trails. The average distance covered each day is around 20 kilometres (13 miles) and there is a fair amount of ascent and descent. Although this trip is more challenging and with longer days than our Classic Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel trek, regular and fit hill walkers will find this trek to be within their capabilities. Additionally, we will transfer your baggage to each of our overnight stops that can be accessed by road, which means that you usually need to carry no more than a small daysack. There are 4 nights in refuges which are inaccessible by vehicle and this means that you will need to carry just a few extra overnight items. If you are looking for a version of the Tour Du Mont Blanc, with all the high cols and spectacularly situated refuges, then this is the one for you.

Why KE?

This is a unique-to-KE trek, where you’ll trek high trails, see spectacular views and stay in lofty mountain huts few travellers get to experience.

KE Expert

Chloe Johnson, Product Manager

Read Bio

Chloe Johnson

Product Manager

About Chloe:

Chloë was born and bred in Keswick, so a love of being out on the hills was instilled at an early age. Her first trip with KE was volcano trekking in Sicily and since then has summited Mont Blanc, travelled to Nepal, Morocco, India, Turkey and Thailand. She has even travelled up to Svalbard to see Polar Bears!

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

Day 1

Meet at the group hotel in the Chamonix Valley(1240m).

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Rendezvous at the group hotel in Chamonix (1240m). Lying beneath the stunning north face of Mont Blanc, the views are awesome from the start! KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

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Day 2

Walk via the Bionassay Glacier to the rural chalets of Miage.

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Our leader will meet us at 8am when we can have an informal chat about the week ahead. Following this, we take public transport to Les Houches - from here it’s uphill from the start as we wind our way up through the forest to Belelvue station (1780m). From here we can already begin to admire the impressive peaks high above us. We take a beautiful traverse path to the Bionassay Glacier with the Aiguille de Bionassay towering above, and cross the magnificent alpine meadows that lead us to the Col de Tricot (2120m). We may want to pause here for a moment to fully take in the views over the Contamines-Montjoie valley. The last descent today is steep yet picturesque, down to the rural chalets of Miage (1559m).

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1250 M

Descent

700 M

Time

7 hrs walking

Distance

12 KM

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Day 3

Walk to the Tre-la Tete hut via Les Contamines and on to the La Balme hut.

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From our hut, we follow a stunning trail through the alpine pastures of Le Truc (1800m) and wind through the beautiful forests of Les Contamines-Montjoie. From here we climb up through the woods until we come out onto a wonderful plateau with the idyllically situated Tre-la- Tete hut. There might be time here for a quick break - and maybe a slice of tarte de jour. We descend to the magical Combe Noire waterfall and our final climb today takes us past the Nant-Borrant refuge (1460m) and on to our home for the night - the Balme refuge. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1600 M

Descent

1000 M

Time

8 hrs walking

Distance

16 KM

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Day 4

Walk to the Col de Bonhomme, Col des Fours (2665m) and Col de la Grande Ecaille (2751m). Descend to the Robert Blanc refuge.

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The gradual ascent to the famous Col du Bonhomme (2329m), then the magnificent panorama at the Tête nord des Fours (2756m), heralds a superb passage to the south of the massif. Hikers become rarer as we switch to the other side for a long traverse to the "alpine" Grande-Ecaille pass, before finally reaching the Robert-Blanc refuge (2750 m). An incredible "high mountain" hut. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1680 M

Descent

650 M

Time

8 - 9 hrs walking

Distance

21 KM

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Day 5

Robert Blanc hut to the Col de La Seigne and La Visaille. Overnight in Courmayeur.

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Early morning departure for a great stage. An aerial descent to the Col de la Seigne (2516 m) via the slopes of Les Cabottes. The Franco-Italian border takes us to the Col de Chavannes (2603 m) and Mont Fortin. From here, admire the jagged, steep side of the Mt. Blanc Range; the views are simply breathtaking! Legendary summits like Mt. Blanc de Courmayeur, Noire de Peuterey Spire, and the Grandes Jorasses appear close enough to touch. The descent is via Val Veny to the foot of the Miage glacier, with its peaceful lake and unique alpine flora. Short bus transfer to Courmayeur for night.

Accommodation

Hostel

Meals

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

1750 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs walking

Distance

17 KM

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Day 6

Walk the Monte de la Saxe Ridge and cross the Col Deux Sauts (2521m) to the Bonatti hut or Elena hut.

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From our hotel, we walk up to Pont Pelerin and then up to Leuchey before climbing onto the Monte Saxe Ridge. We spend the next hour or so strolling along this superb grassy ridge and enjoying a marvellous panorama that extends from the Brenva Face of Mont Blanc to the rocky wall of the Jorasses. This is a trip highlight and the end of the ridge comes all too quickly, with an airy traverse onto the Tete de la Tronche (2584m) before dropping to the Col Sapin. Beyond this penultimate col of the day, our UTM variant ascends again to the Col Deux Sauts (2521m). A high valley descent then winds down, and we make our way to the Refugio Bonatti. Depending on availability, the group can also stay at the Elena hut. In this case, once in Bonatti, the group will descend into the valley (Bivio), take a short bus transfer to Arnuva and finish the day with a lovely 1-hour hike to the Elena hut. Which ever hut is booked for your holiday - a beer or hot chocolate on the terrace, is a must. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1450 M

Descent

660 M

Time

8 hrs walking

Distance

17 KM

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Day 7

Ascend to the Col du Grand Ferret (2530m) for great views. Descend to La Fouly in Switzerland.

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From the refugio, the path traverses at mid height above the Italian Val Ferret, before dropping to the head of the valley. At around 11-o-clock we pass the Elena Rifugio which is renowned for its cappucino and hot chocolate (hard to resist a stop here). From the Elena Rifugio, we begin a long but spectacular climb up to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) which will take us from Italy into Switzerland. From the col, there are new views to savour, in particular of the Aiguille de Triolet, the pyramid of Mont Dolent and the Gran Combin in the distance. Our descent into Switzerland takes us via the Peule Refuge and onwards via alternative, narrow balcony trails, before dropping down to the river which we follow to reach our simple hotel in the chocolate box village of La Fouly.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

900 M

Descent

1300 M

Time

8 hrs walking

Distance

20 KM

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Day 8

Hike via Praz de Fort and make the long ascent to the Cabane d'Orny (2831m).

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Not too long a day, but probably the most physically demanding of the tour so far. After a valley stroll to the village of Praz de Fort, we take a sharp left turn into the Val Saleina for the biggest of the UTM variants. In front lies the Glacier d’Orny and high above to the right lies our destination, the steep-roofed and spectacularly situated Cabane d’Orny (2831m). To reach this refuge, we are faced with some 1700 metres of ascent, but the trail uses well engineered switchbacks which take out most of the climb's sting. This leads to a spectacular path on the lateral moraine above the glacier with the Cabane d'Orny now in sight. After settling in at the hut, we can enjoy the remainder of the afternoon taking in the splendor of our situation. No access to main luggage.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1730 M

Descent

500 M

Time

7 hrs walking

Distance

16 KM

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Day 9

Follow a spectacular balcony trail, cross the Fenetre d'Arpette (2665m) and descend to Trient.

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Today is technically the hardest section of the entire tour and begins with a descent of the moraine, followed by a continuation of the splendid balcony path to the top of the Breya cable car. From the Brenva station, a rough jeep road leads down into the beautiful Val d’Arpette where we climb once more through rocky canyons and over boulder fields to the spectacular Fenetre d’Arpette. At 2665 metres, this notch of a col is situated astride a soaring rock arete offering magnificent views of the Trient Glacier to our left. From the col we make a long descent to reach the Chalets de Glacier and a well deserved recuperative drink. We now enjoy a level and relaxing path for a short while before descending once more through woods to reach our overnight stop at Trient.

Accommodation

Hostel

Meals

B D

Ascent

1020 M

Descent

2500 M

Time

9 - 10 hrs walking

Distance

21 KM

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Day 10

Walk up to the Col du Balme (2190m) and descend via the Aguillette des Possettes to Argentiere, Le Tour or Tre-le-Champ.

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There are a few route options this morning and our leader will choose the best one on the day. We take a quiet trail up through Tseppes towards the Col de Balme, our entrance to the Chamonix Valley, with Mont Blanc as the centrepiece. A quick descent to the Col des Posettes is followed by an easy ascent of the Aiguillette des Posettes, a small ridge, with sweeping views of the Mont Blanc range and the Aiguille Rouge. Descent to the hut for tonight at Tré-le-Champ or Le Tour and transfer to Chamonix.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1300 M

Descent

1350 M

Time

8 hrs walking

Distance

19 KM

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Day 11

Walk to picturesque Lac Blanc, with its Mont Blanc views. Night in Chamonix.

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From Le Tour or Tré-le-Champ, our path meanders up to the Col des Montets before heading off towards the cliffs of Le Chesery, where our route takes a seemingly impossible line, helped on the more difficult sections by cables and ladders. This is very easy and not something to be worried about! Leaving the cliffs behind, easier ground takes us to Lac Blanc where we take lunch. This is arguably one of the Chamonix Valley’s best viewpoints. We descend to La Flegere and use the valley transport system for the short journey back to our accommodation in Chamonix.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

550 M

Time

7 hrs walking

Distance

14 KM

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Day 12

Walk up to the Brevent Summit (2525m), then descend to Les Houches. Bus back to accommodation.

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Today we complete our Tour du Mont Blanc. Returning to the end point of the previous day's walk we use the lift system to get back up to La Flegere and continue to climb on a superb trail to the Col du Brevent and on to the Brevent summit. The views across the Chamonix Valley to Mont Blanc are excellent and the walking is delightful. Finally, we descend via Merlet to Les Houches. From here, we transfer back to the Chamonix Valley and have a final celebratory dinner to mark the end of our ultimate circuit.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Ascent

870 M

Descent

1780 M

Time

7 hrs walking

Distance

17 KM

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Day 13

Departure day.

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KE Land Only package services ends after breakfast.

Meals

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Download Trip Notes

The Route

Point

Direction

Walk/Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

A professional English-speaking guide
All transfers and cable cars involved in the itinerary
All accommodation as described
Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
Baggage transfer to accommodation which can be accessed by road

What's not Included

Travel Insurance
Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
Visa fees (if applicable)
Airport transfers
Miscellaneous expenses

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

The group will rendezvous at the hotel in the Chamonix Valley on the evening of day 1 of the trip itinerary.

Arriving by air:
Fly to Geneva Airport and make use of an airport transfer service. We recommend Mountaindropoffs (mountaindropoffs.com/en).

Arriving by rail:
Train tickets can be booked from London through to Chamonix (with two changes) with trainline.com.

Arriving by road:
If you are driving to Chamonix we will provide route details and directions to the group hotel in the Chamonix Valley.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive than low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

Meal Plan

All meals are included except for lunches and dinner on day 1, 5 and 11.

Lunches can be easily purchased from supermarkets, bakeries or your accommodation along the way.

We do recommend you bring a few additional trail bars and snacks with you (not chocolate as it can melt) - these can of course also be purchased along the way, but it is sometimes nice to have your favourite hill food with you.

Food & Water

As to be expected, the food available in restaurants and hotels in France, Italy and Switzerland is excellent. In huts, the food is simple and wholesome with usually a limited choice which will include a vegetarian option. Continental breakfasts and evening meals are provided by our accommodation. Lunches can be purchased from the huts, hotels or supermarkets along the way.

When in the towns and villages all tap water is drinkable. In mountain huts there is usually not a sustainable drinking water supply. Water in plastic bottles is brought in to the hut. All huts have a recycling point. If you have to purchase water in plastic bottles please buy the largest bottle you can so as to use less plastic. Please take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water if you can fill from a local stream. Bottled water is not provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Local authorities are working to find solutions to using plastic water bottles in huts. We monitor the situation carefully for updates.

Accommodation

During this trip, the group start and finish the trek at a hotel in the Chamonix Valley. Whilst on our circuit of Mont Blanc, we have a mix of accommodation for 9 nights; a mixture of amazing mountain huts (where we can get away from the crowds) and hostels.

Specifically the Cabane d'Orny is a recognised highlight, with the most awesome views of the alps all around, and the Bonatti Refuge or Elena Refuge where a beer (or hot chocolate) on the terrace at sunset is highly recommended - keep your camera handy! Washing facilities at these huts (especially the Caban d'Orny) are very basic.

In the Chamonix Valley the hotels will be on a twin rooms basis. In the mountain huts and hostels accommodation may be in a non-segregated, dormitory. This type of shared accommodation is all part of the Alpine mountain experience.

Single rooms are not available.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be led by an experienced mountain leader.

Altitude

This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html

This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at high altitude. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.

Spending Money

The package price includes all accommodation, guiding and all meals except lunches and two dinners. You should make an allowance for additional snacks, drinks etc. Note that bottled water bought in huts is quite expensive. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night. We estimate that approximately 350 - 400 Euros should adequately cover typical personal spending requirements. Please note that a part of the route is in Switzerland (3 nights) and you should consider taking some of your spending money in Swiss francs. Alternatively it is possible to withdraw Swiss francs from cash machines in La Fouly. Euros are accepted in most places we stay in Switzerland although the exchange rate may not be favourable.

Baggage Allowance

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage (maximum weight on arrival at the group hotel is dependent on your international flight restrictions) and a daypack (of around 30 - 40 litres).

Our baggage transfer company who transport your main bag from guesthouse to guesthouse throughout the trek have requested that everyone uses a duffle type bag. They will not take hard suitcases. Please note that there is a strict weight limit of 15kgs maximum for bags to be transferred and no fresh produce should be left in these bags.

You can of course travel to the group hotel with any type of baggage, and store it at our group accommodation with any items you do not need on trek and pick these up when you return.

Your main bag will be transferred between overnight stops and you should have this ready for collection by 8.00 each morning. The bag will normally be delivered to your hotel by 17.30.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Health & Vaccinations

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Currency

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

The unit of currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc.

Preparing for your Holiday

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking or climbing trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Jogging, squash and swimming are good for developing better stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country.

Climate

The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, ranging from 15°C to 25°C. It can be cool in the evenings at our highest overnight stopping places, falling close to freezing point at night. The weather is usually stable during July and August, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out. You should be prepared for all eventualities!

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Books

Tour of Mont Blanc. Trekking Guide. Kev Reynolds
Walking Guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc. Andrew Harper Tour du Mont Blanc Topo Guide, Publisher: Fdration Franaise de la Randone

Maps

IGN (Institut Geographique National) 1:50,000 scale.

The IGN also produce a 1:25,000 series covering the route but these are not very practical as you would require several sheets. The 1:50,000 ‘Carte de Randonees’ series of walking maps provides a detailed topographic map with a useful contour interval of 20m. This is still a good scale for following the route on the ground and means you only need one map: Pays Du Mont-Blanc - Aravis - Chamonix - Courmayeur A1

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

Hiking boots
Socks
Underwear
Trekking trousers
Waterproof overtrousers
Waterproof jacket
Baselayer shirts (1 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve) – quick dry, not cotton
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens
Thermal gloves
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Daypack 30 – 40 litres should be sufficient
Dry bags for rucksack contents
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets

Washbag and toiletries
Antibacterial handwash
Sheet sleeping bag (for use in huts)
Small towel (for use in huts)
Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment.

The following items are optional:

Trekking poles (highly recommended)
Gaiters
Headtorch and spare batteries
Spare laces
Shorts
T-shirts and/or casual shirts
Insect repellant
Camera
Travel clothes
Ear plugs (for mountain hut dormitories)
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

We request that you keep the weight of your main baggage to less than 15kgs for the baggage transfers.
There are a total of two nights spent in mountain huts where there is no access to your main bag. Otherwise group members will have access to their main luggage on each evening. Sleeping bags are not required, as bedding is provided. However you do need to bring a sheet sleeping bag for use in the mountain huts.

Recommended Outdoor Retailers

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 11 reviews

Great holiday in the Alps ★★★★★

I loved this trip. Great walking each day and comfortable accommodation with a special group of people. We were a bit unlucky with the weather for a couple of days, so couldn't get to Cabane d'Orny, but our guide Rob managed to find us a great route the next day. Rob was a lot of fun and kept us entertained whilst always prioritising safety. Yeti Lodge proved to be a fantastic base for 4 nights of this trip and the final night barbecue was certainly something to remember. Don't fo rget your swimmers for the hot tub at Yeti!

By Peter from Reading | 27 August 2019

Photos of Ultimate Tour Du Mont Blanc

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By Daniel from Uxbridge | 12 September 2018

Expertly planned and executed holiday. ★★★★★

The entire holiday from choice to booking to experience went superbly. Our fellow trekers were excellent company and our guide Keith was invaluable. The accommodation from huts to hotels was of a good standard as was the food; despite the high calorie usage I actually gained a couple of pounds! I'd recommend KE to anyone.

By John from Keswick | 18 September 2017

The first 'Ultimate Tour' for me.......I'm ready for more! ★★★★★

The day usually began with an ascent ( usually one of two or more!), except from the back door of Cabane d’Orny at 2831 when we descended through cloud! We were blessed with perfect weather and walking conditions and a tenacious, professional, good humoured guide, Rob, a mountain gem! The Refuges were excellent...a view, beer, shower, swiftly served hearty, delicious 3 course meal and a comfortable bed......all a tired, happy body could ask for. Luggage transfer was also efficient but we relis hed the last 2 nights back at Yeti Lodge and the chance to unpack completely and air the bags!! Each day a new chapter and physical challenge with the ever present simply awesome scenery. The lungs and legs gained capacity and strength and I was sad to finish on day 10! The Haute Route now beckons!!

By Ruth from Church Stretton | 15 September 2017

...another 'lovely' view!

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By Ruth from Church Stretton | 15 September 2017

Great holiday in the Alps

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Peter from Reading | 27 August 2019

Photos of Ultimate Tour Du Mont Blanc

View all (15)

By Daniel from Uxbridge | 12 September 2018

Expertly planned and executed holiday.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By John from Keswick | 18 September 2017

The first 'Ultimate Tour' for me.......I'm ready for more!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Ruth from Church Stretton | 15 September 2017

...another 'lovely' view!

View all (7)

By Ruth from Church Stretton | 15 September 2017

Great Trip with Great Chalange and Views

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great time during the 10 days walking with the best KE organization and guide

By Ilan from GIVAAT SHMUEL | 26 August 2017

Going to places other TMBs cannot reach

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By John from LOUGHBOROUGH | 22 August 2017

Tough but Rewarding

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excellent French guide Food and accommodation better than expected Yeti Lodge a delight Views of the Mont Blanc Massif outstanding Pace a little fast, making the trek more gruelling than it needed to be, but then we had a super fit group. Not for the feint hearted; don't underestimate the rigour of the walk; but a very memorable experience and not be missed.

By Marek from CHRISTCHURCH | 26 July 2017

Exhilerating Alpine experience

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A professionally organised, well lead Alpine trekking holiday where our Guide took account of the entire group. Excellent scenery, Alpine walking across three countries, and new friends.The nature of the walks reflected the advertised itinerary and whilst a good level of walking experience is required, our Guide and overnight hosts did everything possible to facilitate an excellent holiday. As to the walks, It was the first time I've used walking poles and they are definitely recommended (t hat from a person who manages without in the UK). If you have not stayed in an Alpine hut before, it is something else to experience and fully appreciate. The only trivial criticism is KE providing chocolate with packed lunches - something they told us not to bring - and for good reason in the height of Summer. But if that is my only criticism they must be doing a lot else right.

By David from Blackburn | 23 August 2016

an immensely satisfying way of spending 10 days in the high mountains of Europe

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is the only way to do the TMB, and you could not get a better guide than Chris to lead you. Apart from getting round 180k and 14k of up and down, I now know more Alpine weeds than ever. And what guide could reliably lead you to edelweiss? he even managed to conjour up a few ibex to order! Seriously, this is a reasonably tough trek but very doable even for a 65yo given enough determination. Immensely rewarding with views to die for. Chris was brilliant; would love to do another trek with him . Packed lunches were the only sub standard aspect, especially from hotel in La Fouly. Given the degree of exertion you need to supplement with lots of energy bars or equivalent to take on enough fuel for some very long days. KE should be much more specific on what should be provided and ensure sufficient calorie content. But still memorable.

By Richard from PULBOROUGH | 29 July 2016

An Excellent, Beautiful, Fun Challenge - Not For the Faint Hearted!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

<p>We (Father and Daughter team) have just returned from the first UTM trip for 2016 and cannot stop talking about it! We had an outstanding 10 days in the Alps and highly recomend this trip to all who love beautiful scenery, a mixture of accommodation styles and and varied, long walking days. There were so many highlights; in particular some charming refuge experiences (the setting of Cabane D'Orny is magical), outstanding viewpoints such as the Fenetre d'Arpette, the Grand Col Ferret and the Iron Cross above the Col de Balme and high quality facilities at Yeti Lodge, such as a sauna and jacuzzi for a well-deserved relax! We could not have asked for a more caring, organised, knowledgable guide, Chris Pound, who also shared with us his wonderful sense of humour and love for M&Ms! We mostly experienced blissful sunshine although there were large amounts of snow to walk through on certain higher paths (unexpected in July!) so poles were extremely useful. We also advise taking plentiful Swiss Francs and extra snacks to compliment the provided packed lunch. Although the UTM is tough - it requires a high level of fitness for the long days and steep ascents/descents - it gave us a huge sense of achievement and we loved every single day. We agreed that it has been our favourite walking holiday for years (and we have experienced many excellent ones between us!). All that is left to say is a massive thank you to our lovely group, our amazing guide and all of the KE staff. So what are you waiting for? Time to take on the UTM challenge!</p>

By Owen from Dorchester | 15 July 2016

Photos from Ultimate Tour du Mt Blanc, July 2015

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By Rachel from LOUGHBOROUGH | 23 October 2015

New to the Alps - loved it

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A splendid ten days, tough, challenging, interesting. Our guide was excellent, she was encouraging and careful, pushing just enough to secure the timings and ensure we got the best mountain views at the best time of day.Her local knowledge of geology, botany and the general life in the Alps enhanced the experience for all.
More than enough food and comfortable beds in a good mix of accommodation, if I were to make a change I would choose to stay high for a couple of extra nights, if poss ible, rather than descend to the valley and then climb back up again next morning.

By Peter from WAKEFIELD | 27 September 2015

Awesome

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was an outstanding trip. Emma, our guide, was brilliant, and judged the group's abilities perfectly; it was challenging (with Dean's 'Strava' app showing 227 km walked, with 13,018 metres ascended in total), but took us on many less-trodden paths. Emma also inspired confidence as a very experienced mountain guide, and she took the right decisions regarding safety (for example, where the risk of rock-falls was too great to take us through the Fenetre d'Arpette). It&# 039;s difficult to identify 'highlights', because every day was brilliant, but it has to be said that Rifugio Bonatti (in Italy) and Cabane d'Orny (in Switzerland) are both in fantastic, imposing, locations. The group was also awesome; One couldn't have wished for better. Upbeat, fun, and easy to get along with: I would definitely love to hike with the same group again. As for practical arrangements; everything ran without a hitch, and the start/finish location (Yeti Lodge in Argentiere) was comfortable and welcoming. Overall; I would seriously consider doing this trip again, although I'm not sure how it could be bettered. I would like to thank the leader, Emma, the staff at Yeti Lodge, and KE Adventure, for making this a special trip, and my 9 fellow hikers for being such great company.

By Philip from EDINBURGH | 12 September 2015

Extremely Memorable & Enjoyable

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was an awesome trek for a number of reasons: - The scenery was fabulous every day - We were extremely fortunate that: * We had Emma Jack as our guide. Emma knew exactly the best routes to chose to suit the ability of the group (which was pretty fit!), the weather conditions and to give us the best opportunity to get the most we could out of the opportunity. Emma was very knowledgeable, had a great sense of humour and got on extremely well with everyone in the group. * The fitness level of t he group was pretty similar so that everyone could go reasonably close to their ideal pace - this was a pure fluke! * The weather was absoluterly perfect for the most critical 7 days of the trek when the scenery and views were at their best * We had a great group most of whom arrived not knowing the others - such a friendly and diverse bunch we blended and bonded really well together - The accommodation was generally very good and ideal for a group of trekkers - The quality of food ranged from good to very good and occcasionally excellent! - The whole trek was according to all members of the group very well organised abd represented excellent value for money. Well done Emma, KE and fellow trekkers!

By Peter from BIRMINGHAM | 10 September 2015

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Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc
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Departure Reference: UTM /01/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sun 6 Jul returning to the UK on Fri 18 Jul

This trip begins on Sun 6 Jul and ends on Fri 18 Jul
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Sun 27 Jul Fri 8 Aug

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Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc
With Flights

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Departure Reference: UTM /02/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sun 27 Jul returning to the UK on Fri 8 Aug

This trip begins on Sun 27 Jul and ends on Fri 8 Aug
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$550
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Sun 24 Aug Fri 5 Sep

US$3,805 Adult

US$550

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Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: UTM /03/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sun 24 Aug returning to the UK on Fri 5 Sep

This trip begins on Sun 24 Aug and ends on Fri 5 Sep
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$550
Download Trip Notes

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We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The holiday starts at the hotel the Chamonix Valley. Geneva has the nearest airport.

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In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK, low cost airlines are available to convenient airports to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

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The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc

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Traveller Reviews

Great holiday in the Alps

Photos of Ultimate Tour Du Mont Blanc

Expertly planned and executed holiday.

The first 'Ultimate Tour' for me.......I'm ready for more!

...another 'lovely' view!

Great Trip with Great Chalange and Views

Going to places other TMBs cannot reach

Tough but Rewarding

Exhilerating Alpine experience

an immensely satisfying way of spending 10 days in the high mountains of Europe

An Excellent, Beautiful, Fun Challenge - Not For the Faint Hearted!

Photos from Ultimate Tour du Mt Blanc, July 2015

New to the Alps - loved it

Awesome

Extremely Memorable & Enjoyable

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2025

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