Tour du Mont Blanc Week Trek

• Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels), 1 Simple night (hotel)
• Six days of trekking, carrying all your belongings for these days (no vehicle support)
• Light backpacking; some steep ascents/descents
• Group normally 4 to 14, plus leader. Minimum age: 18

All breakfasts and dinners are included except dinner in Chamonix on Day 7 of the itinerary. Typical meals Breakfast: Usually coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunches: No lunches are provided but can easily be bought locally from either shops or the hotel/refuge. Evening meal: Generally, a first course of soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or pasta, a dessert course. Drinks are not included in the price of evening meals. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: You may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region.

Expect fair weather from late June to early October, but all mountain ranges create their own weather patterns and the Alps are no exception. It can and does rain and it can be surprisingly cold at times, particularly on the high passes. Expected daytime temperatures are:

15C-25C (59F-77F) in the valleys, although it can sometimes reach 30C (86F) in July/August

5C-15C (41F-59F) on the passes, though it will feel colder if wet and windy

5C-15C (41F-59F) in the valley at night, possibly a little lower early and late in the season

There is always the possibility of lying snow, especially in the early season, and snowfall even in August and September when we may find new snow on the passes. On late season treks (September), the days are shorter and we need to make early starts to make the most of the available daylight hours.

This trip is rated Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Walking profile: Our route is non-technical, although there is a short section with a fixed sloping ladder and metal footsteps to help traverse what would be a steeper section. Some days involve ascents of 3,000ft-4,000ft (900m-1,200m), equivalent to three to four hours walking uphill, followed by similar descents, amounting to eight to nine hours of walking each day (including rest stops and lunch).

Terrain: We take mountain paths throughout, so this trip is not advised for severe vertigo sufferers. The paths are well maintained, but there are sections that are rough underfoot, sometimes with loose rocks, so you need to be confident in your footing and balance.

GPS measurements: All ascents, descents and distances listed have been measured by our local partner using satellite-based mapping software. Please note, GPS measuring devices can give differing results, especially in mountainous terrain and on winding paths. Measurements stated throughout these Trip Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and vary depending on the group pace.

Fitness: As this is a group trip, you should be able to walk at a consistent, steady pace that matches the group average, allowing the group to finish the day at a reasonable time. You will also enjoy the trek a great deal more if your fitness allows you to walk the route in relative ease. You must carry your own gear with you (there is no vehicle support), but this need not weigh more than 17lb-22lb (8kg-10kg) if you pack carefully.

Opting out: If you cannot walk during the itinerary and want to opt out of a day, please note this can sometimes be a little tricky dependent on where on the circuit you are. To reach the next point you need to take a public bus (which runs at limited times) or taxi (which can be expensive in more remote locations). If you miss any part of the itinerary, any extra transport, hotel and food cost will be at your expense.