Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

Customer Reviews

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  Nancy

  · September 9th, 2024
  Adrian was very attentive to our safety which was my major concern in taking the trip.
  

  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  Our local team will be thrilled to hear that Adrian was very attentive to our safety! Thank you for taking the time to let us know you had a great adventure on Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek. We always appreciate hearing back from our travellers.... Show more
  Trip date: August 2024
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  Jackie

  · August 16th, 2024
  The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a legendary trekking route that circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It’s one of the most popular long-distance hikes in Europe, and after completing it, it’s easy to see why. The landscapes along the TMB are nothing short of breathtaking. From the moment you set foot on the trail, you're surrounded by towering peaks, vast glaciers, and lush valleys. Each day brings new vistas: serene alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and dramatic ridge-lines offering panoramic views of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. The scenery alone makes this trek worth every step. Overall Impression: The Tour du Mont Blanc is more than just a hike; it’s a journey that may test your physical limits while rewarding you with some of the most breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences Europe has to offer. The mix of challenging terrain, diverse scenery, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in three different alpine cultures makes it an adventure like no other. Whether you’re seeking solitude in nature, a physical challenge, or a chance to connect with fellow adventurers from around the world, the TMB delivers in every way. It’s a trek that leaves a lasting impression and a deep appreciation for the beauty and power of the mountains. Our Group Leader: Adrian was an exceptional leader on our Tour du Mont Blanc trek, making an already incredible experience even more memorable. His patience and attention to detail truly set him apart, ensuring that every member of our group felt supported and cared for throughout the journey. From the very beginning, Adrian’s calm and reassuring presence made a big difference. Whether it was helping someone pick up a rock that caught their eye, taking the time to capture the perfect group photo, or tending to broken blisters and sprained muscles, he handled every situation with grace and compassion. His ability to balance the needs of the group while keeping us on track was impressive, and his knowledge of the trail and local culture added so much depth to the experience. Adrian’s patience never wavered, even when faced with the inevitable challenges that come with a trek like the TMB. He was always ready to lend a hand, offer words of encouragement, or simply share a laugh to lighten the mood - it was a wonder…k! His genuine care for each person in the group made us all feel like we were in good hands, no matter how tough the day might have been. He was sure to provide the information about each day in advance so we knew what to prepare for. Whether it was the ziggy-zaggies or the loose rock [Removed In Moderation], he was sure to let us know. He even gave us the approximate elevation for the day! It’s clear that Adrian is passionate about what he does, and that passion translated into a leadership style that was both professional and personable. He was more than just a guide; he became a friend to everyone on the trek. Thanks to Adrian, we were able to fully enjoy the beauty and challenge of the Tour du Mont Blanc, knowing that we had a leader who was looking out for us every step of the way. If you’re lucky enough to have Adrian as your guide, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure. His dedication, patience, and kindness made our trek truly special, and we couldn’t have asked for a better leader. Advice to other travellers: Trail Experience: The trail itself is well-marked and maintained, though it demands respect. Read the signs carefully and know where you are headed before you start your adventure. With roughly 170 kilometers (106 miles) to cover and around 10,000 meters (32,800 feet) of total elevation gain, the TMB is physically challenging, especially with steep ascents and descents that can test your endurance. Cole de Bonhomme offers a variety of rocks and slate to climb. However, the rewards at the end of each climb—awe-inspiring views and a sense of accomplishment—make the effort worthwhile. While the trek is demanding, it's accessible to fit hikers with some experience. I found it essential to pace myself and take regular breaks at the local coffee mountain huts while musing and looking at the next challenge ahead to fully enjoy the journey. Make sure to stop for the brownies and wild blueberry pie with Chantille. Italy served the best food. But overall think bread, cheese, and wine! If you do have a dietary restriction your options are limited, however with an open mind you can be fulfilled at the end of every dinner! Cultural Richness: The TMB offers a unique opportunity to experience the distinct cultures of three countries in a single trek. In France, the route takes you through quaint hamlets and past traditional farms, where you can taste local cheeses and see the agricultural way of life. In Italy, the warmth of the people and the rich flavors of the cuisine—pasta, wine, and fresh produce—create a welcoming atmosphere. Switzerland’s section is characterized by its pristine landscapes, charming villages, and an almost storybook-like quality. The transition between these regions is seamless, yet each brings its own flavor to the journey. Accommodations: One of the trip's highlights was the variety of accommodations available along the route. I stayed in a mix of mountain refuges, small guesthouses, and hotels. The mountain refuges, in particular, offered a warm, communal atmosphere where hikers from around the world gathered to share stories over hearty meals. Despite their rustic charm, the refuges were comfortable, and the food—often featuring local specialties, including lentil soup, duck, and local delicacies such as Tartiflette-was delicious and satisfying. Local wines and beers were welcome after the big days!
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  Trip date: July 2024
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  Rennie

  · September 9th, 2018
  peter smith was the key he was a great guide but also just a great person he was extremely helpful at all times. And his have us carry the picnic lunches and then preparing them on the trail was a great idea all guides should do this we all carried some part of the lunch then we prepared it as a group each day we all enjoyed this immensely I could go on all day about this guys he was just a peach of a guy would recommend and use him again. Please thank him again for me
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  Trip date: August 2018
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  Sally Hayes

  · July 19th, 2013
  We were looking for an active two week holiday that left on a specific date, was within budget and didn
  Trip date: July 2013
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  Dan Preley

  · October 9th, 2011
  The hike provides an amazing variety of scenery, culture, history, architecture and cuisine.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Sharing the daily physical accomplishments and visual euphoria with the group and leader.What did you think of your group leader?Carey Faulkner was fantastic.  She is extremely customer service orientated, friendly, enthusiastic and enjoys her job. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bring layers of clothing.  Expect hot, cold, windy and wet conditions.  Hiking boots and walking poles are not essential, however, they minimize the risk of potential injures. Is there anything else you would like to add?Spend a few extra days in Chamonix due to the abundance of outdoor recreational activities.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Paul Freeman

  · August 9th, 2011
  Great mountainous scenery, lots of wild flowers, very interesting and varied walks and a good choice of hotels.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Firstly, the amazing views of the Mont Blanc Massif throughout the 10 days of walking. The mountainous views were always very stunning, including a number of glaciers viewed on the trek, which were great.Secondly, when I went in the first two weeks of July, the wild flowers were incredible ! I can safely say that I have never seen so many varieties of wild flowers. This has made me a wild flower enthusiast !What did you think of your group leader?Frank was a very good leader. He was very patient and friendly, and very knowledgeable about the Alps.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I found the first two days of the walking a bit tough. This was because I had hardly done any preparation at home for the mountainous walks. I would definitely recommend doing some hill walking practice before the trip.  Is there anything else you would like to add?It was very nice staying in three different countries on this trip (France, Switzerland and Italy), because the hotels were all uniquely different, and they were of a good standard. All the hotel staff were very friendly.
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Arthur Jones

  · July 25th, 2011
  We had been on two previous Exodus trips so we expected the organisation to be good and so it proved again. The scenery was never less than beautiful and the display of flowers was stunning, this turned out to be better than we imagined. The walking was fairly strenous but not overly so, enough to give you a degree of satisfaction without exhausting you. It is worth getting into shape beforehand though!Hotels and food ranged from good to excellent so you get a good rest and a good re-fueling every night.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?We had superb weather most days but the morning we were climbing Grand Col Ferret was misty, windy and cold. The leader had told us that this was probably the scenic highlight so we were disappointed that the weather was bad just at this time. We sat down for lunch just over the col, as soon as we could get out of the bitter wind. At that moment exactly the mist started to open up and slowly but surely the whole eastern side of the massif appeared, starting with the summits of the Grand Jorasses. It was stunning! Our leader, Ian, naturally said that was how he had planned it!What did you think of your group leader?First class. Set the sort of pace that meant that everyone could cope. Always supportive and patient, knowledgeable and easy-going. Couldn't have asked for better.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Travel light. Socks and t-shirt dry overnight so you won't need as many clothes as you think. Exodus recommend boots but I used trail shoes every day and found them fine (but then I always use them).It is worth getting reasonably fit. The ascents and descents are generally more than most people from the UK will be used to, unless they walk regularly in Scotland or further afield. That said, all our group, in their 50s or 60s, managed it ok.Is there anything else you would like to add?I am seriously thinking of a similar trip in the future, perhaps a "challenging" one.
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  Trip date: July 2011
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  Richard De Soldenhoff

  · July 12th, 2011
  For anyone interested in serious walking/trekking, the Tour du Mont Blanc is, indeed, a classic and should be on your list. It is full of variety, contrasts, lovely places to stay and Exodus does it very well. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The constantly changing views of the mountains, valleys and villages were stunning. The late Spring flowers that changed as we progressed were a marvel. The "day off" exploring the (ancient Roman) city of Aosta in NW Italy was an easy excursion and well worth it.What did you think of your group leader?Frank Hibbert was excellent. He is hugely experienced; knows the route like the back of his hand and was excellent with the group. It is difficult to think how he could be improved upon.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you can spend a whole day walking, are reasonably fit, especially have a good pair of knees, go for it.Is there anything else you would like to add?Corsica is next on my list!
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  Trip date: July 2011
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  Jonathan Sprout

  · September 14th, 2010
  An amazing trip! Each day brought a stunning new world of spectacular views. The hiking was challenging but the trails were well groomed and safe. Our leader, Ian, was as learned, modest, patient and capable as a leader could be. I believe his calm confidence and his love for The Alps helped bring out the best in each of us and helped me experience two fun adventuresome weeks I'll always treasure.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Near the end of the trip, after hiking about 100 miles, we reached the Col de Tricot and looked way down at another beautiful distant valley.  When I realized it was Chamonix, the valley where we began our circular trip, the extend of our great walk began to sink in.  The two week circle was about to be completed and all I wanted to do was go around it again!What did you think of your group leader?Ian is a kind, civil, sensitive, confident, patient and knowledgeable man who lead our group with a passion for hiking and The Alps.  His understanding of the topography, the history, the flowers and the weather is beyond what I ever could have expected from a trip leader.  I cannot say enough about the respect I have for him and his way of leadership.  He set the tone for a group that was as compassionate and interesting as any group with whom I've ever travelled.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Prepare your body by hiking and prepare your mind by learning a little French.Is there anything else you would like to add?This was my first Exodus trip.  I shall return!
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  Trip date: September 2010
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  Sheila Boal

  · August 20th, 2010
  We had a brilliant trip. At times it was hard work but the sense of achievement each day more than compensated for that. Scenery was stunning, leader did a great job,plenty of food and good company.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Coming over Grand Col Ferret from Switzerland and looking down into Italy for the first time.Staying at Les Chapieux- only inhabited in the summer.Contouring round in snow to Col du BonhommeReaching the summit of Brevent on the final day of the trek, after climbing 1680metres of ascent.What did you think of your group leader?Frank was marvellous. He was relaxed and unassuming in manner, but very professional and organised. His control of the pace made the long days more manageable. He kept an eye on everyone unobtrusively and  also seemed to enjoy his job!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The more hillwalking you do in advance the more you will enjoy it. This is especially true for people in our age group (60+).Is there anything else you would like to add?This is serious hillwalking. The trip notes perhaps suggest that it's easier than it is.We though it was good value.
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  Trip date: August 2010