2022-07-09 TMB-001 Tour du Mont Blanc

<<< Summary >>>

Come join the like-minded adventurers for a fortnight tour with some of the finest scenery in the world. This classic alpine route, the famous ‘TMB’ or ‘Le Tour du Mont Blanc’, circumnavigates Western Europe’s highest mountain over passes and through the valleys of three contrasting countries. This is a circuit with spectacular ranges of granite spires and glacier peaks. We will savor the culture and cuisine of France, Italy, and Switzerland and enjoy the majestic beauty of their legendary alpine scenery.

We will complete our TMB in 14 days and 13 nights. It is designed for members with positive, adaptive, and flexible spirits. Good physical fitness and endurance are also required. Our schedule has a good balance between cost and comfort. It also covers the entire TMB’s 107 miles in 9 trekking days and 3 rest/ exploring days to provide a good balance of challenge and enjoyment.

We’ll have luggage transfer in the morning to our next lodging except one day. This will allow us only carry a daypack on the trail.

Day 1: 2022-07-09 Saturday.

Arrive hotel in Les Houches before 5 pm. We will have a trip meeting at 6:30 pm details TBD.

Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines 19 km /11.8 miles, 7 h

Day 3: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux 20 km /12.8 miles, 8-9 h

Day 4: Les Chapieux to La Palud 30 km /18.6 milies, 9 h

Day 5: Rest day to explore La Palud and Courmayeur

Day 6: La Palud to La Fouly 28 km /17.3 miles, 7 h

Day 7: La Fouly to Champex 13.5 km /8.3 miles, 4.5 h

Day 8: Rest day to explore Champex

Day 9: Champex to Trient 15 km/9.3 miles, 5.5 h

Day 10: Trient to Argentiere 20 km /12.8 miles, 6 h

Day 11: Argentiere to Chamonix 12 km /7.5 miles, 5 h

Day 12: Rest day to explore Chamonix

Day 13: Chamonix to Les Houches 14 km /8.6 miles, 6 h

Day 14: The fortnight group TMB trip ends after breakfast

<<< Optional urban hikes and sightseeing before and after the group TMB trip >>>

Day -4 to -1: Paris, France.

Day 14 to 17: Barcelona, Spain.

Day 18: Paris, France.

<<< Difficulty Level >>>

Our event will be at the AOC D6 difficulty level. The average daily elevation change is about +/- 3,300 feet. The continuous nature of daily outings requires all participants to be physically prepared and trained before taking this trip.

<<< How to prepare >>>

We all have to be physically prepared before taking on such an epic trip. Best physical conditions enable us to take in everything surrounding us and fully enjoy the amazing natural beauty instead of being out of breath and feeling tired every time going uphill. We must do fitness training a couple of times a week for a minimum 6 to 9 months, and also hiking the steepest mountain hills available to us. Personally my favorite is Kennesaw Mt. which is local, beautiful, and very convenient.

There are no vertigo-inducing sections on the entire TMB when we stick to the itinerary; and avoid the ‘variations’. Some of the sections can be shortened if desired by the use of cable cars or (in Italy) a local bus service.

Following guide books are excellent resources for the preparation of TMB tour.

Tour du Mont Blanc: Real IGN Maps 1:25,000 - no need to carry separate maps (The Great Treks of the Alps)

The Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide (Cicerone Trekking Guides)

Tour du Mont Blanc: Includes 50 Large-Scale Walking Maps & Guides to 12 Towns and Villages - Planning, Places to Stay, Places to Eat (Trailblazer)

<<< How to get there >>>

Take flight to Geneva and arrive in the morning or early afternoon local time. The flight is most likely scheduled the day before our "Day 1" because of the time difference and trans-Atlantic flight. Take a 60 miles bus ride from Geneva airport to Les Houches, the first town in the valley of Chamonix, France. It is best to reserve the bus ticket in advance to get the better price.

Alternative travel plans to Milan or Paris are also possible from there to go to Les Houches. Some more information is listed below.

<<< How to sign up >>>

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list. A good reference is you can comfortably finish Kennesaw 10 in 4 hours.

Solid AOC D5 records are required.

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own. All costs are non-refundable.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

Expenses

Expenses of 1 person are listed below.

$25 non-refundable AOC Service Fee

GBP 1,580 pay to the outfitter (= $2,133 assuming 1.35 currency exchange rate from GBP to USD) 

This payment to the outfitter includes:

* 13 nights lodging (11 nights in 2, 3 and 4-star hotels, 1 night guesthouse, 1 night auberge) for twin shared hotel room, i.e. 2 twin beds shared by 2 persons.

* Luggage transfer (except day 3) - maximum weight 15 kg (33 lbs)

* 13 breakfasts and 4 dinners

* Information pack

* Emergency hotline

Payment to the outfitter is non-refundable:

* Non-refundable down payment GBP 150 at the time of registratoin.

* The balance payment is due 70 days before the trip starting date, and it is partially refundable.

* If anyone cancels 31 to 70 days before the starting date, the penalty is 50%, and 50% will be refunded.

* If anyone cancels 30 to 0 days before the starting date, the penalty is 100%, and there is no refund.

Following items are not included in the payment to the outfitter:

* All lunches & beverages

* 9 dinners

* 2 bus fares between Geneva airport and Les Houches; bus fare will be much cheaper if reserved in advance

* Airline ticket

* Cable cars or (in Italy) a local bus service to shorten some sections

* Souvenirs

* Travel insurance

* Other personal expenses not mentioned

Alternative travel plan via Milan:

Delta has non-stop flights from Atlanta to Milan, Italy. Lower fare tickets may be offered by other airlines. Trains between Milan and Les Houches are about 6 hours one way depending on the connections. There is no direct route for the rail travel; there are at least 2 changes.

Alternative travel plan between New York JFK and Paris:

This route usually saves a lot of money on airfare from discount ticket between JFK and Paris, France. Train between Paris and Geneva is about 4 hours ride and cost is much cheaper if reserved in advance. You will have to add Atlanta to JFK airline tickets. This route makes even more sense in addition to saving airfare dollars if you want to include visiting Paris as part of your trip.

Weather

Summer daytime temperatures on the TMB range from 60 to 75F. Evening temperatures generally drop into the 50s. Weather in the Alps can change quickly, so we must be prepared for variable weather conditions including sunny and rainy days, and even an occasional light snow.

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

The payment due date is April, 1, 2022.

There is no refund for cancellation.