Cloud Walking the Mont Blanc Circuit (1 spot for man)

AFS Mt Blanc Hike 2025

Prepare to be thrilled by our epic Mont Blanc hike halfway to heaven. Our past groups loved it all. We tailor-made this for you to combine the very best hiking points through France, Switzerland and Italy with additional time in fab Chamonix. Our route chosen provide the most breathtaking views. At high levels, we booked cable cars to ease amount of ascent and descent for you on the first two days. Luggage will be transferred for you to each hotel. You will love our expert experienced guides named Blaze, Gary and Mark who have guided trekkers here over 20 years.  

We have a wonderful group of 24 travel lovers and everyone loves Joey, your trip later. Later we will send you forms to submit on any medical conditions, dietary restrictions and more. It’s important you read all below and print out to save. More details will come as departure nears.

Important Reminders

• Trip Tips are designed to answer trip-related questions. It’s your responsibility to read this information.
• Updates and addendums will be posted here. Some travelers have lost their entire trip for not reading what we send on visas, air details, inoculations, etc. Check back from time to time.
• Print these pages out now to start a trip file. Also, bookmark this page as we will post updates here. We can no longer email questions that are in these tips. I will only direct here.

Payment Details

• PAYMENT DUE FEB 15, 50% due and Final payment March 15.
• Wetravel is our data management company, it allows you to pay by check electronically without a fee. Simply follow the instructions.
• Credit cards will be assessed a processing fee at time of purchase. As a small business, this helps mitigate costs and allows us to give you the very best price.
• You can also pay by check without mailing it by making it out to AFS, taking a photo of it and texting it to 770-432-8225 and we will enter the information for you at no extra credit card fee.

Your Trip Leader

• GTL – Your fearless GTL (gracious trip leader, not a guide but liaison between our guides and group to ensure things run smoothly.)
• Joey – He led many AFS groups including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail and more. “My guiding/leading adventures began in 2013 with helping or leading events in which athletes with disabilities were involved. Before that, I had already competed in many endurance events. Since that time I’ve taken part in many more adventures. I am a certified rehabilitation fitness therapist and personal trainer with over thirty years in the health and fitness industry.”
• 3-Worlds Toughest Mudder (24 hr nonstop endurance race), 5-Spartan World Championships, 7- Spartan Beast Races up Mt Killington, 6-100 mile trail and road races, 27- Full Marathons, 48- Half Marathons, 18- 10 mile road races, 64- 10k road races, 1-60 hour nonstop endurance event and more.

Trip Preparation

• Read the revised Heading Abroad with AFS, especially if you are new to AFS.
• Ensure your passport is valid 6 months after return date with two blank pages – these are Visa pages, not addendum pages. Take a photo of your passport to store in the cloud or bring a copy. If you lose your passport, US embassies now except a digital copy from your email.
• To speed through US Customs download Mobile Passport. Look in your App Store for details.
• Notify bank and cc company of travel dates so they don’t block charges.
• All airline rules differ. It is imperative to read your airline rules on their website to ensure a smooth departure! Always check your flight before departure.
• Fitness level – Must be Fit! Start walking on undulating terrain for extended periods of time. Begin with 4 hours per week. By March increase to 10 hours per week. By May, walk at least 2-3 hours per day. Days 1-3 are moderate. Day 4 is challenging with no chance to turn back – oh boy! We use cable cars on 3 days for major ascents.
• AMS – Altitude Mountain Sickness – We are not high enough for it to be a problem. 9000’ is the max height, so Diamox not needed. Just stay hydrated. We’ll have opportunities to stop for water throughout, but you may want to bring a “bladder bag” (water pouch with tube) to drink from and walk.

Air Travel – June 16 – 24

• Important Air Dates: June 16 depart USA arrive June 17, the first day the land begins.
• Group Air: None. Sometimes we offer group air but find few people book sometimes find better rates on own direct from hometown. This provides you better flexibility to go early or extend at trip end. I know we will not meet the minimum required to make a group booking since this is a small group.
• It’s very easy to arrange on your own air roundtrip USA to Geneva. June 16-23, Depart Jun 16 to land Geneva by Jun 17 before 12 noon! (All USA flights arrive in morning.) Depart Geneva June 24 any time after 12 noon.
• Most major carriers fly there: DL, KL, AF, Swiss, BA, UA, etc. Search for best route and price. We love Google Flights.  Our past groups added other places to this trip on their own for a few days at end or came in early. Stay in Switzerland to explore Interlaken or Lucerne regions. Swiss train system is the best on the planet! Here’s some suggestions…Consider roundtrip to Zurich. Train in airport goes direct to train station inside Geneva airport! Or add stopover in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid or anywhere. Connect with your group on Facebook page to see what they have found.

• Doing Own Air– We like Google Flights. 3rd-party booking engines like Expedia, make it easy to book, but it is nearly impossible to handle air problems. Buy direct from airline or pay a travel agent to ticket you. If you need help air with the economy seat, our guy Delhi can help; email [email protected] with your exact air dates, destination, passport name, and details with birthdate. Amending tour pre-or post-trip: We honor your independent spirit, but encourage you to extend more days at the trip’s end when you’re acclimated well to the destination. If you add another country, we often see many AFSers on Facebook urging others to join them what do you consider the cost of tours, transport, hotels, etc. Stopovers are great to add, but understand AFS has no responsibility for the quality of your trip. (Please understand that as a group tour operator it’s important to note that our specialty lies in organizing group tours, and as such, our resources are tailored specifically for this purpose. Consequently, we are not equipped with the appropriate tools to assist with individual travel plans. For personalized vacation arrangements, we recommend exploring services like Viator, which is designed for individual travelers.)

• Meet Up with Group / Transfer– You’ll meet in the Geneva Airport on June 17 at NOON. Gather at Swiss Chalet Café outside baggage claim. It’s a tiny airport, so no worries. You’ll be met and transferred 2 hours each way Geneva/Chamonix.

Baggage and Packing

• Baggage- Think light to ease your burden, not like you’re fleeing your homeland. The luggage vans have a limited capacity. Keep bag to 20kg or 40lbs total! It’s easy. 1 carry-on & 1 medium suitcase not to exceed 40lbs, weigh on bath scale. The new hard cases are hard to fit in van. Be sure to attach ID to both bags. Leave space for souvenirs.
• Packing- Don’t overthink this. Read all below in notes. Don’t invest in expensive hiking gear as you have everything you need. (On my hike day 3 there, I needed a nylon rain pants and found them for $10.). Chamonix has been the best sports stores in Europe. You’ll find anything there at a great price.
• Base layers, mid layers and wind/waterproof jacket, hiking pants and shorts, hiking boots broken in, good socks, wide brim hat/cap, gloves, sunglasses, day pack, sunscreen. Good to bring water bladder, and collapsible polls. See more below.

Trip Difficulty 

Difficult is subjective. But we can’t say it’s cross-country hiking. There are slopes, and perhaps a little bolder hopping. Expect to walk between 4 to 6 hours daily but it can take up to 8 hours. You’ll be doing this consecutively each day of the hike. This is a portion of the Mount Blanc trail so it’s not as difficult as the entire trail.   Our trail guides will let the group set its Pace into slow and fast groups.

Electronics and Power

• Electric – Don’t forget a portable backup charger, cords, gadgets, etc. Cell phones and tablets do not need a converter; you only need an adapter plug. AFSers often leave charger cords in the room, so be sure to double-check your room before checking out. All properties have hairdryers. See https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com

Accommodations

• Hotels in Alps are 3 to 4 star, basic, but cozy and clean.  MB is so hot now we were fortunate to reserve rooms nine months out.   Open links on itinerary for details on properties. There’s fierce competition for these remote inns! Although we deposited 10k a year ahead, properties can change. More details later.
• Each day includes hotel breakfast and picnic lunch during the hike. 1 farewell dinner at end. Each night we’ll be free to explore the beautiful little towns.

Communication

• Internet available. Cell/smartphone be sure to check with your provider for rates and coverage before departure. Roaming rates (used by Facebook and other apps) are expensive. To reach home – Texting, iMessage, What’sApp and Facebook messaging when using WIFI is best! I don’t know anyone who makes calls home nowadays.

Photography

• Our past groups took breathtaking photos worthy of a coffee table book. So beautiful, some looked surreal.  Your AFS Private Facebook Group Page is a great way to share your best shots with each other. AFS loves photos with group participants.

Useful Websites

• Chamonix.com, visit-mont-blanc.com (has it all!)
• Google destinations – Chamonix, Lac Blanc,

Chewing

• Delicious and fresh. The food reflects its alpine location, offering hearty, traditional dishes. You’ll find plenty of Savoyard cuisine, including fondue (melted cheese with bread), raclette (melted cheese served with potatoes, pickles, and cured meats), and tartiflette (a potato dish with reblochon cheese, onions, and lardons). Local charcuterie, like saucisson (dry-cured sausage), and diots(Savoyard sausages), are popular. For dessert, you might enjoy tarte aux myrtilles (blueberry tart) made with local mountain berries.

Extending Your Trip

• Amending tour pre-or post-trip. We honor your independent spirit, but encourage you to extend more days at the trip’s end when you’re acclimated well to the destination. If you add another country, we often see many AFSers on Facebook urging others to join them what do you consider the cost of tours, transport, hotels, etc. Stopovers are great to add, but understand AFS has no responsibility for the quality of your trip. Please understand that we are a group tour organizer and do not have the time or resources sources to arrange private vacations for individuals.

Private Facebook Group Page

• The benefit of the Private FB Group Page is that you have an opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow travelers before departure and share trip photos during and after the tour. The link can be found in your Wetravel welcome letter after your initial deposit. (We found that some never read the Trip Tips jumping right to the Private FB Group Page assuming they will get all trip info needed. Often, they only receive rumors or misinformation. All important information is ALWAYS emailed to each participant and posted in Trip Tips under UPDATES. Nobody misses a thing.)

Emergency Contact

• AFS phone or text 770-432-8225, or email us at https://afstravelers.com/contact-us/ email us at [email protected] or Mark from Alpine

Travel Insurance Required

• While most travel insurance is optional, MB tours it is mandatory with evacuation coverage. This can be very affordable if you search.   You can hack this cost by purchasing “zero trip cost” travel insurance. In short, you get everything insurance offers except cancellation insurance.  Note it includes trip interruption and cancellation. Best source for all is www.insuremytrip.com.  We like TravelSafe, Allianz, Seven Corners, Travel EX and Generali.
• Click here to Purchase Travel Insurance online

Read the next tab over physical prep/equipment.

Physical Preparations

Preparing physically for your trip is very important for your enjoyment and well-being. The better physical condition you arrive in, the more you will enjoy the hiking, and the lower the risk of strain injúries or similar.  Physical fitness doesn’t happen overnight so we recommend that you start your physical preparations several months before your trip. Exactly what, and how much, training is required depends on your starting point and individual circumstances. The daily hiking distances and height gain/loss in your trip itinerary should give you an indication of what you need to aim for.

What surprises most people on our alpine trekking trips is the impact of the daily ascent and descent on the leg muscles, and the impact of the rocky terrain on joints – primarily ankles, knees and hips. On our alpine trekking trips, the terrain is rarely flat, so you always walk either up or down. This puts additional strain on muscles and joints. Add to this the rocky and uneven nature of the terrain, which means that it is harder to get into a rhythm like you can do on a treadmill, exercise bike or even walking/running/cycling on flat, even ground. Ýou are also working at altitude, which means that your body needs to work a little harder tor each step than if you were working at sea level. On top of this, you have the additional weight of your rucksack. All of this means that the daily effort of walking 20km (13mi) in the alps is significantly greater than walking 20km (13mi) on the flat. Your legs and joints need to be stronger tiredness and stamina higher.

The best preparation for a hiking trip in the mountains is, not surprisingly, hiking in the mountains.  In addition to general fitness, it gets you used to hiking in mountainous, rugged terrain and using your equipment e.g. hiking poles, rucksack and boots. However, for most people, this is not entirely possible. Instead, cardiovascular exercise, which involve medium to long distances using the legs i.e. walking, running, cycling, is a great way to prepare. Gym sessions and personal training sessions can be great supplements for muscle and joint strengthening and general health but should not be the primary source of preparation for a long-distance trek in the alps.

Members arriving from overseas may also be impacted by jet lag and general fatigue from travelling the first couple of days. If at all possible, we recommend getting as much sleep as possible the days before setting of and staying well hydrated and rested during your journey.  So, in summary, gym sessions and personal training sessions can be tailored to increase muscle and joint strength in the legs, but should always be combined with cardiovascular exercise over increasing distances. We would highly recommend doing some hikes of 15-20km (10-13mi) in a terrain that simulates the terrain in the Alps as closely as possible, wearing your hiking boots and carrying your rucksack. If you live in a city where access to the outdoors is impossible, then walking up and down the stairs of the tallest building you can find (with your rucksack and boots) is not a bad compromise. For comparison, climbing 750 meters (2500ft) is the same as climbing to the roof of the Empire State Building twice

The art of filling a pack, according to the hiking professionals.

Break in those new shoes before throwing them in your bag.
Sneakers, trail running shoes, and hiking boots are all acceptable footwear on a day hike; brand new shoes are not, says Carol Christensen, REI Outdoor Programs coordinator. Just-out-of-the-box boots can mean blisters which can quickly evolve into hiking hell. While every pair of shoes takes a different amount of time to break in (leather boots may even call for a few weeks of wear), your best bet is to slowly work them into everyday activities. For a few days, take your shoes for a tour around the house or the neighborhood, then consider hitting a trail for a few miles.

Travel with a buff. This hiking must is a neck gaiter/bandana/sun guard/scarf that can be worn 16 ways, says Will Elliott ofParagon Guidesin Vail, Colorado. Its versatility, utility, and light weight make it clutch, giving hikers protection from the sun and warmth in a rainstorm, Elliott says.

Pack with ‘stuff packs.’
Christensen consolidates like-minded objects (First Aid items, food, sunscreen) into different bags for organization-sake. “Ziploc bags work great.” Have bulkier items in tow?Compression stuff packs can shrink even the bulkiest of items like sleeping bags, she says.

Take your socks seriously.
“Socks are in a lot of respects more important than shoes,” says Christensen. Cotton ones retain moisture (translation: rubbing and blisters), so pack wool and synthetic blends which wick away perspiration, keeping your feet dry and blister-free.

Prepare for nature’s call.
The worst things to forget on a hiking trip could very well be hand sanitizer and a trowel, in case you need to use the facilities, says Christensen.

Choose calorie-dense foods.
On longer treks, weight matters. When it comes to food: “A general rule of thumb is to have foods with 150 calories per ounce of weight,” says Wesley Trimble, the program outreach and communications manager for theAmerican Hiking Society. Nuts and granola bars super efficient options.

Be resourceful with your hydration.
How much water you need depends on a myriad of factors including your own physiology and the outside temp. (For reference, Trimble—an expert hiker—carries one liter for every four miles of strenuous hiking.) But what proves more important for longer hikes is bringing a small purifier or filter to safely clean water. “Some weigh inwards of only 3 ounces,” Trimble says.

PACKING

Base Layer
The base layer should wick moisture away from your core. Avoid cotton. Base layer tops can be worn as T-shirts on warm days and as extra warmth on cold days.

Mid Layer
The mid-layer provides warmth. Fleece or wool are good choices. One top is usually enough for all weather conditions.

Pants or Shorts
Pants with many pockets are useful. Shorts are great for warm days. Consider convertible pants.

Wind & Waterproof
A wind and waterproof jacket and trousers with a hood are essential for the Alps. Shell-type jackets without insulation are recommended.

Boots
Boots are crucial for ankle support. Break in your boots before the trip. Trekking shoes and trainers are not suitable.

Hat, Gloves, Sunglasses
A hat with a wide brim provides sun protection. Gloves are important for cold weather. Sunglasses with UV protection are essential. Consider wraparound models.

Trekking Poles
Trekking poles help with balance and reduce strain on your legs. Telescopic poles with adjustable wrist loops are recommended.

Hydration
Carry at least 1L of water. Bladders are easy to drink from while moving, but bottles are cheaper and easier to refill.

Personal Medication and First Aid
Carry blister treatments like Compeed, sports tape, or moleskin.

Travel Documents
Always carry a copy of your passport and insurance in a waterproof container in your backpack.

A guide to the Tour du Mont Blanc

It’s Spring. which means It’s a busy time tor answering customer queries and taking bookings tor our summer walking holidays and trekking tours in the Alps. The absolute favorite, year atter year, Is the Tour du Mont Blanc. So, I thought it might be Interesting to provide a bit of background about this classic trekking tour…
Introduction
If you’re a mountain walker, chances are that you’ve heard about the Tour du Mont Blanc. The Tour du Mont Blanc IS a long-distance mountain trek, which circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, starting and finishing in the historic Chamonix valley at
the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps at 4810 meters. The tour passes through France. Italy and Switzerland on its path around Mont Blanc. Hikers and walkers from all over the world come to
Chamonix each summer to spend up to two weeks walking the famous Tour du Mont Blanc.
The name
The Tour du Mont Blanc (sometimes wrongly written as Tour de Mont Blanc), simply means the tour of Mount Blanc, and is therefore also referred to as the Tour around Mont Blanc or the Mont Blanc circuit. Some people may know it as The Three Countries Tour, as the route travels through three countries on its way around Mont Blanc. In daily talk, however, the Tour du Mont Blanc is simply known as the TMB and that is also what is used on many of the trail markers along the tour.
History
In the early days, the valleys around Mont Blanc were Inhabited by small farming communities. The farmers were there to take advantage of the rich farmland and had little need, nor wish, to travel deep onto the mountains. The farmers would travel to
larger villages further down the valley to sell their produce. Traders would make the journey up the valleys form larger towns to sell their various goods to the farmers. In some cases, farmers and traders would cross mountain passes to get to neighboring valleys.

Then came the time of the early explorers and scientists. In the 18th century, scientists were keen to understand more about the mountains and their glaciers. Due to it’s size and beauty, Mont Blanc attracted a large number of explorers and scientists.
Where possible, they would travel on the trails used by the local farmers and traders, and they would link these together to go further and further. In 1767, the Swiss aristocrat and physicist Horace Benedict de Saussure set off from the Chamonix valley with his entourage on a scientific expedition, to complete what is generally credited as the first complete journey around Mont Blanc.