Trek the Tour Du Mont Blanc in a Weekend: The Hotels Edition

All the participants were friendly, easy going, and supportive. Our group consisted of 50% couples and 50% singles, with ages ranging from the early twenties to the fifties. This trip is appropriately rated as challenging. Fitness levels in our group ranged from marathon runners to the relatively active. Due to a previous injury, most notably one incurred two months before the trip, I was not at what I would consider my regular fitness level. My goals were to complete each hike (which I did) and to enjoy the social side of the experience.

Unfortunately, my experience was overshadowed by the behaviour of our mountain guide. As the slowest in the group, I was consistently belittled by him each day and often left hiking alone. Specific examples of his comments have been shared with MBA privately. The challenge with MBA is that trips like these are contracted out to a third party, so if issues arise it is largely outside of MBA’s control. In our case, that third party proved to be non-responsive prior to, during, and after the trip.

This trip was brilliant, and exactly what I was hoping it would be.

Our guide was hugely experienced, passionate about nature, and would stop intermittently to let us know about the local flora and/or fauna. The hikes felt tough, but manageable and the pace was good for me.

The group dynamic seemed to work well, the lunches were delicious and plentiful, and we had pretty perfect weather.

The hotels on nights 1 and 3 were incredible, as were the associated dinners and breakfasts. The middle hotel was unfortunately not so good (lots of flies, and the room was very hot).

Overall, this was an epic adventure and perfect for a long weekend - I came home full of smiles and happy memories, and felt like I'd been away for weeks!

Thu-Sun trek/climb through the Alps around Mont Blanc. Fantastic scenery, and excellent tour guide Mario - would recommend training as some sections are tough going. Hotels option (twin share standard) definitely favoured for proper showers, meals and only needing to carry day packs. Full pack trekkers seemed to be suffering in the heat.

Overall, this trip was a very good experience. By far that best part of it was the other travelers, who were just wonderful. The trip was also very well organized, the hotels were very nice, and the food was excellent, even on the trails. A primary drawback was the lack of information about the hikes. This proved particularly unfortunate on the last day. I had told the guide I do not like steep drop-offs and she asked if I was ok with ladders to which I was fine with them. When we got to the ladders section of the hike, they were bolted into the side of a cliff with at least 1,000 feet drop off. After much back and forth, she finally let me go back down with my husband. When I later looked them up online, these ladders were called “notorious” and “infamous” and advised hikers who had any fear of heights to avoid them. There was also another trail that bypassed them. When we reunited with the other guests later in the day, some described feeling scared and shaken going up the ladders. When I saw the guide, she again reminded me that I was the one that said I was ok with ladders as if this was all my fault. Our guide seemed very experienced but could be quite curt. I also not a fan of the Mont Blanc area. We had come from Lucerne which I thought was a much nicer area with more scenic trails. Mont Blanc was more of a tourists attraction that a nature area. Nevertheless, I had never been to the Alps and was happy to have seen them.

I did the hotels version over four days with a couple of friends in a group of twelve. Thoroughly loved it. Excellent organisation and the the scenery was as beautiful as I had hoped. We were super lucky with the weather and a great group of fellow hikers. Looking to do a similar excursion soon.

Sollan was an excellent guide - keeping the right pace and knew exactly where to stop off the busy trails for a break. The mountains were beautiful though some haze came in along with 80+ degree heat. Lodging and food were quite good- meeting or exceeding expectations. The group dynamic was top notch - not a bad apple in the lot. Looking forward to some other trip with Much Better Adventures .

We have just completed a wonderful 4 days with Solenn as our guide. Our group was very friendly and supportive and solenn was an exceptionally good guide. We had extremely hot weather but Solenn made time for regular drinks breaks and found shady spots for lunch. The picnic lunches were delicious. All local cuisine and plenty of it. We carried some sweets and snacks ourselves but hardly needed them. This trek is most definately a challenge. The paths were well maintained but varied with grass and stone and some rock scrambling and day 4 we were required to climb fixed ladders ( quite a few in number ). The climbs were certainly challenging and steep and the descents ( especially day 4) were also steep at times with stones underfoot. We would recommend using poles. The views were spectacular every day. Solenn paced our group perfectly and everyone was very supportive. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and if you want a 4 day hiking challenge would highly recommend it.

3 countries covered with absolutely stunning scenery. However I felt that I was only present 80% of the time to appreciate. The steep mountainous inclines and equally steep decedents on extreme rock 'paths' where the main area of concentration - continuously looking to where you were putting you feet. To stop, and enjoy the view, would be to stop the movement of the group, or fall behind.

Break/lunch with breath taken views were enjoyed at the peak, before decent and walking concentration started again.

Our guide was super helpful and friendly. I am not a hugely experienced trekker, the guide was patient and shared his knowledge with me on pace, etc. which really helped.

I feel the group would have benefited from the share in his knowledge too. Or asked about their trekking experience and confidence?

Unfortunately our guide was never forth coming on information relating to locations. No knowledge shared on the different mountains, views, areas we visited, even when asked.

The standard of hotels were good. My only complaint would be the 2nd hotel stay. The flies were feasting on breakfast. Not enough done to store and cover food - many of the group could not eat. It was quite stomach turning.

Strangely, after breakfast we were taken to the local supermarket to 'pick' our lunch, which MBA paid for. So you would have a baguette, cheese, ham, etc. No knife, condiments, etc. Very unsatisfying lunches.

The group thought this odd, especially as the hotels seem to provide packed lunches for guests. . .

We travel to and from hotel - to next trek spot - on public transport. . . Again the group thought this odd. Many members more experienced than me for hiking holidays. Public transport to and from each spot was very busy, with many people accompanied by dogs?!?

Wonderful experience . Beautiful views with overwhelming scenery and feelings.

Beautiful deep sense of freedom. Meeting wonderful people and sharing this amazing journey. Well recommended and I would love to do the 2-week trek. Thank you so much Pierre for guiding us and thank you so much for your patience.

Beautiful trip with difficult trails. Loved the cows on the trails. Awesome lunches. Not lots of bathrooms.

We generally lean to coordinated groups to take some of the planning pressure off, and for the social side.

There were a few elements that didn’t feel like they went to plan, but the group was fabulous and probably the key pro of the trip!

The accommodation was very mixed, nights 1 & 3 were lovely places. On the second night we stayed at the train station hotel, that was unfortunately covered in flies indoors. At all times you had to protect your food/drink/face.

Food wise, we are use to having packed lunches (also as stated in the description here) but it felt more disorganised than this; didn’t cater to everyone’s dietary. Personally not enough fruit and vegetables.

Night 1 dinner location was expensive, poor service, not authentic, small portions and a few felt sick after.

Getting to the hikes was mostly a mix of public transport, which we had trouble coordinating due to the popularity at this time of year and group size. We ended up having to go into town and back out to make it on a bus, setting the day back by 1-2hours. Coach or bus transfer would have been expected with a private group.

The trails are all clearly marked and very popular.

I’d recommend doing this trip on your own rather than through MBA, as you would have the same hiking experience, probably a better food experience and the same commuting experience. You’d just miss out on the great group, but the trails are pretty social.

First long hike was advertised/communicated as 8hrs & up to 18km. We only did about 5-6hrs and 12km of hiking, so it didn’t feel as challenging as expected.

Our trip was amazing - the scenery was fantastic and doing the hikes were definitely challenging but doable. Our guide, Janne, was great - a lovely women with lots of knowledge and patience!

It was an intense and exhilerating, life affirming experience, the essence of life in its fullness. This was shaped by the stunning landscape, our luck with the weather and the multitalented guide ( Janne) who steered and managed the group and the logisitics quietly but so effectively and the luck of a great group dynamic. I felt the company could have given her a lot more support and accuracy in the selling description.

Firstly, the AI bot contact was poor and hit and miss. One had to psrsvere to get a response and there as little reassuring conact priot to the holiday. We paid high prices for this and expected a quality experience, even given weather, chance and luck factors. For instance, the HQ knew Courmayeur was busy due to an ultra marathon event/good weather/time of year) and yet we almost ( wthout her quick thinking and some luck) didn't make it to the start of the beginning of the walk on Saturday due to the chaos of the buses in Italy. the replacement hotel made a fab breakfast, and did well on customer service with lost phone but made a verypoor packed lunch. The busyness of the area/Courmayuer should have been anticipated and the price of a taxi included. There was real frustration in the group that we might not make the start of the walk in time and this might have put such a lot of pressure on the guide ( if she wasnt as gifted and principalled. ) The replacement hotel in Orsieres compared to the decsription in the itineray was a big leap in author license . It wasn't the settlement promised or the ambience. There were many many flies , no one on reception. Also our guide was put in an uncertain, inferior dormitory. Good customer service for supper but bland food. The hotel in Argentieres (welcome, facilities, pretty small town) made up for this but rather surly customer service re dietary requients marred this and poor breakfast. ( Coffee pots small, cold 'hot food. ') On the last day we had to wait for over 30 minutes for our luggage to arrice from Argientieurs . It had been ready at 8 am and we were not late for the usual 4 pm deadline. the airport transfers were waiting. Two minibuses were not needed for that ( Some enquiries by the company could have saved the cost of two rather than one. ) Alos the first dsy was marred by the very long wait for the tunnel whch we understand is usual. Can this be reduced at this time of yaer by changnig the direction of the tour?

Amazing 4 days of hiking in the Alps. Great group and brilliant guide. Really recommend it

A great 4 day trip with some spectacular walks and views and a great group. Our guide, Janne was excellent. We were debating whether to do the "hotels" version or the "hut to hut" version. When climbing some of the long ascents and seeing how those with large backpacks were faring in the summer heat as we overtook them, really pleased we only had day rucksacks and a hotel room not a dormitory at the end of the day!.

What an amazing trip. Fabulous organisation and quality of food and accommodation was great. The highlight were the treks led by our fabulous and knowledgeable guide Gwendal (with Janne).

My husband and I chose this adventure for our 20th wedding anniversary. Four days of breathtaking hiking and three nights cozied up in nice hotels. The views and trails were spectacular, the guides knowledgeable and amazing, and the ten other guests are new friends. Don’t be fooled, it’s also as challenging as described - but worth every bit of sore legs and feet!

Great company, great hosting, communication, organisation and clientele. The staff are a credit to tourism in france, and my fellow hikers were a great bunch of well chosen peeps with a common goal in a small friendly group. Can't wait to book the next one.

We really enjoyed this lovely hike around one of the most beautiful mountain chains in the Alps. Highly recommend!

This was an incredible experience across the board. The MBA team was so organized with getting our group to the places we needed to be, and made sure we were all safe and well taken care of the entire trip. The group size and dynamics played a huge part in making my experience so special. The hike itself was challenging but incredibly rewarding. Can’t wait to book my next trip!

The title pretty much says it all. Unbelievable experience that everyone should seek at least once in their lifetime. It was a challenging, but highly rewarding trip. Our group was fantastic, made friends for life!!!

Overall the organization was good. The Guide Guillaume was amazing. The hikes, how spread over the days, were really nice and doable.

Great guide, great group, great location. Disappointed that night 2 wasn’t a hotel. Everything else was great

Words don't fully capture the awe of this experience. From breathtaking vistas to the warm camaraderie of the small group and the exhilarating challenge of the hikes, every aspect was deeply fulfilling. (Photo taken by our guide, Pierre G.)

Fantastic guide, felt very well looked after during the trip. Was a real mix of terrain- I wasn't expecting ladders or snow in July!

We had a nice group of people. Our guide was very patient and informative. Firstly, the instructions for meeting at the Geneva Airport were not very clear, plus the guide was late arriving, and I could not locate our group. I had to ask the assistance from an airport staff member. Hence we were late departing Geneva. The first day was disappointing as we were delayed by heavy traffic going through the Mont Blanc tunnel. Therefore, our walking time was cut short due to this delay. In the future, I would recommend that the first day's walking is done earlier in the day, in the morning, to maximize the day's experience. Second day, unfortunately there was a storm, but I enjoyed what the group did! Overall, I was happy with what I had achieved, even though I did not walk the last day, as per the guides advice. The scenery and experience was well worth my travel all the way from New Zealand.

Carole, from Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand.

I have just returned from one of the most rewarding trips of my life to date. This was an incredible experience and well worth the effort. Our guide Pierre was excellent, knew the walks and terrain like the back of his hand and filled each member of the group with confidence. The walks were challenging and the kit list should be adhered to, as conditions changed quickly; even in mid July we were walking across snow so spikes and poles were used. The scenery was breathtaking and I now have treasured memories of the mountains and of the people I walked with - a lovely group of likeminded people. The organization by MBA ran like clockwork- it was a fantastic trip all round.