Premium: Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc

A Premium trip is built on the same foundations as our Classic trips: active time in wild places, led by brilliant local guides. The pace, trip style and difficulty level may vary, from slower journey-style itineraries with lighter activity to full active days out in the wild, so read the trip page carefully to make sure the adventure does suit your expectations and fitness.

What changes is the comfort. On our Classic trips, you’ll usually stay in 3-star hotels (occasionally 4-star), with simple guesthouses or wild camping where the destination calls for it. Premium is a step up from that, but it isn’t necessarily a five-star or ultra-luxury experience. Our Premium adventures usually come with 4-star hotels or above, or boutique and characterful places where star ratings don’t apply. We choose personality over chain-hotel polish, and we avoid international chains in favour of independent, locally owned places, so more of your money stays in the communities you visit. Facilities may vary: air conditioning isn’t guaranteed everywhere, and room categories aren’t always specified, so check the accommodation details if these matter to you.

Camping is rare on Premium trips and only included when it’s the only way to experience a remote destination that we think it’s worth including. When it is, you’ll get high-quality kit and an upgraded service from our local team.

Food is a highlight, not an afterthought: high-quality, local and plentiful, whether it’s a restaurant meal or a picnic with all the trimmings.

Your guide will be one of our most experienced, and small groups mean they always have time for you, whether that’s answering questions, adjusting the pace or finding a hidden viewpoint.

If you’re after guaranteed five-star hotels and Michelin dining, or a trip where comfort comes before adventure, our Premium collection won’t be the right fit. It’s for those who want the same wild adventures, highly curated from start to finish, with a little extra comfort at the end of each day.

The weather can change significantly in a short period of time in the Alps, from bright sunshine to thunderstorms to snow on the high passes, being prepare for the forecast is always advisable. Your expert guides are highly experienced and will adapt the route if necessary due to weather or trail conditions changing. Alternative hikes or activities will be arranged to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The Mont Blanc region is abundant in trails to choose from, with the Tour du Mont Blanc route itself having several variants in some sections.

You’ll be accompanied by one lead guide (an IML certified mountain guide). For larger groups of 9 or more people a second guide is included, which adds more flexibility to the day's plan, if needed larger groups can be split to match different paces and the route adapted accordingly. There is also a driver with a private vehicle available to support the group throughout the trip.

Transfer of you main luggage is included, although limited to one main suitcase or duffel bag of maximum weight 15kgs. You should also have a day pack for use during the hikes, please read the Kit List for more information on what to pack. Long term luggage storage is available at Geneva Airport, should you be travelling with more than one piece of large luggage on an extended trip to Europe. It may be possible for additional items of luggage to transferred during the trip, however please check with your host in advance about this before the trip as there may be an additional cost involved.

You’ll need to carry your own refillable bottles or hydration system (minimum 2L). Tap water is safe to drink in most towns and villages, and your guides can advise on refill points along the trail. Tip: at restaurants, ask for a carafe of tap water, otherwise you may be served the (more expensive) glass-bottled sparkling variety.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Traditional food from the Savoy region of the French, Italian & Swiss Alps — especially around Haute-Savoie and Savoie — is deeply shaped by mountain life: cold winters, dairy farming, preserved meats, and the need for rich, sustaining meals after long days outdoors. Meals such as Fondue, Raclette, Diots & Crozets are classic dishes and at the same time in larger towns such as Chamonix and Courmayeur there is an international selection.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegan diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with (opens in new tab). You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website (opens in new tab), where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information (opens in new tab) and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values (opens in new tab) – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The trekking season runs from June to September. Summer around Mont Blanc is typically warm and settled, but conditions in the high mountains can change quickly, with cold rain and wind possible at any time. Average temperatures range from 6°C to 26°C (43°F to 79°F). Rain falls on roughly half the days each month, though storms tend to move through quickly. Snow can linger on high passes early in the season, and even in midsummer, conditions above 2000m can vary. Heatwaves have also become more common in recent years. The kit list will help you pack appropriately for the range of conditions.