Embarking on the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) hike is an adventurous journey through the majestic Alps, spanning the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. This demanding trek offers an unparalleled experience as you traverse alongside towering peaks that have stood for approximately 15 million years, shaping the awe-inspiring landscape with their might. To immerse yourself fully in this breath-taking adventure, thorough preparation is crucial. By equipping yourself with the right gear and knowledge, you can minimize stress, ensuring a memorable and enriching exploration of this iconic alpine wonderland.
Get Your Travel Documents in Order
All three countries visited on the Tour du Mont Blanc are located within the Schengen Zone of the European Union. Depending which country you are a citizen of, you may need a visa and/or European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in addition to your passport. It's also a good idea to take out comprehensive travel insurance, we partner with Travel Guard to make this step easy for you!
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Travel Insurance Information
Euros and Swiss Francs: most of the mountain huts will only accept cash.
Passport (not expiring within 6 months of your trip)
Visa or ETIAS documentation (if necessary)
Your Pygmy Elephant Handbook
List of phone numbers including Pygmy Elephant & your emergency contacts
Pack for Four Seasons
The Tour du Mont Blanc hike offers a dramatic range of elevations, stretching from the low-lying valleys at approximately 2,200 feet to the lofty alpine passes reaching up to 8,800 feet. Despite hiking during the summer months, the ever-changing conditions can be challenging, and encountering snow on some of the higher passes is not unusual. In the sunlit valleys, you might find yourself comfortably trekking in shorts and a t-shirt. However, when the weather turns you’ll need to be prepared with base layers, fleece mid-layers, and a weather-resistant jacket to shield against the elements.
Layering is paramount to ensure comfort and safety along the trail, allowing you to quickly adapt to shifts in temperature, wind, and precipitation. It's essential to avoid cotton clothing, as it retains moisture and dries slowly, which can lead to discomfort or even hypothermia in colder conditions. Instead, opt for a synthetic base layer that efficiently wicks moisture away from your body. Always carry a mid-layer fleece to provide insulation, particularly when venturing over high passes such as Col de Seigne and Col de Fours, where weather can swiftly turn fierce and chilly.
Additionally, if you plan on staying in dormitory-style accommodations while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, earplugs and an eye mask are imperative. Dormitories can be bustling with activity, noise, and lights from fellow trekkers, which can disturb your rest and recuperation after a long day of hiking. Bringing earplugs and an eye mask will help ensure you get a good night's sleep, minimizing disturbances and allowing you to fully recharge for the adventures that await the next day. These simple yet effective items can make a significant difference in the quality of your rest, making it an essential part of your packing list for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
CLOTHING
- Technical hiking pants
- Shorts
- Moisture-wicking base layer shirts and underwear
- Long sleeve shirt made of synthetic material
- Midlayer fleece
- Light, windproof jacket
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Waterproof gloves
- T-shirts and sweatshirt
- Base layer tops and bottoms
- Hiking socks
- Gaiters, especially if hiking in June
- Hiking Boots that have been broken in (not brand new)
- Flip Flops - for the shower.
- Hats (beanies and one with a sunbill)
- Inside shoes or slippers (rifugios have you leave your boots in a mudroom)
- Ear plugs & eye mask (for sleeping)
Baggage Considerations
Pygmy Elephant’s Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided tours include baggage transfers, where the bulk of your items are moved for you from hut to hut. For your smaller day hiking bag, a pack between 30 - 50 liters should suffice with an additional bag that will be transported for you each day. Note that the bag you are having transported cannot exceed 15kg (33 pounds) and needs to be a soft duffle, no hard-shelled suitcases.
ACCESSORIES / FOOTWEAR
- Backpack (30 - 50 liters for your day bag)
- Duffle bag (for transport, max 15kg or 33 pounds in weight)
- Hiking boots/shoes
- Towel (quick dry)
- Sunglasses
- Dirty clothes bag
- Knife
- Camelback or water bottle (2 - 3 liters)
- Flashlight / headlamp
- First-aid kit
- Compass
- Guidebook
- Trekking poles (recommended)
- Microspikes (if hiking early or late season)
- Some coins for showers (some rifugios charge for hot water)
Food on the Trail
The only food you will need to carry while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc are snacks and possibly your lunch for the day. Many rifugios have the option for a half board service that consists of dinner and breakfast. A lot of folks choose to half board with the rifugios and then stop along the route for lunch. Some rifugios also have the option to request a packed lunch for takeaway. Out on the trail, you are seldom more than 10 km from an accommodation or store, so you have plenty of options for food.
POPULAR SNACKS:
- Chocolate
- Trail mix
- Sausage / cheese fresh from the region (charcuterie)
- Fresh fruit (you can pick some up almost daily)
- Granola
- Energy bars
HYGIENE
- Sunscreen
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc
- Shampoo, soap
- Hairbrush
- Insect repellent
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Band aids
- Blister plaster or moleskin
- Pain killers
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Slippers or light weight shoes
- Flip flops for the showers
Access to Electricity
At some rifugios, charging plugs can be in short supply. A 10,000 mAh portable charger should get you 3 to 5 charges on a normal cell phone, if not more. Plugs in Europe are type C. 220 volt / 50 hz.
ELECTRONICS
- Camera
- Portable charger
- Universal plug adapter
- Charging cables
As always, we here at Pygmy Elephant are happy to answer any additional questions you may have about the Tour du Mont Blanc or any or our other treks. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or click here to reach out to us about booking your TMB adventure.
