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About this trip
We now offer self-guided trail running tours on the Tour du Mont Blanc! To discover the birthplace of mountain sports, look no further than Chamonix, situated at the base of the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc, which stands at 15,774 ft. This self-guided Runcation takes you on a run circumnavigating Mont Blanc on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc trail, one of the most iconic long distance walking routes in Europe. It's also the route for the world famous ultramarathon Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) run each August.
The TMB wraps 170 km around the massive Mont Blanc massif, climbing and descending a total of 33,000 feet through 3 countries and more breathtaking views than you can count. As you traverse the mountain you’ll spend the night in charming mountain refuges (typically 2-3 nights in a 3-star hotel and the rest in mountain huts based on booking package and availability), which will offer a comfortable place to spend the evening with breathtaking locations and a delicious sampling of Italian, Swiss, and French cuisine, wine, and coffee throughout the trip.
This retreat adventure is open to any age, any level of runner. We take care of all logistics, booking, and private baggage transport. You’ll received customized gpx files for the Tour du Mont Blanc along with a detailed itinerary and options to shorten or take variants some days due to weather conditions or preference. Do the TMB on your own in a 8-day or 10-day option, averaging either 13 miles or 11 miles per day. Our most popular self-guided TMB are custom tours where you request a specific number of days, style of accommodation (upgrade to pirvate rooms in hotels when available), and more. Email RuncationTravel@gmail.com to request a custom trip.
Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!
Trip Difficulty: Level 2-3
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
This retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace of running. Must be able to complete 105 miles over the duration of the tour including dramatic elevation gain and loss of 33,000 feet over the course of the trip. Must be prepared to run/hike the uphills and run/jog the downhill and flat sections. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!
What’s included
Roundtrip transportation from Geneva airport to Chamonix as an optional trip add-on
All accommodations and bookings
Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations
Baggage transport from hut-to-hut on your days on the TMB
A detailed and interactive map and gpx file
Half board (breakfasts and dinners) included at mountain huts and breakfasts at hotels
Trip packet with detailed itinerary, packing list, and weather resources
Our standard 8-day self-guided typically (depending on availability at time of booking) includes 2-3 nights in a private room at a 3-star hotel and 4-5 nights in shared dormitory accommodation in mountain huts. To request a specific style of accomodation, including comfortable hotels or mountain huts, create a custom self-guided TMB (email RuncationTravel@gmail.com for info)!
Not included
International airfare
Alcoholic beverages and meals
Accommodations in Chamonix
24-hr assistance on the trail (see our guided trail running tours for this)!
Travel Insurance
Small local tourist tax to be paid in cash upon checkout (~1-3 euros per person)
Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)
Before You Go
Passport:
Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.
Travel Insurance:
Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.
Room info at the Refuges:
Rooms are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. If you are inclined to participate, book or contact the organizer ASAP as rooms will book up in advance by other vacationers. You must enquire about availability before booking.
Fitness/Pacing:
This trip requires participants to be able to run/hike for 6-20 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates. Training for this trip is highly recommended, and you can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat!
Weather:
Although the weather in the summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change. Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.
Baggage Transfer:
Baggage transfer will arrive by 5pm each day.
Trip Difficulty: Level 1-3 (depending on # of days and rest days)
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Mountain Hut Experience:
This trip includes staying in Tour du Mont Blanc mountain huts. To learn more about the mountain hut experience, click below:
https://runcation.org/mountain-hut-experience
Available Packages
Average 15 miles per day on our 8 day, 7 night Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc Trail Run with one rest day in Courmayeur including 4-5 nights in mountain huts and 2-3 nights in private hotel rooms (subject to availability). Pricing based on minimum of 2 people. Solo travelers must add single supplement option add-on.
Average 10 miles per day on our 10 day, 9- night Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc Trail Run with one rest day in Courmayeur. Pricing based on minimum of 2 people. Solo travelers must add single supplement option add-on.
Want to take two-weeks with ample rest days or crush the Tour du Mont Blanc in 4 days? 4-star hotels or mountain refuges? Put down the deposit for a custom itinerary and we'll be in touch customize the trip itinerary of your dreams. This deposit is non-refundable and is per group/custom itinerary.
Available options
Shared transfers are for flights arriving between 10am and 6pm. Flights before/after they are subject to a private transfer fee. We must receive airline, flight numbers, flight dates, flight times, and departing/arrival cities in order to confirm this transfer.
Traveling as a party of one? No problem! Sign up for the single supplement here for our 8-day, 7 night itinerary.
Traveling as a party of one? No problem! Sign up for the single supplement here for our 10-day, 9 night itinerary.
Itinerary
Sample Day 1: After breakfast, get an early start on the road to your Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) adventure. Starting from downtown Chamonix, you'll ascend through towns and farms selling goat cheese, old chapels, and amazing views contrasting green hills contrasted against the Bionnassay Glacier.
Shared dormitory in mountain hut with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
~15-16 miles/+4,400 ft/ -4,160 ft*
*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change based on availability at time of booking, but this is a sample itinerary