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

I really enjoyed this trip. A real way of seeing different parts of the Tour Du Mont Blanc in a short time. The choice of accommodation was appropriate - started off with a more rustic hotel and building up to a more plush hotel at the end. The group leader Gwendal was excellent - he ensured that everyone was comfortable and was very encouraging on the harder stretches. During a difficult descent - he ensured that we were all safe.

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.