Highlights: Guided  6-day run or hike of the entire Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc race course; sipping French wine, eating Swiss chocolate, feasting on Italian pizza

Dates: August 15 - 25, 2024

Trip Length: 10 days, 9 nights

Price

• $4,900 (Chaski Athlete Price)
• $5,500 (Standard Price)
• $375 single supplement (if you want your own room)

Difficulty: Seriously challenging

Group Size: 6-12

Leaders: Two multilingual trip-leaders with years of experience in the region, UIAGM Mountain Guide Certification, available 24/7

Who should come? Any trail runner aged 13-70¹ or traveler who enjoys being active outdoors²

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1. Contact us if you’re over 70 and interested in coming or want to bring someone under 13.
2. Is this trip only for runners? Nope! We welcome hikers and general lovers of the outdoors. Each day on the UTMB portion of the trip, you’ll be able to run, hike, or ride in our private vehicle.

The letters UTMB conjure up a certain mix of excitement and intimidation in the heart of every trail runner. The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), home to the “Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc” (UTMB) race is rightfully one of the most famous trails on Earth. Spanning three countries and covering 106 miles (170 km) and climbing and descending almost 32,0000 ft. (10,000m), the TMB is both spectacular and challenging.

Our adventure begins in the Swiss city of Geneva, where we’ll transfer to our home base in Chamonix, France, a small but vibrant town at the foot of Mont Blanc. We’ll have a day to prepare ourselves, go on a short jaunt through the valley, and then head off on our 6-day Tour du Mont Blanc.

Each day on our circumnavigation of this spectacular mountain, you’ll be guided along mostly smooth, runnable trails (only mildly technically) from town to town, carrying only your food and water for the day. The rest of your baggage will be taken by our private vehicle and will be waiting for you at our comfortable hotel at the end of each day.

The days’ distances range from 15-20 miles (24-32 km) with 5,000-8,000 ft. (1,500-2,500m) of elevation change. Don’t worry, though; we’ll take our time to make sure we can enjoy the incredible views of the Alps, take plenty of pictures, and maybe even stop in a cafe for a pick-me-up Italian cappuccino or gelato.

In the afternoons and evenings, we’ll arrive at that day’s lodging, each set in a small mountain town with comfortable hotels, great food, and extremely friendly people. Grab a hot shower, have a delicious bowl of pasta or a glass of wine, and hit the bed early to get ready for the next day, where we’ll do it all again.

After six days, we’ll arrive back in Chamonix, where we’ll have one extra day in case of bad weather and/or for our group celebration. Finally, say goodbye to Chamonix and head back to Geneva for your flight home and tell everyone you meet along the way how amazing your Tour du Mont Blanc was.

Note - if you’re planning an extension for the Mt Blanc Summit climb or any other add-on, you’ll stay in Chamonix when the group leaves with your new guides.

With your payment, you get:

• 24 hour support and access from your bi-lingual trip leaders on-the-ground and USA-based support crew
• Private transportation from the moment you arrive in Geneva to the end of your trip
• Local, high-end and high-quality food, three meals per day
• 9 nights lodging (double occupancy)
• Guided runs and hikes during the entire trip, regardless of your level
• Meet and greet with local professional athletes and/or coaches
• All entry fees associated with group activities (National Parks, museums, etc.)
• Help from your leaders to organize any free time activities/excursions
• Support from Chaski staff ahead of your trip including training advice, packing lists, and more
• Chaski merch item of your choice - up to $79 value
• Free access to one year of Chaski Community Membership - $199 value
• Discounts on future Chaski Programs and partner brands

• International flights to/from Geneva, Switzerland (Airport code: GVA)
• Visa charges (there aren’t any for most countries), overweight baggage fees
• Personal travel insurance (required)
• Personal souvenirs
• Activities outside the groups’ itinerary
• Tips for your drivers, leaders, or anyone else outside of restaurants
• Alcoholic drinks and food/drinks outside of meals, including energy gels/drink mix/etc for the long days on the TMB
• Single occupancy (i.e. if you’d like a room to yourself)
• Optional 10th night of lodging if your flight departs on the morning of day 11.
• Optional add-ons to the trip, like the Mountain Summit Adventure

Got a little more time? I mean, you’ve come this far already. You may never be back in Ecuador.

Check this out.

With 2-3 days - Mont Blanc Summit Climb - Challenge yourself with a summit climb to the top of one of France’s highest peaks, Mont Blanc at 15,780 ft. (4,809m). Chaski works exclusively with UIAGM Mountain Guides, the most well-respected and highly-certified climbing guides in the world to help get you safely to the summit of your dreams. You do not need previous mountain climbing experience, but you should be in good shape and ready for a challenge.

With 5 days - Want to learn and challenge yourself in the mountains? Take an extra 5-7 days and climb multiple summits, learn some high mountain travel and safety techniques, and test yourself on some more technical climbing routes. Again, we only work with UIAGM Mountain Guides who are the most well-respected and highly-certified guides on Earth.

Sound great? Contact us for availability and pricing!

Note: We’ll try to stick as closely as possible to this schedule but may have to move things slightly due to weather.

Day 1 - Welcome to the Alps!

Today is the day you’ll arrive in Geneva, Switzerland (most flights will leave the day prior) where your leaders will be waiting to welcome you and escort you via private transfer to our home base in Chamonix. Depending on the timing of your arrival, there may be time for a short shakeout run on some of the spectacular valley trails before dinner.

Sleep: Chalet Hotel Les Campanules, Les Houches, Chamonix (or similar)

Max Altitude: 3,400 ft. (1,035m)

Run: At home before you leave, or, optional run on smooth valley trails upon arrival, depending on timing.

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Day 2 - Chamonix, Bossons Glacier

Welcome to the Alps! Our first day will include a lovely breakfast at our hotel before your guides will review the plan for the remainder of the trip. In the late morning, we’ll take a light acclimatization hike up to Bossons Glacier, a spectacular snow and ice field where we’ll be able to test ourselves and begin to see some of the spectacular scenery we have in store for the next 7 days.

Sleep: Les Houches, Chamonix (or similar)

Max Altitude: 8,500 ft. (2,600m)

Run/Hike: 9 miles (15 km), 4,000 ft. (1,500m) elevation

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Day 3 - Chamonix to Les Contamines

Our adventure begins! We’ll leave our home base in Chamonix early in the morning and take the first gently rolling trail towards Les Houche. From there, we’ll hit the first climb through a beautiful forest toward Le Deleveret, before heading down back through the trees and then alongside classic alpine farms and meadows. We’ll make a final much more gradual climb to our last stop at Les Contamines, where we’ll high-five and celebrate a successful first day!

​Run/Hike: 19.5 miles (31 km),  5,200 ft. (1,580m up), 4,800 ft. (1,460m) down -- approximately 4-6 hours

Highest altitude: 6,000 ft., 1,850 meters

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Day 4 - Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Our first destination will be the church, Notre Dame de la Gorge, which we’ll reach by a gently climbing riverside singletrack trail. From there, we have one of the longer and steeper climbs on the course, bringing us to Col du Bonhomme. This is one of the highest points on the course at 8,000 ft. (2,440m) and it’s possible we might even find a bit of snow! The views here are truly spectacular and we can enjoy them all the way down a nice runnable trail to Les Chapeiux, where we’ll stop for the night.

Run/hike: 15 miles (24 km), 5,400 ft. (1,650m) up, 3000 ft. (940m) down -- approximately 6-8 hours

Highest altitude: 8,000 ft. (2,440m)

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‍Day 5 - Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

Today we’ll enter our second country as we  leave France and enter Italy! We’ll start the day heading along the back (southern) side of Mt. Blanc, with a long, steep climb up to Col de la Seigne, where we’ll have spectacular views of the French and Italian countryside. These views will continue down into the Italian Val Veny, often covered with spectacular wildflowers and views of the back side of the Mt. Blanc glacier. A short climb will take us towards the ridge on Mont Favre before we finally get sight of Courmayeur, our resting place for the night. We’ll arrive in time for a great Italian pizza or pasta to refuel for tomorrow’s adventure!

Run/hike: 15.5 miles (25 km), 4,200 ft. (1,270m) up, 6,200 ft. (1,900m) down -- approximately 6-7 hours

Highest Altitude: 8,200 ft. (2,500) meters‍

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Day 6 - Courmayeur to La Fouly‍

With some great food from the night before, we’ll start with a steep climb towards Rifugio Bertone. It’s worth it for the views, and we’re rewarded afterward with one of the flattest sections on the course towards Rifugio Bonatti, before heading to high point on our journey, Gran Col Ferret at 2,525m. Enjoy the moment! It’s a special one as we’re now entering our third country, Switzerland. We’ll end the day with a spectacular single-track descent to La Fouly, where we’ll spend the night.‍

Run/hike: 18 miles (29 km), 6,400 ft. (1,960m up), 5,700 ft. (1,750m) down -- approximately 6-8 hours

Highest Altitude: 8,284 ft. (2,525m) -- our high point!‍

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Day 7 -  La Fouly to Trient

Our first day and only full day in Switzerland will take us to the 1000-year-old village of Praz de Fort before beginning the famous climb to Champex Lac and La Giete. With amazing views above the lake looking down into the valley below, we’ll begin our last descent of the day towards Col de la Forclaz and beyond to the famous “Pink Church” in Trient, the final town where we’ll spend the night on our adventure. and continue our descent to the last Swiss village and its iconic pink church in Trient.‍

Run/hike: 19.5 miles (31 km), 4,850 ft. (1,480m) up, 5,600 ft. (1,700m) down -- approximately 3-5 hours‍

Highest Altitude: 4,800 ft. (1,470m) ‍

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Day 8 - Trient - Chamonix -- Celebration!‍

The final day of our TMB adventure! We’ll start off with incredible views of Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges as we climb up toward Catonge, re-enter France, and descend toward Vallorcine. One final steep climb brings us to Tete Aux Vents and then it’s all downhill to the finish line, the famous turn to the Church in downtown Chamonix.

And with that, we’ve done it! 106 miles (170 km) and 32,000 ft (10,000m) of elevation gain! An incredible accomplishment worth of celebration. We’ll dine at a great restaurant in Chamonix and even have time for option massages or other spa treatments before enjoying a long, restful night’s sleep.

‍Hike/run: 17.5 miles (28km), 5,740 ft. (1750m) up, 6,430 ft. (1,960m) down -- Approximately 5 - 6 hours

Highest Altitude: 6,775 ft. (2,065m)‍

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Day 9 - Weather / Extra Day‍

We’ll keep one extra day on the schedule in case of bad weather if we need to postpone our TMB. Assuming everything goes smoothly, we’ll have an optional extra hike/run on this day based on the group’s desire. We’ll wrap up with a final farewell dinner and celebration of our amazing accomplishment!

Hike/run: TBD

Highest Altitude: TBD‍

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Day 10 - Au revoir!‍

We’ll be up early to say goodbye to those that have early flights out of Geneva. For those flying out later in the day, we can enjoy a relaxing breakfast and last hike or run around the trails. Finally, our private car will take you back to the airport for your trip home. Make sure you tell everyone you meet how amazing your adventure was!

Hike/run: TBD

Highest Altitude: TBD