Tour du Mont Blanc Packing List [Minimalist]

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For hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, you’ll only want to take what you need on a hut to hut hike.

Don’t make your hike miserable bringing too much stuff with my TMB packing list! You can easily store your normal luggage at a hotel and just take the essentials.

TMB Packing List Download

Just click this button to download a printable checklist for your next Tour du Mont Blanc hiking adventure.


TMB Checklist

That’s the whole point of a hut to hut hike, they provide the linens, food, drinks and comfortable accommodations on the top of a mountain.

It’s not a camping or backpacking trip in the traditional style.

You may want to bring mountain walkie talkies if you are going in a group so you can split up if needed.

Booking Tips

Also for people wanting a chance to do Tour du Mont Blanc hike, it’s a good idea not to wait to book your huts.  It’s one of the best trekking trails in Europe and it gets busy. Shoot me an email and I can point you in the right direction to a concierge that can do all your bookings for huts if you want.


I wrote up a checklist to make it easier to stuff everything into luggage for a flight to Geneva – You can see it’s not really much which is the advantage of hut to hut hiking

A great pack, some hiking boots and a few essentials are all you really need.



Self Guided TMB Planners and Guided Hikes

Are you an experienced hiker looking to embark on a self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc trekking experience, but feeling overwhelmed by the logistics?

My list of recommended self-guided tour planners can accommodate solo hikers up to 20 hikers and take care of all your planning needs, including accommodations, luggage transfer, and route management.

Say goodbye to the stress of planning and hello to the Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided adventure of a lifetime!

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Final Verdict: Ways to Book a Hut to Hut Hiking Trip

Best to Hike Your Own Pace but Forgo Logistical Challenge
Self-Guided Tour Planning Service

Self-Guided Tour Planning Service

  • [Self-Guided] - You're on your own once you start
  • Must book in Oct to Jan of year prior to hike
  • Fully done for you route
  • Service finds and books your huts
  • Maps provided on app
Click Here to Read More

What we liked: The logistics of the TMB and other hut to hut hikes can be very daunting, especially if you don't speak Italian and French. 

Note: Lesser known trails are often easier to book.  

Pros
  • Ease of route
  • No finding or dealing with huts
  • Tapping into expertise
  • No waiting for slow hikers
  • No feeling rushed if you're slower
Cons
  • Less control of dates
  • No guide on the trail
  • Unknown - you didn't "plan"
Best for Beginners & Social People
Guided Group Tour : 4 Days

Guided Group Tour : 4 Days

  • small groups (<10 typically)
  • local Chamonix guides
  • all transfers/breakfast/dinner/accommodations included
  • airport transfer included
  • stay in the insanely beautiful Rifugio Bonatti and other huts at high elevation
Click Here to Read More

What we liked:  Designed for busy people that want to experience the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc without having to take 2 weeks of their precious vacation time.  Everything is done-for-you and you can show up and relax in the most stunning mountains. 

Note: The standard price includes shared rooms in the huts.

Pros
  • All transfers included
  • Best price for a guided trip
  • Local Chamonix Guides
Cons
  • At the mercy of group pace
  • Not the full circuit
Best on a Budget
DIY: Book Your Own Huts

DIY: Book Your Own Huts

  • Cheapest Option
  • Most Freedom
  • Take side excursions as you like
Click Here to Read More

What we liked: The challenge of it.  It's so fun to route plan, find trails and the huts you want.  Often it's not the expense saved, but the learning of the trail while planning that is satisfying. 

Note: Be prepared to spend some time with spreadsheets and wait weeks for replies from hut owners. 

BONUS:  Click on the link to watch my 10 part video series on HOW to book a hut to hut trip.  It's a Dolomites hut trip but it's basically the same process for TMB. 

Pros
  • Cheapest option
  • Most freedom
  • Learn the Trail by planning
Cons
  • Time suck
  • You must be organized
  • Map skills are essential
Most Freedom
Camping

Camping

  • campgrounds can be crowded
  • reservations often needed in advance
  • Wild camping is prohibited or limited by elevation
Click Here to Read More

Not really my favorite thing for hut to hut trails in Europe. The huts are quite often the best part of the hiking trip and the rules are so complicated about wild camping.

Pros
  • Price is good
  • Quiet
  • More Flexibilty
Cons
  • Wild camping is tricky
  • Rules change
  • harder and heavier pack

We hope this TMB Packing List is filled with interesting information about the hike and it has given you the proper information to plan your visit to this hidden gem!

Tips and Reviews of Gear for Your Packing List

Author profile: Morgan Fielder is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and passionate hiker who believes in exploring the world on foot with good food. Follow her journey as she shares science-based hiking tips and advocates for sustainable tourism.