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active 3 hours ago

Thomas Bringuy

My passion for the Alps started very young when hiking with my grand-father in the German Alps. Since that time, I have never stopped going into the mountain, it is part of my way of life. Naturally, there was no option for me than having the mountains always around me. My job, preparing tours in the Alps, but also as a mountain leader, offers me the opportuny to share what I consider as one of the most beautiful place in the world .

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Ski touring is probably my favourite activity in the Alps... But as a mountain leader, I had the chance to discover the entire Alps between France, Switzerland and Italy. I had the oppotunity to guide several times the tour du Mont-blanc witch is an amazing experience. In my life, I like climbing, skying and doing some mountainbike. These activities lead me to extraordinary places. When not in the mountain, I do pratice sailing with my own boat."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Very young, started when I was born in Africa... travelling with my parents in many countries. And then by myself, when I became a young man with a long stay in South America. I always appreciated dealing with different cultures and learning different languages. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Meet face to face with a wild Wolf in the French Alps... He, and me, will never forget this moment when we could not escape but just look at each other with a lot of surprise. "

Thomas is part of the following groups: Switzerland Travel Agents, France Travel Agents
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Recent trip reviews for Thomas

Spectacular Tour de Mont Blanc
France | Sep 3 - Sep 13, 2024

Sara
Sara L.
Anaheim, CA | Reviewed on Sep 14, 2024

Thank you, Thomas and Rashi, for a wonderful trip. They took care of all of the details, and then were really responsive before the trip, when I had some clarifying questions, and during the trip, whenever anything came up. This trip was on our bucket list, and I'm so glad I trusted it to KimKim.

For those considering the trip, I would say that the hiking was more grueling than I expected, and the weather is so variable, you have to be prepared for anything. But if you're up for the challenge, it was the trip of a lifetime.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Our trip overall was amazing, the landscape w...
Switzerland | Jul 6 - Jul 13, 2024

C
Casey A.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
Our trip overall was amazing, the landscape was beautiful, and hikes were absolutely gorgeous!
Our guide Thomas definitely knew really great hikes to book for us!
One difficulty was the requirement to bring duffle bags which are harder to carry around (especially given all the public transit). If I went back, I would ask to use a regular wheeled bag. One other thing is that the Mon Roadbook app provided great maps, but the written directions were harder to follow so I would recommend just... Read more

Our trip overall was amazing, the landscape was beautiful, and hikes were absolutely gorgeous!
Our guide Thomas definitely knew really great hikes to book for us!

One difficulty was the requirement to bring duffle bags which are harder to carry around (especially given all the public transit). If I went back, I would ask to use a regular wheeled bag.

One other thing is that the Mon Roadbook app provided great maps, but the written directions were harder to follow so I would recommend just using the phone app. It would have been great to have a bit more information provided about the amenities and what to expect at the mountain hut vs. other accommodations.

We really loved the trip and would love to go back!

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Dolomites
Italy | Jul 7 - Jul 12, 2024

M
Mark J.
Belgium | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2024

Although there were some large gaps in communication during planning and reservation making, Thomas put together a great itinerary for us. We had an amazing trek through two parks in the Dolomites.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Rashi was our contact for our trip. The trip ...
France | Jun 19 - Jun 28, 2024

S
Susan B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2024
Rashi was our contact for our trip. The trip went quite smoothly except on parts where she suggested we take buses. They didn't alway run as she indicated and in a few towns it was really hard to find the bus station. The road book should have included a map to the bus stations. Our accommodations were wonderful and the baggage transfer was flawless.
The roadbook was confusing at times when trying to follow the alternative routes. The GPS was excellent.
Read more

Rashi was our contact for our trip. The trip went quite smoothly except on parts where she suggested we take buses. They didn't alway run as she indicated and in a few towns it was really hard to find the bus station. The road book should have included a map to the bus stations. Our accommodations were wonderful and the baggage transfer was flawless.
The roadbook was confusing at times when trying to follow the alternative routes. The GPS was excellent.

Activity Review
Walking day : Champex - Bovine/Fenêtre d’Arpette - Trient
Walking day : Champex - Bovine/Fenêtre d’Arpette - Trient
Champex
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Thank you Thomas and Rashi for creating such ...
Switzerland | Sep 8 - Sep 18, 2023

V
Vadim B.
Orangevale, CA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2023

Thank you Thomas and Rashi for creating such a memorable experience. The Swiss Oberland views and hike locations were spectacular and thank you for putting it together on such short notice. I will definitely be using you to book more trips in the future.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy
Thomas
Thomas Bringuy
Local specialist in Chambéry | Replied on Oct 16, 2023

Thanks so much Vadime ! See you for a next trip.

We enjoyed our TMB trip, even though for reas...
France | Sep 4 - Sep 10, 2023

R
Ronald H.
Hyattsville, MD | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2023
We enjoyed our TMB trip, even though for reasons outside our control, it didn't go accoding to plan. Our flight from Heathrow was delalyed two hours, but the Mountain Dropoffs driver met us at the Geneva airport and gave us a shuttle ride to Chamonix as planned. That evening we had a terrific Franch meal, looking up at the dying light over Mont Blanc. I really enjoyed Chamonix, a place where one sees as many people running as walking, and where the sky is dotted with hang gliders. The... Read more

We enjoyed our TMB trip, even though for reasons outside our control, it didn't go accoding to plan. Our flight from Heathrow was delalyed two hours, but the Mountain Dropoffs driver met us at the Geneva airport and gave us a shuttle ride to Chamonix as planned. That evening we had a terrific Franch meal, looking up at the dying light over Mont Blanc. I really enjoyed Chamonix, a place where one sees as many people running as walking, and where the sky is dotted with hang gliders. The highlight of our "open" day on Tuesday, Sept. 5 before the trek was taking the tram up to l'Aguille du Midi. My wife Kathy had been concerned about the altitude, but in fact she tolerated it fine, and we were rewarded with unforgettable views of the Swiss Alps from out vantage point at 3850 m. The weather throughout was sunny and very warm for the time of year; the ride up to l'Aguille du Midi was the only time on the whole trip when I had to break out my cold-weather gear.

There were two problems at the start of the trip. First, our Chamonix hotel room at Plan B (can't recall the room noumber) turned out to be infested with bedbugs! This has happened to us before when traveling. I don't seem to be sensitive to them, but my wife is very sensitive and was bitten dozens of times (we actually spotted one of the bugs the next day). Second, there was a mixup with the luggage. We had arranged with Mt. Blanc Taxi for a luggage transfer to our hotel in Les Contamines and also to transport Kathy. There was some mixup, and while the driver took Kathy and my bags, her bag was left behind in Chamonix. It finally showed up at the hotel, but not until late afternoon. Partly this was my fault, since I hadn't informed kimkim that when I packed for the trip, I was unable to fit all the food I thought I needed for the trip (breakfast food and lunches for four days), as well as my clothes for a planned week of travel after the trip, into a single duffel bag. I improved by taking a second, medium-sized backpack (a Kelty Redwing 44). Apparently this was a big problem for the taxi service. We had discussed that there were arrangements for luggage transfer, but not exactly how many bags or how large. On top of that, my own duffel bag showed up damaged (the zipper of the main compartment was broken), when it was fine at the time I packed it. I had to scramble to hike into town and buy a replacement duffel bag right away.

On the trek itself, I was very pleased with the "MonRoadbook" app. Whenever I was uncertain about navigation, I would zoom in on my location and quickly determined whether I was on the intended route or not. The combination of the app and generally good signage meant that navigation was less of a problem on this tour than I expected. I had tried to study the route, but it's just not possible to memorize every major turn in advance.

I enjoyed the hiking most on Day 1, which was only about half the distance of the next two days. When I got to Les Contamines, there seemed to be something in the air there that was irritating me, as I noticed that my nose was running and I had a little heaviness in my chest. I thought I might be coming down with a cold, but the symptoms could also be related to the strenuous hike I had just completed. The second day, to Courmayeur, was long and exhausting. The third day, to Champex-Lac, was the longest of the trip (31.5 miles), but the terrain was a lot easier, especially on the second half. But I started Day 3 already in an exhausted and dehydrated state. My energy level was much lower than usual, and I had to go slower than usual and take frequent rest stops before making it over the Grand Col de Ferret and into Switzerland at about 2:40 pm. I had to do the final leg of the hike into Champex-Lac with a headlamp, and didn't arrive at the Relais d'Arpette until around 9:30 pm, after nearly 14 hours of hiking. The owners were very nice and saved some hot food for me even though their kitchen was officially closed.

I had already decided that I wasn't up to hiking the fourth day, even though it would be easier than days 2 and 3. My cold, or whatever it was, had gotten worse, and I had developed a sore throat. My energy level had crashed. So I arranged for a taxi ride back to Chamonix. When I got to the hotel there, I tested positive for COVID. So that is why I was so weak the third day. I had correctly assessed my fitness as good enough to do the 4-day tour, but something like COVID can mess anything up. At least I got three good days of hiking in.

I found kimkim to be professional and helpful throughout. The arrangements we had made all held up. I would not hesitate to book with kimkim again.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy
Thomas
Thomas Bringuy
Local specialist in Chambéry | Replied on Sep 28, 2023

Hello Ronald

It was a great adventure, and it was a real pleasure to organize this trip for you !

Thomas

A person “self guided” guide
France | Aug 28 - Sep 7, 2023

I
Irwin M.
Israel | Reviewed on Sep 08, 2023

While officially “self guided”, the help by the team headed by Thomas was like a guide was at our side. Questions and issues were handled quickly, messages returned promptly and suggestions given always.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy
Thomas
Thomas Bringuy
Local specialist in Chambéry | Replied on Oct 02, 2023

Hello Irwin

Thanks so much, it was a real pleasure to become your Virtual Guide !

Thomas

Self-guided TMB is the way to go thanks to Thomas
France | Jul 30 - Aug 6, 2023

Janie
Janie C.
Mount Vernon, WA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023
We used Kim Kim to plan a self-guided trek on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Words can't express how amazing hiking the TMB was. Thomas crafted an unforgettable trip for us. He was responsive to our questions and designed a trip ideal for our budget, hiking capabilities, and desired experiences. The 52 page packet of instructions, maps, emergency contact numbers, tips and descriptions of each day made way-finding super easy, helped to control expectations, and ensure we were ready for each day's... Read more

We used Kim Kim to plan a self-guided trek on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Words can't express how amazing hiking the TMB was. Thomas crafted an unforgettable trip for us. He was responsive to our questions and designed a trip ideal for our budget, hiking capabilities, and desired experiences. The 52 page packet of instructions, maps, emergency contact numbers, tips and descriptions of each day made way-finding super easy, helped to control expectations, and ensure we were ready for each day's adventure. The hospitality at all of our accomodations was superb. We truly appreciate the time it took Thomas to design a trip tailored just for us.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Amazing trip in Savoie
France | Jul 3 - Jul 9, 2023

L
Léticia M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023

Had a great trip in the mountains of Savoie ! Every place of accommodation that I stayed at were great (food is always great anywhere in France). The itinerary made sense and was well calculated. Thomas was always there when I had questions or needed more information. We had plenty of email exchanged and one Zoom called that reassured me on everything.

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy

Perfectly tailored 5-day hike in the Dolomites
Italy | Jun 26 - Jun 30, 2023

Andrew
Andrew L.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2023

Thomas was very helpful, quick to respond, and put together a custom itinerary that perfectly matched the criteria we gave him. The hike was amazing and the rifugios were clean, comfortable and well situated. Overall, the experience exceeded our expectations!

Local specialist: Thomas Bringuy