Day 1 - Arrive in the Chamonix Valley

The trip starts in the famous mountaineering town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing, followed by our evening meal. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

 

Day 2 - Hike up to Lac Blanc

We start our day with a trip on the historic 'Mont Blanc Express' train to the hamlet of Montroc. From there we hike up to the famous Lac Blanc; a beautiful mountain lake with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. This is one of the top walks in the Chamonix valley, and was even voted "Best Short Walk in the World". We will be in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, and can often be lucky enough to see ibex, chamois and marmottes. After a well-earned break at the Lac Blanc refuge we descend to Flégère, take the cable car back down to Les Praz, then hop on the train or bus back to Argentière. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Distance: 9km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -550m

 

Day 3 - Transfer to Les Contamines. Hike to Les Chapieux

We start early with a transfer to Notre Dame de La Gorge, above Contamines. We trek up the old Roman road from the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge, which is thought to have been a route taken by Hannibal. It is a steep uphill to start with, but we soon get into our stride! We pass the Chalet de Balme, which is a perfect coffee stop if we are making good time. We then head up to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) for a well-earned lunch break. After lunch we have a climbing traverse, often with snowy patches until mid-July, to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m).  From here we enjoy great views towards the Vanoise National Park, before a 2 hour descent to Les Chapieux. We stay either in an auberge or a chambre d'hôte, depending on availability. 

 

Accommodation : Auberge/Chambre d'Hôte, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs

Distance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +1348m / -960m

 

Day 4 - Trek from Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

We take a newly cut path up to Ville des Glaciers. If the farmer is on hand at Ville des Glaciers we might even be able to try the Beaufort cheese that is produced here. After passing the Refuge des Mottets we start to climb more steeply towards the Col de la Seigne (2516m), which is the 2nd highest pass on the Tour du Mont Blanc. We have now reached the Italian border! From here we descend past the Rifugio Elisabetta to La Visaille, where we take the bus to the vibrant Italian mountain town of Courmayeur. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 6 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +1004m / -850m

 

Day 5 - Trek from Courmayeur to the Rifugio Bonatti

We start the day with a steep walk up to the Rifugio Bertone and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If the weather is good and there is not too much snow, we can take the lesser-travelled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge, by ascending the Tête de la Tronche, followed by a steep descent to the Col Sapin. We descend, then climb again to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. This is a fairly long day, but it is truly stunning - the route is usually fairly quiet and the scenery is breathtaking. We stay overnight at the delightful Rifugio Bonatti, from where you can watch as the sun sets behind Mont Blanc; definitely one of life's special moments. 

 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs

Distance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +1584m / -940m

 

Day 6 - Trek from Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly. Transfer to Champex

We start our day with a rising traverse, before descending to the head of the Val Ferret at Arnuva. From here our climb up the Grand Col Ferret begins. At 2543m, it is the highest col on the official TMB route. We stop for our last Italian coffee at the Rifugio Elena, then climb steadily to the col. We are rewarded with stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit of which is on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland). At the top of the col we cross the border into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again. If we are doing well for time we may stop at for coffee at La Peule. We then leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path (if we are early in the season and the gullies are still full of snow we will stick to a more straightforward track). La Fouly is a lovely alpine village with traditional 'chocolate box' chalets. We then take a taxi transfer to the pretty Swiss lakeside town of Champex.   

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hrs

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +1128m / -1580m

 

Day 7 - Trek from Champex to Trient (or Col de la Forclaz)

We have 2 options today. If we are feeling fit and the weather is good we can take the Fenêtre d'Arpette; this would be the highest col of the trip, at 2665m. It's a fantastic route with stunning views of the Trient glacier. Alternatively we can take the normal route, via Bovine, to the Col de la Forclaz. Your guide will make the final decision, according to the weather conditions and the fitness of the group. We then continue down to the valley of Trient, our Swiss base for the night. 

 

Accommodation: Auberge, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: depends on route

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1484m / -1760m

 

Day 8 - Trek from Trient (or Col de la Forclaz) to Argentière. Train or transfer to Chamonix.

Today we will take another variant from the official Tour du Mont Blanc - a lesser-travelled route via Les Tseppes. The views from this route are spectacular, and there are usually less people, so it is worth the extra effort. If the weather is bad we can take the normal TMB route. Both routes lead us to the Col de Balme, and back into France. From this point, at the top of the Chamonix valley, we have some more choices. If the group is strong and the weather good, we might do the Aiguillette des Posettes, and descend into the Chamonix valley at Tré-le-Champ, from which point it is an hour's walk to Argentière along the river and through the old town. Alternatively we can descend directly to Le Tour, and take the Petit Balcon Nord into Argentière. We then transfer back to Chamonix.

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7 hrs

Distance: depends on route

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1500m

 

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Day 9 - Depart Chamonix

Our trip finishes after breakfast. 

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