Day 1 - Arrive in Chamonix

Our trip begins in the Chamonix Valley. We meet the group for a trip briefing, followed by our evening meal.

 

Accommodation: Chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

 

Day 2 - From Les Houches to Les Contamines 

Our trek today starts with a climb up through the forests, on our way to the Col de Voza. There is a restaurant at the top where we should be able to stop for lunch. This is followed by a short descent to the beginning of the Bionassay Glacier, with the Aiguille de Bionassay above us. We take the suspension bridge across the torrent, followed by an easy climb to the Col de Tricot. We can see the Dômes de Miage as we descend to the Chalet de Miage below, where we can stop for a drink. Another climb up to the Col de Truc, and then the pretty town of Les Contamines is within our sights. 

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Accommodation: Hotel, evening meal included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 22km

Altitude gain / loss: +1500m / -1350m

 

Day 3 - Trek from Les Contamines to Ville des Glaciers

We leave the hotel and take a pleasant route, alongside the river, to the Notre Dame de la Gorge church. A little further on is a Roman bridge, and evidence of a Roman road, as we make a steady climb to the first of today's 3 cols; the Col du Bonhomme (2329m). A further climb takes us to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2483m) and, if the weather is good, we can now take a less-travelled path up to the Col des Fours (2655m). We then drop down into the scenic Vallée des Glaciers, and our accommodation for the night.

 

Accommodation : Mountain refuge (private rooms not dorms) or guest house, evening meal included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 22km

Altitude gain / loss: +1600m / -940m

 

Day 4 - Trek from Ville des Glaciers to Courmayeur

We start with a short but steady climb along a series of switchbacks, to the Col de la Seigne (2513m). This is the border with Italy, and we can enjoy excellent views of Mont Blanc from here. We have an easy descent past the Rifugio Elisabetta, and down into Val Veny, with the Miage Glacier on our left. Our Ultimate TMB then takes a variant route high along the northern slopes of Mont Favre, for more fabulous views of Mont Blanc. After the Rifugio Maison Vieille on the Col Checrouit (1960m) we then have a quick descent on a narrow path, amongst the ski slopes and forests of Courmayeur. If legs are weary there is the option to take a ski lift down from here in the high season only (not included). 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, evening meal included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8-9 hours

Distance: 24km

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1850m

 

Day 5 - Trek from Courmayer to the Rifugio Bonatti or Elena

We leave Courmayeur for the steep climb up to the Bertone hut (where we'll stop for a quick refreshment), then we'll climb on to the Monte Saxe ridge itself. It is a beautiful grassy ridge with stunning panoramic views from Mont Blanc across to the Grandes Jorasses, and is certainly one of the highlights of the whole trip. As we reluctantly leave the ridge we climb to the Tête de la Tronche (2584m), then drop steeply to the Col Sapin. We now take another variant up to the Col Entre Deux Sauts (2521m). A high valley descent brings us back down, as far as the Rifugio Bonatti, where we will spend an evening on the terrace and a night in this fabulous hut. 

 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, evening meal included

No luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs

DIstance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +1580m / -940m

 

Day 6 - Trek from the Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

Today we trek over the Grand Col Ferret, which is one of the highest cols on the trip at 2537m.  We start the day with a beatiful traverse above the Val Ferret, before dropping down to the head of the valley at Arnouva. We will pass the Rifugio Elena mid-morning, which is usually the perfect time to stop for one of their famous cappuccinos. From here a stunning climb takes us to the Grand Col Ferret, and 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, Switzerland and Italy).  At the top of the col we cross over into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again.  We descend past the Refuge de la Peule, where we leave the signposted TMB route and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is a pretty alpine village with traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets, and will be our base for the night.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking- approx 7-8 hrs

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +1040m / -1500m

 

Day 7 - Trek from La Fouly to the Cabane d'Orny

Today is the most physically demanding of the trek, but is a little shorter in distance than previous days. We start with a gentle stroll along the valley, to the village of Praz-de-Fort. Our Ultimate TMB then takes a variant route, starting with a sharp left into the Val Saleina. The Glacier d'Orny lies ahead of us, and above it is the dramatically located Cabane d'Orny (2831m). We have around 1700 metres of ascent to the refuge, but a series of well-placed switch backs eases the pressure of the climb. The last section is a spectacular path on the moraine above the glacier. At the hut we have the rest of the afternoon to settle in and enjoy our unique surroundings.  

 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking - approx 6-7 hrs

Distance: 16km

Altitude gain / loss: +1720m / -500m

 

Day 8 - Trek from the Cabane d'Orny to Trient or Forclaz

This is technically the most difficult day of the trek, as we begin with a descent of the moraine, followed by a lovely balcony path to the top of the Breya cable car. From the Brenva station we take a rugged road down to the pretty Val d'Arpette, followed by another climb up through the rocks and boulder fields to the spectacular Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665m), where we enjoy fabulous views of the Trient Glacier. We descend to the Chalet des Glaciers for a well-earned drink, before a pleasant and relaxed descent through the woods to our base for the night in Trient or Forclaz.

 

Accommodation: Auberge/guest house, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 9-10 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +1020m / -2500m

 

Day 9 - Trient to Argentière

We have a few options for different routes today, and the guide will make a decision depending on the conditions on the day. A less-travelled trail leads up through Tseppes to the Col de Balme, at the top of the Chamonix Valley, or we can take the Les Grands variant. We enjoy Mont Blanc views as we descend to the Col des Posettes, followed by a relatively easy ascent of the Aiguille des Posettes; a small ridge with epic views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Rouge mountain ranges. We descend into Argentière where we stay the night.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8 hrs

Distance: 19km

Altitude gain / loss: +1300m / -1350m

 

Day 10 - Day hike to Lac Blanc

Today is a great day, with stunning views of the highest peak in western Europe, and some interesting technical sections. We take a route from Argentière that climbs steadily up through the larch and spruce trees, to the cliffs of the Chéserys. At the Aiguillette d'Argentière we begin a series of short ladders and cables. We then take a meandering path to the Lacs des Chéserys, with one of the best views you can achieve of Mont Blanc. A final short ladder brings us to Lac Blanc: a beautiful mountain lake with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We take the cable car down and have a short walk back to Chamonix for our hotel for the night.

 

Accommodation: Chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 7 hrs

Distance: 14km

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

 

Day 11 - Day hike to Brévent

Today we return to the end point of the previous day's hike, using the cable car to get back up to Flégère. We then take a great trail up to the Col de Brévent, and on to the summit of Brévent (2525m). The views from here of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley are spectacular. Our descent takes us to les Houches, via Merlet. From here we take a transfer back to our chalet for our last dinner together, and the end of our adventure. 

 

Accommodation: Chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 7 hrs

Distance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +870m / -1780m

 

Day 12 - Depart Chamonix

Our trip finishes after breakfast.