Tour du Mont Blanc 12 Days Self-Guided

Begin your trek by strolling through the charming village of Les Houches. A convenient start awaits as 

you board the cable car to Bellevue (not included), eliminating the initial ascent for a gentler first day. 

The trail winds through the forest, offering elevated views of the Bionnassay Valley and picturesque alpine hamlets, all framed by the magnificent Mont Blanc and the Alps' foothills. The dominating presence of Dôme du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnassay, separated by an impressive glacier, captivates the gaze. You will ascend over the Col de Tricot, and a steep yet scenic descent, characterized by a series of switchbacks, leads to Chalet de Miage. As the day concludes, a descent takes you to the enchanting traditional village of Les Contamines.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Les Contamines; half board.

About 4 to 5 hours of walking, 12km/7.5mi, +640m/2100ft, -1275m/4183ft. Daypack to carry.

A short private transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge (10 min, included). Climb over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme leading to the Chapieux valley. Marvel at magnificent vistas as you traverse the Aiguille des Glaciers and descend to your lodging.

Overnight in a private room in a mountain lodge/hotel in Les Chapieux; half board.

About 6 to 7 hours of walking, 14.5km/9mi, +1200m/3937ft, -900m/2953ft. Daypack to Carry.

Please Note: In the case that lodging in Les Chapieux is not available, we will book a hotel in Bourg St Maurice instead. Depending on availability, the hotel is either a 2* hotel; half board, or a 3* hotel; B&B.

Transfer from Les Chapieux at 5pm sharp to Bourg St Maurice in public shuttle (6€ to pay on the spot). If doing this tour during the “low season”, i.e. before ~June 25th and after ~27th August, a private transfer is compulsory: +240€ round-trip (Day 3 evening + Day 4 morning).

If you stay in Bourg St Maurice: Transfer at 6:55 am sharp from Bourg St Maurice to Ville des Glaciers in public shuttle (6€ to pay on the spot), to the departure of today’s hike. If doing the tour during the “low season”, i.e. before ~June 25th and after ~August 27th, a private transfer is compulsory: +240€ round-trip (Day 3 evening + Day 4 morning).

Reach Ville des Glacier to start the hike (5km/3mi, 1 hour walking), in summer free public shuttles (5-10 min) are available. Venture over the Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border. Brace yourself for breathtaking scenery, particularly the panoramic vista of the renowned Grandes Jorasses. The end of the day offers sweeping views of the Aiguilles of Peuterey and the Mont Blanc of Courmayeur before reaching the epic location of the Elisabetta refuge.

Overnight in a mountain refuge, Elisabetta (*only dormitories available); half board.

*You must carry what is needed for the night, your transported luggage will again be available at your lodging after the hike on Day 5. Luggage transport is not available to the Elisabetta Refuge.

From Les Chapieux: About 5 hours of walking, 13.9km/8.6mi, +995m/3265ft, -385m/1264ft. *Overnight pack

to carry.

From Ville des Glacier: About 4 hours of walking, 9.3km/5.8mi, +700m/2297ft, -315m/1034ft. *Overnight 

pack to carry.

Please Note: from 15/06 to 30/06 and from 01/09 to 15/09, there is a high risk of snow and snowdrifts. 

Some buses don't run at these times, and you'll have to replace them with a taxi: from Les Chapieux to Ville 

des Glaciers (possibility of walking, 5km) (about 120€ for 1 to 3 people).

Hike up on one the most beautiful balcony sections of the tour, until crossing the Chécrouit pass, then descend to Courmayeur with the cable car or by walking.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Courmayeur; B&B.

To cable car: About 4 to 5 hours of walking, 12.1km/7.5mi, +550m/1805ft, -980m/3215ft. Daypack to carry.

To Courmayeur: About 6 hours of walking, 16km/9.9mi, +585m/1919ft, -1500m/4921ft. Daypack to carry.

Please Note: from 15/06 to 30/06 and from 01/09 to 15/09, there is a high risk of snow and snowdrifts. 

Some buses don't run at these times, and you'll have to replace them with a taxi: from Cantine de Visailles to Courmayeur (about 120€ for 1 to 3 people) if wanting to shorten this day’s hike.

From Courmayeur transfer by bus (not included) to Val Ferret. From here you will reach the Refuge Elena, a great spot for a break and a snack or coffee. You traverse the Grand Col Ferret over the border to Switzerland, reaching the picturesque setting of La Fouly, where your lodging awaits. Marvel at the exceptional views of the Combins massif to the East and the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in La Fouly; half board.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 14.4km/9mi, +850m/2789ft, -1000m/3281ft. Daypack to carry.

From Courmayeur, +1 hour of walking, +250m/820ft.

Today you embark on a bucolic hike from La Fouly, setting out from your hotel to explore one of Valais' most enchanting valleys. Take in the charm of quaint villages and the distinctive alpine architecture that characterizes this region of Switzerland. The day concludes with a hike through the village of Champex, nestled around a stunning lake.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Champex; half board.

About 5 to 6 hours of walking, 15.4km/9.6mi, +550m/1805ft, -600m/1969ft. Daypack to carry.

Today you start hiking directly from your hotel and pass through small alpine hamlets until climbing up to the highest point of the TMB, as you climb over the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,750m/9022ft) savor the breath-taking views while you go down alongside the Trient glacier and descend directly to your lodging in an authentic mountain lodge in a charming alpine village.

Overnight in a mountain lodge in Trient, private rooms (shared bathrooms); half board.

About 7 to 9.5 hours of walking, 16.5km/10.2mi, +1190m/3904ft, -1615m/5299ft. Daypack to carry.

-In case of uncertain weather, we advise a shorter itinerary by the Col de Bovine pass. 

About 5.5 to 6.5 hours of walking, 15km/9.3mi, +800m/2625ft, -1365m/4579ft. Daypack to carry.

Today you climb up and cross over the Col de la Balme to return to France, revel in the fantastic views of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte before descending into the village of Argentière to your lodging.

Overnight in a 2* hotel in Argentière; B&B.

About 6 to 7 hours of walking, 11.2km/7mi, +1000m/3281ft, -820m/2690ft. Daypack to carry.

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Today you get to savor the delights of the stunning Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges before ascending to Lake Blanc. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery that unfolds —Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and Mont Blanc! 

Descend to Chamonix via Le Praz. You can choose to take the cable car from La Flégère (not included). 

You can also choose to take the bus from Argentière to Chamonix (not included) if wanting to skip the 

day of hiking.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Chamonix; B&B.

About 6 hours of walking, 9.6km/6mi, +900m/2953ft, -1100m/3609ft to the Flégère cable car. 14.5km/9mi if 

you decide to hike down to le Praz. Daypack to carry.

Enjoy a free day in Chamonix to explore at your leisure. If the weather permits and it's not too early in the season to avoid problems from snowpack, consider taking the cable car from Chamonix to Plan Praz or from Plan Praz to "le Brevent". From there, embark on the hike to Les Houches. Conclude your journey by taking a train or public bus (not included) from Les Houches back to Chamonix.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Chamonix; B&B.

About 6 hours of walking, 13km/8.1mi, +515m/1690ft, -1540m/5053ft. Daypack to carry.

Departure after the breakfast and hotel check-out (~10am) in Chamonix.

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Itinerary Modifications:

We may be brought to modify the indicated route or itinerary day to day (due to problems of accommodation availability, the state of trail conditions, landslides, degraded paths, etc.). These modifications are always made in your best interest, for your safety and better comfort! 

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Extend your trip in Chamonix (Extension Package): 

Stay 2 extra nights in your 3* hotel in Chamonix after the tour (or before) to enjoy extra time in the 

scenic Chamonix Valley. 

Day 1 (Day 12 if adding on to TMB itinerary) – Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi

In your travel pack, you will find vouchers to the cable car of the Aiguille du Midi and take the famous 

“step in the void”. Attention, you must book your departure date and time for Aiguille du Midi before 

your trip with the code in your voucher on this website:

https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/aiguille-du-midi

With your phone app, explore the city and history of Chamonix on your own schedule. 

Enjoy a relaxing time in the afternoon in the QC Spas (entrance included) https://www.qcterme.com/

The perfect way to recover after your trek.

Overnight in 3* hotel in Chamonix; B&B. 

Day 2 (Day 13 if adding on to TMB itinerary) - Chamonix and the “Sea of Ice”

Today, take the small traditional train of Montenvers. The ride above the sea of ice is astonishing. 

Here, a gondola allows you to go discover the Ice Cave. A place where you enter the bowels of the glacier for a memorable visit! You can also visit the Glaciorium to understand all the history and the evolution of the sea of ice. Finally, there are restaurants to welcome you comfortably, without forgetting the mythical Montenvers hotel, facing the famed Drus!

Overnight in 3* hotel in Chamonix; B&B. 

Day 3 (Day 14 if adding on to TMB itinerary) – End in Chamonix

Departure after breakfast and hotel check-out (10am)