Tour du Mont Blanc Circuit in Comfort

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Day 1: Arrival Les Houches

Welcome to the village of Les Houches, which sits on the banks for the river l’Arve just 6km from Chamonix.

• Accommodation: Hotel du Bois, 3-star (or similar), half-board

Day 2: Les Houches – Les Contamines | 4-5h

Take the cable car to Bellevue, making for an easier first day, cutting out the first ascent. The TMB path contours through the forest high above Bionnassay Valley while passing through pretty hamlets in the foothills of the Alps, with excellent views of Mont Blanc. The Dôme du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnassay dominate today’s views with the impressive Bionnassay Glacier between them. Climb up Col de Tricot and start your descent following a series of switchbacks to Chalet de Miage. Following a riverside path, this is a beautiful approach into Les Contamines at the end of the day.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h, approx. 12.9km, ↑380m ↓1,010m
• Accommodation: Hôtel La Gélinotte, 2-star (or similar), half-board

Day 3: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux | 7-8h

Begin with a short transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge, before traversing Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, then descending into Chapieux Valley. Today is also one for remarkable panoramas of Aiguille des Glaciers.

• Walking for the day: 7-8h, approx. 15.3km ↑1,380m ↓980m (with transfer) / 8-9h without transfer
• Accommodation: Private room at mountain lodge Auberge de la Nova (or similar), half-board

PLEASE NOTE: If accommodation in Les Chapieux isn’t available, we will book you into a hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice at a supplemental cost. Depending on availability, the hotel would be either a 2-star or a 3-star with breakfast only. If this is the case, you can take the bus from Les Chapieux to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and return in the morning. In low season a private transfer may be required.

Day 4: Les Chapieux – Rifugio Elisabetta | 5-6h

During the high season, take advantage of the local shuttle to Ville des Glaciers, shortening the day. From there, embark on a hike over Col de la Seigne, crossing into the Italian side of the border. Throughout your descent, there are some fantastic vistas of Aiguilles of Peuterey.

PLEASE NOTE: luggage transfer to your next accommodation is not possible today. Instead, it transported directly from Les Chapieux to Courmayeur where you stay on day/night five.

• Walking for the day: 5-6h, approx. 14km, ↑1030m ↓390m / 10km with transfer
• Accommodation: Rifugio Elisabetta (mixed gender dormitory rooms), half-board. There is no option for private rooms here.

Day 5: Rifugio Elisabetta – Courmayeur | 4-5h

Hike along one the most magnificent balconies of the TMB, until you reach Chécrouit Pass, where you have the choice to descend to Courmayeur either by walking or a convenient cable car shortcut. Courmayeur is a vibrant mountain town and a great place to book an extra day.

• Walking for the day: 4-5h approx. 15.5km ↑520m ↓1500m
• Accommodation: Hotel Bouton d’Or, 3-star (or similar) in Courmayeur, bed and breakfast
  

Day 6: Val Ferret – La Fouly | 5-6h

Take a bus to Val Ferret (Arp Nouvaz) and cross Grand Col Ferret to arrive at the quaint but beautiful village of La Fouly in Switzerland. Take in exceptional views over Combins massif in the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

• Walking for the day: 5-6h approx. 14.5km ↑810m ↓975m
• Accommodation: Hôtel Edelweiss, 3-star (or similar) in La Fouly, half-board

Day 7: La Fouly – Champex-Lac | 5-6h

A tranquil hike through one of the most beautiful valleys of Switzerland’s Valais. Ascend towards the village of Champex (1,470m) , home to a spectacular glacial lake that shares the village’s name.

• Walking for the day: 5-6h approx. 15km ↑535m ↓670m
• Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier, half-board

Day 8: Champex-Lac – Trient (or La Forclaz) | 8-9h

Today’s journey leads to the highest point of your TMB adventure as you traverse Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665m). Enjoy breathtaking panoramas as you continue along Trient glacier. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative route via Col de Bovine is highly recommended and offers a shorter yet equally rewarding day’s walk.

• Walking for the day: 8-9h, approx. 15km, ↑1,195m ↓1,350m, or 5-6h ↑770m ↓945m (shorter option via Col de Bovine, especially during bad weather).
• Accommodation: La Grande Ourse (or similar), private rooms, half-board

Day 9: La Forclaz (or Trient) – Argentière | 7-8h

Hike over Col de la Balme and be treated to spectacular views of the Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte. Descend back into France along the scenic crest of the Aiguillette des Posettes, or in inclement weather take the lower direct route via le Tour.

• Walking for the day: 7-8h approx 15.8km ↑1,170m ↓1,230m
• Accommodation: Hotel Le Dahu, 2-star (or similar) in Argentière, bed and breakfast

Day 10: Argentière – Chamonix | 7-8h

Take in the beauty of Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges, followed by a trek up to Lac Blanc. The journey today is adorned with natural highlights, including Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and, of course, the magnificent Mont Blanc itself. Descend to Chamonix on foot, or enjoy an easy ride down by cable car from Planpraz. You can opt to shorten the day by taking the cable car at La Flégère and a local bus (transfers not included).

• Walking for the day: 7-8h approx. 15.5km, ↑1,435m, ↓685m
• Accommodation: Hotel Vallée Blanche, 3-star (or similar), bed and breakfast

Day 11: Chamonix – Les Houches | 6-7h

f the weather is good and it’s not the beginning of the season (when there is more of a risk of snow), you can take the cable car from Chamonix to Planpraz and walk to Les Houches via Col du Brevent. Or take a cable car from Planpraz to Le Brevent down to Les Houches (only after end of June). Take a the train or bus from Les Houches back to Chamonix. Another option is just to call this a rest day and enjoy strolling around Chamonix.

• Walking for the day: 6-7h ↑515m ↓1,540m
• Accommodation: Hotel Vallée Blanche, 3-star (or similar), bed and breakfast

Day 12: Departure or extra nights

Chamonix is a great place to spend a couple of days, and we recommend that you add some extra nights here. There is superb walking in Aiguilles Rouges National Nature Reserve, take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (3,795m) or the train to the Montenvers on the Mer de Glace.

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Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.