Tour du Mont Blanc In Comfort - 13 Days
Mont BlancTour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc In Comfort - 13 Days

13 Days
Strenuous

Tour du Mont Blanc In Comfort - 13 Days

from $7,060 / person

Overview

The full Tour du Mont Blanc is widely regarded as one of the greatest mountain treks in the world, and it is easy to see why.

The trek circles Mont Blanc over 13 days through France, Italy, and Switzerland, crossing high passes, passing through historic villages, and tracing the peaks and glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif. The route crosses into Italy via the Col de la Seigne, enters Switzerland over the Grand Col Ferret, and passes through the lakeside village of Champex before returning to France via the Col de Balme above the Chamonix Valley. An English-speaking guide and full ground support accompany the group throughout.

This guided departure is also an ideal choice for solo trekkers looking to take on the full circuit.

Please note: additional transfer fees may apply if regular accommodation is unavailable for a preferred departure date. If this occurs, the cost will be confirmed before booking is finalised. Walkers who choose to cancel as a result will receive a full deposit refund.

Highlights

  • Relax and enjoy being guided around the complete Tour du Mont Blanc, Europe's most popular long-distance trek
  • Walk through La Vallée de Glacier and meet local Beaufort cheesemakers
  • Hike rugged trails, crossing the Col de la Seigne and Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland
  • Discover the rich mountaineering history of Chamonix and Courmayeur
  • Enjoy a great night's rest in private rooms with ensuites for most nights, (occasionally two rooms might share a bathroom) located in the heart of historic alpine villages and towns

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Chamonix

Bustling with outdoor enthusiasts, the French Alpine town of Chamonix is only a 90-minute transfer from Geneva Airport (we supply this - see the How To Get There section in General Info). Relax in the garden of your hotel under the incredible Mont Blanc massif before exploring the streets, pavement cafes and bars of this famous alpine town. Tonight we get together for a briefing on what is to come and enjoy a pre-hike dinner.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Chamonix

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (12 nights)

Meals

12 breakfasts, and 7 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Cable Car

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

7

Auswalk Walking Grade

Strenuous

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Serious hiking for experienced walkers. Expect steep climbs, rugged terrain, and full days on the trail.

View Fitness Guide

11

Days on the trail

7-22 km

Daily distance range

636-1334 m

Daily ascent range

10/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation throughout this tour is in three-star hotels, small family-run hotels and mountain auberges, all used to welcoming trekkers and properly equipped to keep you comfortable whatever the conditions outside. Twelve nights are spent in private rooms, most with en-suite facilities, though on occasion bathrooms may be shared between the occupants of two adjacent rooms. From experience, these are always clean and well supplied with hot water.

Your luggage travels with you every night, so there is no need to buy or carry sleep sheets and towels or worry about overnight stops without your bags. As many overnight stops fall in smaller villages and towns, alternative accommodation of equivalent standard may occasionally be necessary, and any such options will be discussed with you during the booking process.

Please note that in Switzerland, it is standard practice for double rooms to feature two single beds with individual bed linen pushed together or placed into one large bed frame.

What You'll Eat

Twelve breakfasts and seven two-course dinners are included throughout the trip, with the first being a group dinner on arrival in Chamonix. In some of the smaller properties, dinner is served at communal tables with set mealtimes, a system that keeps small kitchen teams running smoothly and ensures nobody goes hungry after a demanding day on the trail. For lunch, the towns and villages along the route are well worth exploring at the table. Specialty breads, cheeses and meats produced by hand are a regular feature of the local food culture, and a farmers' market is a genuine find if you come across one. Most properties can also prepare a picnic lunch on request, and the Beaufort cheese from La Vallée des Glaciers, available fresh from the farm, is a staff favourite that is not to be missed.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in the mountains.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Chamonix, in the French Alps. The closest airport is Geneva (GVA), with good international connections. A shared transfer from Geneva Airport to Chamonix is included on Day 1 at approximately 2.00pm, and a return transfer to Geneva Airport is included on Day 13 at approximately 10.00am. Those unable to meet the allocated transfer times will need to arrange their own transport. Exact timings will be confirmed several months before departure. Chamonix is also accessible by train from Paris and other French cities.

Departure dates for this guided group walk are set for midsummer, when the Mont Blanc massif is at its most accessible and the days are long. On early departures, some higher passes may still carry snow; if so, alternative routes or local transport will be arranged. Midsummer brings warm temperatures, long days and alpine wildflowers at their peak, though afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature. Early starts are advisable. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the conditions look like at the start of the day.

This walk is graded challenging to strenuous, Auswalk's second hardest grade. Daily walks average 15.5 kilometres with around 1,202 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 10 out of 10. Trails cover varied terrain including forest tracks, high alpine pastures, and rocky mountain paths. Expect prolonged ascents and descents, rough surfaces, steps, and the possibility of snowy patches on higher passes. On days 10 and 11, short sections of metal ladders and foot rungs are straightforward to follow; those who suffer from vertigo should contact us to discuss alternatives. You must be comfortable sustaining around 1,200 metres of elevation per day, and an exercise regime of uphill walks at least three to four times per week is strongly recommended.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

Due to the physical nature of this tour, we will require your doctor to complete our medical certificate form to say that you are fit enough to undertake the walk you are booking with us. This is for all travellers of 75+ of age and supersedes our standard T&C's of this requirement at 80+ years.

Each morning it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts for more details. Bags must be less than 15kg (this is French legislation) and be soft (i.e. not hard cases).

Any excess kilos can be stored for a fee at the luggage transfer company.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Tour du Mont Blanc reviews

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Alex
10 months ago

We booked this trip and I didn't really know just what I was getting myself into. I was a bit anxious not going on a guided tour but when we received the travel pack my worries were alleviated. All the maps, GSP and Auswalk App made the hike easy to prepare and plan for. All the accommodation, walk notes and bag picks up were seamless and comfortable. I enjoyed this experience much more than I expected and that was to do with feeling confident in our routes and being able to plan each evening what we needed to do the next day. Thanks so much Auwalk for a professional, caring and adventurous adventure preparation! We are already looking at our next European walk.

Jane L
11 months ago

It was an absolute life highlight to hike in this beautiful and unique part of the world. Great group of people and our guide ensured we all had a unique and memorable adventure, taking us off the main trail whenever possible. His knowledge of the region's flora, fauna and history was exceptional. Highly recommend this challenging but rewarding hike.

Jane L
11 months ago

It was an absolute life highlight to hike in this beautiful and unique part of the world. Highly recommend this challenging but rewarding hike.

Catherine S
11 months ago

I would highly recommend booking with AusWalk. This was my 2nd walk with them. Information is good, the accommodation was excellent which include amazing breakfasts.

Deanna L
last year

Tour du Mont Blanc is no doubt one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world but also very challenging. It is incredibly stunning and beautiful from every angle & I would definitely recommend this trip to those who love a challenge and are physically prepared to meet the challenge.

Juliet B
last year

When we first received the information pack, with so many booklets and documents, we thought we'd have information overload. Particularly with the Universal Hikes App as well. But once we started walking, everything fell into place and the various information all made perfect sense. In the end we used the books to plan our day and know where to head, then we could use the trail signage as our primary guide. The booklet was then a useful backup (and information source) and if we were really unsure, the App pointed us in the right direction. We absolutely loved the options provided and the flexibility to shorten or extend our hike each day - brilliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chamonix. There is an abundance of great walks on Chamonix’s doorstep. You can also take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi (a panoramic cable car which takes you from Chamonix, 1035m to 3842m with an excellent view point up to the summit of Mont Blanc). Courmayeur Like Chamonix, Courmayeur has a number of great trails on its doorstep. It’s pedestrianised town centre has plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can sample wood fired pizza with a Monte Bianco beer. From Courmayeur you can also spend the day journeying across the Mont Blanc massif via a mountain train and series of panoramic cable cars. Champex As there is very little to do in Champex it is perfect for resting the legs and hanging out by the lake with a Mont Blanc biere and lunchtime fondue.

Of course, there are several sections you can omit to complete the circuit in a shorter distance. If you are looking for a shorter tour but without losing the experience our ‘Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc’ completes the tour in 8 days by employing a sensible combination of local transport links with the best sections of walking.

Your main luggage is collected each morning and delivered to your next accommodation while you walk. It must be ready for pick-up by 8:00 AM and will typically arrive at your next stop by 4:00 PM. A few important rules: only soft duffel bags or packs are accepted — no suitcases. The strict weight limit is 15kg per person, and bags are weighed on the first day. Don't tie bags together or attach loose items like shoes or umbrellas, as these will be removed. Keep your passport, medication, valuables, and fragile items in your daypack — never in your transferred luggage. Attaching an AirTag to your bag is a good idea in case of delays.

A comfortable daypack of at least 25–30 litres is recommended. It should have a waterproof cover or liner, as mountain weather can change fast. This is what you'll carry on the trail each day with your layers, rain gear, water, snacks, navigation, and valuables.

At least 12 months in advance. The TMB is one of the world's most popular long-distance walks and accommodation fills up fast — particularly during the main alpine summer season. During major trail running events in the area, availability becomes even tighter.

A good waterproof jacket and over-trousers are non-negotiable — mountain weather can turn quickly at any time of day. Other essentials include walking boots (not trainers), warm layers, a hat and gloves, sun protection, at least 2–3 litres of water, food for the day, a headtorch, your passport, cash in both Euros and Swiss Francs, a personal first aid kit, and your phone. Walking poles are strongly recommended — the TMB involves 1,000–1,500m of ascent and descent each day, and poles make a real difference. Bring a battery pack to charge your phone and camera during the day.

The TMB reaches a maximum of around 2,665m, which is below the threshold where altitude sickness typically becomes a serious concern. That said, the combination of altitude and sustained daily exertion means you should be well-prepared physically. Travel insurance must cover trekking above 2,500m and helicopter rescue — in the event of an evacuation, costs can run to several thousand Euros without adequate cover.

The TMB crosses three countries — France and Italy use the Euro (€), Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). You'll need both. Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash at all times, as many smaller villages have no ATMs. Some establishments are cash only. You can withdraw Swiss Francs at Geneva Airport on arrival. Note that Swiss bars and cafés may accept Euros, but often at an unfavourable rate.

Yes. Most days have options to reduce the distance using cable cars or local public transport. Your daily walk notes detail all available options. Public transport in the region is generally efficient, though schedules can reduce later in the season. Taxis are an option too — Mont Blanc Taxis contact details are included in your walking notes — but they are expensive in the mountains.

Yes. Please flag any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking and reconfirm with your host on arrival. Alpine cuisine is hearty and ingredient-led — heavy on potatoes, cheese, beef, and bread. Vegetarian options have improved, but can be limited in smaller villages, and gluten-free requests can be problematic given how central bread and pasta are to the local diet. In Chamonix and Courmayeur, there is much more variety. If your requirements are complex, bring supplementary snacks to cover yourself on the trail.

Want to Know More?

The Mont Blanc Experience

Wonder
Auswalk rugged mountain trails through France, Italy and Switzerland around Mont Blanc
Straddle Col de la Seigne, then descend beneath tumbling glaciers into Val Veny
Traverse Courmayeur’s cobbled streets and the high Balcony Route towards Grand Jorasses
Wellness
Rejuvenate, restore & recharge. Tour du Mont Blanc, where big mountains change everything
105 miles. Three countries. One transformative journey. Circle the roof of Europe, one mindful step at a time
Unwind in Chamonix chalet gardens with pool, sauna and Aiguille du Midi views
Nature
Follow the Lac Blanc Balcony Trail with cobalt water and Mont Blanc vistas
Watch ibex, chamois and marmots across sheer rock faces and alpine pastureswalk under La Ville des Glaciers amid alpine pasture
Cross Grand Col Ferret past flower-filled Swiss hamlets, glaciers and lush valleys