Guided Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort – 13 Days

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.

Meals: Group dinner
Accommodation: Chamonix

Les Houches is the traditional start of the TMB. We take the cable car up to Bellevue (1802m) to start your walk. From Bellevue we take the high route over the Col du Tricot (2102m)  under the shadow of the Bionnassay Glacier to the picture-postcard Refuge de Miage (famed for their blueberry tart).

Distance: 19km
Elevation: +1540m / -1390m

By using the cable from Bellevue we reduce the walking by approx. 2 hours (6kms) and around 650m of ascent.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Les Contamines

Begin the day by walking south from Les Contamines along the River Bonnant to the 17th-century church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge, which marks the start of the mountain path. The road gives way to a steep and roughly paved track, which climbs to Refuge de la Balme (a very well-timed rest!). From here the steep rocky path climbs over the Col du Bonhomme (2383m) and contours around to pass over the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2443m). Then descend to the small village of Les Chapieux for a short transfer to Bourg Saint Maurice for the night.

Distance: 20km
Elevation: +1340m / -950m
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Bourg Saint Maurice

Start gently from Les Chapieux to reach the village of La Ville des Glaciers. Then it’s a steady uphill on a winding track to Col de la Seigne (2513m). At the pass, straddle the border between France and Italy and soak up views of the southern side of the Mont Blanc massif with its dramatic, jagged peaks. Descend through the Vallon de la Lee Blanche to Rifugio Elisabetta, a fantastic spot for a rest break. Continue on under tumbling glaciers into Val Veny. From here you will leave the main TMB route for a few km to reach La Visaille.

Distance: 21km
Elevation: +1130m / -1010m
The distance can be reduced by 5km by taking the shuttle bus from Les Chapieux.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Courmayeur

From La Visaille, rejoin the TMB near the Cabane du Combal. Follow the magnificent balcony trail to Rifugio Maison Vieille with many vantage points to soak up the stunning views over the Val Veny. Why not relax with a picnic lunch and look for marmots?  A long, steep descent to Courmayeur follows but you can save your knees by making use of the chairlifts and cable cars.

Distance: 15.5km
Elevation: +850m / -1310m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Courmayeur

Leave Courmayeur on foot and ascend onto the steep forested slopes of La Montagne de la Saxe. After arriving at Rifugio Bertone, we have two choices depending on the group’s ability. Either we follow the standard ‘Balcony Route’, which gives incredible unbroken views across Val Ferret to Mont Blanc and Grand Jorasses. Or take the High Route which is more challenging, but provides some of the most epic views on the walk. On reaching Rifugio Bonatti, the picnic terrace is great for sampling the famous Bonatti hot chocolate and taking in the majesty of the mountains around you. Then descend to Val Ferret.

Distance: 14km or 17km
Elevation: +1080m or +1730m / -580m or -1250
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Courmayeur

From Arnuva, the head of the valley, tackle the straightforward but steep climb winding up to the Grand Col Ferret. Along the way, enjoy a break at the perfectly placed Rifugio Elena with a café latte and panoramic views back down Val Ferret. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret (2563m), you enter Switzerland. From this spot, views extend to the peak of Mont Dolent, which is shared between France, Italy and Switzerland. On your descent, pass typical Swiss chalets and flower-filled gardens as you enter the hamlet of La Fouly where you will spend the night.

Distance: 20km
Elevation: +980m / -1390m
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: La Fouly

A day of chocolate-box Swiss villages and one of the easiest stages of the circuit. The route passes through the timeless village of Arlaches. The medieval wooden houses adorned with bright flower boxes provide a window into a bygone era. A steep climb from the valley up to Champex follows. The beautiful lake with its picturesque cafes and bars is definitely worth a stop before heading to your hotel.

Distance: 15km
Elevation: +510m / -650m
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Champex

A choice of two stunning routes today. The Standard Route follows the Bovine Trail which ascends steeply through pine forests to take you over glacial streams and across high alpine pastures where the famous ‘Swiss fighting cows’ graze through the summer. Mid-way be sure to stop off at the L’Alpage Bovine which serves delicious homemade apple cake (with excellent views over to the Swiss Bernese Alps).  A short transfer will take you to Martigny for the night.

Distance: 15.5km
Elevation: +850m / -1040m
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Martigny

It’s back in France today with a hike to the border at Col de Balme (2192m). The route takes a steep but relatively short climb up to the Col.  From the Col de Balme, you’ll be rewarded with extensive views over Chamonix Valley and the familiar snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc. Relax on the terrace of the Refuge du Col de Balme and enjoy some refreshments. Continue on the TMB and tackle another ascent to the ridge summit of Aiguillette des Posettes before a long steep descent. End the day with a short bus or train ride into Chamonix to reach your accommodation for the night.

Distance: 14km
Elevation: +980m / -840m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chamonix

A spectacular day of mountain walking. Begin with an ascent up forested slopes to the foot of a short section of fixed ladders. Continue upwards on steeper ground with a good chance of spotting small herds of agile Ibex (“bouquetin”). Deep into the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve at the Tete-aux-Ventes track junction, we recommend taking the trail up to the idyllic Lac Blanc where a charming refuge overlooks the cobalt waters of this much-photographed lake. From here we have the option of a short there-and-back walk to see the stunning high alpine lake, Lac Perseverance. Continue on rocky trails to follow the famous “Grand Balcon Sud” path with its astounding vistas across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc Range to the La Flegere cable car station. We will descend by cable car to our hotel in Chamonix.

Distance: 8.5km (Add 3km for Lac Blanc and Lac Perseverance)
Elevation: +730m / -270m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chamonix

The last day of trekking starts by returning to La Flegere by cable car. Re-joining the TMB, continue on the Grand Balcon walk to Plan Praz. A steep climb to the Col du Brevent and Le Brevent summit (2525m) follows. At the Le Brevent “Le Panoramic” mountain-top restaurant, the snow-capped peaks and glaciers across the valley seem within touching distance. From here, you can take the easier option and descend to Chamonix via the Le Brevent and Plan Praz cable cars. Continue on foot along rocky ridgelines before descending through alpine woodlands into the village of Les Houches. Return to Chamonix via train or bus. We will get to have our last group dinner in Chamonix together. Chamonix is a great place to celebrate and reflect on your completion of one of the world’s greatest treks.

Distance: 18.5km
Elevation: +900m / -1750m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Chamonix

Time to say goodbye today after breakfast, but depending on your onward travel arrangements, you might want to take a last walk around Chamonix village or indulge in a morning of freshly baked patisserie cakes and coffee before your departure. We arrange for your transfer back to Geneva. If you have time and the weather is clear, we highly recommend taking the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi.

Meals: Breakfast