More about the route
Here you can see a map of the route
Reiseplan
Here you can see the programme for the tour.
You'll arrive in Les Houches, where you'll check in at your first accommodation. Dinner is included.
Note: Under ‘Practical info’ below, you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile of the tour.
Hotel (example): Hotel du Bois*** (double rooms)
The tour starts when you leave the cosy village of Les Houches. Take the gondola lift to Bellevue to avoid the first climb for an easier start. The TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc) route passes through the forest area high above the Bionnassay valley and on through idyllic Alpine villages with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the foothills of the Alps. The views are dominated by the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay mountains and the impressive glacier between them. Then it's up the Col de Tricot and then down through a series of hairpin bends to Chalet de Miage. The day ends with a beautiful ride along the river to Les Contamines.
Hotel (example): Hôtel La Gélinotte** (double rooms)
After a short drive to Notre Dame de la Gorge, the hike continues up the Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme to the Chapieux Valley. The hike over the Aiguille des Glaciers offers magnificent views. You'll spend the night in a mountain lodge where dinner is included*.
Hotel (example): Auberge-refuge La Nova (dormitory or double room)
*In cases where double rooms in Les Chapieux are sold out, we will book a double room in a 2-star hotel in Bourg St Maurice instead.
From 1 July to 25 August, a shuttle bus runs from Les Chapieux to Bourg St Maurice. It costs approximately € 6 per person per way. and takes approximately 25 minutes.
On other dates, a private transfer T/R will be required. This costs €1,500 per booking and will be necessary for the trip to be possible.
Hotel (example) in Bourg St. Maurice: Hôtel Arolla** (double room)
Today's route goes from Ville des Glacier over the Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border. The views on this stage are unrivalled, especially on the descent, with panoramic views of the Aiguilles de Peuterey and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur. On this stage, you'll need to carry your own luggage for the following day - your main luggage will meet you at the accommodation for day 5.
Note: On this night it is only possible to stay in a dormitory.
Hotel (example): Refuge Elisabetta (dormitory only)
This stage takes you up to one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the tour and on to the Chécroui Pass before descending to Courmayeur, either on foot or by gondola lift. If you're staying in dormitories on the way, take the bus from Courmayeur to Val Ferret, from where it's a one-hour hike to Rifugio Elena.
Hotel (example): Hôtel Bouton d'Or Courmayeur*** (double rooms) / Rifugio Elena (dormitory)
If you stayed overnight in Courmayeur on day 5, first take a bus to Val Ferret and then walk for an hour to get to Rifugio Elena. After crossing Col Ferret, you'll reach the cosy and beautifully situated village of La Fouly in Switzerland, where you can enjoy impressive views of the Grand Combin massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
Hotel (example): Hotel Edelweiss* in La Fouly (double rooms or dormitory)
Today's stage offers an idyllic hike in one of Valais' most beautiful valleys, where you can admire the characteristic architecture of the cosy villages. You'll then head uphill to the village of Champex with its lake Lac de Champex and on to Val d'Arpette. Today's route will take you 5-6 hours, 600 metres of ascent and 500 metres of descent.
Hotel (example): Relais Arpette in Champex (double rooms or dormitory)
Today's stage will take you to the highest point of the hike as the route takes you over the Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,750 metres). However, the reward awaits in the form of breathtaking views as you descend along the Trient Glacier. On this stage you'll walk for 7-9 hours, 1,050 metres of ascent and 1,385 metres of descent.
If the weather forecast is poor, we suggest you take a shorter route via the Col de Bovine pass. If you choose this route, you'll walk for approximately 5.5 hours, 800 metres of ascent and 1,135 metres of descent.
If you're staying in a dormitory, it's an extra 20 minutes of hiking to Trento*.
Hotel (example): Hotel de la Forclaz* (double rooms or dormitory)
*If you're staying overnight in Trento, La Forclaz is an additional 20 min. hike -230m and 1.5 km. This distance counts towards the hike on day 9.
(Example in Trento): Auberge du Mont Blanc (dormitory or double room)
Today's stage takes you over the Col de la Balme and back to France with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. On the descent you can choose between two different routes: one to Le Tour and the other to the village of Argentière.
Hotel (example): CAF du Tour (dormitory) or Hotel Le Dahu** (double rooms)
For dormitory accommodation, dinner is included.
For double rooms, only breakfast is included - and you'll need to buy dinner locally.
Enjoy the views from the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges before heading up to the Lac Blanc lake and a string of outstanding nature experiences: Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter and last but not least, Mont Blanc. Then it's downhill to Chamonix via Le Praz. You can also choose to take the bus from Argentière or Le Tour to Chamonix.
Hotel (example): Hotel du Clocher Chamonix*** (double rooms)
This day is set aside for exploring Chamonix. If the weather is good and it's not early in the season (when there's a risk of snow), you can take a gondola lift from Chamonix to Planpraz and walk to Les Houches via ‘Col du Brévent’. You can also take a gondola lift from Planpraz to ‘Le Brevent’ and hike down to Les Houches. Then you can take the train or bus from Les Houches to Chamonix.
Hotel (example): Hotel du Clocher Chamonix*** (double rooms)
Departure is after breakfast.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 11 nights in mountain lodges with dormitory accommodation (can be upgraded to double rooms)
- Luggage transfer between cabins (except on day 4 - 15kg)
- Transfer in the morning on day 3
- Breakfast and dinner every day except in Courmayeur and last night in Chamonix where only breakfast is included
- Maps and detailed walking descriptions for the entire tour (in English) (map material is IGN TOP 25 map 1:25000)
- 24-hour manned Danish emergency hotline for the duration of the trip
- 10% discount in certain equipment stores
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per room)
- This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here
- Transport to France round trip
- Transfer from Chapieux to Seloge (day 4)
- Bus transfers as mentioned in the day programme (These are local buses at a few euros per person - remember that in Switzerland they use the Swiss Franc)
- Cable cars (tickets are purchased at the cable cars if you want this experience - it is possible to hike without using the cable cars)
- Administration fee 20 euro
- Cancellation and travel insurance.
- Possible tourist taxes at the accommodations
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Geneva are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
Accommodation in Les Houches, Les Contamines and Chamonix is in 2-3 star hotels in double rooms. The rest of the tour is spent in dormitories in small charming mountain huts. Breakfast and dinner are included throughout the tour except in Chamonix and Courmayeur (if on the double room version) where breakfast only is served. It is possible to buy a packed lunch from most huts (ask about options at check-in). Alternatively, you can eat in the small villages before setting off on the day's trek. During the day, shopping opportunities are few and far between.
Upgrade
It is possible to upgrade the trip so that nights are spent in double rooms in 2-3 star hotels, guesthouses and mountain lodges - however, please note that the night on Day 4 can only be in a dormitory - so you will need to bring a sleeping bag whichever of the trips you choose. With this option, half board is provided on all days except Day 5 in Courmayeur and Days 10 and 11 in Chamonix. Only breakfast is included here, but these towns offer plenty of fine restaurants. Although you stay in a double room, you are not guaranteed a private bathroom, but we try to include it where possible.
Upgrading to double rooms is selected on the booking form.
Extra nights
It is possible to book an extra night both before and after the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. Some dinners are included in the price and are served at the lodges/hotels. There is fresh water at the lodges, and it is possible to purchase soft drinks, etc.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll get access to your 'my tour' page where you'll find practical information about the trip.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and voucher
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
This trip has a difficulty level of 3-4, which means that most hiking days on the tour are level 3 and a few are level 4.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Grade 4
Demanding hiking with daily marches of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain at higher altitudes. There can be longer ascents of up to 1,000 meters. Requires good physical condition, endurance, and knees and ankles capable of enduring prolonged descents. You need to be in good health and preferably have hiking experience. Requires good hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing. There can be significant temperature differences.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
Here you can read some of the questions we are often asked about the trip around Mont Blanc. The list is continuously updated:
Question: How many meters of altitude will the tour take place in?
A: You'll be hiking between 1,300m and 2,200m above sea level. On average, you'll be hiking at an altitude of 1,800m. The highest point of the tour is 2,700m and the highest accommodation will be at 2,000m.
Question: When will we get the hiking materials?
Answer: Hiking materials are handed out when you arrive at the first hotel. Before arrival you will have received the voucher and list of accommodations.
Q: Do we get a packing list?
Answer: Once you have booked the tour, you will have access to your 'my trip' page where you will find practical information about the tour - including a packing list.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"