More about the route
Here you can see a map of the routes
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
Depending on your arrival time, it's possible to hike a short round trip today of 3-600 metres altitude that will bring you your first great views.
You'll spend the night in the traditional and charming French village of Les Contamines, where dinner is included.
Hotel (example): La Gelinotte (double room)
The day starts with a short transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge. From here you'll hike over the Bonhomme and Croix du Bonhomme passes, leading you to the Chapieux Valley. On this stretch you'll be greeted by breathtaking views of the Aiguille des Glaciers (3816), which rises beautifully from the green seats. You'll spend the night in a mountain lodge* where dinner is included.
Hotel (example): Auberge de 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)
The day includes a hike over the La Seigne pass, located on the French-Italian border. At the top of the pass, you'll come face to face with the stunning rock walls and ice-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. Here you leave France and head down into the Italian Véni Valley. From La Cantine to Val Ferret, you'll take a bus and then hike the final stretch up to the mountain hut Elena, located close to the Pre de Bar's glacier.
Dinner is included if you take the tour in dormitories. If you book the tour with an upgrade to double rooms for the whole tour, dinner is not included on this day - there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
You enter Italy via the Col de la Seigne.
Hotel (example): Refuge Elena (dormitory) or Hotel Bouton d'Or*** (double rooms)
Today's hike goes up to the great Ferret Pass, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. On the border is Mont Dolent (3,823m). This mountain is particularly well-known as it has a mountainside in France, Italy and Switzerland. After the pass, there are magnificent views of various mountain passes on the horizon. From here, the trail winds steeply down towards the Dranse River. The tour continues through the charming Swiss mountain village of La Fouly. The final stretch is by local bus to Champex, from where it's a 45-minute hike up to the family-run hut. hike up to the family-run and charming mountain chalet Relais d'Arpette, where dinner is included.
Hotel (example): Le Relais Arpette (dormitory) or Hotel Splendide*** (double rooms)
Today you'll reach Fenêtre d' Arpette (2,750m), the highest point of the tour. This pass is like something out of a film, with dramatic rocky slopes on both sides and a narrow passage with a winding path leading over the pass and down the rustic mountainside on the other side. The hike is challenging, but the views and experience are magnificent as you descend into the valley along the Trent Glacier. Should the weather become too uncertain, there is an alternative and slightly shorter route via the Cold de Bovine pass (5-6 hours - +800m/-1135m).
Dinner and overnight in the mountain hut Col de la Forclaz, which is cosily located in the green hills with views of the snow-capped mountain peaks. Or upgrade in neighbouring Trento*.
Hotel (example): La Forclaz (dormitory or double room)
*If you stay overnight in Trento, from La Forclaz it's an additional 20 min. hike -230m and 1.5 km. This distance counts towards the hike on day 6. (Example in Trento): Auberge du Mont Blanc (dormitory or double room)
On the sixth day, you'll start by hiking up to the Balme Pass, which takes you from Switzerland back to France. This ascent is a nice contrast to previous ascents, as this is a path that winds in hairpin bends up through green pastures. From the pass, there are beautiful views of both the Swiss side and the French side. There are several scenic routes down 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.
With the Mont Blanc massif at your back, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Aiguilles Rouges massif throughout this day's hike. The greens of the valleys, the white glaciers of Mont Blanc and the reddish colours of the Aiguilles Rouges massif - words cannot do justice to the picturesque scenery that surrounds you, so be sure to enjoy the last six hours of hiking that takes you through the stunning landscape to the village of Les Praz before you finally arrive in Chamonix. The final stretch down to Chamonix is possible to take one or two cable cars if you want to include this experience. You should be back in Chamonix around 5pm.
Hotel (example): Hôtel du Clocher**
After breakfast, it's time to check out and head home.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights accommodation in dormitories at mountain lodges (can be upgraded to double rooms)
- Luggage transportation between accommodations
- Transfer the morning of day 2
- Breakfast and dinner (except in Chamonix, Argentière & Courmayeur B&B)
- Maps and detailed walking descriptions, and other relevant information
- 24-hour service hotline during the entire tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- single room
- Transportation to the destination
- Bustransfers (These are easily done on local buses for a few euros - remember that in Switzerland they use Swiss Francs)
- Cableways (tickets purchased directly at the cableway, if you wish to have this experience - It is also possible to walk without the use of cableways)
- Cancellation and travel insurance.
- Transfer from La Nova to Seloge (day 3)
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.
Important: Please note that transportation to and from Les Contamines in France is not included in the package, and that you have to make sure to book your own flight that matches the holiday start- and end date. This is easily done online or by contacting us for an offer.
There are direct flights to Geneva from most of the European airports.
Important: We recommend that you book the trip with us before you buy your plane tickets.
From Geneva Airport to Les Contamines
To determine, how to get from an airport to your first hotel in Les Contamines, visit Rome2Rio. The link takes you to a search from Geneva Airport (Station) to Les Contamines-Montjoie, but you can choose whichever airport or station as the starting location.
The easiest way to get from Geneva airport to Les Contamines is by a direct transfer, which can be arranged by fx www.resortrides.com. You can request a quick non-binding price offer directly on their website.
From Geneva airport there are also trains to St. Gervais les Bains - Le Fayet and Chamonix (www.sbb.ch).
It is also possible to take a bus from Geneva Airport to Les Contamines, changing in St. Gervais les Bains - Le Fayet (www.sat-montblanc.com)
From Chamonix to Geneva Airport
From Chamonix to Geneva Airport there are several suttles a day with www.easybus.com or www.chamexpress.com. The tickets can be purchased online.
Local Transportation
The easiest way from Chamonix back to Les Contamines is by train or bus via St. Gervais Les Bains - Le Fayet.
(A taxi for this drive costs about 80€)
Drive on your own
Depending on your departure location, it can also be a solution to drive to Les Contamines, where there is free parking (not guarded parking).
What is the absolute easiest option?
You can let us arrange your transportation with a private transfer. You'll be met at Geneva airport and driven directly to the first hotel in Les Contamines. The same applies for the way back, where you'll be picked up at your hotel and driven to Geneva airport, arriving at least two hours before your flight.
You can order the transfer, either one way or both ways, when you book the holiday.
See the prices below.
Geneva Airport to Les Contamines
1-4 people: 200€ in total for the car
Chamonix to Geneva Airport
1-4 people: 200€ in total for the car
Note: When you book the tour, you can only select the transfer for 1-4 people. If you're a larger group then just write in the message field that you'd like the transfer, and how many you are. Then we'll get back to you with a price offer.
The first overnight stay in Les Contamines as well as the last one in Chamonix are spent in double rooms at 2-3-star hotels. All nights on the trek are spent at dormitories in small charming mountain lodges.
Breakfast and dinner are included throughout the entire holiday (except in Chamonix and Courmayeur if you're in a double room, and therefore only served breakfast).
Most lodges provide the possibility to purchase a lunch box to bring along (ask about these options when you check in). You can also stock up at the small village shops before you set off on the day's trek. The possibilities for purchasing anything during the day will be scarce as the stores will be far away.
Upgrade
It is possible to upgrade the accommodation, to stay in double rooms at 2-3 star hotels, guest houses and Mountain lodges. This option includes half board on all days except Day 3 in Courmayeur and Day 7 in Chamonix B&B, where only breakfast is included. However, both of these cities offer plenty of nice restaurants to dine at. Note: Even if you stay at a double room, it is not guaranteed that you'll have access to a private bathroom, but we aim to include it wherever possible.
Extra nights
It is possible to book an extra night before or after the trip.
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price, and served at the lodges (except Chamonix and Courmayeur B&B). 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 recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
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.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
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.
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"