Trekking Mont Blanc
10 days, Chamonix to Chamonix
Itinerary Notes
Please note that all recorded trekking durations and altitudes are approximations. There may be variations on this itinerary, depending on season & weather conditions. Our expert CEOs will always put your safety first and in extreme cases of heavy rain, storms or snow, they may cancel a day's activity at their discretion. An alternative will be offered where possible to do so.
On this trip, all travellers are required to carry their own gear. We recommend using a hiking pack (40L max. capacity), see the "Packing List" under Tour details for more information.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Chamonix
Arrive at any time.
Our circuit begins and ends in Chamonix, France.
This evening is our first opportunity to try out some of the best Alpine specialities in a typical restaurant, such as Cheese fondue, Tartiflette or Raclette accompanied with some famous "Vin de Savoie" wine.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
As this is a challenging active trek, demanding good fitness and equipment, it is very important that you arrive on time for this briefing to learn more about the route and to hear your leader's recommendations on equipment. Please make every effort to arrive on time. If you are delayed, your CEO will leave you a message detailing where they can be contacted and when to meet later in the evening or early the following morning.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Pointe Isabelle (or similar)
Day 2Chamonix/Les Contamines-Montjoie
Travel to Les Houches and enjoy a 15km (9 mi) hike through the stunning countryside to Les Contamines and savour a delicious dinner in the evening.
We set off this morning after breakfast for our first day of hiking. We'll take the bus to the village of Les Houches, where we begin with a cable car ride to Bellevue. From here on a clear day you’ll enjoy great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range, before beginning our hike to Les Contamines.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Mont Blanc Trek - Les Houches to Les Contamines-Montjoie
Hike past the Bioniassay glacier and the rolling slopes of Col du Tricot (if weather permits,) afterwards descend into the Valley of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Then climb up along an old Roman ridge and past an original Roman bridge. Arrive to the Gîte in a valley that leads to the Col du Bonhomme and stop for the night for a well-deserved rest.
Approximate hiking time is 8.5hrs. 900m - 2952ft ascent, 1300m - 4265ft descent
Accommodation
Refuge Nant Borrant (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Les Contamines-Montjoie/Les Chapieux
Hike the challenging 15km (9 mi) from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.
Mont Blanc Trek - Les Contamines-Montjoie to Les Chapieux
Begin the steep ascent to the Col Du Bonhomme, then hike to the Croix du Bonhomme and stop for lunch. While eating your meal, enjoy the amazing view of the Vallee des Chapieux. Descend to Les Chapieux for the night. Today the group will tackle steep uphill and downhill routes on rough terrain, this part of the tour can be extremely difficult but hikers’ feeling of satisfaction after climbing the Col du Bonhomme make the challenges worthwhile.
Approximate hiking time is 7 hours. 1300m - 4265ft ascent, 900m - 2952ft descent
Accommodation
Refuge Des Mottets (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Les Chapieux/Courmayeur
Pass glacial lakes on the 15km (9 mi) trek from Les Chapieux to the Italian town of Courmayeur.
Mont Blanc Trek - Les Chapieux to Courmayeur
Climb through open pastures and snowfield to Col de la Seigne and the border with Italy. Pass by picturesque glacier lakes while descending into beautiful Val Veny. Continue on a 45 minute descent to Rifugio Elisabetta, then a further 45 minute descent will bring the group to La Visaille. From this small hamlet take a bus or taxi to the picturesque town of Courmayeur, Italy.
Approximate hiking time is 5hrs. 750m - 2460ft ascent, 800m - 2625ft descent
Free Time
Free time to explore what the biggest town in the Italian Mont Blanc circuit has to offer such as restaurants and bistros.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Cable Car Ride to Pointe Helbronner
52EUR per personEnjoy a magnificent cable car ride to Pointe Helbronner and back -- the views are stunning.
Spa Centre of Pré St Didier
50EUR per personEnjoy an indulgent thermal bath or massage to relax those well-worked muscles at the amazing Spa Centre of Pré St Didier.
Rafting
30-95EUR per personRaft down the scenic Dora Baltea River in the Aosta Valley.
Aosta Visit
7EUR per personGet to know this charming bilingual city nestled in the Italian Alps. It offers many sights to explore, including the ancient town walls of Augusta Prætoria Salassorum, still preserved almost in their entirety, and an ancient Roman amphitheatre.
Accommodation
Hotel Cristallo (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Courmayeur
The picturesque mountain town of Courmayeur is an ideal backdrop for a free day. Opt to ride a cable car to Pointe Helbronner or go for a day hike.
Today we have a scheduled rest day to put up our weary feet or take the opportunity to enjoy the lovely town of Courmayeur and La Saxe.
Enjoy an optional dinner with the group and our leader to taste some of the Italian Alpine specialities offered in Courmayeur's many atmospheric restaurants.
Free Time
Relax and enjoy the mountain scenery or enjoy one of the optional activities available here.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Spa Centre of Pré St Didier
50EUR per personEnjoy an indulgent thermal bath or massage to relax those well-worked muscles at the amazing Spa Centre of Pré St Didier.
Cable Car Ride to Pointe Helbronner
52EUR per personEnjoy a magnificent cable car ride to Pointe Helbronner and back -- the views are stunning.
Accommodation
Hotel Cristallo (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Courmayeur/Val Ferret
Hike the 13km (8 mi) from Courmayeur to the Italian Val Ferret. It's a steep climb but the rewarding views are worth it.
Mont Blanc Trek - Courmayeur to Val Ferret
Lace those hiking boots back up! Start the steep climb up to Rifugio Bertone with the best view of the Mont Blanc Massif. Hike along the Mont de la Saxe, taking the balcony path facing the ridge of the Grandes Jorasses. Stop for a picnic lunch and take in the unforgettable view. Continue to Rifugio Bonatti, overlooking the Italian Val Ferret for the night.
Approximate hiking time is 5hrs. 850m - 2789ft ascent, 285m - 935ft descent
Accommodation
Rifugio Bonatti (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Val Ferret/La Fouly
Embark on a long, steep hike of 20km (12.5 mi) followed by a stay in the Swiss mountain village of La Fouly.
Mont Blanc Trek - Val Ferret to La Fouly
Start towards Arp Nouva, then begin the steep climb across the Grand Col Ferret, and descend into the hamlet of Ferret, Switzerland. Continue the decent into the Alpage at La Peule before reaching a high traverse above the valley; from here, enjoy the view of the deep, green forest crawling up the foothills of the surrounding mountains. Continue downward on a the final passage, finishing in the mountain village of La Fouly, where you can finally kick those feet up and relax.
Approximate hiking duration is 6hrs. 900m - 2953ft ascent, 1400m - 4593ft descent
Accommodation
Auberge des Glaciers Fouly (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8La Fouly/Trient
After a short bus journey to the picturesque village of Champex, follow the "Bovine Way" and trek 16km (10mi) from La Fouly to Trient.
Mont Blanc Trek - La Fouly to Trient
Taking the Bovine Way, an old trail used to access the flower-filled summer cow pastures high above the valley, we continue along our circuit today, passing the Col de la Forclaz and then heading downhill to Trient.
Approximate hiking duration is 5hrs. 750m - 2460ft ascent, 950m - 3117ft descent
Accommodation
La Grande Ourse (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Trient/Chamonix
Enjoy a final day of trekking 12 km (7.5mi) over the Col de la Balme to the Chamonix valley.
Mont Blanc Trek - Trient to Montroc
Head back towards the Chamonix Valley and out of Switzerland. Walk uphill through a large forest and then open alpine slopes to the Col de Balme. Trek the last downhill stretch to Montroc in the Chamonix Valley to wrap up this unforgettable trek.
Approximate hiking duration is 5hrs. 900m - 2952ft ascent, 750m - 2460ft descent
Accommodation
Pointe Isabelle (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Chamonix
We suggest booking your flight no earlier than 12:00 if you would like to leisurely enjoy your last morning in Chamonix. Please keep in mind that Geneva is approximately 2 hours away.
Please note that most international flights depart from Geneva Airport, and you will need to allow at least 3 hours prior to your departure time to travel from Chamonix to Geneva. For this reason, our suggested 12:00 flight departure time is not mandatory, but recommended to allow a leisurely final morning on tour.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.