Day 1 - Arrive in the Chamonix Valley

The trip starts in the famous mountaineering town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing, followed by our evening meal. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

 

Day 2 - Hike from Les Houches to Les Contamines

We start the day with a cable car journey on the Bellevue (the cable car usually runs from mid-June until mid-September - if you're here earlier or later than that then we walk up!)

We then cross the spectacular suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, and we have several route choices to take us to Les Contamines. We usually cross the Col de Tricot, with a coffee stop at the spectacularly-located Chalet de Miage (at the foot of the Dômes de Miage), but if the weather is bad then we may take a lower level route through the scenic villages of Bionnassay, Champex and La Gruvaz.

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hrs

Distance: 15km

Altitude gain / loss: +837m / -1520mm

 

Day 3 - Hike from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Today we have around 40 mins on the flat to reach the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge. We trek up the old Roman road from the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge, which is thought to have been a route taken by Hannibal. It is a steep uphill to start with, but we soon get into our stride! We pass the Chalet de Balme, which is a perfect coffee stop if we are making good time. We then head up to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m) for a well-earned lunch break. After lunch we have a climbing traverse, often with snowy patches until mid-July, to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2479m).  From here we enjoy great views towards the Vanoise National Park, before a 2 hour descent to Les Chapieux. We stay either in an auberge or a chambre d'hôte, depending on availability. 

 

Accommodation : Auberge/Chambre d'Hôte, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8 hrs

Distance: 19km

Altitude gain / loss: +1348m / -960m

 

Day 4 - Trek from Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

We take a newly cut path up to Ville des Glaciers. If the farmer is on hand at Ville des Glaciers we might even be able to try the Beaufort cheese that is produced here. After passing the Refuge des Mottets we start to climb more steeply towards the Col de la Seigne (2516m), which is the 2nd highest pass on the Tour du Mont Blanc. We have now reached the Italian border! From here we descend past the Rifugio Elisabetta to La Visaille, where we take the bus to the vibrant Italian mountain town of Courmayeur. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 6 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +1004m / -850m

 

Day 5 - Trek from Courmayeur to Arnouva

We start the steep walk up to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge.  If the weather is good and there is not too much snow, we can take the lesser-travelled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge, up the Tête de la Tronche, and then down steeply to the Col Sapin. From here we descend into the Armina valley before climbing again to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. It's a fairly long, but really stunning day. – not many people, plus breathtaking scenery.  We then take a short transfer back to Courmayeur for the night. Today could also be an optional rest day if you prefer.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner not included; a free night to explore Courmayeur

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 9 hrs

Distance: 22 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1584m / -1140m

 

Day 6 - Trek from Arnouva to La Fouly. Transfer to Champex

We start our day with a transfer back to the head of the trail at Arnouva. From here our climb up the Grand Col Ferret begins. At 2543m, it is the highest col on the official TMB route. We stop for our last Italian coffee at the Rifugio Elena, then climb steadily to the col. We are rewarded with stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit of which is on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland). At the top of the col we cross the border into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again. If we are doing well for time we may stop at for coffee at La Peule. We then leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path (if we are early in the season and the gullies are still full of snow we will stick to a more straightforward track). La Fouly is a lovely alpine village with traditional 'chocolate box' chalets. We then take a taxi transfer to the pretty Swiss lakeside town of Champex.   

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +910m / -1050m

 

Day 7 - Trek from Champex to Col de la Forclaz

We have 2 options today. If we are feeling fit and the weather is good we can take the Fenêtre d'Arpette; this would be the highest col of the trip, at 2665m. It's a fantastic route with stunning views of the Trient glacier. Alternatively we can take the normal route, via Bovine, to the Col de la Forclaz. Your guide will make the final decision, according to the weather conditions and the fitness of the group. We then take a 20 minute transfer from Col de la Forclaz to Argentière. 

 

Accommodation: Auberge, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: depends on route

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Altitude gain / loss: +1484m / -1760m

 

Day 8 - Hike to Lac Blanc

We finish our trip with a wonderful hike up to the famous Lac Blanc via the Lacs des Chéserys, with simply the best views of Mont Blanc. This is one of the best walks in the Chamonix valley, and we use a series of ladders and chains to skirt the cliffs – this is nothing to worry about and is not difficult! We then traverse to the Flégère and descend by cable car to Les Praz, and transfer back to our hotel in the Chamonix valley.

 

Accommodation: Hotel or chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Distance: 9 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -550m

 

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Day 9 - Depart Chamonix

Our trip finishes after breakfast. 

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