Complete Tour of Mont Blanc – 10 Days Self-Guided
The Complete Tour of Mont Blanc at Your Own Pace
This comprehensive itinerary of the famous TMB takes you to experience the extraordinary diversity of Mont Blanc massif landscapes. Immerse yourself in a true spectacle of nature, inhabited by rich wildlife and flora, all while enjoying a lightweight backpacking experience. When evening falls, your luggage awaits in carefully selected accommodations for your comfort.
A grand loop to savor fully. Explore the unforgettable Tour of Mont Blanc with us.
Your consultant
The Highlights of the Route
The Entire Tour on Foot!
All the most beautiful balconies are gathered in this tour.
The freedom to gaze at the majestic glaciers up close, a spectacle within your reach.
Home-made picnics prepared with local products.
The choice of a digital or paper roadbook and support from our team throughout your trek
An original itinerary that follows the historical route and includes some variations to avoid the most crowded trails.
Duration
10 days
Difficulty
3/5
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Everyday of the week.
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without if night spend in Bonatti
Complete Tour of Mont Blanc – 10 Days Self-Guided : the detailed itinerary
Day 1: Les Houches – Bionnassay
Meeting is at 9am at the Prarion car park in Les Houches. Your day will begin with an ascent through a picturesque forest, taking you to the summit of Prarion, which stands at 1969 meters above sea level. Up there, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama, offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The day will continue with a peaceful descent to the charming Fioux refuge, where you’ll spend the night in an enchanting setting.
Day 2: Bionnassay – Les Contamines
The second day of this adventure promises to be a breathtaking visual experience! Your route takes you along majestic glaciers, crossing the Col de Tricot at 2,120 meters in altitude and passing through the tranquil Truc alpine pasture. A picturesque descent leads us to the charming village of Les Contamines, where you will spend the night.
Day 3: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
Follow the ancient Roman Road for a spectacular ascent towards the Cols du Bonhomme (at 2,408 meters) and des Fours (at 2,665 meters) – your morning mission. After an outdoor lunch with breathtaking panoramic views, you will continue your journey towards the Chapieux Valley, nestled at the end of the Tarentaise*. This region is famous for its contribution to the production of the delicious Beaufort cheese!
*If accommodation is not available in Les Chapieux, the itinerary will be slightly modified in order to find accommodation in a different place.
Day 4: Les Chapieux – Col Chécrouit
Today, a splendid day opens up, offering majestic views of Mont Blanc! After a short transfer to the start of the hike*, your journey begins with an ascent to the Col de la Seigne, at 2,514 meters in altitude, marking the border between France and Italy. You then enter the Aosta Valley region through Val Veny, revealing the Italian side of Monte Bianco. The day comes to an end in the warm atmosphere of an Italian refuge, a memorable stage of your journey.
*If you have spent the previous night in an accommodation out of the hamlet of Les Chapieux, an extra €115 will be charged for the transfer from your accommodation to La Ville des Glaciers, the starting point for the hike. This price is valid for up to 8 people.
Day 5: Col Chécrouit – Refuge Bonatti
Let’s kick off the fifth day of your adventure by descending the slopes to Courmayeur, often dubbed the Italian ‘Chamonix,’ and strolling through the picturesque alleys of its old village. Your route then takes us towards Val Sapin, heading to the Bertone refuge, where exceptional panoramas await you. By the end of the day, you’ll reach the Bonatti refuge*, situated at 2,025 meters above sea level and named in honor of the famous Italian mountaineer. From there, you’ll embrace the breathtaking view of the Frébouze glacier, gracefully stretching out before you.
*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, a local bus can take you back to Courmayeur where your accommodation will be booked. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.
Day 6: Bonatti – La Fouly
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent
*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, you take the local bus from Courmayeur heading towards Arnouva.
At daybreak, your route leads you towards the majestic Mont Dolent, a place where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Italy meet. As you reach the summit of the Grand Col Ferret, standing at 2,537 meters, you enter Switzerland, greeted with warmth! A gentle descent takes you through the Peule alpine pasture, getting you closer to La Fouly, a charming little village nestled at 1,600 meters in the heart of the beautiful Valais.
Day 7: La Fouly – Champex
4 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent
On this day, get ready to explore the Swiss Val Ferret with its charming traditional villages before arriving at Champex and its beautiful lake. Your journey concludes with a short ascent to our accommodation, a comfortable inn imbued with a soothing atmosphere, providing an ideal setting for your evening.
Day 8: Champex – Trient
Accommodation: at an inn – Choice 1: 715m (2,345 ft) ascent / 925m (3035 ft) descent – 5 hours walking time – Choice 2: 915m (3,002 ft) ascent / (4,135 ft) 1260m – 7 hours walking time
For this eighth day of hiking, an exceptional stage awaits, providing a panoramic view from the heights above Martigny. The vineyards of the Rhône Valley, visible in the distance, testify to Switzerland’s rich winemaking tradition. Your descent takes you to Trient, a small village, following the Bisse du Trient trail. Depending on your preferences and conditions, an option comes out: the opportunity to pass through the Fenêtre d’Arpette, at 2,665 meters in altitude, along a magnificent alpine route. Do not hesitate to ask to the refuge keeper the day before, or to contact us, to know the best itinerary.
Day 9: Trient – Le Tour
5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
Time has come to make your way back to France. Throughout the day, the views of the picturesque Chamonix Valley get revealed in front of you, becoming more and more impressive. Your destination for the night is the charming village of Le Tour, where you will stay in a welcoming lodge, ready to provide you with a warm and friendly night.
Day 10: Le Tour – Chamonix
7 hrs walking time – 1,350 m (4,430 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
For this memorable final day, you head towards the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. The trail leads you along a panoramic balcony offering breathtaking views of the majestic Mont Blanc, one of the most iconic landscapes of the Chamonix Valley.
You then begin your descent towards La Flégère, followed by a stunning balcony crossing to Planpraz. If you wish, you can take the cable car down to the heart of Chamonix. From the bottom station, local buses are available to move back to Prarion car park in Les Houches.
And so, the loop of your adventure comes to an end with unforgettable memories.
Useful information
Info
Luggage transport
The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided every day between the different accommodation: a soft bag, of the duffle bag type, of a maximum of 12kg per person.
You only carry your day’s belongings, in a backpack of about 30L.
If you spend the night at the Bonatti refuge on day 5, you will not have access to your luggage. You’ll need to pack for 2 days.
Is your Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided only part of your trip? You can leave any extra luggage you don’t need for your trek in Chamonix or the surrounding area. Many hotels and shops offer luggage storage services. In particular, you can use the website Bounce.com, which lists these drop-off points.
Meals
As an option, we can provide picnics for the entire stay (€140 per person). Picnics will either be provided by the accommodation (if departing on a weekday) or prepared by us (if departing at the weekend).
If you do not take the picnic option, you can buy your own meals as you pass through the villages, refuges or grocery shops during the trek.
Level
Between 6 and 8 hours’ walking per day throughout the trek, with some more difficult sections, particularly at the start of the season when the snow is still present. You should be able to climb at least 1,000 m (3 200ft.)a day for several days in a row.
We strongly recommend that you practice an endurance sport regularly and train specifically for this trek.
Additional charge may apply
Due to very high demand for accommodation on the Tour du Mont Blanc, some stages may have to be changed. We try to stick as closely as possible to the stages described, choosing accommodation as close as possible to the original refuges.
However, these changes may involve a private transfer, at an additional cost to the group, as described in the programme.
If Les Chapieux is unavailable at the end of day 3, the end of the itinerary will be slightly modified to finish the stage in another hut. On the morning of day 4, a supplement of €115 for the group (up to 8 people) will be charged for the private transfer to the start of the day’s stage.
On day 5, if the Bonatti hut is not available, a potential supplement of €30 per person may be charged for a night in a hotel in Courmayeur, as indicated in the programme.
Equipment
Even if you choose to do it in summer, it can get cold on the TMB! We strongly recommend that you pack clothes suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:
- A fleece
- A windproof and waterproof jacket
- Walking trousers.
The terrain is varied and we recommend you wear walking boots that protect your ankles.
The accommodations provide blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet, for hygienic reasons.
For more information, see our special TMB equipment page.
Directions and accommodation
Access to the starting point :
Meet at the parking lot in front of the Prarion cable car, in Les Houches, on the departure day at 9:00 AM.
By car : You can leave your vehicle at the Prarion parking lot in Les Houches. It is a free outdoor parking area. There are no free parking spaces in Chamonix.
By train : To reach Chamonix, it takes approximately 3.5 hours by train from Lyon, 8 hours from Paris, and 2 hours from Geneva. In just a few hours, you can be at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the center of Chamonix, without having to worry about parking, tolls, or heavy traffic. By choosing the train, you are opting for the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, while enjoying a comfortable journey, ensuring you arrive in great shape for your Tour du Mont Blanc.
You can find schedules and prices on the SNCF website : https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/home/search.
Return to the starting point : Bus from Place Monte Bianco in Courmayeur to Chamonix, or taxi. Then bus, train or taxi from Chamonix. Return from Courmayeur not included in the price of the trip.
Bus timetables at the Chamonix tourist office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24) or Courmayeur (courmayeur@turismo.vda.it 00 39 01 65 84 20 60).
Accommodation before and after the trek :
- Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 40 10
- Hotel du Bois – 475 Avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 50 35
- Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 42 28
Insurance
To travel with peace of mind, Trekking Mont Blanc offers two insurance policies in partnership with Assur Travel, specially designed to meet the needs of a trek such as the Tour du Mont Blanc. These options, Cancellation and Multirisk, provide coverage to deal with unforeseen circumstances throughout your trip.
Cancellation Insurance :
This option covers the cancellation of your trip for a valid reason (illness, accident, etc.) before the departure date. You will be reimbursed for the amounts paid, subject to the conditions specified in the policy.
- Cost : 3.15% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
- In case of cancellation, you should contact the insurance company directly to file your claim, with our team’s assistance if needed.
Multirisk Insurance :
The Multirisk option offers comprehensive coverage, including :
- Cancellation Insurance
- Emergency repatriation assistance : perfectly suited for mountain treks
- Mountain search and rescue costs : up to €30,000
- Luggage: in case of loss, theft, or damage
- Medical expenses abroad
- Individual accident insurance
- Civil liability abroad
- Inability to return or quarantine in case of an epidemic
- Cost : 4.45% of the trip price
- Subscription : Mandatory upon registration
Whether you choose the Cancellation or Multirisk option, you will benefit from optimal coverage to enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind. The insurance cost depends on the price of your trip, and you can select the desired option when booking.
Booking
To book, you must:
- Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, and date options.
- Select your payment type (cheque, bank transfer, debit card): There are several ways to pay.
- To pay by cheque: please make it out to WATSE and send to: WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France.
- To pay by bank transfer: contact us for our bank details.
- To pay by debit card: your invoice will be in your online account as soon as your payment has been confirmed by the bank. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
- Pay a 35 % deposit or the balance for your trek
- Print out the booking form then fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by email or post. Your reservation will only be effective when 35 % of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
- The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.
Before and after the trek
The price of the stay does not include the trips before and after the trek.
Our team can help you find and book your plane and train tickets. We can also advise you about accommodation before and after your Tour du Mont Blanc.
Dates and prices
Included in the price
- Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek program
- Half board, as described in the trek program (dinners and breakfasts)
- Choice of: a paper roadbook (including IGN maps and map holder) or a digital roadbook with GPS tracking
- Luggage transfer every night (except on day 5 if night in Bonatti)
- Contact with Watse team during your trek
Not included in the price
- Transport to/from the starting/ending point of the trek in Les Houches
- A certified guide
- Drinks other than water served with meals
- Pack lunches (option possible)
- Personal hiking equipment (clothes, shoes, trekking poles, etc…)
- Any private and public transport and cable car tickets (at your own expenses)
- Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe while booking
- Anything not listed in “Included in the price”
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