Tour du Mont Blanc Self-Guided Trek
12 Days Starting and ending in Chamonix
Visiting: Chamonix, Argentière, Col de Balme, Col de la Forclaz, Champex, La Fouly, Col Ferret, Refuge Walter-Bonatti, Mont De La Saxe, Courmayeur, Col de la Seigne, Les Chapieux, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Col de Voza, Les Houches, Brevent cable car
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W11MB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Challenging
Age range:
18 to 99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
For those confident of their walking ability we offer the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc as a self-guided itinerary. The majestic beauty of the surrounding scenery is best appreciated on foot as you walk point-to-point each day, staying in friendly hotels and auberges at night. Your main baggage is transported for you by van, and using comprehensive route notes you follow the well-marked trails across the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. The walking is challenging, but the views and the sense of achievement are well worth it!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Chamonix
Location: Chamonix
Start at your hotel in Chamonix. Enjoy dinner (not included) in one of the town's many delightful restaurants.2-Star Hotel
Day 2 : Walk The Balcony Route To Argentiere; Beautiful Views Of Lac Blanc
Location: Argentière
Meals Included: breakfast
From Chamonix, take the Le Brevent teleferique (cable car) to the mid station at Plan Praz and walk to the top of the La Flegere cable car (1877m/6158ft). The trail today is named the 'Grand Balcon Sud' and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to your south. Initially the route contours and then climbs to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (2352m/7715ft). The trail descends past the photogenic lac de Cheserys and then downwards again to Argentiere (1240m/3720ft). In the afternoon there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend.
(Due to maintenance on the Flegere cable car, this walk has been amended from our previously advertised walk to Lac Blanc. This trek is 4km longer than the original and is equally beautiful).
2-Star Hotel
Day 3 : Walk From Col Du Balme To Col Du Forclaz; Views Of Aiguille Du Tour And Its Glacier
Location: Col de Balme, Col de la Forclaz
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
A short walk to Montroc at the top of the Chamonix valley where the path begins the ascent to the Aiguillette de Posettes (2201m/7200ft), descends a little and then climbs towards the Col de Balme (2,191m/7190ft) where it crosses the border from France to Switzerland. Excellent views all morning of Aiguille d'Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. You will then head to the small Swiss hamlet of Trient (1,296m/4250ft), with good views of the Trient Glacier. There is a sting in the tail today as you finish with a steep climb from Trient to our Auberge at the Col de la Forclaz (1527m/5010ft).
Auberge
Day 4 : Bovine Route To Champex Through Meadows And Alpine Pastures
Location: Champex
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Leaving the Col de la Forclaz, with views directly down into the Rhône Valley and the Swiss town of Martigny the route follows an historic path used to take the cows to high pasture, the 'Bovine route' (2049m/6720ft). The trail takes you through meadows and high alpine pastures before descending to the charming town of Champex (1486m/4880ft) set beside a picturesque alpine lake.
3-Star Hotel
Day 5 : Walk To La Fouly; Enjoy The Wildflowers En Route
Location: La Fouly
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Now on the east side of the main Mont Blanc Massif the path turns south, descending through woods to the Val Ferret and on to Issert (1,055m/3460ft) and other small, pretty, alpine farming villages. This is a good day for flowers, including orchids. Continue up the valley to the remote village La Fouly (1600m/5250ft). This is at the foot of Mont Dolent, whose summit is at the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Italy.
Auberge
Day 6 : Walk Over Grand Col Ferret Towards Bonatti; Night In A Refuge.
Location: Col Ferret, Refuge Walter-Bonatti
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
Still following the same valley and the river 'La Drance', the path climbs to the 'Grand Col Ferret' (2537m/8320ft), the highest pass of the tour. Now in Italy, the valley is also called 'Val Ferret'. The mountain views from the Col are stunning with the Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. The path descends into the valley to Arp Nouva (1,770m/5800ft) then climbs and traverses a little to the refuge Walter Bonatti. (2025m/6640ft). The rooms are 2 and 4 bed. This is a splendid place to spend a night and is a true mountain hut experience (there is no baggage delivery to the hut!). There is the option to change this hut night to a hotel night in Courmayeur. Please inform your sales consultant if you would like to have this option. In this case baggage will be delivered. Depending on hotel availability there should be no change in price but dinner will not be included.
Mountain Refuge
Day 7 : Walk From Mont De La Saxe To Courmayeur. Spend The Night In Courmayeur Or La Palud
Location: Refuge Walter-Bonatti, Mont De La Saxe, Courmayeur
Meals Included: breakfast
If you spent the night in Courmayeur, after a short local bus ride you will re-join the path and climb to the Refuge Walter Bonatti. Walking from the Refuge (2025m/6640ft) the path follows a beautiful contouring route around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur. The views of the south Mont Blanc massif are exceptional as are those of the towering, cliffy peak of the 'Grandes Jorasses' and the glaciers which crowd the northern flank of the Val Ferret. In the afternoon there is a long and reasonably steep descent to Courmayeur (1,230m/4030m) a town that boasts superb ice creams!
3-Star Hotel
Day 8 : Walk Over Col De La Seigne Heading Back Into France To Les Chapieux
Location: Col de la Seigne, Les Chapieux
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
After a short local bus ride to La Vissaille (1660m/5450ft) in the Val Veny the TMB path climbs gently beneath the massive glacier de Miage and past Lac Combal before the gradient becomes steeper again as it follows the old Roman road and heads for today's pass: the 'Col de la Seigne' (2,516m/8250ft), which marks our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through to la Ville des Glaciers (1,789m/5870ft) and finally after quite a long walking day to Les Chapieux (1,553m/5090ft), a small, remote hamlet inhabited only during the summer months.
Auberge
Day 9 : Climb To Reach Col De La Croix Du Bonhomme And Onwards To Col Du Bonhomme And Les Contamines
Location: Les Contamines-Montjoie
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
Having now reached the southwest corner of the circuit the route turns north to climb once again. First there is a steep sustained climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,478m/8130ft), before contouring around to the Col du Bonhomme (2,328m/7640ft). From here the path descends steeply through meadows and over a Roman bridge and finally to the village of Les Contamines (1180m/5900ft).
2-Star Hotel
Day 10 : Col Du Voza To Les Houches; Challenging Day Of Ascents And Descents
Location: Col de Voza, Les Houches
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
Today is a challenging day with plenty of ups and downs. From Les Contamines the path re-joins the TMB route ascending to the Chalets de Miage (1,560m/5120ft). From here the trail climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (2,119m/6950ft) before descending and passing very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay. There are good views of the north side of the Mont Blanc Massif. The path then re-ascends to reach the Col de Voza (1,652m/5418ft) and ahead lies the Chamonix Valley and the final descent to the village of Les Houches (993m/3225ft).
2-Star Hotel
Day 11 : Brevent To Chamonix; Fantastic Views Of Mont Blanc
Location: Brevent cable car
Meals Included: breakfast
Crossing to the north side of the Chamonix Valley the path climbs steeply through pine forest and then on open mountainsides to reach the high point of the day at Brevent (2,525m/8290ft). This is a long walking day but will probably afford the best views of the French side of Mont Blanc and its neighbouring peaks that will be seen on the whole trek. The path then descend to Plan Praz (1970m/6460ft) from where you can take an optional cable car to Chamonix (1,061m) for a well-deserved drink.
2-Star Hotel
Day 12 : End Chamonix
Location: Chamonix
Meals Included: breakfast
Check out of your Chamonix hotel after breakfast.
What's Included
-
All breakfasts, 7 hotel/restaurant dinnersAll accommodation (see below)All baggage transportRoute notes
-
All breakfasts and 7 dinnersAll accommodationAll luggage transportRoute notes
-
— All breakfasts and 7 dinners — All accommodation — All luggage transport — Route notes
What's Not Included
-
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (on request at a supplement) - this is only possible for single passengers travelling with others on the same booking (Solo Travellers cannot book this trip)Visas or vaccinationsTravel to/from the start/end points
-
— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (on request at a supplement) - this is only possible for single passengers travelling with others on the same booking (Solo Travellers cannot book this trip) — Visas or vaccinations — Travel to/from the start/end
Food
Included in the trip are all breakfasts and 7 dinners. Evening meals are taken in the hotel in which you are staying or in a nearby restaurant. For dinners not included expect to pay €20 for a good 3 course menu (not including drinks). Lunch prices can vary depending on whether you have a picnic or eat in a restaurant, but €15 is a good estimate for a sit down meal. You can order a packed lunch from the hotel in which you are staying when you check in. Typical Meals: Continental Breakfast will normally include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, French bread, croissant and conserves. Evening meal: a first course of soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or pasta, a dessert course. Beer, wine, bottled water, other drinks, coffee or tea are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants. Vegetarians: Although vegetarianism is not common in this part of Europe and most meals are based on meat and fish there are no problems catering for vegetarians as long as they are prepared to be flexible. If you eat a vegan diet you should expect that the variety of food may be limited whilst on this trip. As this kind of diet is relatively uncommon in this region we cannot guarantee that the hotels and restaurants will provide meals that have the necessary variety to be considered satisfying when on a more restricted diet. Drinks: Please note that drinks are not included and you will be expected to pay directly for any wine/tea/coffee taken at dinner.
Accommodation
You will spend 5 nights in 2-star hotels , 2 nights in 3-star hotels, 3 nights in an auberge and 1 night in a mountain refuge. The hotels have ensuite facilities but depending on the availability there may be shared facilities in the auberge and refuge. Couples travelling together will have their own room but we cannot always say whether this will be twin or double or even very occasionally a room with bunk beds. It is also possible that on day six, Refuge Bonatti, and day 8, Les Chapieux, where availability of rooms are very limited that only shared dormitory space will be available. Dormitories are for the most part 8 to 12 bed rooms with separate bunkbeds. If you accept a dormitory option then we will put you on the wait list to be upgraded to rooms if a room becomes available. If it does not then we will refund you the difference in Euros locally at the beginning of the trip. Single traveller supplement is not available for this trip. A single room is on a request basis.
Check out our Q&As
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."