9-Day Full Tour du Mont Blanc (Self-Guided)
Seven valleys, 71 glaciers, 400 summits -- The Mont-Blanc range is fascinatingly beautiful, like a diamond, from every angle. Discover a world of unique impressive and magic high mountain with a breathtaking explosive show of summits and glaciers in all directions.
From Courmayeur to the Chamonix valley, from the Fenetre d'Arpette to the wild Val Ferret, the trails meander along the Swiss, Italian and French mountain sides and valleys, through pastures, over mountain passes, below tumbling glaciers and imposing peaks. The Mont-Blanc range is inhabited by warm friendly people, hardy to mountain life, keeping pastoral farming and local mountain traditions alive.
This is an enormous playground of untamed natural wilderness waiting to be discovered!
*** On a self-guided trek, you can add a day to hike from Les Houches to Chamonix.
Accommodations depend on choice selected.
Departures:
- Group Departures every Sunday from late May to mid-September with Classic or Hotel accommodations or Saturday with Comfort accommodations
- Self-Guided Departures every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with Basic or Comfort accommodations
- Self-Guided Departures every Monday and Tuesday with Hotel accommodations
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Meet at Flegere cable car, Hike Col de Balme to Trient (D)
*** Meet at 10:00am at the Flégère cable car in Les Praz, Chamonix (to collect your baggage).
LES PRAZ DE CHAMONIX - LAC BLANC - LE TOUR
Ascend in the Flégère cable car to the Balcons du Mont Blanc to reach Lac Blanc at 2300m. Descend via the Col des Montets and the Aiguilles Rouges visitor centre, then on to Montroc and the village of Le Tour.
5.5-hour walk / Elevation: +450m -950m - 13km
Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 2: Hike to Col de Balme and into Trient (BD)
LE TOUR - COL DE BALME - TRIENT
Climb via the Chalets de Charamillon or via the balcony trail of Posettes to the Col de Balme (2200m) on the French-Swiss border. Magnificent view of the surrounding glaciers of Argentiere, Le Tour and the north face of the Mont Blanc range. Descend into Swiss pastures to the village of Trient.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +840m -920m - 13km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 3: Hike Bovine or Arpette to Champex (BD)
BOVINE or FENETRE D'ARPETTE - CHAMPEX
Cross through the pastures of Bovine via a balcony trail overlooking the Rhone valley or take a more "high mountain" route along the Trient Glacier to reach the mythic Fenêtre d'Arpette (2665m). Descend to Champex.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1100m -750m (via Bovine) - 16km
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300m -970m (via Arpette) - 13km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 4: Hike along Swiss Val Ferret to La Fouly (BD)
SWISS VAL FERRET - LA FOULY
Descend to the village of Champex and pass along the Swiss Val Ferret, dotted with small charming villages. Possibility to take a bus to La Fouly to have a half-day rest. Night in a gîte.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -700m - 15km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 5: Hike Grand Col Ferret to Arnouva (BD)
GRAND COL FERRET - ITALIAN VAL FERRET
Climb up through the vast pastures of La Peule to the Grand Col Ferret (2537m). Possible detour to the summit of the Tête Ferret. Descend into the Italian Val Ferret in the impressive foothills on the opposite side of the Mont Blanc. Exceptional views of the Grandes Jorasses. Night in a gîte or refuge with a possible short transfer to get to the gite (Val ferret or La Palud, depending on availability).
5 hour walk / Elevation: +840m -750m - 12 to 17km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 6: Hike Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur (BD)
MONT DE LA SAXE - COURMAYEUR
Ascend to the hamlets of Seheron and Armina. Follow the exceptional balcony trail of the Mont de la Saxe facing the Mont Blanc or climb to the Col Sapin. Descend to the bus station in Courmayeur for a short bus transfer to refuge Monte Bianco.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +650m -1200m - 14 to 19km
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 7: Hike Col de la Seigne to Les Mottets (BD)
COL DES FOURS / CRETE DES GITTES - COL DU BONHOMME - LES CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE
Climb to the Col des Fours (2665m) the highest point of the tour. Followed by a descent to the Col du Bonhomme, once frequented by peddlers. If night spent in les Chapieux, climb directly to the Col du Bonhomme. Descend via the old Roman road to the chapel in Notre Dame de la Gorge. Short free bus transfer to Les Contamines-Montjoie. Night in a hotel or a gite.
6,5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -1500m - 15km
5,5 hour walk / Elevation: +700m -950m - 13km (via la crete des Gittes if sleeping in Roselend)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 8: Hike Col de Fours to Col Bonhomme to Les Contamines-Montjoie (BD)
Climb to the Col des Fours (2665m) the highest point of the tour. Followed by a descent to the Col du Bonhomme, once frequented by peddlers. If night spent in les Chapieux, climb directly to the Col du Bonhomme. Descend via the old Roman road to the chapel in Notre Dame de la Gorge. Short free bus transfer to Les Contamines-Montjoie.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -1500m
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +700m -950m (via la crête des Gittes if sleeping in Roselend)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel
Day 9: Hike Glacier de Bionnassay to Col du Tricot to Les Houches (B)
GLACIER DE BIONNASSAY - COL DU TRICOT - LES HOUCHES
Climb up to the Bionnassay Glacier through the village of Champel or via the Col du Tricot (2120m) with an unmissable view close to the Dômes de Miage, the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc. Descend to the village of Les Houches.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -850m (via Champel) - 13km
7.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1400m -1550m (via the Col du Tricot) - 17km
End of the trek in the afternoon in Les Houches. Or extend a day and hike to Chamonix.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
9-Day Full Tour du Mont Blanc (Self-Guided)Prices are Per Person and Valid for Trips through December 31, 2025
| # People in Group: | 2+ |
| Guided/Group (Basic/Dorm): | $1395 |
| Guided/Group (Comfort): | $1695 |
| Guided/Group (Hotels): | $2095 |
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
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