Over 8 days, we'll walk the classic heart of the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland—crossing the Col de la Seigne, the Grand Col Ferret, and the Col de la Balme, with Mont Blanc as a near-constant presence overhead. We hike with daypacks while luggage travels ahead to the next hotel, then sit down each evening to a proper dinner in an alpine village. Six big days on trail, three countries, and some of the finest mountain scenery in the Alps. If you want the TMB classic circuit without taking two weeks off work, this is the way to do it.
Arrive in Saint Gervais les Bains, a traditional French alpine village nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc. Check in to the hotel after 4 pm and meet the guide at 6 pm for a group briefing and introductions. There’s no hiking today—just time to settle in, get your kit sorted, and get ready for the days ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Saint Gervais les Bains (Hotel Coeur des Neiges or similar)
A short private transfer takes us to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, where the climbing begins in earnest. We ascend over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme—two high passes with wide views—then drop into the scenic Chapieux valley, tracing the base of the Aiguille des Glaciers the whole way. A private transfer delivers us to our hotel in Bourg Saint Maurice for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 14.5 km (9 mi), about 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +1,200 m (+3,937 ft) / -900 m (-2,953 ft)
Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Bourg Saint Maurice (Hotel Angival or Hotel Arolla or similar)
A transfer from Bourg Saint Maurice brings us to Ville des Glaciers, where we set off over the Col de la Seigne and into Italy. The views on the other side open up dramatically—the towering Grandes Jorasses dominate the horizon as we descend into the Italian Val Ferret. A private transfer takes us the final stretch into Courmayeur, one of Italy’s great alpine towns, for a proper Italian dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +700 m (+2,297 ft) / -1,000 m (-3,281 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Courmayeur (Hotel Triolet or similar)
After a private transfer up into the Italian Val Ferret, we climb to the Grand Col Ferret and cross into Switzerland. The views from the pass are exceptional—the Combins massif stretches out to the east, the Italian flanks of Mont Blanc behind us. We descend to the pretty village of La Fouly, then transfer onward to Champex, a peaceful alpine resort sitting above its own mountain lake.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 14.4 km (9 mi), about 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: +850 m (+2,789 ft) / -1,000 m (-3,281 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Champex (Hotel Glacier or similar)
We set off directly from the hotel, weaving through small alpine hamlets before the trail climbs up onto the Bovine balcony route—a long, sweeping traverse across high pastures with wide views over the Rhone Valley below. We descend to the Col de la Forclaz and the village of Trient, where we spend the night in a mountain lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Elevation: +800 m (+2,625 ft) / -1,365 m (-4,579 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain lodge in Trient (Hotel de la Forclaz or similar)
We climb out of Switzerland and cross back into France over the Col de la Balme, with sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte unfolding as we ascend. On the descent, the guide will pick the best route down—either through the hamlet of Le Tour or directly into the village of Argentière, a quiet end to a strong day.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 11.2 km (7 mi), about 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +1,000 m (+3,281 ft) / -820 m (-2,690 ft)
Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Argentière (Hotel Le Dahu)
The final hiking day is one of the best. We traverse the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges and climb to Lac Blanc, a glacial lake set high above the valley with a panorama that takes in the Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, and Mont Blanc itself. We descend to Chamonix via Le Praz, finishing with a cable car from La Flégère and a short bus ride into town—both included.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 9.6 km (6 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +900 m (+2,953 ft) / -1,100 m (-3,609 ft) to the Flégère cable car
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix (Hotel Plan B or similar)
After breakfast and hotel check-out by 11 am, the trip officially ends. Most people fly out of Geneva Airport (GVA), approximately one hour from Chamonix.
Meals: Breakfast
Included with the 8-day tour:
Included with the 12-day tour:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
It comes down to two things: time, and how much of the circuit you want under your boots.
Go for the 8-day if:
It’s the essential circuit. You won’t feel like you missed anything.
Go for the 12-day if:
Either way, same guides, same hotels, same dinners. The only real question is how long you want to stay out there.
Both the 8-day and 12-day tours follow the classic Tour du Mont Blanc circuit through France, Italy, and Switzerland. You’ll need solid fitness, real hiking experience, and comfortable legs on steep, uneven mountain terrain. Prior multi-day hiking experience is strongly recommended for both. There is one suspension bridge on the route that may be a challenge if you’re uncomfortable with heights. Trekking poles are strongly recommended.
8-day tour
12-day tour
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Mont Blanc hiking tours here!
Each day, your main bag is transferred by vehicle to the next accommodation while you hike with just a daypack. You’ll have access to your main bag at the end of each day, but not during the hike itself. One bag per person is allowed, with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33 lbs). It can be a duffel, suitcase, or backpack in good condition.
You’ll carry a daypack throughout each hiking day with everything you need: rain gear, warm layers, water, snacks, sunscreen, and your camera. The daypack is not provided. If you have extra luggage you won’t need on the trail, it can be stored safely through the luggage transfer service for an additional fee.
Clothing
Gear
Optional
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Group sizes and pricing
Tour du Mont Blanc guided hikes can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Tour du Mont Blanc guided hike is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
A single occupancy room is not available on one night, both with the 8-day as well as the 12-day departures.
The starting point of your Tour du Mont Blanc guided hike is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA).
Once you land, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.