Fast, secure, risk-free booking guaranteed.
June through September
Geneva, Switzerland is 1.5 hours away
9-12 days
Intermediate
Embark on the world-renowned Tour du Mont Blanc and circumnavigate the highest peak of Western Europe! Waking up to views of formidable glaciers, get ready for spotting wildflowers while reaching +8,200ft/ 2,500m mountain passes and frolicking through Alpine meadows enveloped by +13,000ft/ 4,000m peaks. Enjoy the cultural smorgasbord as you kick start your days with an espresso and—once your feet have grown weary from roaming 2000-year-old Roman roads—unwind with a glass of French wine. Seize the day by passing suspension bridges above wild glacial streams before taking cable car rides connecting placid crystal-clear lakes and vivid conifer forests. Tour du Mont Blanc has many variants and your guide knows the best and the crowd-free ones—join them and cross this trek par excellence off your bucket list. Find out more about hiking the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc from Natalie Mirzoeff, a former round-the-world hiking guide.
1 trek, 3 countries, 5 major mountain passes, 7 valleys, 105 miles
Crowdless experience of one of the world’s most famous treks
Alpine scenery merged with gastronomical and cultural delights
Get to know the heart of the Alps and hit the high-altitude hiking trails around Mont Blanc. Starting and ending in Chamonix, you will learn why finishing the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc is more than 10 days of top-notch hiking with a backdrop of magnificent Alpine scenery. Enjoy the cultural, historical, and gastronomical aspects of the area located at the juncture of 3 countries and avoid the crowds (your guide knows the paths walked by few). Find out for yourself what makes this one of the world’s best treks!
Your trip begins in the mountain town of Chamonix, famous for being the adventure capital of the Alps. Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, its cobblestone streets breathe adventure while also exhibiting Alpine small-town charm combined with French sophistication. You will meet the rest of the group at 6pm at your hotel for a short trip briefing and gear check, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
After a hearty breakfast you will take a cable car connecting Les Houches with the Bellevue Plateau, during which you get to enjoy the panoramic views of the Mont Blanc Massif. After crossing the suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, your guide will choose the best route taking your group to Les Contamines. This usually includes passing the Col de Tricot (6,955 ft / 2,120m), with a coffee stop at the Chalet de Miages at the foot of the mighty peak Dome de Miages (3,675m / 12,055 ft), but a lower level route may be utilized. Spend the night in a charming local 3* hotel in the French village of Les Contamines.
Distance: 15km / 9.3 miles
Ascent: 837m / 2,746 ft
Descent: 1,520m / 4,985 ft
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Les Contamines
Day 3 begins with trekking up the old Roman road to the picture-perfect 17th-century church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. From here your path goes uphill, past the Chalet de Barme (a perfect coffee stop!) and all the way to the Col de Bonhomme (2328m / 7,635 ft), where you will take a lunch break. Another climb—this time gentler—will take you to Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (2478m / 8,130ft), offering a great view towards the Vanoise National Park. After an additional 2 hours, you will have reached Les Chapieux, the location of your lovely chambre d’hôte (bed and breakfast).
Distance: 19km / 11.9 miles
Ascent: 1,348m / 4,450 ft
Descent: 960m / 3,150 ft
Walking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast in Les Chapieux
A minibus ride will take you to the Ville des Glaciers. After crossing a river, head to the Refuge des Mottets, followed by a climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516m / 8,255ft). You are now stepping into Italy! Relish in the great views of Val Veny and Val Ferret, and see the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the other Chamonix giants. A descent past the Elisabetta hut takes you to La Visaille, where your group will take a transfer down to the traditional Italian town of Courmayeur, where you will stay in a family-run hotel.
Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Ascent: 1,004m / 3,300 ft
Descent: 850m / 2,800 ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Courmayeur
Start the day of hiking with a steep walk up to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If weather permits, your guide can opt for the lesser-traveled variant to the Mont de la Saxe ridge (2,555m / 8,380 ft), up the Tête de la Tronche (2,584m / 8,475 ft), followed by a steep descent to the Col Sapin (2,435m / 8,000 ft). After another descent, you will also climb to the Col Entre Deux Sauts (2,055m / 6,740 ft). It’s a long day of hiking, but you will be rewarded with stunning scenery, crowdless hiking paths, and great Italian-style dinner at the Rifugio Bonatti. You can also watch the sunset behind Mont Blanc before a good night’s sleep.
Distance: 10km / 6.5 miles
Ascent: 1,584m / 5,200 ft + 860m / 2,820 ft
Descent: 940m / 3,08 0ft + 700m / 2,296 ft
Walking time: 10-12 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Rifugio Bonatti
*There is a chance that you will not be staying at Rifugio Bonatti and in this case, you will have an extra night at a 4* hotel in Courmayeur. Shuttles back and forth will be provided and no hiking will be missed.
Trekking over the Grand Col Ferret (2537m / 8,320 ft), you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit which stands at the juncture of France, Switzerland, and Italy). At the top of the col, your group will enter Switzerland. After a coffee stop at La Peule (time permitting) you will head to La Fouly, an Alpine village distinguished by traditional Swiss “chocolate box” chalets where you will stay overnight in a simple hotel.
Distance 20km / 12.5 miles
Ascent: 1,128m / 3,700ft
Descent: 1,580m / 5,180 ft
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Simple hotel or bed and breakfast in La Fouly
A shorter day of hiking awaits. Winding through picturesque Swiss Alpine meadows and tiny villages, you will finally reach the resort of Champex, nestled alongside the eponymous glacial lake. Lodging in a traditional hotel offering great local delicacies.
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Ascent: 711m / 2,330 ft
Descent: 855m / 2,805 ft
Walking time: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Champex
If the group feels fit on Day 8, the path will take you to Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col on the Tour du Mont Blanc standing at 2665m (8,710 ft)—a fantastic route famous for stunning views of the Trient glacier. Alternatively, your guide will decide to take you along the more laidback route via Bovine to the Col de la Forclaz (1,527m / 5,010 ft)—depending on the weather conditions and fitness of the group. You will stay overnight either at Col de la Forclaz or at Trient, depending on availability.
Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Ascent: 1,480m / 4,790 ft (or 570m / 1,870 ft via Bovine)
Descent: 1,760m / 5,775 ft (or 600m / 1,980 ft via Bovine)
Walking time: 8 hours (or 6 hours via Bovine)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Simple hotel, usually with shared bathrooms
Today’s plan is to take another lesser-traveled variant which diverges from the official Tour du Mont Blanc—either via Les Grands or Les Tseppes, depending on where you stayed the night before. The alternative routes are worth the extra time and effort not only because few other hikers take them but also because of the truly spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. Either route takes your group to the Col de Balme (2,195m / 7,200 ft) at the head of the Chamonix valley (welcome back to France!). Going either via the Aiguillette de Posettes down to Tré-le-Champ, or straight down to Le Tour, followed by the Petit Balcon Nord, you will have reached Argentière—the location of your accommodation—in the afternoon.
Distance: 18km / 11 miles
Ascent: 1200m / 3940 ft
Descent: 1450m / 4760 ft
Walking time: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Argentière
Taking a short stroll back to Tré-le-Champ, you will hike up to the Lac Blanc passing the beautiful Lacs des Chéserys (2,130m / 6,990 ft), providing the best views of Mont Blanc found anywhere. While enjoying one of the best walks in the Chamonix valley, you will make use of a series of ladders and chains to skirt the cliffs—this is nothing to worry about and is not difficult at all! From the Lac Blanc, you will take the Flégère cable car down to Les Praz, followed by a walk along the river or a train ride to Chamonix.
Distance: 9km / 5.6 miles
Ascent: 1,000m / 3,280 ft
Descent: 550m / 1,800 ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
Taking the cable car back to the Flégère, your hiking resumes at the same point your group finished at the day before. Start the famous Grand Balcon Sud linking the Flégère with Planpraz. From here, you will climb up to the Col du Brévent and then up to the Brévent summit (2,525m/ 8,285 ft), where you get to enjoy excellent views of Mont Blanc one more time. To complete the Tour du Mont Blanc, descend via Bel Lachat and Merlet in ogre to reach Les Houches, followed by a transfer back to your hotel in Chamonix. After 10 days of hiking, you can finally call yourself a TMB hiker! You can celebrate your great achievements with your guide and the rest of the group over dinner or by going for drinks somewhere in town.
Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles
Ascent: 772m / 2,530 ft
Descent: 1,546m / 5,070 ft
Walking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix
Your alpine adventure finishes after breakfast. Take a last chance to say goodbye to your guide and fellow trekkers. Leave Chamonix or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
The highlights version of Tour du Mont Blanc is the ideal for trekkers who are short on time, but don’t want to compromise the best bits. With a seamless combo of daily hikes and transfers to make the most out of your 9-day tour, you’ll cross 3 different European countries before you even know it. See the Alpine wonders of France, Italy, and Switzerland in all their glory: crystal clear lakes, high cols, towering peaks, and quaint villages, just to name a few. Your tour starts and ends in the world-class mountaineering hub of Chamonix, but you’ll also spend nights at unique chalets, auberges, hotels, or chambre d’hôtes along the way.
A charming mountain town of Chamonix is the starting point for your adventure. Spend the day as you wish—wandering its cobblestone streets or tasting French fondue. You’ll meet your guide and your group at around 6 p.m. for a briefing about the trip, followed by your first dinner together. Make sure to ask the reception to give you the Guest Card, since it entitles you to free trains and buses in the Chamonix Valley.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet
Start your day with a ride on the historic Mont Blanc Express train to the hamlet of Montroc. From there you’ll hike up to Lac Blanc, a tranquil Alpine lake with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Now you’re in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, which means there’s a good chance of spotting ibex, chamois, and marmots. After you’ve taken in the beauty of the lake and had a break, descend to Flégère, take the cable car back down to Les Praz, then hop on the train or bus back to Argentière.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet
Hiking: 6 hours
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km
Ascent: +3,280 ft / +1,000 m
Descent: -1,805 ft / -550 m
Start early with a transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge, above Les Contamines. Trek up the old Roman road from the chapel, believed to have been a route taken by Hannibal. It’s a steep uphill to start with, but you’ll soon get into your stride, and if you’re making good time, have a coffee break. Head up to the Col du Bonhomme for a well-earned lunch. What follows is a climbing traverse, often with snowy patches until mid-July, to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme at an elevation of 2,479 m (8,135 ft). Enjoy great views of the Vanoise National Park before a 2-hour descent to Les Chapieux.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Auberge or chambre d’hôte
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Distance: 10.5 miles / 17 km
Ascent: +4,423 ft / +1,348 m
Descent: -3,150 ft / -960 m
Take a newly cut path up to Ville des Glacier. If the farmer is available, you might even be able to try the Beaufort cheese that is produced there. After passing the Refuge des Mottets, start climbing more steeply towards the Col de la Seigne—standing at 2,516m (8,255 ft), it’s the second highest pass on the Tour du Mont Blanc. You have now reached the Italian border! From there descend past the Rifugio Elisabetta to La Visaille, where you take the bus to the vibrant Italian mountain town of Courmayeur.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking: 6 hours
Distance: 13 miles / 21 km
Ascent: +3,295 ft /+1,004 m
Descent: -2,790 ft / -850 m
Start the day with a steep walk up to the Rifugio Bertone and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. If the weather is nice, you can take the lesser-trodden variant to the ridge by ascending the Tête de la Tronche, followed by a steep descent to the Col Sapin. After descending, climb again to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. It’s a long day, but the scenery is incredible and the route is more tranquil. Stay at Rifugio Bonatti and watch the sun set behind Mont Blanc.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Mountain refuge
Hiking: 7-8 hours
Distance: Longer route: 10.5 miles / 17km | Shorter route: 7.5 miles / 12km
Ascent: Longer route: +5,200 ft (+1,584m) | Shorter route: +2,820 ft (+860m)
Descent:Longer route: -3,085 ft (-940m) | Shorter route: -2,296 ft (-700m)
*There is a chance that you will not be staying at Rifugio Bonatti and in this case, you will have an extra night at a 4* hotel in Courmayeur. Shuttles back and forth will be provided and no hiking will be missed.
Kick off your day with a rising traverse, before descending to the head of the Val Ferret. Your climb up the Grand Col Ferret begins, which is the highest col on the route, standing at 2,543m (8,345 ft). You’ll see panoramic views of Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin, and Mont Dolent. At the top of the col you’ll cross the border to Switzerland, where—yet again—the scenery changes. Following a coffee break, leave the signposted TMB and head to La Fouly via a higher balcony path. La Fouly is a quaint Alpine village with traditional ‘chocolate box’ chalets. Transfer to the Swiss lakeside town of Champex.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km
Ascent: +3,700 ft /+1,128 m
Descent: -5,185 ft /-1,580 m
You have two options today. If you’re feeling energetic and the weather serves you, take the Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col of the trip at 2,665m (8,745 ft). It’s a fantastic route with views of the Trient Glacier. Alternatively, you could take the normal route—via Bovine, to the Col de la Forclaz. Continue down to the valley of Trient, your Swiss base for the night.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Auberge
Distance: 9.3 miles / 15km
Hiking: 6 hours
Ascent: via Fenêtre d’Arpette: +4,870 ft (+1,484m) | via Bovine: +1,870 ft (+570m)
Descent:via Fenêtre d’Arpette: -5,775 ft (-1,760m) | via Bovine: -1,970 ft (-600m)
Today you’re taking another variant from the official Tour du Mont Blanc—a lesser-traveled route via Les Tseppes. The views are, once again, spectacular, and it’s a lot quieter. If the weather is bad, you’ll take the normal TMB route. Both of them take you to the Col de Balme and back into France. If you’re still feeling strong, you might do the Aiguillette des Posettes, and descend into the Chamonix valley at Tré-le-Champ. From there it’s an hour’s walk to Argentière along the river and through the old town. Another option is descending directly to Le Tour, where you’d take the Petit Balcon Nord into Argentière. Transfer to Chamonix.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or chalet
Hiking: 7 hours
Ascent: +3,940 ft / +1,200 m
Descent: -4,920 ft / -1,500 m
The adventure has come to an end. Say goodbye to your guide and your team. Leave Chamonix or stay a bit longer to explore it!
Meals: Breakfast
We just finished a 12 day Mont Blanc tour and with the help of Cloud 9 it was an incredible experience. Our original trip was booked in 2019 and postponed due to Covid. Cloud 9 offered a full refund or the opportunity to continue with no additional cost both years we postponed. Once we finally hit the trail, the accommodations, trip notes and attention to the smallest of details made the tour an outstanding experience for us. I will certainly consider using Cloud 9 again and highly recommend it to anyone wishing to tour Mont Blanc.
If your dream it to experience the beauty and magnificence of the Tour de Mont Blanc, contacting Emma Jack would be in our opinion be essential. With her extensive knowledge of the mountains and surrounding regions, you will be assured an amazing time. As a family with two children 15 and 8 we were keen for our kids to have a positive experience. Emma’s guidance with regards to day length and distance, flora, fauna, geology and accommodation, transport links and most crucially health and safety advice made our dream better than we could have hoped for. Her sensitivity to our particular needs was greatly appreciated. We were able to relax into the moment with the knowledge she had covered all bases. Go on, do it, you won’t regret it.
Our guide was top of the line when it comes to guides!
Personable, informative, and kept us all on track together as a team!
Trip of a lifetime! Definitely will plan another!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Even though Tour du Mont Blanc is not technically difficult, it is generally recommended for those with at least an extensive experience of longer day hikes on mountain trails and great fitness. You can expect up to 3,000ft of daily ascent and descent and hiking 10 miles on average for 8 or 10 consecutive days. Keep in mind that hiking can be made difficult because of changing weather. However, you will be able to take many breaks and your guide will adjust the route if it gets too strenuous for your group. Due to some more exposed sections, the tour is not recommended for those with severe fear of heights.
If you’re new to hiking, check out our beginner-friendly tours near Chamonix.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
The accommodations are mostly located in small Alpine towns, hamlets, and huts situated along the trek, which leave you with an option to further explore the area after a day of hiking. Places you’ll be staying at offer great local food (and very often great views of glaciated peaks), and are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable holiday trip. The nominal price includes a shared room, while a single-room option is also available for an additional fee.
*There is a chance that you will not be staying at Rifugio Bonatti and in this case, you will have an extra night at a 4* hotel in Courmayeur. Shuttles back and forth will be provided and no hiking will be missed.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
A 30% non-refundable deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 10 weeks (70 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfer hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop-Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at your hotel in Chamonix at 6 p.m. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group to start off the tour the following morning.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Mont Blanc areas in France, Switzerland, and Italy please refer to France Diplomacy’s advice for travelers and foreign nationals, Switzerland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines, and Official Italian Tourism Website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!