Pick any date between mid-June and mid-September and your guides will check availability and confirm within 2–3 weeks. Starting in Saint Gervais and finishing in Chamonix, you'll spend 8 days on a Tour du Mont Blanc trek through France, Italy, and Switzerland.
With extensive trip notes, luggage transfers, and detailed maps, you'll have everything you need to navigate the trek with ease. Most nights are spent in comfortable 3-star hotels, with one night in a simple mountain lodge and one in a 2-star hotel in Argentière near the end of the trip, before a final day's hike brings you into Chamonix.
Your trip begins in Saint Gervais, a traditional village in the heart of the French Alps and the gateway to the Tour du Mont Blanc. Most people fly into Geneva and transfer to the village from there (not included). Hotel check-in opens at 3 pm, so once you’ve settled in, take the rest of the afternoon to wander the village before setting off on the trail tomorrow.
Accommodation: 3-star Hotel Coeur des Neiges or similar
A short included transfer takes you from Saint Gervais to Notre Dame de la Gorge, where today’s hike begins. You’ll climb over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme into the Chapieux valley, with the Aiguille des Glaciers rising ahead of you for spectacular alpine scenery. If your accommodation ends up in Bourg Saint Maurice rather than Les Chapieux, you’ll need to take the public shuttle down into the valley at 5 pm (not included, roughly €8 per person).
Meals: Breakfast and dinner (Les Chapieux) or breakfast only (Bourg Saint Maurice)
Hiking: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +1,200 m (+3,937 ft) / -900 m (-2,953 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain lodge in Les Chapieux (private room, La Nova or similar) or a 2- to 3-star hotel in Bourg Saint Maurice
If you stayed in Bourg Saint Maurice, an early public shuttle (not included, roughly €8 per person) gets you to Ville des Glaciers for today’s start between 6:45 and 6:55 am; otherwise it’s a 45-minute walk to the same point, with a local shuttle option available in summer. From there, you’ll climb to the Col de la Seigne and cross into Italy, with dramatic views the whole way. After descending into Val Veny, a bus (not included) carries you the rest of the way to Courmayeur, with the Grandes Jorasses providing a backdrop.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: About 6 hours
Elevation: +700 m (+2,297 ft) / -1,000 m (-3,281 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Courmayeur (Hotel Bouton d’Or or similar)
A bus (not included) brings you to Val Ferret, where you’ll begin the crossing of the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland, arriving in the small, picturesque village of La Fouly. Along the way, you’ll take in exceptional views of the Combins massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc behind you. A postal bus then carries you onward to Champex, a lakeside Swiss village that makes for a well-earned stop.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +802 m (+2,630 ft) / -968 m (-3,175 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Champex (Hotel Splendide or similar)
Today brings you to the highest point of the entire route, the Fenêtre d’Arpette at 2,750 m (9,022 ft), before a long descent alongside the Trient glacier that ranks among the trip’s most memorable stretches. In poor weather, a shorter alternative via the Col de Bovine is recommended, cutting the day down to 5.5 to 6.5 hours with +800 m (+2,625 ft) / -1,365 m (-4,479 ft) of elevation change.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 7 to 9.5 hours
Elevation: +1,190 m (+3,904 ft) / -1,615 m (-5,299 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain lodge in Trient (private room, shared bathroom; La Grande Ourse or similar)
Cross the Col de la Balme and back into France, with fantastic views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte accompanying you along the way, before descending into the village of Argentière. It’s a shorter day on the trail, and a quiet overnight before the final push into Chamonix tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +1,000 m (+3,281 ft) / -820 m (-2,690 ft)
Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Argentière (Hotel Argentière or similar)
You’ll follow the scenic Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges before climbing to Lac Blanc, with views stretching across the Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, the Aiguille du Goûter, and Mont Blanc itself. Descend to Chamonix via Le Praz, or opt for the La Flégère cable car or a bus instead (transfers not included).
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: About 6 hours
Elevation: +900 m (+2,953 ft) / -1,100 m (-3,609 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix (Hotel du Clocher or similar)
Depart at your leisure after enjoying a satisfying breakfast, reflecting on the incredible memories of your Tour du Mont Blanc adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
Your guides offer an optional 2-night package in Chamonix after the trip. The package includes a 2-night stay at a hotel or B&B, access to QC Terme Chamonix spa, and a Mont Blanc Multipass with a variety of activities and attractions to choose from.
Here’s the suggested plan, but you can tailor it to your preferances:
Included:
Not included:
Departure dates are generally available from June 15 to September 20 each year.
Because the Tour du Mont Blanc is extremely popular, we recommend booking well in advance of your preferred start date to ensure accommodation availability.
Please note that securing lodging can be particularly difficult during the Mont Blanc Marathon and the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc events, both held in Chamonix around late June and late August. Dates shift slightly each year, so check the official websites for the current schedule before booking.
Included (8-Day Flexible Dates):
Included (8-Day Guaranteed Departures):
Included (12-Day Flexible Dates):
Included (12-Day Guaranteed Departures):
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
Should you need to make any changes to your booking after confirmation, please be aware that a €50 administrative fee applies to each modification.
Please note that occasionally, the itinerary needs adjusting—usually due to logistics like fully booked accommodations, trail closures, or bad weather. Any changes are always made with your safety and comfort in mind.
Accommodation can shift too, though rarely, depending on availability. If an alternate accommodation is used for a given night, it’ll always be in the same star range as advertised.
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 1,200 m (3,940 ft) of daily ascent and hiking up to 15 km (10 miles) per day 6 or 10 consecutive days, for up to 9 hours a day. Keep in mind that hiking can be made more difficult because of changing weather.
Since this is a self-guided tour, you will be able to take many breaks and hike at your own pace. Due to some more exposed sections, the tour is not recommended for those with severe fear of heights.
If you’re looking for a TMB adventure suitable for advanced hikers, check out this high-level Tour du Mont Blanc adventure and this more rugged version of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
With Flexible Dates, you choose any start date between mid-June and mid-September, subject to availability; your guides confirm within 2–3 weeks.
With Guaranteed Departures, a set of fixed dates has beds pre-booked, so confirmation lands within 24 hours (business days) while spots last.
Beyond the booking mechanics, the two versions aren’t fully identical trips. Guaranteed Departures finish with two (8-day) or three (12-day) nights at a 4-star hotel in the heart of Chamonix. Flexible Dates trades that for a simpler finish—a night in a 2-star hotel in Argentière before reaching Chamonix—and, on the 12-day version, an overnight at a dormitory-style mountain refuge near the Italian border instead of a rest day in Courmayeur. The core route, countries crossed, and daily hiking stay the same either way.
Either way, book well in advance—the Alps are busy in summer and hut space goes fast. Departures in June and September carry a higher risk of snow.
The following items are required for this self-guided tour unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.
Avoid cotton or cycling-specific clothing. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly and perform well in active conditions. Merino wool is also an excellent option—it dries fast, is comfortable to wear, and naturally resists odors even after extended use.
Clothing:
Gear:
First aid kit suggestions:
Carrying a basic personal first aid kit is strongly advised, as unforeseen situations may arise during travel. Access to medications and first aid supplies can be limited in certain destinations, making it essential to bring necessary prescription and over-the-counter items. Travel plans, vaccinations, and medication use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider in advance to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
Here’s a basic list of what’s generally a good personal travel first aid kit:
Optional items:
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Yes, luggage transfers are included and arranged on this Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided hiking trip. You’ll carry a daypack on the trail each day and have access to your luggage in the evenings. Keep in mind that your luggage (a travel bag or a small suitcase) may not exceed 15kg (33lbs).
Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. Here’s what’s included:
Included (8-Day Flexible Dates):
Included (8-Day Guaranteed Departures):
Included (12-Day Flexible Dates):
Included (12-Day Guaranteed Departures):
Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!
Digital travel package includes documents available in English, French, and German, sent by email, and provides access to a smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only). It also contains the list of booked accommodations, and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, a printed version of the travel package can be provided for an additional fee; it will be ready and available at the first accommodation of the itinerary, including maps, a topo guide, and a travel folder—you can add this at checkout.
As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.
If joining a flexible departure, your guides offer an optional 2-night package in Chamonix after the trip.
The package includes a 2-night stay at a hotel or B&B, access to QC Terme Chamonix spa, and a Mont Blanc Multipass with a variety of activities and attractions to choose from.
Here’s the suggested plan, but you can tailor it to your preferances:
Included:
Not included:
Group sizes and prices:
Self-guided hiking along the Tour du Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for these Tour du Mont Blanc self-guided tours 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.
For the 8-day itinerary, a single occupancy room is not available in Les Chapieux. For the 12-day itinerary, ingle occupancy is available on 8 nights—Les Houches, Contamines, Courmayeur, La Fouly, Champex, Argentiere, and 2 nights in Chamonix. It’s not available in Les Chapieux or Trient, and it isn’t an option at all on the Refuge Elisabetta night (12-day flexible dates), since that’s dormitory-only lodging.
No, it’s easy to mix up, but they’re different things. The TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc) is the multi-day hiking circuit this trip follows, done over 6–12 days at a walking pace. The UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) is a competitive trail-running race held annually along a similar route, completed by elite runners in under 24–46 hours. If you’re looking to hike the route at your own pace, you want the TMB—this trip.
To get to Saint Gervais or Le Houches, most people fly into Geneva International Airport, which is around 1 to 2 hours away.
From the airport, most people take a shuttle service since it’s the most economical option. To get to Les Contamines, 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.