Luxury Self-Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

Your trip begins in Chamonix, a mountain town world-famous for its mountaineering history, and the dramatic scenery that greets you as you approach the valley is just a taste of the trip to come. Overlooked by Mont Blanc, western Europe’s highest mountain, and surrounded by jagged peaks and tumbling glaciers, this Alpine valley is breathtakingly beautiful. You can normally check-in to your accommodation and access your rooms from around 16:00. If you arrive earlier, it’s no problem to leave your bags at your accommodation and explore the town. There’s a wealth of outdoor shops so you should have a little time for last minute supplies before your trip. Ask at the hotel reception to receive your Guest Card, which will entitle you to free trains and buses in the Chamonix valley.

Accommodation: 5* hotel

Your day starts with a private transfer from Chamonix to Les Houches to take you to the official TMB start sign in the center of Les Houches. It is recommended to start the day with a journey on the Bellevue cable car from Les Houches as it makes the day a sensible distance, and then makes it feasible to do the Col de Tricot variant to reach the Chalet de Miages, and also cuts out a 2-hour walk uphill on a track. For folk who want to do every step of the day, it’s still possible to hike up without using the cable car, but it makes for a rather long first day. After reaching the Col de Voza, you then cross the spectacular suspension bridge at the foot of the Bionnassay glacier, from where you have several route choices to reach St Nicolas-de-Véroce. It is usually done by crossing the Col de Tricot, with a coffee stop at the spectacularly-located Chalet de Miage, but if the weather is bad then you can take a lower level route through the scenic villages of Bionnassay, Champel and La Gruvaz.

Distance: 14 km / 9 miles
Ascent: 900 m / 3,000 ft
Descent: 1,500m / 4986 ft
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

A 15 minute transfer will take you to the start of today’s hike at Notre Dame de la Gorge. From the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge. you start on the old Roman road: it’s a bit of a rude awakening with a steep uphill, but it doesn’t take long to get into a rhythm! You continue past the Chalet de Balme (if you’re doing well for time, it’s a perfect coffee stop!) and up to the Col de Bonhomme (6,640 ft / 2,329 m) for a well-earned lunch break. Next is a climbing traverse, often with snowy patches until mid-July, to the Col de la Croix de Bonhomme (8,133 ft / 2,479 m), from where you have a great view towards the Vanoise National Park. After this, there is a 2-hour walk down to Les Chapieux, where you can stay either in an auberge or a chambre d’hôte, depending on availability.

Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
Ascent: 1,348 m / 4,450 ft
Descent: 960m / 3,150 ft
Walking time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Auberge or Chambre d’hôte

There is now a newly-cut path from just after Les Chapiuex up to Ville des Glaciers (in previous years the TMB took the tarmac road). There is usually the option to have a minibus transfer from Les Chapieux if you prefer. After passing Refuge des Mottets, you’ll start to climb more steeply up to your goal, the Col de La Seigne, at 8,255 ft/2,516 m, it is the 2nd highest pass on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Once there, you’ve reached the border with Italy! From here you descend past the Elisabetta hut (you can divert here for lunch or coffee if you like) to La Visaille, where you take transport to the vibrant mountain town of Courmayeur, where you’ll stay in another luxurious hotel.

Distance: 21 km / 13 miles
Ascent: 1,004 m / 3,300 ft
Descent: 850 m / 2,800 ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

Courmayeur offers an excellent opportunity for a rest day, with an abundance of activities to enjoy. You can take in breathtaking views of famous alpine summits, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Gran Paradiso, by riding the famous revolving Skyway Monte Bianco cable car. Additionally, Cave Mont Blanc offers a unique high-altitude wine cellar experience. For those seeking relaxation, the Dolonne cable car provides access to the Plan Chécrouit outdoor swimming pool. Adrenaline junkies can satisfy their cravings with white water rafting on the Dora Baltea river. If you prefer a leisurely hike, consider walking to the fantastic Plan Gorret restaurant for lunch or venture a bit higher to Baita Ermitage, both serving delicious Valdostan cuisine. Lastly, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of bustling Courmayeur, exploring its shops, indulging in gelato, and soaking up the lively ambiance.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

The day begins with a steep walk up from Courmayeur to the Bertone hut, which is a great little coffee stop. From here, you have 2 choices: either the balcony route (signposted TMB), or the Mont de la Saxe ridge, a longer, more spectacular variant. If the weather is good and you’re feeling energetic, then the Mont de la Saxe ridge offers incredible views of Mont Blanc. You climb up to the summit of the Tête de la Tronche, and then down steeply to the Col Sapin. From here you descend into the Armina valley before climbing again to the Col Entre Deux Sauts. There are not usually many people, and the scenery is breathtaking. If you prefer an easier route, and a relaxed lunch at the Bertone, then you can take the official TMB route, along a spectacular balcony path. The views just don’t stop: along the whole route between Bertone and Bonatti, you’re directly opposite Mont Blanc and the Grand Jorasses, high above the Val Ferret. After Bonatti there is around 1.5 hours to walk to Arnouva, followed by a transfer back to Courmayeur.

Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles or 17 km / 10.5 miles
Ascent: 1,584 m / 5200 ft or 860 m / 2,820 ft
Descent: 1,140m / 3,740 ft or 900 m / 2,950 ft
Walking time: 8-9 hours or 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

You will first take a short transfer up the Val Ferret to our starting point at Arnouva, where you stopped hiking yesterday. Today’s trek will take you over the Grand Col Ferret (one of the highest cols on the trip at 8,323 ft / 2,537 m). There are stunning views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Grand Combin and Mont Dolent (the summit of which is on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy). At the top of the col you cross over into Switzerland, where the scenery changes yet again. If you’re doing well for time you might stop for a coffee at La Peule, followed by a transfer to Champex, a Swiss town where you’ll stay for the night.

Distance: 15.5 km / 9.6 miles
Ascent: 910 m / 2,985 ft
Descent: 1,100 m / 3,908 ft
Walking time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

There are 2 options today. If you’re feeling fit and the weather is good, you can consider taking the Fenêtre d’Arpette, the highest col on the TMB at 8,710 ft (2,665 m). It’s a fantastic route with stunning views of the Trient glacier. If you want to be a little more relaxed, you can take the normal route via Bovine to the Col de la Forclaz. The Bovine route is gorgeous and should not be considered a “2nd choice.” The Fenêtre d’Arpette is a more serious undertaking, with a bigger climb, looser terrain underfoot, and 1 or 2 sections where you need to take care. Bovine is the normal TMB route and you are rewarded with amazing views of the Rhone valley, gorgeous views of the Dents du Midi and the Grand Combin, and there’s a delightful “buvette” where you can have lunch. Once you’ve reached Col de la Forclaz, you should have time for a celebratory ice cream before taking a 20-minute transfer to Argentiere.

Distance: 15.4 km / 9.5 miles or 16 km / 9.9 miles
Ascent: 800 m / 2,625 ft or 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Descent: 750 m / 2,460 ft or 1,600 m / 5,250 ft
Walking time: 6 hours or 8-9 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 4* hotel

From either Argentière or Tré-le-Champ, you climb up towards the Col des Montets. From here, you hike up to the famous Lac Blanc via the Lac des Chéserys, with simply the best views of Mont Blanc. You can either take the route via the ladders taking you more directly to the Lac des Chéserys, or you can take a slightly longer route that zig-zags up from the Col des Montets. Either route is spectacular and takes you through the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, and you are often lucky enough to see ibex, chamois and marmottes. After a hard-earned refreshment at the Lac Blanc refuge, you can descend to the Flégère.
From the Flégère you normally take the cable car down to Les Praz and walk along the river to Chamonix to return back to your hotel.

Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Ascent: 1,000 m / 3,280 ft
Descent: 550 m / 1,800 ft
Walking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 5* hotel

Your alpine adventure finishes after breakfast. Catch a flight back home or continue exploring the Chamonix area!

Meals: Breakfast