Over 12 days, we'll walk the entire Tour du Mont Blanc loop—every pass, every border crossing, every stage of the full classic circuit through France, Italy, and Switzerland. We cross the Col de la Seigne, the Grand Col Ferret, and the Col de la Balme, trace glacier edges, drop into alpine villages, and climb back out the other side, with Mont Blanc overhead for most of it. We hike with daypacks while luggage moves ahead each day, and every evening ends with a proper dinner at a mountain hotel or refuge. This is the TMB done in full, with nothing skipped and nothing rushed. If you've got the time and the legs for the whole thing, there's no better way to do it.
Upon arrival in Chamonix, the legendary alpine town at the foot of Mont Blanc, you’ll meet the guide for a 6 pm group briefing and introduction. Check-in at the hotel opens at 4 pm. There’s no hiking today, just time to settle in, explore Chamonix’s buzzing streets, and get ready for the circuit ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Chamonix (Heliopic Hotel or similar)
We take the cable car up to Bellevue, skipping the initial climb for a gentler start, then follow the trail through forest and open alpine terrain above the Bionnassay Valley. The route crosses the Col de Tricot, with the Dome du Gouter and Aiguille de Bionnassay flanking an impressive glacier overhead, before a long switchback descent brings us to the traditional village of Les Contamines.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +837 m (+2,746 ft) / -1,520 m (-4,985 ft)
Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Les Contamines (Hotel La Christiana or similar)
A private transfer takes us to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, where the day’s real climbing begins. We ascend over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, two high passes with sweeping views into the Vanoise National Park, before dropping down into the scenic Chapieux valley for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 7 hours
Elevation: +1,348 m (+4,450 ft) / -960 m (-3,150 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain refuge in Les Chapieux (Refuge de la Nova)
We head to Ville des Glaciers and cross the Col de la Seigne, our gateway into Italy, with dramatic views of the Grandes Jorasses opening up on the other side. We descend into the Italian Val Ferret and take a private transfer for the final stretch into Courmayeur, a lively mountain town perfect for a proper Italian dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 21 km (13 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +1,004 m (+3,300 ft) / -850 m (-2,800 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Courmayeur (Hotel Crampon or similar)
We climb above Courmayeur to the Montagne de la Saxe, with two route options depending on the group’s fitness: the Route des Balcons for a superb panorama of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses, or the more demanding Haute Route for even bolder views. We descend back through the Italian Val Ferret and take a bus transfer to Courmayeur.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 17 to 22 km (10.5 to 13.7 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +860 to +1,584 m (+2,820 to +5,200 ft) / -900 to -1,140 m (-2,950 to -3,740 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Courmayeur (Hotel Crampon or similar)
A private transfer takes us up to the Italian Val Ferret to start the day’s hike. We cross the Grand Col Ferret and step into Switzerland, with exceptional views of the Combins massif and the Italian side of Mont Blanc from the pass. We descend to the picturesque village of La Fouly, then a private transfer brings us to Champex, perched beside its stunning mountain lake.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 20 km (12.5 mi), about 6 to 7 hours
Elevation: +1,128 m (+3,700 ft) / -1,580 m (-5,180 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Champex (Hotel Glacier or similar)
After a short transfer back to La Fouly, we spend the day wandering one of Valais’ most charming valleys, quiet, green, and dotted with traditional Swiss hamlets and distinctive alpine architecture. The day ends with a gentle ascent to Champex, a serene village nestled around a mirror-still mountain lake.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), about 5 hours
Elevation: +711 m (+2,330 ft) / -855 m (-2,805 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Champex (Hotel Glacier or similar)
We set off from the hotel and climb toward the dramatic Fenetre d’Arpette, a high rocky notch with breathtaking views of the Trient glacier below. If the weather turns uncertain, a beautiful alternative route leads through the alpine pastures of Bovine with panoramic views over the Rhone Valley. A private transfer then takes us to Argentiere, a charming village in the French Chamonix valley.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 15 to 16 km (9.5 to 9.9 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +800 to +1,400 m (+2,625 to +4,593 ft) / -750 to -1,600 m (-2,460 to -5,250 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Argentiere (Hotel Couronne or similar)
A transfer takes us back to Trient in Switzerland for the start of today’s hike. We climb up and cross the Col de la Balme, re-entering France with sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. Depending on conditions, we’ll descend either through the hamlet of Le Tour or directly into Argentiere.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 18 km (11 mi), about 7 to 8 hours
Elevation: +1,200 m (+3,940 ft) / -1,450 m (-4,760 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Argentiere (Hotel Couronne or similar)
One of the circuit’s most spectacular days. We traverse the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges and climb to Lac Blanc, a glacial lake perched above the valley with a staggering panorama of Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de Glace, and Mont Blanc itself all at once. We descend to Chamonix via Le Praz, finishing with a cable car from La Flegere and a short bus ride.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 9 km (5.6 mi), about 6 hours
Elevation: +1,000 m (+3,280 ft) / -550 m (-1,800 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chamonix (Hotel Plan B or similar)
We take the cable car back up to La Flegere and begin the final stage of the circuit. The trail climbs through the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, including a short ladder section, before following the Grand Balcon Sud with sweeping views over the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc. A push to the summit of Le Brevent rewards us with a 360-degree panorama, then a long descent through pine forest and past the Christ Roi statue brings the circuit full circle at Les Houches.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 17 km (10.5 mi), about 8 hours
Elevation: +772 m (+2,530 ft) / -1,546 m (-5,070 ft)
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.