Classic Tour du Mont Blanc

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrive in Chamonix

  Arrive at Geneva airport and transfer to the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix. The drive from the airport is roughly 90 mins and on arrival, you can check in at your hotel and spend some time exploring the town. There are many typical Savoyard restaurants close to your hotel where you can sample some alpine specialties, such as cheese fondue, tartiflette or raclette.

  • Transport: Private transfer (1.2 hours, 100 km)
  • Accomodation: Hotel
• Day 2

  Chamonix to Les Contamines

  We will catch the bus or train to Les Houches where we will take the Bellevue cable car. From the top cable car station there is a beautiful panoramic view of Mont Blanc , the Aiguilles Rouges, the Fiz chain and the Aravis. We then begin our trek in earnest, following a 1800m-high balcony that leads us to the bottom of the Bionnassay glacier. Crossing the Col de Tricot (2120m) we will descend to the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie where we will spend the night.

  • Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Ascent: 1085 m
  • Descent: 956 m
  • Max. altitude: 2120 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 3

  Les Contamines-Montjoie to La Ville de Glaciers

  Today begins with a leisurely trek along the river to the beautiful baroque Church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, which marks the start of the mountain trail. A long and steep ascent leads us to the Col de Bonhomme (2329m). This pass has been used for
  centuries by shepherds and their herds, armies and soldiers, pilgrims and hawkers – and now the hikers of the Tour du Mont Blanc!
  
  We have a further climb to cross the Col des Fours (2665m) before we drop gently down to the mountain pastures where we find ourselves among herds of Tarine and Abondance breeds. The milk from these cows is used to make many cheeses, especially the Beaufort and Abondance which are local specialties. Your guide will be sure to visit some local farms to stock up for your next picnic!

  • Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
  • Ascent: 1501 m
  • Descent: 876 m
  • Max. altitude: 2665 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 4

  La Ville de Glaciers to Monte Bianco Refuge

  Today we cross our first border, from France into Italy, via the Col de la Seigne (2516m), which lies on the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. The view from here is breath-taking, with a series of snowy peaks appearing in front of the Italian side of ‘Monte Bianco’. As we descend into the Val Veny we will pass by picturesque glacial lakes. We spend the night at the Monte Bianco refuge, situated at the foot of the Glacier de la Brenva, under the impressive Aiguille Noire de Peuterey.

  • Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Ascent: 727 m
  • Descent: 660 m
  • Max. altitude: 2516 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 5

  Monte Bianco Refuge to Bonatti Refuge

  This morning we will take the bus down to the charming town of Courmayeur where we will have some free time to enjoy a delicious Italian coffee. We then hike up from the town and continue along the Val Ferret in the shadow of the impressive Grandes Jorasses. Our last night in Italy is spent at the Bonatti refuge, named after Walter Bonatti, the great Italian mountain climber. There is no vehicle access to this refuge so your luggage will not join you tonight – everything you need for your stay and tomorrow’s trek needs to be carried with you.

  • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
  • Ascent: 169 m
  • Max. altitude: 2025 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 6

  Bonatti Refuge to Champex

  Time to lace up those boots and head into Switzerland! Today we will continue to ascend along the Val Ferret to reach the Grand Col de Ferret (2537m) where we will cross the border. As we head up the pass we can admire the Glacier de Pré de Bard and Mount
  Dolent, the summit of which is shared by France, Italy and Switzerland. The Grand Ferret is an ancient pass connecting the Aosta Valley of Italy to the Valais Canton of Switzerland. From the village of Ferret we will catch a local bus to Champex, a quaint lakeside village.

  • Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Ascent: 512 m
  • Descent: 1069 m
  • Max. altitude: 2537 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 7

  Champex to Argentière

  We leave Champex, taking the Bovine Way through the high meadows where the beautiful Herens cows spend their summer months. This balcony path gives us a panoramic view of the surrounding Rhône valley, the Coude du Rhône and the Great Combins massif. We descend through a beautiful forest to the Col de la Forclaz. Then we follow the Bisses path (a Valais word meaning a water channel carved from stone or wood) to reach the village of Trient. From here, a private vehicle will take us through the Montets pass, crossing back into France, to our final destination of Argentière.

  • Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
  • Ascent: 507 m
  • Descent: 723 m
  • Max. altitude: 1975 m
  • Accomodation: Refuge
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 8

  Argentiere to Chamonix

  On this final day of our trek, we will discover the Aiguilles Rouges massif and reserve, facing Mont Blanc across the Chamonix valley. We will trek up to the CheserysLakes and on to Lac Blanc, from where we can enjoy a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and the
  Mer de Glace while enjoying our picnic lunch. On the way we can often see ibex, chamois and marmots. We head down on a balcony trail, crossing La Flagère and Le Brévent to reach our hotel in Chamonix. Time to relax and enjoy your evening in town.

  • Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
  • Ascent: 1100 m
  • Descent: 2217 m
  • Max. altitude: 2352 m
  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
• Day 9

  Departure

  Sadly, our fabulous week comes to an end. We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Geneva airport.
  
  Please note: there is only one transfer to Geneva which departs at 9am.

  • Transport: Private transfer (1.2 hours, 100 km)
  • Meals included: Breakfast
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