length
8 Days
difficulty
Strenuous
trip cost
From $3395 pp

Highlights
Get Ready For
- An exceptional hike through France, Italy and Switzerland
- Fully supported by our expert mountain guide
- Jaw-dropping alpine scenery and friendly wildlife encounters
- Culinary specialities and fascinating history
- Picturesque and charming Chamonix and Courmayeur

Guided Trip
A supported trek
This is a supported trek so that you carry just your daypack and stay in accommodation where your main luggage meets you at the end of each day. Having an experienced Mountain guide and luggage transfer vehicle means maximum flexibility during bad weather days. This trip is different from the full circuit as you will take vehicle transfers along some of the valley sections but still take in all the passes and highlighted sections of the route.
Itinerary
Daily Details
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a very popular walk and refuges are sometimes overbooked. This itinerary is a guide to the route. Details may change and the actual refuges booked may vary from what is written here, dependent on client numbers, wishes, and availability. This adjustment with refuges may alter the exact distance walked in a day so the itinerary should be used as an indication of overnight stops/distances.
Accommodation We use long-established family run 2-star (equivalent) rustic hotels and refuges, which we have chosen for their stunning location. Most offer spectacular mountain views. They are representative of the country, culture and environment in which they are located. All are clean, well-run and set up with the trekker in mind. The atmosphere is friendly and jovial as hikers from many nationalities gather to spend the night. Please be aware that room sizes (twin, double or very occasionally triple or quadruple rooms) and facilities will vary from hotel to hotel and sometimes from room to room in the same hotel. On some nights, facilities are ensuite while others have the possibility, depending on availability and group size, of shared bathroom and toilet facilities. Some nights you may be in triple or quad share dependent on tour selected.
Welcome to Chamonix! The afternoon is free for you to explore the town and its amazing mountain surroundings. Take a cable car up the famous Aguille de Midi for spectacular views over the Alps or relax in the many street cafes offering excellent cuisine. You will meet with your leader at 5pm in the hotel for a briefing to go over the trip, you then have a chance to purchase any last-minute items for your hike. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.
Meals: D
Starting by the Col de Bellevue, from where there are great views of the Aiguille du Gouter. A charming traverse passes right at the foot of the Bionnassay Glacier. We cross a bridge over a river and then ascend up to the Col du Tricot (2120m) from where a zigzagging path leads us down to the Chalets de Miage before descending down to the Val Montjoie. In poor weather, your guide may decide to use another route via Bionassay instead.
Ascent 1478m / Descent 1318m
Meals: B, L, D
From the village of Les Contamines, we will walk up to the Col du Bonhomme. The path at this stage leads gently up the valley to the beautiful church of Notre Dame de la Gorge, a picturesque rest stop. The track that was originally constructed by the Romans is roughly paved with large slabs and flagstones. Once past the church, the path winds steeply through pines beside a narrow gorge where the blue-tinged waters of the Torrent de Tré la Tête boil and thunder between smooth rock walls. We leave the Val Montjoie to cross over to the Beaufortain Valley via the high Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. We arrive at les Chapieux via the petit Mont Blanc pasture. Accommodation this evening is in a remote location and as a result, bathroom facilities will be shared.
Ascent 1316m / Descent 929m
Meals: B, L, D
We take a short transfer by shuttle bus to the end of the Vallée des Glaciers. We then enjoy a relatively easy hike over the Col de la Seigne (2516m) and down a long open descent into Italy to La Visaille. From Val Visaille we transfer by vehicle to Courmayeur where we spend the end of the afternoon exploring this small Italian resort town spectacularly situated beneath the Grand Jorasses and Brenva Glacier. Here the views of Mont Blanc are Himalayan in scale – the mountain rises in a breathtaking abruptness from the Veny Valley to the summit over 3000m above.
Ascent 850m / Descent 900m
Meals: B, L
This day starts with a short journey by public bus. We then walk up the valley to Refugio Elena where the more demanding climb to the pass begins. The ascent to the Col Ferret (2537m) is steep but enjoyable. Crossing the Grand Col Ferret takes you out of Italy and into Switzerland along the eastern edge of the Mont Blanc Range. The walk down into the Swiss Val Ferret is on a mixture of narrow paths, tracks and through lush pastures to the charming hamlet of Ferret (1620m) where we stay overnight. Please note that there is no luggage transfers today so you will need to carry a change of base layer clothes and basic toiletries for one night.
Ascent 895m / Descent 940m
Meals: B, L, D
We transfer this morning to Trient. We head towards the Col de Balme (2131m) via les Herbageres. It is a long and gradual ascent up to the Col De Balme with its picturesque refuge on the pass that marks the border with France. Superb Views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley are stretched before you. Returning to the Chamonix Valley from here is a very pleasant walk. Col de La Balme is the furthest point from the summit of Mont Blanc. We’ll enjoy panoramic views of lovely snow domes that will remain in sight for most of the descent into Argentiere.
Ascent 1069m / Descent 1778m
Meals: B, L, D
Grand Balcon Sud takes you on a spectacular walk above the Chamonix Valley with stupendous views of the Mont Blanc massif opposite. It is one of the most scenic walks imaginable and a fantastic way to end your Mont Blanc hiking adventure. All those rewards require a little effort though and there is a steep climb on a zigzagging path from the valley up to reach the trail. Walking along the Grand Balcon Sud is your best chance of seeing ibex which are common in this area. In good conditions you may choose to walk up to the refuge at Lac Blanc with its cerulean blue waters and fabulous viewpoint for a great lunch in the cafe. At the end of the afternoon descend to the cable car at either La Flegere or Plan Praz (dependent on group wishes and ability) and then descend to Chamonix.
Meals: B, L
The trip finishes today and you are free to stay on or we can help arrange a transfer by private vehicle or shared transfer this morning from Chamonix to Geneva airport (not included in trip price).
Inclusions
What's Included?
- 5 nights accommodation in small hotels or the best refuges available on the TMB
- 2 nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix
- Daily meals as outlined above
- Twin-share accommodation (one location will be triple or quad accommodation)
- Local briefing in Chamonix
- Experienced, licensed, English-speaking International Mountain Leader
- RAW Travel local support
- Luggage transfers on all trekking days except for night 5 (La Fouly)
- Lift passes
- Flights to and from your destination
- Local bus and train tickets
- Drinks other than water at meals
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Dinner not included on nights 4 and 7
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Chamonix Valley Transfers is our preferred partner and bookings can be made via their website: https://chamonix-valley-transfers.co.uk/book/ This is pick up and drop off at the airport in Geneva to our base hotel in Chamonix.
Locations on the TMB
Explore
CHAMONIX
This town is dominated by the mighty Mont Blanc massif with tumbling glaciers visible from the main street. There are many attractions including the Aguille Du Midi cablecar with its stupendous views and restaurant, the glacier express railway, and whitewater rafting right in the town. Plus Europe’s best selection of outdoor gear shops along its attractive streets.
LES HOUCHES
LES CONTAMINES
REFUGE DE NANT BORRANT
LES CHAPIEUX
VILLE DES GLACIERS
COL DE LA SEIGNE
RIFUGIO ENSABETTA
COURMAYEUR
The walk from the Col de Seigne 2516m down into Italy is truly breathtaking, passing the high Refuge Elisabetta and soaring mountain spires. The Italian ski town of Courmayeur provides a welcome taste of civilisation at the midway point of the trek.
RIFUGIO BONATTI
RIFUGIO ELENA
LA FOULY
Your first stop in Switzerland lives up to the hype – the picture-perfect scenery of the Val Ferret is hard to overstate. La Fouly sits at the head of a verdant forested valley, populated by small hamlets of old Swiss wooden chalets. It is one of the most enjoyable sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc.
CHAMPEX
TRIENT
TRI LE CHAMP
ARGENTIERE
LA FLEGERA

On the trail
The experience
The Mont Blanc circuit is a well-defined trail that has intermittent signposts at various junctions and offers some route variations on selected days. The terrain underfoot can vary from narrow dirt paths and rock trails on the mountain sections, to unsealed or tarmac roads in the valleys. The passes involve long ascents and descents but typically the gradients are fairly gradual with some steeper sections. The day above Chamonix is an exception where steep climbing is required to ascend to the Grand Balcon and a reasonably good level of walking fitness to complete all the days of the circuit. It is spectacularly varied and no two days are alike in terms of scenery and conditions, and often weather! Be sure to read our Training and Destination guides for more detail.

Your leaders
International Mountain Leaders
We have our own staff of experienced and qualified International Mountain Leaders. Not only do they know the trek routes exceptionally well but they will excel in looking after you; your safety is our priority in an alpine environment. All our guides are native English speakers, so clear communication is never an issue.

Exclusive Guide
get inspired
Our comprehensive Destination Guide is bursting with inspiration, travel essentials, background information and more! Essential reading to help you plan, prepare and enjoy a memorable trip in the Alps.
Tour du Mont Blanc
The Mont Blanc Circuit – Tour du Mont Blanc
- Europe’s most classic mountain walk
- Experience spectacular Alpine scenery
- Walk with an experienced English speaking guide
- Trek through three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland
$5,250.00
Dolomites
Dolomites Traverse – 11 day
- Italian hospitality at its finest
- Local specialities, perfect coffee, great company
- Some of the best sections of the Alta Via1 and Alta Via 2
- Embrace the challenge of this strenuous trekking
$4,750.00
Tour du Mont Blanc
The Self-Guided Trip – Tour du Mont Blanc
- Trek through France, Italy & Switzerland
- Culinary specialities from each country
- Experience spectacular towering mountain scenery
- This self-guided hike is for a private group of 4+ people
$4,090.00
Dolomites
Dolomites Circular Trek
- Italian hospitality at its finest
- Local specialities, perfect coffee and great company
- Visit the trenches from the mountain frontline of WWI
$3,550.00
TRIP date selection
when would you like to travel?
Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed