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Tour du Mont Blanc – Switzerland, France, and Italy

Price £1095 or 1420€

This is the famous classic of the Alps - a complete circuit of Mont Blanc the highest mountain in Western Europe passing through three countries and three cultures. We meet in Chamonix, the mountaineering capital of the world, and begin a journey of discovery which takes in the history, culture, folklore and wildlife of the mountains. From remote farms and refuges, to ancient Roman towns and beautiful lakeside mountain villages - it's all there on the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Day 1 Arrival in Chamonix Valley

On the evening before we start our walk we will meet you at your hotel in the Chamonix Valley to brief you on the trip and answer any last minute questions.

Day 2 Chamonix Valley to Les Contamines

We set off from Les Houches, enjoying stunning views of Chamonix Valley as we use the cable car to gain 900m to start the trip. We cross under the Bionnassay glacier and head up to the Col de Tricot, 2120m, before a steep descent to the Miage pastures. From there a short climb over another col before heading down through the forests to the small town of Les Contamines. Ascent 700m.

Day 3 Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Starting along a Roman road we make the long ascent through mountain pastures to the Col de la Bonhomme, 2599m. We then traverse the hillside to another slightly higher col where ibex can often be seen, before a gentle descent to the lovely hamlet of Les Chapieux where herds of sheep, goats and cows spend the summer grazing. Ascent 1300m.

Day 4 Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

We ease into the day with a minibus transfer to the valley where cows produce the famous Beaufort cheese; with the opportunity to buy some for a picnic! A steady climb to the Col de la Seigne, 2516m and into Italy with views of the ‘other side' of Mont Blanc. From the col we have a gentle descent to the valley past the famous south ridges of the ‘Blanc' such as the Peuterey with its impressive jagged skyline. We take the bus down to the ancient Italian town of Courmayeur. Ascent 830m.

Day 5 Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

We leave the old quarter of Courmayeur and head up the Mont de la Saxe Ridge through pine forests to the Bertone Refuge for a coffee. Then along the ridge with some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range, before arriving at the Bonatti refuge for a true night in the mountains. The Refuge to which there is no vehicle access, pays homage to the great Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. Ascent 900m.

Day 6 Rifugio Bonatti to Champex

The day starts with a gentle traverse of the mountainside to the Elena Refuge for morning coffee! A climb to the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m where we cross the border into Switzerland. Down through meadows to the tiny hamlet of Ferret where we catch a bus to the beautiful lake side village of Champex for the night. Ascent 770m.

Day 7 Champex to Col de la Forclaz

A gentle start down to Champex-d'en-Bas where we begin to climb along the Bovine trail which traverses the mountainside through flower filled pastures. We enjoy a picnic lunch at a rustic refuge with the chance to learn about the famous Swiss fighting cows. Later in the day there are stunning views down to the Roman town of Martigny and the Rhône valley as we walk to the Col de la Forclaz for the night. Ascent 570m.

Day 8 Col de la Forclaz to Tré-la-Champ

As we come full circle we head up and over the Col de Balme from where Charles Dickens penned a letter describing the stunning beauty of the mountains. Along the Posettes ridge and down through the forests to the charming hamlet of Tré-la-Champ. Ascent 1070m.

Day 9 Tré-la-Champ to Chamonix

From the Col des Montets we head up through the Nature Reserve to the famous Lac Blanc which provides a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc Massif, with its peaks and glaciers. A final chance to enjoy the flowers of the high mountain and see ibex and chamois, often we can get very close. A cable car from Flégère back down to Chamonix for a well deserved drink! Ascent 900m.

Day 10 Departure

Today is departure day.

Price

What’s included:- 7 nights half board accommodation in a 2** hotel, or similar, and two nights half board accommodation in a mountain inn.  The guide's fees, expenses, trip organisation, daily transportation of luggage from hotel to hotel (except the Bonatti Refuge which can not be accessed by vehicle), cable car fees and bus fares.

What’s not included:- flights, insurance and transfers from Geneva (but we can advise on the best options), lunch and drinks.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the hotels is based on two people sharing. A single room supplement maybe available on request. In the mountain inn at Tré-la-Champ accommodation is dormitory style which is common in such lodgings. We have suggested you spend a night here because of the wonderful character and history of the building which we think you would enjoy. However, the trip can also be arranged in such a way as to avoid dormitory accommodation.

Options

There are a number of different options for doing the Tour du Mont Blanc from 5 days walking upwards. If you wish we can also include a rest day in Courmayeur when you can enjoy taking the cable car up to the glacier for stunning close up views of the Mont Blanc range, or you might prefer to spend the day at the luxurious thermal baths at Pre St Didier.

Further Information

We have suggested Chamonix as a base from which to begin the trip as it is easily reached by airport transfer, car, train and bus from Geneva airport. It is a drive of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. More information on how to reach Chamonix at www.chamonix.com Please do not hesitate to get in touch to chat through the details.

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