Complete Tour of Mont Blanc – 10 Days Self-Guided

The Grand Tour of Mont Blanc, the ultimate experience for travelers seeking discoveries !

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The Complete Tour of Mont Blanc at Your Own Pace

Discover the Complete Tour of Mont Blanc: A trek across three countries, a ten-day adventure, 160 kilometers to cover, thousands of steps to take, but it’s the emotions that matter the most!

This comprehensive itinerary of the famous TMB takes you to experience the extraordinary diversity of Mont Blanc massif landscapes. Immerse yourself in a true spectacle of nature, inhabited by rich wildlife and flora, all while enjoying a lightweight backpacking experience. When evening falls, your luggage awaits in carefully selected accommodations for your comfort.

A grand loop to savor fully. Explore the unforgettable Tour of Mont Blanc with us.

Your consultant

Pierrick Delattre 06 65 93 29 29 contact@watse.fr

Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region. As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession, always with your happiness as his goal. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.

The Highlights of the Route

The Entire Tour on Foot!

All the most beautiful balconies are gathered in this tour.

The freedom to gaze at the majestic glaciers up close, a spectacle within your reach.

Home-made picnics prepared with local products.

An original itinerary that follows the historical route and includes some variations to avoid the most crowded trails.

Duration

10 days

Difficulty

3/5

Departure from

Les Houches

Departure date

Every Saturday during the summer.

Accomodation

Dormitories

Luggage

One night without

Complete Tour of Mont Blanc – 10 Days Self-Guided : the detailed itinerary

Day 1: Les Houches – Bionnassay

5 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: refuge – 800 m (2,625 ft) ascent / 500 m (1,640 ft) descent

Join us at 9 a.m. at the meeting point located at the base of the Bellevue cable car for an unforgettable experience. Your day will begin with an ascent through a picturesque forest, taking you to the summit of Prarion, which stands at 1969 meters above sea level. Up there, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama, offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The day will continue with a peaceful descent to the charming Fioux refuge, where you’ll spend the night in an enchanting setting.

Day 2: Bionnassay – Les Contamines

6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: gîte – 950 m (3,115 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent

The second day of this adventure promises to be a breathtaking visual experience! Our route takes us along majestic glaciers, crossing the Col de Tricot at 2,120 meters in altitude and passing through the tranquil Truc alpine pasture. A picturesque descent leads us to the charming village of Les Contamines, where you will spend the night.

Day 3: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux

7 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Refuge – 1,450 m (4,750 ft) ascent / 800 m (2,620 ft) descent

Follow the ancient Roman Road for a spectacular ascent towards the Cols du Bonhomme (at 2,408 meters) and des Fours (at 2,665 meters) – our morning mission. After an outdoor lunch with breathtaking panoramic views, we will continue our journey towards the Chapieux Valley, nestled at the end of the Tarentaise. This region is famous for its contribution to the production of the delicious Beaufort cheese!

Day 4: Les Chapieux – Col Chécrouit

6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Refuge – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,050 m (3,450 ft) descent

Today, a splendid day opens up before you, offering majestic views of Mont Blanc! Your journey begins with an ascent to the Col de la Seigne, at 2,514 meters in altitude, marking the border between France and Italy. You then enter the Aosta Valley region through Val Veny, revealing the Italian side of Monte Bianco. The day concludes in the warm atmosphere of an Italian refuge, a memorable stage of your journey.

Day 5: Col Chécrouit – Refuge Bonatti

6 hrs walking time – Accommodation: Night in a refuge without luggage – 1,100 m (3,600 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent

Let’s kick off the fifth day of your adventure by descending the slopes to Courmayeur, often dubbed the Italian ‘Chamonix,’ and strolling through the picturesque alleys of its old village. Our route then takes us towards Val Sapin, heading to the Bertone refuge, where exceptional panoramas await you. By the end of the day, you’ll reach the Bonatti refuge*, situated at 2,025 meters above sea level and named in honor of the famous Italian mountaineer. From there, you’ll be marveling at the breathtaking view of the Frébouze glacier, gracefully stretching out before you.

*In case of unavailability at the Bonatti Refuge, transfer by local bus to Courmayeur. Overnight stay at a hotel with your luggage.

Day 6: Bonatti – La Fouly

6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 900 m (2,950 ft) ascent / 1,300 m (4,265 ft) descent

*If you’re staying in Courmayeur, you will need to take a local bus from Courmayeur heading towards Arnuova.

At daybreak, our route leads us towards the majestic Mont Dolent, a place where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Italy meet. As we reach the summit of the Grand Col Ferret, standing at 2,537 meters, we enter Switzerland, greeted with warmth! A gentle descent takes us through the Peule alpine pasture, getting us closer to La Fouly, a charming little village nestled at 1,600 meters in the heart of the beautiful Valais.

Day 7: La Fouly – Champex

4 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent

On this day, get ready to explore the Swiss Val Ferret with its charming traditional villages before arriving at Champex and its beautiful lake. Our journey concludes with a short ascent to our accommodation, a comfortable inn imbued with a soothing atmosphere, providing an ideal setting for your evening.

Day 8: Champex – Trient

Accommodation: at an inn – Choice 1: 715m (2,345 ft) ascent / 925m (3035 ft) descent – 5 hours walking time – Choice 2: 915m (3,002 ft) ascent / (4,135 ft) 1260m – 7 hours walking time

For this eighth day of hiking, an exceptional stage awaits, providing a panoramic view from the heights above Martigny. The vineyards of the Rhône Valley, visible in the distance, testify to Switzerland’s rich winemaking tradition. Our descent takes us to Trient, a small village, following the Bisse du Trient trail. Depending on the group’s preferences and conditions, a spectacular option presents itself: the opportunity to pass through the Fenêtre d’Arpette, at 2,665 meters in altitude, along a magnificent alpine route. Do not hesitate to ask to the refuge keeper the day before, or to contact us, to know the best itinerary.

Day 9: Trient – Le Tour

5 hrs walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent

The time has come to make our way back to France. Throughout the day, the view of the picturesque Chamonix Valley unfolds before you, becoming increasingly impressive. Our destination for the night is the charming village of Le Tour, where we will stay in a welcoming lodge, ready to provide you with a warm and friendly night.

Day 10: Le Tour – Chamonix

7 hrs walking time – 1,350 m (4,430 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent

For this memorable final day, we head towards the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. The trail leads us along a panoramic balcony offering breathtaking views of the majestic Mont Blanc, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Chamonix Valley.

We then begin our descent towards La Flégère, followed by a stunning balcony traverse to Planpraz. A cable car descent brings us back to the heart of Chamonix. For those who prefer, it’s possible to take a bus to Les Houches.

And so, the loop of our adventure concludes with unforgettable memories.

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Useful information

Luggage transport

The transfer of one piece of luggage per person is provided every day between the different accommodation: a soft bag, of the duffle bag type, of a maximum of 12kg per person.

You only carry your day’s belongings, in a backpack of about 30L.

Level

Ideally, you should have some hiking and/or trekking experience before embarking on this type of trek, but any physically fit beginner is welcome to join us. We’re here to guide you.

Between 6 and 8 hours’ walking per day throughout the trek, with some more difficult sections, particularly at the start of the season when the snow is still present. You should be able to climb at least 1,000 m (3 200ft.)a day for several days in a row.

We strongly recommend that you practice an endurance sport regularly and train specifically for this trek.

Directions and accommodation

Directions to the starting point: Meet at Bellevue cable car station at 9 am on Day 1.

You can leave your vehicle in the Prarion car park a few meters above. It is a free outdoor car park.

> Map to get to the starting point

Return to the starting point: Bus from Place Monte Bianco in Courmayeur to Chamonix, or taxi. Then bus, train or taxi from Chamonix. Return from Courmayeur not included in the price of the trip.

Bus timetables at the Chamonix tourist office (info@chamonix.com +33(0)4 50 53 00 24) or Courmayeur (courmayeur@turismo.vda.it 00 39 01 65 84 20 60).

Accommodation before and after the trek:

Hotel Saint Antoine – 7 route Napoléon, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 40 10
Hotel du Bois – 475 Avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 50 35
Gîte Michel Fagot – 2 Allée des Sorbiers, 74310 Les Houches – 04 50 54 42 28

Equipment

Even if you choose to do it in summer, it can get cold on the TMB! We strongly recommend that you pack clothes suitable for a multi-day hike, such as:

A fleece
A windproof and waterproof jacket
Walking trousers.

The terrain is varied and we recommend you wear walking boots that protect your ankles.

The accommodations provide blankets and pillows, but you will need a silk sheet, for hygienic reasons.

For more information, voir notre our special TMB equipment page.

Insurance

To ensure your TMB goes off without a hitch, Watse Trekking Mont Blanc offers three insurance policies with our partner April International Voyage, and a comprehensive Covid-specific contract.
These contracts are designed especially for treks like the Tour du Mont Blanc.

The Comfort cancellation contract covers you in the case of cancellation before your departure and/or a missed flight.

The Comfort multi-risk contract includes:

Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
Missed flight and flight delay
Luggage and personal belongings option
Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
Individual travel accident option
Third-party liability abroad
Impossible return and early return

The COVID contract includes:

Cancellation before departure and interruption of your trek
Missed flight and flight delay
Luggage and personal belongings option
Worldwide repatriation and travel assistance
Search and rescue costs up to €15,000
Individual travel accident option
Third-party liability abroad
Impossible return and early return
Cancellation due to illness 30 days before departure
Cancellation due to denied boarding
Remote consultation before departure
Medical repatriation
Hotel costs and medical fees
Psychological support
Grocery deliveries and home help

The price varies according to the Tour du Mont Blanc you choose. To take out one of these two contracts, just select the option when you book your trek!

Before and after the trek

The price of the stay does not include the trips before and after the trek.

Our team can help you find and book your plane and train tickets. We can also advise you about accommodation before and after your Tour du Mont Blanc.

Contact us here!

Booking

To book, you must:

Click on one of the “book this trek” links and select the insurance, and date options.
Select your payment type (cheque, bank transfer, debit card): There are several ways to pay.
- To pay by cheque: please make it out to WATSE and send to: WATSE – 63 avenue de la gare – 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains Le Fayet – France.
- To pay by bank transfer: contact us for our bank details.
- To pay by debit card: your invoice will be in your online account as soon as your payment has been confirmed by the bank. You will then be able to pay the balance directly from your account.
Pay a 30% deposit or the balance for your trek
Print out the booking form then fill it in, sign it and send it back to us by email or post. Your reservation will only be effective when 30% of the total cost is credited to WATSE’s bank account.
The balance must be paid at least one month before departure without a reminder from us.

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Dates and prices

Complete Tour of Mont Blanc – 10 Days Self-Guided

Included in the price

Accommodation in dormitories, as described in the trek programme
Half board, as described in the trek programme (dinners and breakfasts)
Packed lunches prepared by a chef
Dried fruit and nut snacks prepared by a chef
Luggage transfer every night (except on day 5)
Showers in the accommodations (as described in the trek programme)

Not included in the price

Transport to and from the start of the trek
Drinks other than water served with meals
Any private transport or cable car tickets not included in the trek programme
Assistance and cancellation insurance, to subscribe at the time of booking
Anything not listed in “Included in the price”

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Contact us!

Do you have a question about this trek? Write us a message and one of our guides will get back to you!