Full Tour du Mont Blanc – 10 days
The Grand Tour du Mont Blanc, for those who want to see it all!
Full Tour du Mont Blanc
One trek, three countries, ten days, 160 kilometres (100 miles), and thousands of steps: even these impressive figures cannot fully reflect the range of emotions you will experience on the TMB!
This circuit is the full version of the mythical TMB. It will enable you to discover the extraordinary diversity of landscapes in the Mont Blanc mountain range.
Immerse yourself in a spectacle of nature with varied flora and fauna, while enjoying your walk with a lightweight pack. In the evenings, your luggage will be waiting for you in accommodation selected for its comfort.
A full circuit for an all-round experience.
Listen to the guide's description of the trip (french)
Your consultant
The advantages of the Full Tour du Mont Blanc
The complete tour by foot !
This circuit includes all the most beautiful high-level traverses.
Spectacular views and proximity to the big glaciers
Home-made picnics made from local produce
Departure guaranteed as soon as 4 people have signed up.
An original itinerary which follows the traditional direction, with a few variants to avoid the busiest paths
Duration
10 days
Difficulty
3/5
Group
12 max.
Departure from
Les Houches
Departure date
Every 2 weeks, on Sunday in summer
Accomodation
Dormitories
Luggage
One night without
Full Tour du Mont Blanc : the programme in detail
Day 1: Les Houches – Bionnassay
Today, you will meet the group and your guide in front of the Bellevue cable car at 9 am. The day begins with a climb through the forest, until you reach the summit of Prarion (1969m), from which you can enjoy a first 360° panorama.
Descent to the Fioux refuge for the night.
Day 2: Bionnassay – Les Contamines
Descend to the village of Les Contamines for the night.
Day 3: Les Contamines – Les Chapieux
After a picnic with panoramic views, your route then takes you into the Les Chapieux valley, at the end of the Tarentaise, home of Beaufort cheese production!
Day 4: Les Chapieux – Maison Vieille
Day 5: Maison Vieille – Refuge Bonatti
The fifth day of the walk starts with a descent into Courmayeur, the Italian “Chamonix”, passing through the old village. You will then climb back up to Val Sapin and the Bertone refuge. You will end the day at the Bonatti refuge, named after a famous Italian mountaineer and facing the impressive Frébouze glacier.
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
On the sixth day of walking, you will enter another new country on your Tour du Mont Blanc! After a climb with magnificent views of Mont Dolent, you will cross the Grand Col Ferret mountain pass into Switzerland.
The day ends with a gentle descent to the mountain pastures of La Peule and the small village of La Fouly, a picture postcard setting in the Valais.
Day 7: La Fouly – Champex
6 hrs 30 walking time – Accommodation: at an inn – 650 m (2,130 ft) ascent / 650 m (2,130 ft) descent
Today, you will discover Val Ferret in Switzerland and its small traditional villages, before arriving in Champex with its pretty lake. This stage ends with a short climb to our accommodation for the night, a comfortable inn with a soothing atmosphere.
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
On this day of walking, you can look forward to a superb high-level traverse above Martigny. In the distance, the vineyards of the Rhone Valley bear witness to Swiss wine production. Descent towards the small village of Trient along the Bisse du Trient irrigation channel. Depending on how the group feels and current conditions, there may be an option to take the majestic alpine route via the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m / 8,740 ft). Your guide will decide on the best option.
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
It’s time to go back to France. As the day progresses, the view of the Chamonix valley opens up and becomes breathtaking. The small village of Le Tour is waiting for us, to spend the night in a warm gîte.
Day 10: Le Tour – Chamonix
7 hrs walking time – 1,350 m (4,430 ft) ascent / 850 m (2,790 ft) descent
On the last day of your hike, set off for the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. The path follows a high-level route with fantastic views of Mont Blanc – definitely one of the most famous landscapes in the Chamonix valley!
You will then walk down to La Flégère and another magnificent traverse to Planpraz. Take the cable car down to the centre of Chamonix. Possibility to take a bus to Les Houches.
You have now come full circle!
Useful information
Useful information
Luggage transport
You only carry your day’s belongings, in a backpack of about 30L.
Level
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
- 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
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.
Booking
- 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.
Dates and prices
Full Tour du Mont Blanc in 10 days
Included in the price
- Supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- 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”
You will also like:
The iconic TMB through France, Switzerland and Italy, circling the highest summit in the Alps.
Walk the paths of the TMB enjoying every evening accommodation selected for their comfort.
Tour du Mont Blanc in 5 days
From Courmayeur to Chamonix, the northern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc will have no secrets for you!
A wild and alpine itinerary over high mountains and across glaciers. Not for the faint-hearted!
For those who want to do the TMB (almost) as fast as Kilian Jornet!
Experience nature at its most authentic as you camp your way round the best-known trek in the Alps.
From Chamonix to Courmayeur, get away from it all with this trek through varied landscapes offering breathtaking views.
Experience nature at its most authentic as you camp your way round the best-known trek in the Alps.