Guide

We provide a qualified International Mountain Leader to escort the group on each walking day. Our walking leaders are true mountain professionals and skilled group leaders, bringing expert knowledge on mountain safety, plus the local flora and fauna, geology, weather and customs.

Meals

All breakfasts and dinners are included except dinner in Chamonix on Day 7 of the itinerary. Typical meals Breakfast: Usually coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunches: No lunches are provided but can easily be bought locally from either shops or the hotel/refuge. Evening meal: Generally, a first course of soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or pasta, a dessert course. Drinks are not included in the price of evening meals. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: You may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region.

Others

All transport and listed activities

Transport

All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included. We use a variety of transport to facilitate our route around the circuit; this includes local buses and taxis. For the transfers to and from Geneva airport we normally use a private coach.

Accommodation

Throughout the trek, we use long-established, family-run two- and three-star-equivalent hotels and inns. Most of the hotels/inns sit in stunning locations, often with panoramic vistas over the mountains, and culturally represent the countries and environment they are in. These hotels are a vital source of income to the local community. All are clean, well run and set up with the needs of the trekker in mind. Single rooms are not available. Room sizes (twin, double, triple or very occasionally quadruple rooms) and facilities will vary from hotel to hotel and sometimes from room to room within one property, and occasionally there may be bunk beds. On four of the nights, there is the possibility of bathroom facilities being on the landing rather than inside the room (dependent on availability and group size). Couples will always have their own room but we cannot guarantee whether this will be twin or double. Single clients must be prepared to share with up to three other members of the same sex. We are unable to accept bookings for single rooms due to the small size of the hotels used and the fact we are usually staying only one night in each property. On Day 4, due to limited availability, it is very occasionally necessary to sleep in dormitories or descend by taxi to a second hotel in the valley. If this is the case, we will endeavour to let you know before booking.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation not available — Visas or vaccinations

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Col De La Forclaz, Switzerland (Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Col De La Forclaz, Switzerland (Dinner)

We start at the designated hotel at Col de la Forclaz. A short (unguided) walk to view the Trient Glacier is an option this afternoon, depending on arrival time. In the evening, there is an introductory briefing by your leader and time to spilt bags between items to be delivered to the hotel in Chamonix, for the end of the trip, and things you will carry with you. Accommodation: Hotel at Col de la Forclaz, Switzerland
Day 2 Day 2: Follow The Bovine Route To The Pretty Village Of Champex Lac And On To Orsières (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Follow The Bovine Route To The Pretty Village Of Champex Lac And On To Orsières (Breakfast,Dinner)

We leave the Col de la Forclaz (5,010ft/1,527m) from where we can look directly down into the Rhône valley and the Swiss town of Martigny. Following our path through the forest and up to high alpine pastures (great for flowers in the early season), the Bovine Route (6,720ft/2,049m) affords dramatic views over Swiss peaks and valleys. After lunch, we descend to Champex (4,880ft/1,486m) and the east side of the Mont Blanc massif. Walking south, we descend through woods to the Val Ferret and onto Orsières (2,910ft/887m), a pretty alpine village in the valley at the foot of the St Bernard Pass. Ascent: 2,400ft (730m); descent: 4,260ft (1,300m) Accommodation: Hotel in Orsières, Switzerland
Day 3 Day 3: Short Bus Transfer To La Fouly And Climb To The Highest Point, Grand Col Ferret, And Descend Into Italy (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Short Bus Transfer To La Fouly And Climb To The Highest Point, Grand Col Ferret, And Descend Into Italy (Breakfast,Dinner)

We hop aboard the local bus to rejoin the TMB at the village of La Fouly (5,250ft/1,600m), which is dominated by the glaciated face of Mont Dolent, whose summit is the meeting point of the French, Swiss and Italian borders. Still following the valley and the river, La Drance, we climb steadily to the Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft/2,537m), the highest pass of the tour. The mountain views from the col are stunning with Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. Now in Italy, we descend into the valley also called Val Ferret (5,770ft/1,760m) then travel by bus to our hotel in La Palud. Ascent: 3,180ft (800m); descent: 2,600ft (790m) Accommodation: Hotel in La Palud, Italy
Day 4 Day 4: Trek From Val Veny Over Col De La Seigne To Les Chapieux (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Trek From Val Veny Over Col De La Seigne To Les Chapieux (Breakfast,Dinner)

We travel by bus to La Visaille (5,450ft/1,660m) then climb gently along the Val Veny beneath the massive glacier de Miage and pass Lac Combal. The gradient becomes steeper as we follow the old Roman road and head for today’s pass: the Col de la Seigne (8,250ft/2,516m), which marks our re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings us through La Ville des Glaciers (5,870ft/1,789m) and finally, after a long walking day, to Les Chapieux (5,100ft/1,553m), a small hamlet inhabited only during summer. On the following departures, we descend to the valley floor by private transfer (approximately 20 minutes) and spend the night in a hotel (twin-share basis) rather than staying in an auberge in Les Chapieux: 8 July 2023 2 September 2023 9 September 2023 Ascent: 2,840ft (870m); descent: 3,180ft (970m) Standard accommodation: Auberge (inn) in Les Chapieux, France
Day 5 Day 5: A Tougher Day Over Two Cols; Croix Du Bonhomme And Col Du Bonhomme; Descend To Les Contamines (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: A Tougher Day Over Two Cols; Croix Du Bonhomme And Col Du Bonhomme; Descend To Les Contamines (Breakfast,Dinner)

We have reached the southwest corner of the circuit and we turn north to climb once again. Today is a big day, first we ascend to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,130ft/2,479m), then contour across to the Col du Bonhomme (7,641ft/2,329m) and finally descend again on a Roman road into the Val Montjoie and the town of Les Contamines (3,860ft/1,175m). Our path continues through the village and we arrive at our overnight stop with time for a well-deserved cold drink. Ascent: 3,050ft (930m); descent: 4,400ft (1,340m) Accommodation: Auberge (inn) in Les Contamines, France
Day 6 Day 6: Over The Col Du Tricot To The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Over The Col Du Tricot To The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)

Another big day! Our route continues with a steady ascent to the Chalets de Miage (5,120ft/1,560m), a great spot to sample home-cooked delicacies. From here, we take a trail that climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (6,950ft/2,119m) before descending very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay with good views of the north side of the Mont Blanc massif. Eventually, we make another ascent to reach the Col de Voza (5,420ft/1,652m) where we re-enter the Chamonix Valley, and finally descend to the village of Les Houches (3,260ft/993m) and take the bus to our hotel. Ascent: 3,980ft (1,200m); descent: 4,500ft (1,370m) Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix, France
Day 7 Day 7: Final Day Trekking Past Lac Blanc Before Descending To Chamonix (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Final Day Trekking Past Lac Blanc Before Descending To Chamonix (Breakfast)

Our final day presents perhaps one of our most spectacular walks; trekking a section of the Grand Balcon Sud route past the beautiful and photogenic Lac Blanc (7,715ft/2,352m) with grand vistas over the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc behind. Our route then drops sharply down to Chamonix (3,380ft/1,030m) and the end of our trek. Ascent: 2,950ft (900m); descent: 4,370ft (1,330m) Accommodation: Hotel in Chamonix, France
Day 8 Day 8: End Chamonix (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Chamonix (Breakfast)

Following breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home.

8 days tour

Tour Du Mont Blanc Week

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Tour Du Mont Blanc Week

Day 1: Start Col De La Forclaz, Switzerland (Dinner)

Day 2: Follow The Bovine Route To The Pretty Village Of Champex Lac And On To Orsières (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 3: Short Bus Transfer To La Fouly And Climb To The Highest Point, Grand Col Ferret, And Descend Into Italy (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 4: Trek From Val Veny Over Col De La Seigne To Les Chapieux (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 5: A Tougher Day Over Two Cols; Croix Du Bonhomme And Col Du Bonhomme; Descend To Les Contamines (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 6: Over The Col Du Tricot To The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 7: Final Day Trekking Past Lac Blanc Before Descending To Chamonix (Breakfast)

Day 8: End Chamonix (Breakfast)

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