CLOSE WINDOW

Tour du Mont Blanc
Sample Itinerary

Actual hikes vary from trip to trip, but our itinerary will go something like this:

Day 1
Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Here our group will meet, enjoy our first impressive views of Mont Blanc, and talk about the tour to come. (Hotel Prieure or Arve)

Day 2
We'll begin our Mont Blanc tour with a cablecar ride to the Voza pass, hiking through the Bionnassay valley and over the Tricot pass on one of the prettiest corners of the TMB. Passing through the village of les Contamines, we'll continue to the delightful Nant Borrant refuge for a quiet and relaxing evening. (refuge Nant Borrant)

Day 3
We continue the TMB tour with a beautiful walk along the wooded Bon Nant stream that leads to a long, steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. We'll descend to the Valle des Glaciers, to the end of the road, for a night in a rustic mountain inn. (refuge les Mottets) 


Day 4
The Tour du Mont Blanc next brings us to Italy, with a crossing of the Col de la Seigne pass, where we're greeted by an amazing view down into the Veny valley and up along the length of the Mont Blanc range. The Aiguille Noire de Peuterey is particularly impressive from this vantage point, as is Mont Blanc itself. We'll continue on through stunning landscapes to the medieval village of Courmayeur, with narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and a lively, pedestrian-only core. (Hotel Bouton d'Or)

Day 5
One of the highlights of the TMB is stunning walk along the crest of the Mont de la Saxe ridge, with the vertical cliffs of Mont Blanc and the Grande Jorasses towering above us to the west. Descend to the comfortable rifugio Bonatti, a simple inn perched high in the mountains. Easier options lead from the valley floor to our inn for hikers looking for an easier day. (Rifugio Bonatti)

Day 6
Continuing through the Italian Val Ferret, we'll cross the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland. We'll descend through tidy green fields with high cliffs and glaciers draped along the side. After crossing the pass, you'll take another bus ride to the lakeside village of Champex, one of Switzerland's hidden gems. (Hotel Glacier)


Day 7
An undulating trail leads us through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone valley. Weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads to the Fenetre d'Arpette with view to the Trient glacier, a popular variant on the traditional TMB route. We'll finish at a lively hiker's inn with private rooms and shared bathrooms at Forclaz. (Hotel de la Forclaz)

Day 8
Our final pass on the TMB, Col de Balme, brings us back full circle to sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. A possible sidetrip to the nearby Posettes ridge leads to even greater views, with a delightful trail leading down to the valley floor. We'll spend our last night of the Mont Blanc tour celebrating in Chamonix. (Hotel Prieure or Arve) 


Day 9
Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations. 


CLOSE WINDOW