(Inn-to-inn hiking tour)
Depart: Chamonix
Length: 9 days, 8 nights in 3-star village hotels and mountain inns
Hike Rating: Strenuous, 5-8 hours/day, 2500'-4500' elevation gain/loss
| 2010 Departure: | July 24 - August 1 |
| Tour Cost: | $2995 per person |
| $350 single supplement |
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the great hiking tours in the world. On this guided TMB tour, we'll cross numerous passes and trek through 3 countries - France, Italy, and Switzerland - as we circumnavigate Mont Blanc, at 15,781 ft, the highest mountain in the Alps. We'll hike through spectacular valleys and stay in a combination of 3-star village hotels and remote inns. The Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an epic trek - a great opportunity to meet hikers from around the world and enjoy an rich variety of cultures, cuisines and views. In keeping with the adventurous nature of the tour, we've designed a fairly rustic itinerary, and three of our nights will be spent in traditional gites with shared sleeping rooms, lively atmospheres, and a healthy sense of accomplishment. Showers are available every night, and as always, our village hotels feature private rooms and bathrooms. Luggage is transported separately and you will have it with you for four of the eight nights.
Our typical day on the Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn,
and soon we'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours of inn-to-inn hiking. With many passes to cross, the hiking is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!
We should finish our hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and enjoy views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, we'll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal and good conversation provide a satisfying end to our day. One dinner in Courmayeur is not included, so you will have a night to explore on your own.
With 3 countries filled with soaring mountains, lofty passes, and gorgeous trails, the Tour du Mont Blanc is an exhilarating trek that lives up to its world-class reputation.
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.
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| Arrive: | Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest (flights from the US usually depart the day before). The closest airport is Geneva. We can arrange airport pickup and extra nights in Chamonix before or after the trip. |
| Depart: | Plan departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since the Geneva airport is only 1 hour away by airport shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. The Swiss Card rail pass is not useful for this tour. |
Dates don't work? Check out our similar Bernese Oberland Traverse inn-to-inn tour. Or ask about a self-guided TMB tour or a private guided tour.
See our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc and self-guided Mont Blanc Highlights pages.
Read Josh Roberts in USA Today recap his guided Tour du Mont Blanc with Alpinehikers in 2003.
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