Faithful to its myth, the Mont Blanc is no doubt one of the most beautiful massifs of the Alps. Our circuit will lead you from France to Italy and Switzerland in order to discover its various faces. The sceneries are stunning with innumerable alpine peaks and beautiful glaciers all around with the impressive Mont Blanc massif constantly in the background. This walk is reasonably demanding, but you only need to carry a light back each day and in the evening you will enjoy French and Italian cooking and Swiss hospitality in the traditional alpine villages you stay in.
Highlights:
♦ Tour du Mont Blanc - a Classic circuit of the Mont Blanc massif (with highest summit 4807 m a.s.l.) and "must-do" for every mountain hiker;
♦ Three countries, three cultures, three cuisines - all on one great trip;
♦ Among other areas you'll be hiking in Chamonix - one of Europe’s most aftersought hiking destinations - with views of spectacular peaks and glaciers.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Saint Gervais
Arrival in the charming, traditional village of Saint Gervais. A true gem of the French Alps, where hiking is not just an activity, but an unforgettable experience. Overnight in a nice 3* hotel in Saint Gervais in B&B. B/-/-
Day 2. Les Contamines - Notre Dame de la Gorge - Les Chapieux valley / France
A short transfer to Notre Dame de la Gorge. Climb over the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme leading to the Chapieux valley. Splendid views over the Aiguille des Glaciers. Overnight in dormitory in a mountain lodge. B/-/D
Walking distance: 8 hrs; +1267m/-930m, 15.3 km
Day 3. Les Chapieux - Courmayer or Refuge Elena
Reach Ville des Glacier to start the hike (45 walk); public shuttles are available in summer (around 5 EUR per person, paid on spot). Venture over the Col de la Seigne to the Italian side of the border. On this walk, you can expect spectacular views. Descent into Val Veny and take a bus from La Cantine de la Visaille to Courmayeur—a tremendous panoramic view of the Grandes Jorasses. Then, you may stay in Courmayeur (room version) or take a bus to Val Ferret and hike to Rifugio Elena, close to the glacier Pré de Bar (45 min walk). Overnight in dormitory. B/-/D
Walking distance: 7 h walk, +950m, -1,000m or 6 hrs, +780m, -890m (if overnight in Courmayeur)
Day 4. Courmayer or Refuge Elena -Champex (Val d’Arpette)/ Switzerland
Cross the Grand Col Ferret and arrive in the quaint but beautiful village of La Fouly in Switzerland. Take part in the exceptional views over the massif of Combins in the East and on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Transfer by Postal Bus to Champex, a Swiss village boasting a beautiful lake. The lodge-hotel in Val D’Arpette, Relais d’Arpette, is some 45 min further by foot. B/-/D
Overnight in dormitory.
Walking distance: 7.30 hrs; +880m/-1000m, 16 km
Day 5 Champex (Val d’Arpette) – La Forclaz (or Trient)/Switzerland
The highest point of the walk is reached today as you climb over the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2750 m). The views are tremendous while you go down alongside the Trient glacier. Walking distance: 7-9 hrs, +1200m/-1335m, 14.5 km In case of uncertain weather, we propose you a shorter itinerary by the Cold de Bovine pass. In this case walking distance is 7 hrs; + 800m/-902m, 14 kmOvernight in a lodge in dormitory. B/-/D
Day 6. La Forclaz (or Trient) – Le Tour or Argentière
Cross over the Col de la Balme and back to France with fantastic views on the Mont Blanc and Aiguille Verte, you will have the option between 2 alternative routes for the descent to Tour or into the village of Argentières.
Overnight in the refuge CAF de Tour in dormitory; or in 3* hotel in Argentières. B/-/D
Walking distance: 7 hrs; +1200m/ -950m, 15.5 km
Day 7. Le Tour – Chamonix / France
The wonderful Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges, before a climb to Lac Blanc. Just enjoy the scenery: Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, La Mer de glace, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Aiguille du Goûter, and last but not least, Mont Blanc! Descent to Chamonix by Le Praz. You can also choose to take the cableway of La Flégère or even by bus (transfers not included in the price). Overnight in a 3* hotel in Chamonix (B&B). B/-/-
With Flégère cablecar : 3h30 to 4h30 walk; 10.5km ; +1100m ; -470m ; With Plan Praz cablecar : 6h30 walk; 16km ; +1385m ; -641m ; Without cablecar : 10h20 walk ; 21.8 km; +1385m ; - 1608m.
Day 8. Chamonix
Departure after breakfast. B/-/-
Practical information: ► Thin sleeping bags are required in the huts and a sheet or a sleeping bag sheet. It is usually best to leave early in the morning, thereby putting any mountain passes behind you before midday. This will help you to avoid any problems associated with stormy weather, leave you the afternoon to recover from your exertions, and ensure that you're in fine form to carry on the day after. Up until the 15th of July, we strongly advise you to include telescopic walking poles in your equipment. If there are névés (patches of snow of varying depths and dimensions) always approach these with extreme caution, especially if they are frozen hard. Wear mountain boots with good grips on the soles, long trousers and a pullover (no bare legs or arms on steep névés!). If you don't possess an ice axe, descend slowly using the 'steps' already made by someone who has. Avoid running or sliding, as a névé always ends up in a scree, and without an ice axe it's almost impossible to stop.The way marks everywhere are very good; signposts with tables are available on the biggest crossroads en-route. Although the uphill/downhill walks exceed normally 1000m per day, the paths are tourist-friendly – not very steep, making serpentines where needed in order to gain height as easier as possible.
Warning: Be awarel, bookings are very difficult from 24th to 27th of June because of the Marathon of Mont Blanc from 23th to 29th of August because of the Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc and from 23th of August to 5th of September because of the Wold Bike Championship (UCI)
Warning : from 15/06 to 30/06 and from 01/09 to 20/09, there is a strong risk of snow and snowdrifts. Some buses might not work, and it might be necessary to replace them by a cab: D3 from Les Chapieux to the Ville des Glaciers (possibility to do it on foot, 5km) (about 95€ for 1-3 people)
Price Includes: Accommodation in lodges and dormitories with shared facilities (showers and toilets) except the 1st night in hotel in Saint Gervais*** and last night in Chamonix*** (option for hotels for all nights below)
half board in all the accommodation except in Saint Gervais (B&B) and in Chamonix (B&B)
transfer in the morning of day 2 and luggage transportation every day - You only carry a small rucksack with the necessary for the daily hike. Luggage (15 kg per person) transported by vehicle
maps and a detailed travel pack in English
Not Included: Flight tickets
insurances
drinks and meals,not mentioned in the program
bus transfers (Visaille to Courmayeur; Courmayeur to Val Ferret; Fouly to Champex)
cablecars
the transfer on D3 La Nova – Seloge
Round trip transfers to and from Bourg Saint Maurice
other personal expenses
Extra Services: price for the same tour with accommodation in hotels for all the days: on request (without luggage transfer)
price without luggage transfer: on request
additional nights: on request
