This trek follows mountain trails and crosses passes rather than climbing summits. Previous mountain-walking experience and good fitness are required for stages with 800–1,300 m of ascent and descent and 6–10 hours of activity.

Prepare in the weeks before the trip with mountain walks using a similar backpack and the same footwear as on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Aim for 800–900 m of ascent and descent. If mountain outings are not possible, aim for at least three exercise sessions a week. Read all the programme details and contact us if you are unsure about your ability.

Groups have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 participants, accompanied by a mountain guide familiar with the route. The guide briefs the group each day and adapts the pace to the least fit participant. The pace is relaxed, with the whole day available for stages that normally require around 6–7 hours of walking.

Included

• Seven days with a mountain guide.
• Two nights in a hostel in the Chamonix Valley, with breakfast.
• Six nights in mountain huts on a half-board basis.
• Two cable cars: Bellevue and Flégère.
• Local transfers: Chamonix–Les Houches, Les Contamines–Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge and Courmayeur–Désot.
• Accident insurance.

Not included

• Dinner expenses in Chamonix.
• Return travel to Chamonix.
• Picnic lunches.
• Drinks and extra expenses in huts and hostels.
• Extra transport if you leave the activity early.

Clothing

• Gore-Tex or equivalent waterproof jacket and overtrousers.
• Technical mountain trousers in Schoeller fabric or equivalent.
• Fleece or softshell jacket.
• Thermal base layer and a spare.
• Thin and thick socks, plus spares.
• Gloves.
• Warm hat, sun cap and sunglasses.
• Headtorch.
• Sun protection for face and lips, and after-sun lotion.

Technical equipment

• Telescopic poles.
• 45–60 litre backpack.
• Water bottle of at least 1.5 litres and electrolyte salts.

Footwear

• Mountain hiking boots.

Personal first-aid kit

• Pain relief medication.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication.
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointment.
• Antiseptic.
• Gauze, medical tape, plasters and bandages.
• Mineral salts for drinking water.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip protection.
• If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses during the activity, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them.

Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Chamonix by car, train, or plane to Geneva followed by a transfer. Arriving around midday leaves time for final shopping and sightseeing. Meet the guide from 17:00 for a briefing, equipment check and backpack preparation. Overnight in Chamonix; dinner independently.

Day 2: Chamonix – Les Houches – Col de Tricot – Les Contamines. Bus to Les Houches and Bellevue cable car (1,801 m), descend to Le Planet (1,500 m), climb to Col de Tricot (2,120 m), then continue via Miage hut (1,550 m) and Le Truc (1,800 m) to Les Contamines (1,200 m). Views of the Goûter side of Mont Blanc and Bionnassay Glacier. Ascent 870 m; descent 1,670 m. Overnight at Chalet de Contamines.

Day 3: Les Contamines – Col du Bonhomme – Col des Fours – Mottets hut. Transfer to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge, climb to Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m) and Col des Fours (2,665 m), with views towards the Vanoise. Descend via Ville des Glaciers to Mottets (1,900 m). Ascent 870 m; descent 1,670 m. Overnight at Mottets hut.

Day 4: Col de la Seigne (2,515 m) – Col Chécrouit (1,950 m) – Courmayeur (1,240 m). Cross into Italy, descend to Lac Combal (1,970 m) and climb to the viewpoint over the Brenva Glacier before descending to Courmayeur. Ascent 985 m; descent 1,645 m. Overnight in Courmayeur.

Day 5: Courmayeur – Col Ferret (2,537 m) – Champex – Relais d’Arpette. Transfer along Val Ferret to La Vachey, cross the pass into Switzerland and descend through La Fouly valley to Issert. Climb to Champex-Lac and continue to Arpette. Ascent 1,337 m; descent 1,487 m. Overnight at Relais d’Arpette.

Day 6: Arpette – Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m) – Trient – Forclaz. A stage close to the glaciers, descending through the Trient valley. Ascent 650 m; descent 803 m. Overnight at Forclaz.

Day 7: Forclaz (1,530 m) – Col de Balme (2,200 m) – Col des Montets (1,461 m) – Argentière. Climb to panoramic views over Chamonix, then descend to Argentière. Ascent 970 m; descent 828 m. Overnight in Argentière.

Day 8: Argentière – Lac Blanc (2,350 m) – Flégère – Chamonix. Climb to Lac Blanc for views of the Mont Blanc massif, then descend to the Flégère lift for the return to Chamonix. Ascent 1,100 m; descent 390 m.

Day 9: Services end after breakfast. Free time in Chamonix, with the option of an independent Aiguille du Midi visit, before travelling home.