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

• Nine days with a mountain guide.
• Two nights in a hostel in the Chamonix Valley, with breakfast.
• Eight nights in mountain huts on a half-board basis.

Not included

• Dinner expenses in Chamonix.
• Return travel to Chamonix.
• Picnic lunches.
• Drinks and extra expenses in huts and hostels.
• Extra transport, transfers or costs of leaving the activity early.
• Cable cars.

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: 11-day programme

Day 1: Travel to Chamonix by car, train, or plane to Geneva with an onward transfer. Arrive around midday or early afternoon for final shopping and time in town. Meet the guide from 17:00 for the route briefing, equipment check and backpack preparation. Overnight in Chamonix; dinner independently.

Day 2: Chamonix – Les Houches – Col de Tricot (2,120 m) – Miage hut. Views of Mont Blanc’s Goûter side, Aiguille de Bionnassay and its glacier. Ascent 1,050 m; descent 730 m. Overnight at Chalet de Miage.

Day 3: Miage – Balme hut. Descend to Les Contamines, then climb via Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge to the hut. Ascent 790 m; descent 450 m. Overnight at Balme hut.

Day 4: Balme – Mottets hut. Cross Col du Bonhomme and Col des Fours, with views of the Vanoise, then descend via Ville des Glaciers. Ascent 1,250 m; descent 890 m. Overnight at Mottets.

Day 5: Mottets – Maison Vieille. Cross Col de la Seigne into Italy, with views of the Miage, Brouillard and Frêney glaciers. Ascent 973 m; descent 1,687 m. Overnight at Maison Vieille.

Day 6: Maison Vieille – Walter Bonatti hut. Descend to Courmayeur, climb to Giorgio Bertone hut and traverse above Val Ferret, overlooking the Grandes Jorasses. Ascent 1,060 m; descent 853 m. Overnight at Walter Bonatti hut.

Day 7: Bonatti – Arpette. Cross Col Ferret into Switzerland, descend through Val Ferret beneath Mont Dolent, then continue to Champex and Arpette. Ascent 1,467 m; descent 838 m. Overnight at Relais d’Arpette.

Day 8: Arpette – Trient – Forclaz. Climb to Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,656 m), close to the Trient Glacier, then descend the valley. Ascent 625 m; descent 803 m. Overnight at Forclaz.

Day 9: Trient – Argentière. Cross Col de Balme for views over Chamonix, then descend via Col des Montets, with views of Aiguille Verte and the Dru. Ascent 970 m; descent 828 m. Overnight in Argentière.

Day 10: Argentière – Chamonix. Climb to Lac Blanc beneath the Aiguilles Rouges, then descend via Flégère to complete the circuit in Chamonix. Ascent 1,110 m; descent 1,360 m. Overnight in Chamonix; dinner independently.

Day 11: Services end after breakfast. Free time in Chamonix, with the option of an independent Aiguille du Midi visit, before travelling home.