Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc in a Weekend: The Hut-to-Hut Edition
Hike a mini version of this world famous long-distance trek. Three countries, four days, one epic adventure
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with experienced, English-speaking IML-certified guidesMountain hut
3 nights staying in alpine mountain refugesMeals
Breakfast and dinner will be served up with picnic lunches on the trailTransfers
Transfers to and from Geneva airportEquipment
Pillows and blankets are provided at the refuges. Trekking poles are available for hire.Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 15 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Trek through Italy, Switzerland and France in a long weekend, bedding down in Alpine mountain huts along the way
Hike the twin valleys of Val Ferret with its vantage point over Mont Blanc, Dent du Géants and the Grandes Jorasses
Ascend the Col de Balme (2190m) and traverse to L'Aiguillettes des Posettes for inspiring views of Mont Blanc
Key Information
Day 1
Hike up Val Ferret
Hiking
After meeting your hosts at either Geneva Airport or Les Houches, you'll be driven through the tunnel to Plampincieux, just outside of Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. From there you’ll ascend into the Val Ferret heading towards the Italian-Swiss border, the trail providing inspiring views of Mont Blanc, Dent du Géants, and the Grandes Jorasses massif. You’ll reach your mountain refuge high up in valley in time for a hearty dinner with your fellow hikers.
If travelling in September, please note the itinerary covers different sections of the TMB trail, due to the Mont Blanc Tunnel being closed for scheduled maintenance. See the FAQs section for more details.
Day 2
Into Switzerland
Hiking
Start the morning with an invigorating ascent up to Grand Col Ferret (2536m), crossing from Italy into Switzerland. This is one of the most challenging passes on the TMB route, a long steady climb with incredible views of Val Ferret, Mont Dolent and the Swiss side of the valley. From the top of the pass you'll take the more gradual, long descent down to La Fouly village, stopping at a traditional dairy farm along the way with the chance to sample some of the local produce. From La Fouly you’ll be driven to Champex for the night.
Day 3
Hike to Trient
Hiking
Today you’ll hike up and over the mountains via the classic Bovine route to Trient. This winding forest trail leads you up past mountain streams to the Bovine Refuge and the high alpages, where you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Rhone Valley. Make sure to stop for a slice of the best cake the region has to offer! From the top of Bovine you'll descend down the wooded trail to the Col de la Forclaz. Shortly after you'll be able to enjoy deep valley views from a boardwalk, looking down on Trient and its famous pink church. From there it's a short section down to the village and your well earned rest for the night.
Day 4
Trient to Tré-le-Champ and departure
Hiking
In the morning you’ll ascend Col de Balme (2190m), your last long ascent of this route, to be rewarded with an expansive vista down the Chamonix Valley towards Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi. You’ll then traverse round to another excellent view point, L'Aiguillettes des Posettes, and descend through peaceful glades and forests to Tré-le-Champ.
Usually the hike is finished around 15:30 and you arrive back in central Chamonix via the valley bus. There is just time for a quick celebration drink with the group before your shared bus transfer departs at around 17:00 for Geneva Airport, for those heading off that day.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Geneva International Airport, Switzerland
Catch any flight arriving by 10:30 on Day 1
Ends
Geneva International Airport, Switzerland
Catch any flight departing 20:30 onwards on Day 4
Transfers
To take advantage of the airport transfers included at the start of the trip, you'll need to arrive into Geneva Airport no later than 10:30 on Day 1 – your transfer will depart for Chamonix at 11:30 sharp. It takes around one hour to get from Geneva to Chamonix. Your return transfer will arrive at Geneva Airport at around 18:30 on Day 4, so you'll need to book flights departing from 20:30 onwards.
If making your own way to Chamonix, you will need to be at Les Houches Marie, by the TMB Archway next to the tourism office, at 12:15 on Day 1*. The group transfer will stop at Les Houches on the way from Geneva Airport to the Mont Blanc Tunnel and do a pick up there for those already in the Chamonix area. Les Houches is easily reachable from central Chamonix using the local bus network, there is also a local train service which links the valley.
Travel options
The latest possible joining time for this trip is either 11:30 at Geneva Airport or 12:15 at Les Houches Tourism Office, even in the event of a flight delay. If you arrive beyond these times, it will not be possible to catch up with the group on Day 1. Therefore, you may wish to arrive a day early and overnight at an airport hotel or spend some time in Chamonix before your trip gets underway (Geneva Airport (GVA) is approximately one hour from Chamonix).
For those who wish to avoid flying, Chamonix is also accessible by train via the St. Gervais-les-Bains (Le Fayet) station at the base of the valley which connects to Chamonix Mont Blanc train station. For example, take the Eurostar from London to Paris and then connect to a number of direct lines or an overnight sleeper train from Paris to St. Gervais-les-Bains, then on to Chamonix Mont Blanc station. You can also travel to Geneva by various train routes from other parts of Europe and travel on to Chamonix from there by bus. Geneva bus station is a five-minute walk or short taxi ride from the central train station. There are various bus services from Geneva bus station to Chamonix, the quickest option taking 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts and dinners will be served at the refuges. Breakfasts always include coffee, bread, jam and butter. Depending on the refuge, they may also include orange juice, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, cheese and meats. Dinners are hearty and served in large portions – just what a hungry hiker needs! Typical meals include a soup starter, a main course of meat and veggies with a side of grains or pasta, and a dessert like vanilla pudding or creme brûlée. Picnic lunches will be provided each day, featuring a large main item like a sandwich or wrap, a salad, and a selection of fruit, muesli bars, chocolate, nuts, etc.
Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements (including gluten-free) can be catered for with advanced notice. Just let your host know when booking. Whilst dietary needs are sent to each refuge with the group reservations, please consider that the mountain refuges will have a limited range of choice to offer guests due to their remote locations. People with very specific dietary requirements typically choose to also bring some of their own snacks with them to ensure they have sufficient fuel for hiking up and down the beautiful mountain trails.
What is the accommodation like?
On the trek
You’ll be staying at authentic mountain refuges. The accommodation is simple, clean and comfortable, and there is a variety of accommodation options used throughout the hiking season. Groups typically sleep in mixed dormitory rooms of up to 20 persons, usually in bunk or single beds. They feature hot showers, running water, pillows and blankets, and a bar serving cold drinks. Most refuges also have outlets for charging your electronics, and some even have WiFi. Some refuges are more modern in style, others have a more traditional heritage, most are busy throughout the hiking season; it's the refuge's location and its remoteness that largely decides what comforts and conveniences are available. It's best to keep your expectations simple and enjoy the time on the trail to unplug from everyday life.
From June to August, groups will usually stay at the following accommodation:
- Day 1: Refugio Walter Bonatti or Refugio Elena (Val Ferret)
- Day 2: Gite Bon Abri (Champex)
- Day 3: Hotel La Grande Ourse (Trient)
In September, groups will stay at the following accommodation:
- Day 1: Gite Bon Abri (Champex)
- Day 2: Hotel La Grande Ourse (Trient)
- Day 3: Gite Mermoud (Vallorcine)
Upgrades
Upgrades are not available within the mountain refuges used on this trip. However, if you'd like a little more comfort between hikes, check out our adventure Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc in a Long Weekend: The Hotels Edition.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
This trip is suitable for experienced hikers in good shape. You'll need to be able to hike 15–20km on mountain trails, with as much as 1000m+ of elevation gain and descent, each day. You will be carrying your own overnight pack between the refuges, so should be confident hiking with a 30-50L pack for multiple days. Doing some practice hikes before the trip with your pack and boots is strongly recommended to help you prepare for this adventure!
What will I need to carry?
You will be carrying your own 30-50L pack between the refuges, with everything you need for the four day trek. A luggage transport service is unavailable on this trip as not all accommodation is accessible by road. So don't over pack, a lighter pack will be more enjoyable, but also don't skip the essentials and risk getting caught out in bad weather. It's a good idea to do some hiking before the trip so you are comfortable with the gear you plan to bring on the trek. Check out our kit list section for the basics to consider putting in your pack.
The Tour du Mont Blanc trekking season is from June to September. Summer around Mont Blanc is generally warm and fair, but the weather can change very quickly in the high mountains, bringing cold rain and wind. Average temperatures range from 6 to 26 °C. It rains roughly half of the days each month, but storms generally pass through quickly. There can be snow on the mountain passes at the start of the season. Even in the peak of summer you can have very mixed conditions, especially when climbing over the high mountain passes above 2000m. Heatwaves have also been a feature of recent European summers. Our kit list is intended to guide you on what to pack for this trip.
A perfect break
This is a great trip. If you need a circuit breaker from life/work/the city, and you're reasonably fit, this is a great option. The hiking has its challenging bits but with respite never too far away. Our guide Dave did a great job figuring out how to manage a mixed ability group. We had some wild weather at times but this was easily still a positive part of the experience for me. The refuges varied in standard but were comfortable and warm (and delivered the best fondue I've had!). The mountains were beautiful even with the mist. And lovely people to spend the time with. I'd do it again.
Wonderful trip
Our guide Dave was knowledgeable & witty. He gave us space to build friendships & admire the beauty of the alps but was more prescriptive when necessary. The hiking was tough but rewarding. The hostels were comfy. A hot shower every night was a treat. The food was plentiful, varied & delicious. MBA were responsive & friendly. All in all a really fabulous trip.
This trip is life changing!!!
The most amazing trip...with the most amazing, knowledgeable guide (Loic). One of the toughest things I've ever done..but worth every second!!! If you're thinking about booking this trip...definitely do it!!!
Fantastic weekend adventure!
I joined a 15 person group for the last mini TMB of the season. We were blessed with exceptional weather and the views were out of this world! The 4 days were well organised and offered a good variety of challenge and terrain. The refuges were basic but comfortable and the food was plentiful. Our group enjoyed a well earned beer at the end of each days hiking! The hikes were definitely challenging and you need a good level of cardio fitness to get up those ascents. Our guide Alessandra was excellent.
Truly Amazing Adventure
Fab four days trekking the Tour Du Mont Blanc with a great group of people. Both accommodation & food was good, the scenery was breathtaking, our guide was amazing & his knowledge was vast, he gave us the best advice on how to complete the trek from layering to pacing ourselves. A thoroughly enjoyable experience I'll never forget. Thank you.
Brilliant
Brilliant trip, great guide, spot on kit list (used everything) had a blast despite the weather.
Amazing Trip
A fantastic 4 days in the mountains. We encountered every type of weather which enhanced the whole experience.
Our guide Loic was outstanding, his advice and support are something I will take away with me forever.
First night I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle the sleeping arrangements but you just have to embrace it.
Unforgettable
Wow. What an adventure with the best guide ever, Loic. Challenging but so worth it. Extraordinary views, literally being and feeling on top of the world. An amazing group with an amazing leader. Thank you 🤩
The Most Excellent Adventure
I had the most wonderful experience trekking part of the TMB. The views are absolutely stunning wherever you look, the huts were decent and so was the food. We had Cecilia as our guide who was excellent - good company, knowledgeable and took great care of us from start to finish. A fabulous adventure to get a taste of the mountains, challenging and rewarding, you will not be disappointed.
Awesome trek and challenging
Had an absolutely amazing time and epic group. Plus the knowledgeable guide was awesome.
Good times
I’ll keep it brief… this exceeded my expectations. This shortened version of the TMB (Tour de Mont Blanc) is perfect if you’re short of time, or if you’re unsure whether trekking in the Alps is your ‘thing’. I would say you need a reasonable level of fitness. The days require you to walk up and down quite a lot. ITS THE ALPS! The scenery fairly blew my mind, and the people were great. A lot of laughs along the way. The accommodation is dormitory: so you need to be comfortable with sleeping in proximity to strangers. The food is all provided: it’s all good without being particularly memorable. But what can you expect? It’s a mountain hostel, not a restaurant. Overall I really loved this experience. If you want to see the alps and you’re not a couch potato: this is a great option.
Mont Blanc in a weekend
Absolutely fantastic 4 days hiking around Mont Blanc with a brilliant guide Cecilia who took complete care of all of us , It was an incredibly hard challenge but worth every step, can’t wait for the next one
Monty B E A UTIFUL
What an amazing experience! The scenery, the food, the company and the accommodation was all beyond my expectations. I was also so impressed with Sarah, our guide’s knowledge on not only the routes and the mountains but the local flora and fauna too. I loved every second of the hut to hut Monte Blanc trip and will definitely be booking plenty of future adventures with Much Better. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.
An unforgettable adventure
Just returned from the most amazing four days away! Perhaps like you reading this, I was a little apprehensive about going but please book on - I’m beyond glad that I did. The hiking was a brilliant challenge and there were multiple stops for a recharge (in the form of cake and for me - coffee). Sleeping in the refuges was a great experience and the shared experience with the group was wonderful- everyone was so friendly and bought together by our excellent team later Joel. This trip provided me with memories that will last a lifetime and I cannot wait to return to this area of the world again soon.
Wow - An amazing trip
Wow. Our trip was incredible. If you’re thinking about doing this trip, do it! Me and my husband had the absolute best time. The hiking definitely challenged me but it is definitely achievable for a reasonably fit person. Do Not take snacks as you are fed very well! It was amazing to meet such like minded people and our guide was great. Thank you very much for a trip to remember.
Fantastic trip - would recommend
Great trip - good route with a nice amount of ascent and descent, taking in 3 countries in 4 days: Italy, Switzerland and France. You do need to be mountain fit for this trip to really enjoy it. Hiking poles are very useful for the steep descents when carrying a big backpack. I had considered doing a longer version of this trek but in the end I was really glad I booked the 4 days - just the right amount of time. Beautiful scenery. We were lucky with glorious sunshine and warm weather for the whole trip. Lovely group of people. Thank you to our guide Joel who was fantastic!
Incredible Trip
Cannot recommend this trip highly enough. Very well organised, our guide Sarah was very knowledgeable and inspiring. We had a great group, very lucky with the weather and the breathtaking views. I wish I could do it all over again!
Memories to last a lifetime!
A trip I will never forget! Met the most amazing group of like minded people that made the trip so much fun, the guide was absolutely wonderful and had so much knowledge, the views were insane and made me feel like i was walking through a dream, i would recommend this trip to everyone that was looking for a challenging and rewarding break!
Thank you so much Much better Adventures.
Best 4 days hiking 🥾 ever
WOW - What can I say, 4 days of tough walking, in hot weather at altitude, with a pack on. This was serious test for me physically and spent each morning blowing mountain air through my lungs for a couple of hours (and more) till we reached the high point of each day, usually a col with spectacular views and the wonderful Swiss creation of a small refuge with home baking to celebrate the effort and recover the calories. The camaraderie was fab in our group, broad mix of ages, with roughly 50/50 mix of boys and girls, so some great chat, some great insights into different people motivations and lives, and all bought together by Joel our brilliant walk leader, who is lucky to me like me ... a Welshman 😅. My advice is do it, you’ll never forget it, but you do need a decent level of fitness and I’d recommend practicing at least 10K on some hills with a heavy pack from 6 weeks out to be match fit for the TMB 👍
An incredible 4 days away.
An incredible 4 days away. The hiking was tough but so rewarding with the views. Each day had the opportunity for a coffee shop stop, as well as bars in the evening so be sure to budget for both of those things. I would recommend this to any keen hiker who is wanting a challenge! Hoping to come back in the future to do more. The group were all there for the same purpose and we all got on from the start. This was my first solo group trip and it was such a fantastic experience.
Amazing experience
I wanted to experience a hut to hut hiking trip and this was a perfect taster, will definitely be back for more. Stunning views, challenging hikes and an amazing group of people! Our guide Sarah was brilliant, great at managing the group's abilities/pacing and expectations. So glad I did it... already planning my next MBA trip!
Views for days!
One of the best things I’ve ever done. The climbs are always worth it: the scenery is simply stunning.
Our guide - Sarah - was knowledgeable, caring and helped inspire the sense of adventure in us all.
What a trip!
Fantastic trip. Some amazing views across the mountains, lovely guide Oli and a really warm, chilled out and supportive group. Most of us weren’t hugely experienced walkers, so it was a challenging few days but very achievable and we just did it at our own pace. It was a great feeling reaching the top of the mountain passes!
Much better than expected with much better adventures
Honestly, a trip I will not forget !! There are lots of reasons but here are the highlights I went as a group of 5 and found 9 people who I immediately bonded with on lots of different levels - everyone on my trip was supportive, amusing ,really interesting and patient!! This made my trip ! The hikes were awesome-led by Sarah -a fabulous guide who really got to know us and work with us all - the climbs are challenging but not impossible -Sarah was paramount to our journey and making us believe we were capable of anything !! The food - I ate well -I wasn’t hungry and I’m quite fussy - nothing was too much trouble Don’t get me wrong -I was pushed out of my comfort zone - but honestly I’d have been gutted if I wasn’t I came -I saw - and I smashed it - thanks to the best group of 14 individuals 🏅
10* guide Louic made the
10* guide Louic made the trip - engaging, positive, cheerful, chatty, fun and light hearted - always offering us coffee stops, places to relax by the river, huts to shelter in the rain, extra bits to hike for those happy to embrace the rain. And a great group as always.
Take your time 🏔 Trust your boots 🏔 Just keep going
But seriously, if this overweight, middle-aged mum can do it...and LOVE it...then so can YOU!!
Amazing experience, just BOOK it!!
An excellent Alpine experience
I have wanted to try multi-day hut to hut backpacking for a while, and this trip proved to be a perfect introductory experience . The huts were super, with beers, hot showers and good food awaiting you on your arrival. We had excellent weather, so we were treated with outstanding views. Best of all was our guide Sarah, who was organised, kind and ensured everyone had the best experience through looking after all ability levels and sharing her vast knowledge.
Really nice experience
It is a good choice: the hiking routes have amazing views, and are not too demanding (and from a technical perspective, very easy, there was not a single point where I felt any fear!). Our guide Grant was really nice, he explained us very clearly what we could expect from the route/huts/weather, and joined us for a beer/games in the evenings at the huts. The meals were quite decent. Huts were simple but had the necessary stuff, earplugs are important (as there is so much noise). I didn't get too much sleep but it is doable for 3 nights, and definitely worth it :)
Awesome
An amazing guide, wonderful group, breathtaking scenery! Challenging but so worth it! Would recommend without doubt 👍
Most amazing trip!
So so worth it! Amazing trip with stunning views, challenging hikes and a great group of people. Sarah our guide was excellent and really accommodated us all. Unforgettable and can't wait for my next MBA trip
Guides
Professional, experienced and friendly English-speaking IML certified guides (1:15 guide to customer ratio)
Accommodation
3 nights staying in alpine mountain refuges
Meals
Breakfast and dinner will be served up with picnic lunches on the trail
Transfers
Transfers to and from Geneva airport
Equipment
Pillows and blankets are provided at the refuges. Trekking poles are available for hire.
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's available to hire?
- Trekking poles (see Optional Extras for prices)
What do I need to bring?
You'll be carrying all you need for the four day trip on your back, so don't over pack but also don't skip the essentials. Hiking in the Alps even in the peak of summer you can have very mixed conditions, both hot and cold, especially when climbing over the high mountain passes.
KIT
- 30-50L backpack with waist belt (plus a rain cover)
- A Pack Liner or Dry Bag is also good protection in case of rain
- Sleeping bag liner (cotton or silk). This is very important as it's a mandatory requirement at the mountain refuges. Pillows and blankets are provided by the refuges.
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended due to altitude)
- Preferred snacks for the trail
- Hydration/Electrolyte tablets
- 2L water bottle(s)
- Hand sanitiser gel
- Toiletries and personal first aid items
- Towel
- Swim suit
- Earplugs and Eye Mask (recommended)
- Cash (EUR) for drinks, snacks along the trail, tips etc.
- Plug adaptor and/or battery pack to charge electrical devices (note Switzerland uses a different standard to the rest of Europe)
- Headlamp
CLOTHES
- Waterproof Jacket (with hood) and Trousers
- Synthetic (e.g. Primaloft) or Down Puffy Jacket
- Fleece or merino pullover or sweater
- Synthetic or merino wool base layers
- Warm hat and gloves (really important in mixed weather conditions)
- Sunhat or cap
- Synthetic shirts/T-shirts and trousers (zip-off preferable) or shorts for hiking
- Comfortable clothes to wear post-hike in the refuges
- 2+ pairs of hiking socks, wool or synthetic (not cotton)
- Sturdy hiking boots or shoes (worn in)
- Comfortable light shoes for around the refuge
Trekking Poles
Payable In Resort
Trekking Poles
… Per Person
Luggage Storage in Chamonix (4 Days)
Payable In Resort
Luggage Storage in Chamonix (4 Days)
… Per Person
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 56kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Yes. Any excess luggage that you don't need during the trek can be stored securely for the entire trip at the host's office. There is a storage fee of 20.00 EUR per bag; this can be paid in cash locally when you meet your host. Please let your host know in advance if you have excess luggage so that they can plan the logistics accordingly.
Yes, of course! If you decide to make your own way to Chamonix or spend a few days there beforehand you are more than welcome to do this, just make sure you let your host know in advance.
The meeting point is at Les Houches by the TMB Archway next to the tourism office, at 12:15 on Day 1. This is a short local bus journey from central Chamonix. See the "Getting There" section for more details.
If you are unable to join the included transfer from Geneva Airport at 11:30 on Day 1 due to flight delays, contact your host as soon as possible. Whilst it may not be possible to catch up with the group on the first day, with an overnight stay in either Chamonix or Courmayeur it may be possible to connect with the on the morning of Day 2 in Val Ferret before they ascend over the pass into Switzerland. Your host will be best placed to advise you in this situation. Note that in September the first night's stay is in Champex which is accessible by bus/taxi from Geneva or Chamonix.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
For the next several years the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be closed from September to December for scheduled maintenance works. This makes the journey from Chamonix to Courmayeur impractical for a short 4-day itinerary, as the alternate driving route would require a very long road detour around Mont Blanc via Martigny and over the Great St. Bernard Pass. For the month of September groups will instead hike the sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc trail from Champex Lac in Switzerland all the way to the end in Chamonix, thereby avoiding the long drive to the Italian side of Mont Blanc, whilst still including some of the major highlights and a full TMB hiking experience. A significant benefit of this alternate route is September groups will be able to visit the beautiful Lac Blanc on day 4, high up on the Aiguilles Rouges, with some of the finest panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif found anywhere on the entire TMB circuit.
Day 1 - Orsieres to Champex After meeting your hosts at either Geneva Airport or Les Houches, you'll be driven to Orsieres on the Swiss side of the Mont Blanc massif. From there you’ll hike up the trail up to the lakeside village of Champex, where you’ll join up with the main TMB trail. A short walk further and you’ll arrive at your first mountain refuge of the trip, Gite Bon Abri, in time for a hearty dinner with your fellow hikers. The Gite Bon Abri is located on the edge of Champex, in a quiet spot right off the trail, and is popular with cheese-lovers for its signature fondue. Hiking: 3hrs - 6.5km - 480m up - 92m down
Day 2 - Champex to Trient Today you’ll hike up and over the mountains via the classic Bovine route to Trient. This winding forest trail leads you up past mountain streams to the Bovine Refuge and the high alpages, where you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Rhone Valley. Make sure to stop for a slice of the best cake the region has to offer! From the top of Bovine you'll descend down the wooded trail to the Col de la Forclaz. Shortly after you'll be able to enjoy deep valley views from a boardwalk, looking down on Trient and its famous pink church. From there it's a short section down to the village and your well earned rest for the night at La Grande Ourse, a larger property than the night before with hostel style rooms, boot/drying room and wifi. Hiking: 6-7hrs - 16km - 780m up - 890m down
Day 3 - Trient to Vallorcine It’s time to hike across the border into France, and get your first views of the Chamonix Valley. Hiking up out of Trient you’ll ascend switchback trails through pine forest, past clear mountain streams and up into the high alpine. Reaching the Col de Balme (2190m), you’ll be rewarded with an expansive vista down the Chamonix Valley towards Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi. You’ll then traverse round to another excellent view point, L'Aiguillettes des Posettes, and take the long descent down to Vallorcine. Tonight you’ll stay at Le Gite Mermoud, with its friendly local owner and traditional Savoyan-style offering the typical Mont-Blanc experience. Hiking: 6-7hrs - 14km - 950m up - 920m down
Day 4 - Vallorcine to Chamonix Today begins with gentle climb out of Vallorcine up to the Col des Montets, you’ll then turn right and ascend the trail to Tete aux Vents and onto the Grand Balcon Sud, perhaps the most scenic of all the high alpine paths with panoramic mountain views not surpassed anywhere in the world. From Aiguille du Tour at the eastern end, to the Aiguille du Chardonnet, L’Aiguille Verte and Les Drus, to the towering Aiguille du Midi and the white summit of Mont Blanc in the west, with all their mighty glaciers in between, the full expanse of the Mont Blanc massif is on show. A short detour from the main TMB trail will take you up past Lac des Cheserys to Lac Blanc, where the jagged mountain skyline is reflected in the cold waters of this alpine lake. From there your hike is almost complete, head down the trail to La Flegere Station, rest your legs and enjoy the views from the cable car as you glide back down to the valley floor, finishing off with a stroll into the centre of Chamonix. Usually the hike is finished around 16:00 in central Chamonix. There is just time for a quick celebration drink with the group before your shared bus transfer departs at around 17:00 for Geneva Airport, for those heading off that day. Hiking: 6hrs - 12km - 1050m up - 500m down
For this itinerary there is 1 Guide to 15 Customers. The guides this host works with are all International Mountain Leader certified (as a minimum), First Aid trained and are highly experienced and leading groups in the Alps.
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Thursday 5th June 2025
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