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Compare all our Tour du Mont Blanc treks.
Lac Blanc
4.8
| 88 reviews

Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc: The Full Circuit

9 nights
Challenging

Tackle the classic TMB route through Italy, France and Switzerland, hiking among epic landscapes on one of the world’s great hikes

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking IML-certified guides

Guesthouse & Mountain hut

9 nights in remote mountain huts and guesthouses

Meals

All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners

Equipment

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 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

excluding flights
From

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.8
| 88 reviews
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Tour Du Mont Blanc
October 2024
Alex R.
Transformational
September 2024
Marie K.
Transformational
September 2024
Marie K.
Transformational
September 2024
Marie K.
Transformational
September 2024
Marie K.
Great service
September 2024
Barbara D.
Great service
September 2024
Barbara D.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Beautiful hike
September 2024
Jess J.
Fantastic every step of the way!
September 2024
Heather C.
Fantastic every step of the way!
September 2024
Heather C.
Fantastic every step of the way!
September 2024
Heather C.
Fantastic every step of the way!
September 2024
Heather C.
Fantastic every step of the way!
September 2024
Heather C.
An incredible adventure (Aug 2024)
August 2024
caroline l.
Excellent Mont Blanc full circuit
August 2024
Jacqueline L.
The most incredible experience!
August 2024
Sophie D.

Trek across three countries and through the heart of the Alps as you circumnavigate the Mont Blanc massif

Experience rustic, mountain life – remote and authentic, it's the perfect first foray into long-distance trekking

Ride the cable car from Les Houches to Bellevue and see the Alps in all their glory laid out before you

Not quite got 10 days to spare? Then check out our shorter version of this trip, Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc in a Week

Key Information

Day 1

Chamonix

View from Col du Voza

Hiking

7hrs · 16km · 730m up · 1300m down

Travel to the commune of Les Houches, the traditional starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc and get your first view of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Massif. Ride the cable car to Bellevue and hike to Col de Tricot, along the way crossing a suspension bridge over the waterfalls cascading from the Bionnassay Glacier. If there is adverse weather then the classic trail takes you through the more protected forest route and along the Contamines Valley. End the day in the French resort village of Les Contamines-Montjoie.

Day 2

France

Day 2

Hiking

9hrs · 20km · 1450m up · 1000m down

Take a moment to explore Notre Dame de la Gorge, an ancient church with a fascinating history dating back to the 14th century. Climb up the Col du Bonhomme and walk through the nature reserve and mountain pass of Savoie County. See the Roman bridge, beautiful mountain lakes and traditional farmhouses (Le Balme), then after lunch, descend to your alpine accommodation in the small hamlet of Les Chapieux, where you'll spend the night.

Day 3

Italy

Hiking

7-8hrs · 20km · 820m up · 100m down

Follow the river as it winds its way through Alpine valleys and climb up to the Col de la Seigne, 2516 meters above sea level and straddling the French-Italian border. From there, make your way back down to the Rifugio Monte Bianco, where you can rest up and take in the views.

Day 4

The high 4000’s

To La Palud

Hiking

3-4hrs · 9km · 350m up · 800m down

Experience some of the route’s most beautiful views (and that's saying something) as you trek from Rifugio Monte Bianco to Courmayeur. Fall silent as you see the range’s famous 4000-meter peaks and explore the village of Courmayeur, where you'll stay tonight.

Day 5

Refugio Walter Bonatti

Val Ferret

Hiking

6-7hrs · 13km · 1100m up · 300m down

Hike through the Val Ferret towards the Italy-Swiss border. See Mont Blanc, the Dent du Géants and the Grandes Jorasses massif towering above you, before arriving at your mountain hut, the famous Refugio Walter Bonatti with epic mountain views.

Day 6

The Grand Col Ferret

To La Fouly

Hiking

8-9hrs · 21km · 950m up · 1350m down

Start the day by traversing the High Balcon Val Ferret trail, then drop down to Chalet Ferret for that last sip of Italian coffee! You'll then climb 700m to the top of the Grand Col Ferret on the Italian-Swiss border before descending to the lovely village of La Fouly where you will spend the night

Day 7

Amble through La Fouly

Tour de Mont Blanc

Hiking

5-6hrs · 17km · 600m up · 700m down

Enjoy a (significantly) easier day as you walk through rolling, green valleys. See quaint villages and rustic farmhouses, before arriving in the picturesque Swiss mountain resort of Champex.

Day 8

Trient

Trient

Hiking

7-8hrs · 18km · 850m up · 1050m down

There are two options today: take the hard route over the Fenetre d’Arpette, or the slightly easier (official) one over Bovine. Both are beautiful, but the harder route takes you to the highest point so far with views to match. Whichever chosen by your guide, you’ll end the day in the small village of Trient where your accommodation awaits.

Day 9

The Col de Balme

Col de Balme

Hiking

5-6hrs · 15km · 980m up · 850m down

Travel to the Col de Balme marking the Swiss-French border at an altitude of 2190 meters. From L'Aiguilette des Possettes lose yourself in the views down the Chamonix Valley to the Aiguille du Midi and summit of Mont Blanc before descending to finish the day in Tré-le-Champ.

Day 10

Back to Chamonix

Lac Blanc

Hiking

7-8hrs · 17km · 1100m up · 1400m down

Trek over the Grand Balcon Sud and past the Lac Blanc, before heading to either Flégère or Planpraz. If you’re keen for more, hike back down to Chamonix, or alternatively ride the cable car one last time, before your epic trek comes to an end.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Les Houches

09:00 on Day 1

Ends

Chamonix

17:00 on Day 10

Transfers

Your adventure will begin at 09:00 on Day 1 in Les Houches, at the TMB Archway next to the tourism office, the traditional starting point of the trail. Les Houches is easily reachable from central Chamonix using the local bus network, there is also a local train service which links the valley.

You should arrive any time the day before the start date and book a hotel of your choice in the Chamonix area. There are regular buses from Geneva Airport and Geneva Bus Station to Chamonix, which take around an hour. Your host will be able to recommend an airport transfer company. Alternatively, you could also fly to Milan Airport (LIN) about three hours from Chamonix.

Your adventure ends at Chamonix at 17:00. You are free to make your own way back to Geneva or Milan airports, or Geneva railway station for those travelling onwards by train. We advise that you book any onward trains from Geneva to depart after 19:30, and any flights from Geneva or Milan to depart after 20:30. You also have the option to stay additional nights in Chamonix.

Travel options

Air travellers can fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) which is approximately one hour from Chamonix. Alternatively, you can fly into Milan Airport (LIN) about three hours from Chamonix.

For those who wish to avoid flying, why not travel by train instead? Chamonix is 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 5-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

Guesthouse · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 4

Guesthouse · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Mountain hut · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6 – Day 7

Guesthouse · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 8

Mountain hut · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 9

Guesthouse · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 10

Departure day

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?

The Alps

You’ll stay in remote mountain refuges and traditional guesthouses. Groups usually stay in:

  • Day 1: Gite Le Pontet (Les Contamines)
  • Day 2: Refuge Mottets, Chambres du Soleil, Base Camp Lodge or Auberge Nova (Les Chapieux, Bourg St Maurice)
  • Day 3: Rifugio Monte Bianco (Val Veny)
  • Day 4: Hotel Croux (Courmayeur)
  • Day 5: Rifugio Bonatti (Val Ferret)
  • Day 6: Auberge Maya Joie (La Fouly)
  • Day 7: Relais d'Arpette (Champex)
  • Day 8: Refuge Le Peuty or Hotel Forclaz (Trient)
  • Day 9: Gite le Moulin (Argentière)

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. Each of the mountain huts listed is the first choice option, but will be subject to availability. Where alternate accommodation is required, it will be of a similar style and standard.

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, (unless you book the luggage transfer service - see Optional Extras), 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?

If you would prefer to just hike with a small day pack, don't want to think about your luggage and what to pack, there is a luggage transfer service available for a fee (See Optional Extras). The luggage transportation service is available on 8 out of 9 nights: this means you'll need to carry things for just one overnight stay, on the 5th night at Rifugio Bonatti as there is no road access (although you won't need to carry all your luggage, just an overnight bag). The rest of your luggage gets transported during the day to the next destination. You'll need to pack your luggage in a duffle bag, to prevent any damage or loss to your belongings. There is a size restriction of the bags but the weight is limited to 15kg per bag.

See Optional Extras for prices.

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.

Alex R.(October 2024)
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Amazing trip, challenging but highly recommend to anyone who loves hiking and a challenge!

David S.(October 2024)
Given my and my partner’s

Given my and my partner’s general experience on this trip, I cannot recommend this particular trip.

I had misgivings early on when I realized that we had a single guide for 13 clients. Guide-to-client ratios aren’t universal, but in my experience (I’ve been on several guided treks and far more unguided/self-guided trips at significantly higher elevation than the TMB), companies tend to try to maintain 1 guide per 6–8 clients, and for a group this size would universally have two guides to ensure that the group remains compact and that all clients benefit from guiding regardless of their relative pace. Everyone in the group had sufficient fitness levels, but there was a clear variation in natural pace, and unfortunately my misgivings were pretty quickly realized. Our guide was either unable to or unwilling to maintain a compact group and tended to let the ‘average’ pace be determined by the fastest group members, and the situation quickly devolved into a scenario where pressure was placed, both explicitly and implicitly, on the slower-paced individuals to move faster and keep up with the group.

I want to be clear; I’m talking about pacing, not fitness; there is a difference. My partner has completed similar-length trips at higher altitudes. One of these trips she powered through walking pneumonia for a week in the Himalayas. This isn’t her first rodeo, and she is tough as nails. Another individual who was “slower” completed Kilimanjaro the year before. Despite this, multiple comments were made about the'slow pace,’ despite the fact the group was moving at a pace that was consistently within the published hike times on the itinerary. The point of the itinerary is to give you a sense of the pace you should measure yourself against, and my expectation is always that one of the things you’re paying for in a guide is the crowd control component of ensuring that the group functions as a group and that the group dynamics are conducive to a collective and supportive environment. This was not the case.

Keeping the group compact isn’t just about inclusion, though; it’s also about safety. Early on, I was especially uncomfortable moving too far ahead of my partner and found myself effectively functioning as a rear guide, trying to maintain visual contact with the front end of the group, which was difficult. The group was spread very thin. This was particularly challenging on the first day in which we had an unseasonably early snowstorm with low visibility. The trail conditions were viable, but bad, part of the adventure, but it is difficult to enjoy that adventure when you are already feeling a sense of pressure to maintain a faster pace than your natural pace (again, despite your natural pace being within the guidelines stated in the itinerary). I am comfortable in those conditions, and I wasn’t worried about my ability to help people in the rear of the group, but our guide or group really would have had no way to know that. This came to a head on the second day when my partner became ill with a stomach bug, vomiting multiple times on the trail. Fortunately, I was with her, and I was able to help her to the place where the group had paused, talk to our guide, and explain that I was going to take her back down to get some medical attention. I’m grateful that I was there to help her down, because I’m really not sure what that scenario would have looked like had she been on the trip solo. The entire experience was bizarre to me because, despite the fact I felt comfortable doing this (the TMB is a well-maintained and clearly marked trail), it’s not physically easy, but it is navigationally easy. No one in this group other than my partner would have any reason to know this or assume I’d be ok managing this myself. Fortunately, we were able to get my partner back to our previous campsite, and I was able to navigate the taxi situation and find a local hotel for her to rest in. She insisted I rejoin the group, and when she had recovered enough, she was able to rejoin the group a couple of days later. But by this point the general dynamic as well as the erroneous assumption that her illness was fitness-related (she was sick. I was genuinely concerned for her on that trail. No one else would have known how sick she was though, because they were a solid 20 minutes ahead). We had a guiding change late in the trip due to an unexpected emergency our original guide needed to leave to deal with, and the new guide immediately recognized the difficult group dynamic, established clear expectations that all members of the group stay within visual or audible distance of the group, and maintained a pace that was viable for all group members (again, to repeat myself, everyone in this group was able to maintain the pace that is listed in the itinerary). This was pretty validating for those who had felt an unreasonable pressure to be faster, but unfortunately I think it was too late in the trip to really fully rescue the experience.

The entire point of paying for a guided group experience is a) to receive guidance, including group pacing and logistics, as well as sharing local knowledge and explaining what you are seeing, and b) to enjoy, well, a group. I cannot speak for everyone, but for me and my partner, I can’t say we received either of those, and I wish we had just planned our own itinerary and completed the trail just the two of us. The TMB is a stunning trail, and I do highly recommend it, but I’d recommend that you consider our experience with booking and weigh whether or not you are comfortable with a 1:13 guide ratio and a potentially scattered and unevenly paced guiding experience.

Reply from Much Better Adventures  (31 October 2024)

Dear David and Ashlee,

We’re really sorry that your experience on this trip fell short of your expectations. All of your concerns have been raised with the local host in Chamonix, and they did acknowledge that in this particular case the guide struggled to effectively manage the spread of pacing across the group and bring everyone together. They have discussed this matter directly with your guide, and they will also incorporate this into their pre-season training with their guiding team next year, so all future departures will benefit from your feedback.

Much Better Adventures, and the host team in Chamonix, recognise how important it is that all hikers on the Tour du Mont Blanc, regardless of their pace or experience level, feel supported out on the trails.

Regarding the guide:hiker ratio for your group, this was 1:12, not 1:13 as you’ve suggested in your review. This ratio of 1 mountain guide for up to 12 hikers has been thoroughly considered by the local host and is within accepted standards for groups on the TMB, factoring in safety considerations such as trail accessibility and emergency communications. Their team of International Mountain Leader guides all hike multiple departures each year and are very experienced at what they do. We can say with confidence, based on the customer feedback we have received across the 2024 TMB season, that the issues you experienced on your trip were not typical of a group hiking on this adventure.

  • James, MBA Operations Team
Guy M.(September 2024)
An excellent alpine adventure

Hiking the Tour Du Mont Blanc was an experience i'll always remember. Taking in France, Italy and Switzerland in one full sweep - the views were incredible throughout.

As someone in my mid 20s, I was pleased the group skewed younger than expected. We all got on, looked after each and had lots of laughs over a well earned beer or hot chocolate at the end of a long day. The guide, Rob, was easy going and managed the different fitness levels of the group well - meaning everyone could enjoy the route, the dramatic and stunning scenery and feel challenged.

The food was tasty and alway filling. The accommodation - while rustic - really added to the sense of adventure and camaraderie.

I'd thoroughly recommend it!

Kristin L.(September 2024)
Amazing Adventure on the TMB

Highlights of the trip include our great guide Astrid, a fun group to hike with, and great food at every stop. While the accommodations each night varied in comfort and privacy, I think that's part of the fun of the trip. Highly recommend hiking the TMB!

Lizzie M.(September 2024)
Amazing adventure!

This was an incredible experience and absolutely worth the hard work. The views were stunning and finishing it was a real sense of achievement. We were so lucky with the weather. The fist two days we experienced a lot of snow, ice and a blizzard. The rest of the time I was wearing shorts and t-shirt. Pack for all conditions!

We had a big difference in abilities in our group which did make the tour challenging at times. It's really important to have a good basic level of fitness and hiking experience for this trip as there is a lot of ascent and descent throughout. It is a group tour and your guide will adapt the pace and route according to everyone's abilities so please bear this in mind. If you are a fast walker and find slowing down difficult you may want to consider a different tour. Equally if you are slower as long as you have trained, communicate with the guide and (super important!) have a positive attitude the group will support you. Remember the route is variable too.

We had to change guides midway through our trip due to unforeseen circumstances but both we excellent. Astrid was really encouraging, communicated well with us and made sure we all stayed safe across the more challenging passes. She got involved with all the silly games we played to keep us going too! Val was super knowledgeable, explained the routes in detail during briefings and helped to lift the group spirit towards the end of the trip. I really enjoyed the cheese selections they brought for the picnics too!

The accommodation is basic and mostly in shared dorms. Definitely bring earplugs and eye mask as you will be sharing dorms with most of the group at points. We did have a hotel stay for one night which felt like a real treat. Food was mostly very good, homecooked and hearty.

I absolutely recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys a challenge BUT please only book if you are prepared to train, be flexible with the route and keep a positive attitude when things are challenging. It was truly a beautiful and unforgettable experience!

Dale B.(September 2024)
TMB - Sept 2024 - Dale B

The trip was fantastic - challenging and rewarding in equal measures. I feel a true sense of achievement in having completed it.

We had a diverse group, with a range of fitness levels and ages - the group dynamic was fabulous and everyone was included and welcomed. Rob, our guide, was fun but sensible, and allowed all of us to experience the TMB in our own way. He supported all of us in different ways, and catered to the various skill and fitness levels.

The accomodation was often basic but provided you are prepared for that, it added to the experience and the group dynamic. The food was great - I was never hungry and we had some wonderful lunches overlooking the most breath-taking landscapes.

The walk itself was probably more challenging than expected, but achievable and enjoyable with a reasonable level of fitness and the right mindset. It was truly an amazing hike - highly recommended.

Christopher B.(September 2024)
A personal challenge achieved . (Chris , September 2024)

At 74 years old, I knew the TMB would be a challenge, despite being fit and prepared. It was tough, tougher than I anticipated, but with the support of tour guide Rob, my daughter, and a wonderful bunch of considerably younger people in the group I enjoyed (nearly) every minute of the tour. The weather was kind- just one wet day which gave us a different experience, and the scenery was wonderful. We climbed, rested, descended, ate, socialised, slept and repeated it all the next day to another magnificent set of backdrops. The Refuges varied from very rustic dorms and bunks to a twin hotel room. Food was good quality and plentiful- I heard no complaints about being hungry. Rob’s special fresh picnic lunches were great on several days. Rob, the guide was exceptionall. Sociable without being overly extroverted , knowledgeable without being a ‘know-all’ , Rob handled the varied pace of the group well with some of the more energetic ones bounding off like mountain goats, with me plodding along mostly at the tail end. Never did I feel pressure to go beyond my comfort level, nor did I feel left out of the group. The group had a wealth of world experiences and many an interesting conversation was had on varied topics. Five stars for group cohesion. A bonus on the first night was cheering the UTMB runners through our valley- fantastic, what gutsy competitors. Am I glad I committed to this walk- absolutely. It was very rewarding, due to the many factors mentioned. The scenery was magnificent, the challenge enough to satisfy this old mountain biker.

Marie K.(September 2024)
Transformational