The complete Tour du Mont Blanc at your own pace

You will leave your accommodation and head towards Notre Dame de la Gorge, a landmark of Baroque Romanticism. A long climb leads us to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m). This pass has been traversed for centuries by shepherds and their flocks, armies and soldiers, pilgrims, peddlers, and hikers on the Tour du Mont Blanc. The view then opens up to the Beaufortain region at our feet. You will then head towards the Crête des Gittes ridge to descend into the alpine pastures amidst Tarine and Abondance cows. The milk from these cows provides us with a variety of cheeses, notably Beaufort, which we recommend you try during the week.

After a transfer (included) to Ville des Glaciers, you will cross your first border between France and Italy today at the Col de la Seigne (2516m). Frequented since antiquity, it is marked by a large cairn and lies on the watershed between the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. The view is breathtaking: a panorama of snow-capped peaks stands out against the Italian side of Mont Blanc. You enter the Val Veny, and the Aosta Valley unfolds before you. You will spend the night in a mountain refuge in this valley, at the foot of the Brenva Glacier, beneath the impressive Aiguille Noire de Peuterey.

This morning you'll descend to Courmayeur, where you can enjoy a refreshing ice cream before continuing our hike up the Italian Val Ferret, in the shadow of the impressive Grandes Jorasses. After La Vachey, you'll reach either the Walter Bonatti refuge* (2025m) or the Elena refuge* (2061m) for your last night on the Italian side. No need to carry your pack if you're staying at the Bonatti refuge; vehicles don't go up to the refuge so you can better appreciate the unspoiled natural surroundings. This journey through the Val Ferret will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of the history of our great guides... *Subject to availability at the refuges at the time of final confirmation. An alternative will be offered if necessary. Alternative: +900m / -740m Maximum altitude: 2537m

Today, you continue your ascent of the Italian Val Ferret to reach the Grand Col Ferret, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. You hike while admiring the Pré de Bar Glacier and Mont Dolent, the summit that forms the border between the three countries. You descend towards the village of Ferret. You will stop at a gîte/inn and enjoy a sublime setting in the heart of Switzerland!

From this charming cottage, you'll begin your descent along a stream. You'll pass several very photogenic and beautiful hamlets. A final push will be needed to reach Champex and its magnificent little lake.

You leave Champex and begin the climb that takes you to the Bovine alpine pastures, amidst the Hérens cows, those beautiful black breeds that are the pride of the Valais region. This balcony trail with panoramic views encompasses the Rhône Valley and the Rhône bend on the Swiss side, as well as the Grands Combins massif to the southeast. A descent through a lovely forest leads to the Col de la Forclaz pass. Then, following the Bisses path (a Valaisan term for a water channel carved into the rock or wood), you reach the village of Trient to spend the night. Alternative (Fenêtre d'Arpette): Elevation gain 1110m / Elevation loss 1190m. Maximum altitude: 2201m

Today you return to France by crossing the border at the Col de Balme (2191m). You hike to the Col des Posettes before traversing along a balcony trail to Tré-Le-Champ. Finally, you descend to Argentière to spend your last night.

For this final day, you will explore the Aiguilles Rouges mountain range and nature reserve, which face Mont Blanc. The hike ascends to the Chéserys lakes and then to Lac Blanc, where the panoramic views are breathtaking. The descent follows a scenic trail along the mountainside, passing through La Flégère and Le Brévent, back to Chamonix (or you can take the cable car down from La Flégère). The day concludes in Chamonix around 4:30 pm.

If you have parked your vehicle in Les Houches, bus No. 1 will take you back to the Bellevue cable car (1 bus approximately every 30 minutes).