Tour du Mont Blanc Trek

Our itinerary begins with your arrival day. If you’re flying into Geneva airport, our transfer partners will take you to our hotel in the Chamonix Valley. Airport transfer is included between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. Please inform LHO Base Camp of your arrival and departure times. If you’re meeting us directly at the hotel, your LHO Team Leader will greet you. Hotel check in begins at 3 pm, but early arrivals can store bags and explore. Your Team Leader will share a list of things to do in Chamonix. If you need to rent or buy gear, plan to arrive early, as shops usually close by 7 pm. We aim for an early start the next day before shops open. In the evening, we will have a team dinner and briefing at 7:30 pm, hosted by your Team Leader and lead mountain guide. Gear checks will be done during the day based on your arrival time.

Distance: 8.5 KM | Ascent: 148 M | Descent: 1299 M | Max Altitude: 2,595 M

Our first day of trekking begins with a breathtaking view. After breakfast, we take public transport to the Flegere cable car, then ride up to the highest accessible point, l’index, where our Tour du Mont Blanc trail begins. The Mont Blanc massif rises ahead, with the Aiguilles Rouges above and the Chamonix valley below. We trek east toward Lac Blanc on a two hour trail over well worn and rocky paths. Lac Blanc, with its turquoise waters and mountain reflections, is our usual picnic spot. Weather permitting, we pause to enjoy the scenery and take photos. After lunch, we descend toward the valley floor, heading to Argentiere, a town east of Chamonix. The descent is long and challenging but manageable. Trekking poles are recommended for comfort and knee support. We spend the evening in Argentiere or nearby Le Tour, where hot showers and a well earned dinner mark the end of our first day on the trail.

Distance: 13 KM | Ascent: 832 M | Descent: 1019 M | Max Altitude: 2,201 M

We catch an early bus from Argentiere to Le Tour to avoid a less scenic road section and begin our first significant ascent. If we stayed in Le Tour the previous night, no transfer is needed. From Le Tour, we trek up to Col du Balme, the natural border between France and Switzerland. With Mont Blanc behind and the Swiss Alps ahead, a highlight is the view of the Le Tour glacier to our right. The path winds through berry fields and cow pastures to the high point of the day. At the mountain pass, we often stop for a coffee break, weather permitting. A picnic lunch follows in an open field with glacier views. From the pass, we descend into Switzerland toward the town of Trient. The trail passes through dense alpine forest, with Trient’s pink church marking our destination. Our evening is spent in Trient, a quiet village nestled in the Swiss Alps.

Distance: 14 KM | Ascent: 972 M | Descent: 805 M | Max Altitude: 2,043 M

After breakfast, we begin our trek with an ascent to Col de la Forclaz. Our LHO Community recommends the berry cakes at the cafe on the pass, so we have made a stop there part of the experience. After the break, we continue along the trail into a deep forest leading to the region known as Bovine, named after the black cows that graze the pastures on the slopes. Upon reaching the high point, we stop in a clearing for lunch before beginning our descent toward Champex Lac. The descent through the forest is similar to the previous day, with the trees growing denser as we near the valley floor. The final section includes a gentle incline leading into Champex Lac, a peaceful lakeside village. This is the last Swiss stop on our Tour du Mont Blanc trek before crossing into Italy, offering a quiet and scenic close to the day’s journey.

Distance: 9.8 KM | Ascent: 770 M | Descent: 788 M | Max Altitude: 2,537 M

Our day begins with a one hour private van transfer to La Fouley. We skip this section as it follows the roadside and would require adding an extra trekking day. The trail begins in La Fouley, where we ascend open pastures with incredible views toward the Grand Col Ferret, the natural border between Switzerland and Italy. Mont Dolent, the only Mont Blanc summit shared by France, Switzerland, and Italy, rises above the pass. Behind us is the Swiss Italian summit of Grand Combin, and ahead is the spectacular Val Ferret and the dramatic walls of the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The descent from the col is steep but manageable. You will notice a shift in language as bonjour becomes buongiorno. At the base of the descent, an Italian refuge offers your first Italian espresso. We continue along the trail for an hour before taking a local bus to Courmayeur. Our hotel in town is a welcome reward after three days of walking. It is a chance to rest, explore, and enjoy the coffee and Aperol spritzes of this stylish Italian resort. Dinner is hosted by your LHO Team Leader and guide at a local restaurant.

Distance: 14.4 KM | Ascent: 856 M | Descent: 790 M | Max Altitude: 2,516 M

This day is a favorite among our LHO Team Leaders. It offers stunning views of Mont Blanc from the Italian side and includes lakes, streams, forests, and open pastures. After breakfast, we take a short bus ride west, soon reaching the trail and following a rushing river through dense forest. As we ascend, the tree line opens to reveal the valley ahead. Rivers and lakes here are fed by glacier melt from Mont Blanc’s southern slopes. We pass through wetlands and cross rivers before a direct ascent to Col de la Seigne. Though it may seem long, alternating steep and flat sections help it pass quickly. We usually picnic at the pass, weather permitting, though it can be windy. On descent, buongiorno gives way to bonjour as we re enter France in the Beaufort region, famous for its cheese. The long winding descent offers views you will not want to end. At the valley floor, we follow a farming road to a bus stop and ride to Les Chapieux, our home for the night. There is no mobile coverage here, so it is best to inform loved ones in advance. Our Base Camp team remains reachable if needed.

Distance: 13.8 KM | Ascent: 709 M | Descent: 1297 M | Max Altitude: 2,408 M

After breakfast, we join the trail to Col de la Croix de Bonhomme. Our final significant ascent begins just outside the hut and leads to the pass connecting the Beaufort and Les Contamines regions. This marks the westernmost point of Mont Blanc. From there, we begin trekking eastward, gradually heading back toward our starting point. The trail features open fields and views of the Vanoise massif. At the top, we pause at a mountain refuge to enjoy coffee and packed lunch. The trail continues along a rocky section before descending into thick alpine forest. We cross a deep gorge with rushing water before reaching the church of Notre Dame de la Gorge. From there, we take a short ride back to Chamonix, where warm showers, great food, and time to explore await. In the evening, we gather for a celebratory team dinner, hosted by your LHO Team Leader. The first round of drinks is on us.

Our last day together is dedicated to airport transfers and farewells. Breakfast is included. Please ensure you provide accurate departure details when filling out your team details form. Our shared transfers operate for flights departing between 9:30 AM and 11:00 PM. If your flight leaves outside these hours, we will need to organize a private transfer at an extra cost. If there are any changes to your travel plans, please inform your LHO Team Leader as early as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.