Tour du Mont Blanc — 12-Day Trek Around the Massif

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic Alpine circuit, often named alongside routes such as the trek to Everest Base Camp or the Lycian Way. The full circuit is about 170 km around the Mont Blanc massif, with a cumulative ascent and descent of roughly 10,000 m. The route passes through three Alpine regions — France, Italy and Switzerland — encircling Mont Blanc, 4810 m.

There are several versions of the route: a shortened six-day version focused on the best known highlights, and the full circuit walked in ten days. We offer the full ten-day circuit, set inside a twelve-day programme with an arrival day in Chamonix and a departure day, so that the walking stages are not compressed.

The history of the circuit goes back to the eighteenth century, when explorers, scientists and geologists were drawn to this region. As often happens in the Alps, the line originally served as a trade route linking remote corners of Europe, though no detailed record of those journeys survives. The first documented completion of the Mont Blanc circuit is dated 1767, when Horace-Bénédict de Saussure travelled it with friends and porters from Chamonix on a scientific expedition to study the geography of the massif. Later, in the Victorian era, the Tour du Mont Blanc became an obligatory journey for wealthy aristocrats, merchants and other members of society — although they generally covered the distance on muleback. It has since become a well-travelled multi-day route in the European Alps.

The landscapes change constantly: from the rocky, almost lunar terrain of the Aiguilles Rouges to the pastures of the Contamines valley. Every day of the trek offers something new, and one constant — the snow-white summit of Mont Blanc, shifting only slightly in perspective from day to day.

Participants walk with a day pack; a personal porter is not included in the price. Accommodation is in hotels and mountain refuges, with shared dormitories on the refuge nights and an upgrade available on request. This page is the circuit trek around the massif. The guided ascent of Mont Blanc is a separate programme and is not part of this product.

Day 1. Arrival in Chamonix, a town steeped in the spirit of mountaineering and regarded as its capital. It is a genuinely striking place, tucked in below the highest summit in Western Europe. For centuries explorers, scientists and climbers have come here to learn more about the region. Check-in at the hotel. In the evening, a briefing with the guide and introductions to the rest of the team. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. The trek begins in the morning after breakfast with the cable car up to Planpraz at 2000 m. From there the route heads for the Brévent pass at 2525 m and continues to the Bellachat refuge. From the refuge comes a long and somewhat demanding descent to Les Houches and the hotel, a small, quiet village in the Chamonix valley with striking views of Mont Blanc. This day often feels like one of the hardest on the route, mainly because participants have not yet acclimatised. The descent can feel exhausting and is probably the most challenging of the whole trek, because of its 1500 m of loss and the occasionally rocky ground. Trekking distance 13 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 3. The day starts with the cable car up to Bellevue at 1802 m, with fine views of the Mont Blanc massif. Yesterday was a full day and acclimatisation is still under way, so today’s easier stage is welcome. The route leads to Les Contamines via Bionnassay and the chapel. The ground today is very different — less rocky and greener, as the trail crosses high pastures. Trekking distance 15 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 4. A full day with an early start: three passes in a row, Col du Bonhomme, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col des Fours at 2665 m. A steep descent then leads through wild and remote country to Ville des Glaciers, a village completely cut off in winter but known for its dairy, where the group tastes the local cheese. The day ends at the atmospheric Les Mottets refuge. Although “three passes” may sound intimidating, it is a perfectly manageable trekking day: steep sections alternate with easier ground where you can recover. Trekking distance 20 km. Night in a refuge (shared dormitory, upgrade available on request).

Day 5. After the night at Les Mottets, below the Col de la Seigne at 2516 m, the group climbs quickly to the pass in the morning and crosses from France into Italy. The route then drops into the striking Val Veny and reaches Lake Combal. From there it descends to La Visaille, and a vehicle takes the group on to Courmayeur, a charming Italian Alpine town, quieter than the better known Chamonix. The views from the Col de la Seigne open out widely. At the top of the pass the group rests and takes in the wide panorama over Italy and Switzerland. Trekking distance 14 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 6. After a comfortable night the group sets off early for the next refuge, with striking views of Mont Blanc and of Courmayeur far below. Midday brings a coffee stop with views of the peaks of the European Alps, including Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. The rest of the walking day runs high above the valley, with fine views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc, before reaching the beautiful Bonatti refuge at 2056 m. Trekking distance 17 km. Night in a refuge (shared dormitory, upgrade available on request).

Day 7. Another early start, and a new country ahead. The route continues through the Italian Val Ferret to Arnouvaz before the long climb to the Col Ferret at 2537 m, from where the whole line of the last three days is visible. On the way it passes the Elena refuge, where there is a chance to eat and rest, and crosses the Italian–Swiss border. A relatively easy and pleasant descent follows on a good trail, with a stop in La Fouly for a snack, and the hotel is reached soon afterwards. Trekking distance 20 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 8. A comparatively easy day walking through the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret. The route passes the small villages of Praz-de-Fort and Issert before climbing to the charming village of Champex-Lac, where the group stays the night. This is a classic Swiss village with a fine lake, a good place to rest, with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. On the way it passes another point of interest, the high farm at Bovine, where local produce can be bought and a picnic taken on the terrace, with views over Lake Geneva and down the Rhône valley. Trekking distance 18 km. Night in a lodge.

Day 9. The day starts easily on gentle trails to Plan de l’Au, then climbs steadily to Alpine pastures at 1987 m, with magnificent views of the town of Martigny and the canton of Valais. The rest of the day is spent descending to the Col de la Forclaz at 1526 m, with a final descent to Trient. Trekking distance 18 km. Night in a lodge.

Day 10. After breakfast the route sets off for the attractive small village of Argentière, at the head of the Chamonix valley below Mont Blanc. On the way there are views from above of the Emosson dam and the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Trekking distance 15 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 11. The final day, and a fitting close to the circuit, returns to the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve and the striking Chéserys lakes and Lac Blanc at 2352 m. The route then descends to La Flégère and continues along the high trail above the Chamonix valley to Planpraz, the starting point, completing the circle. The last descent is by cable car back to Chamonix, for a celebratory dinner marking the completion of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Trekking distance 14 km. Night at the hotel.

Day 12. Transfer to the airport. Departure home.

• A Mountain Guide trek leader for groups of 4 participants or more
• Meeting and seeing off at the airport
• Accommodation at a 4-star hotel in Chamonix — 2 nights
• Accommodation in refuges and hotels along the trek
• Group equipment — first-aid kit, satellite navigator and other items
• Arrangement of all the permits and paperwork required for the trek, including trekking permits and national park entries
• Transfers according to the programme

• Lunches and dinners during the stay in Chamonix
• Visa, if required
• Meals on the trek, ordered individually from the menu
• A personal porter
• Tips for the staff
• Medical insurance and emergency evacuation
• Single-room accommodation
• Early check-in or late check-out at the hotel before or after the programme. We always try to arrange additional benefits for our guests with our partners, and early check-in or late check-out is often granted free of charge
• Any deviation from the programme
• Any costs arising from a change to the programme

Documents:

• International passport
• Airline tickets
• Medical insurance covering helicopter evacuation

Personal equipment:

• Backpack 30–50 L
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature −5°C
• Trekking poles with baskets

Clothing and footwear:

• Trekking boots, WELL pre-treated with a waterproofing agent
• Sneakers (for city use)
• Waterproof membrane layer – jacket + pants
• Fleece set
• Thermal underwear (top + bottom)
• Down jacket with hood
• Warm gloves
• Light gloves
• Bandana or buff (in addition to sun protection in the valleys, can be used to keep the neck or face warm in cold conditions)
• Hat
• Warm trekking socks

Miscellaneous:

• Headlamp with battery life of at least 12 hours
• Power bank
• Sunglasses
• Rain poncho
• Rain cover for backpack
• Thermos or water bottle – 1 L (optional)
• Gaiters
• Sunscreen SPF 50
• Lip balm SPF 10–15
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or support brace
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, flip-flops
• Towel
• Toilet paper (available for purchase in lodges along the route)