Tour du Mont Blanc ­ 8 Day Trek

Arrival Day:

On the evening before we start our trek we will meet to brief you on the trip and answer any last minute questions.

Day 1: Chamonix Valley to Les Contamines

We set off from Les Houches, enjoying stunning views of the Chamonix Valley, as we use the cable car to gain a 900m ascent to start the trip. We cross under the Bionnassay glacier and head up to the Col de Tricot at 2120m, before a steep descent to the Miage pastures. From there a short climb over another col, before heading down through the forests to the small town of Les Contamines. Ascent: 700m.

Day 2: Les Contamines to Les Chapieux

Starting along a Roman road, we make the long ascent through mountain pastures to the Col du Bonhomme at 2599m. We then traverse the hillside to another slightly higher col where ibex can often be seen, before a gentle descent to the lovely hamlet of Les Chapieux, where herds of sheep, goats and cows spend the summer grazing. Ascent: 1300m.

Day 3: Les Chapieux to Courmayeur

We ease into the day with a short minibus transfer to the valley where cows produce the famous Beaufort cheese ­ with the opportunity to buy some for a picnic! A steady climb to the Col de la Seigne at 2516m, and into Italy with views of the 'other side' of Mont Blanc. From the col we have a gentle descent to the valley past the famous south ridges of the 'Blanc', such as the Peuterey with its impressive jagged skyline. We take the bus down to the ancient Italian town of Courmayeur. Ascent: 830m.

Day 4: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti

We leave the old quarter of Courmayeur and head up the Mont de la Saxe Ridge, through pine forests to the Bertone Refuge for a Italian coffee break. Then along the ridge with some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range, before arriving at the Bonatti refuge for a true night in the mountains. The refuge, to which there is no vehicle access, pays homage to the great Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. Ascent: 900m.

Day 5: Rifugio Bonatti to Champex

The day starts with a gentle traverse of the mountainside to the Elena Refuge, where we can enjoy a break looking across to Mont Dolent and its glaciers. We then climb to the Grand Col Ferret at 2537m, where we cross the border into Switzerland. Down through meadows to the tiny hamlet of Ferret, where we catch a bus to the beautiful lakeside village of Champex for the night. Ascent: 770m.

Day 6: Champex to Col de la Forclaz

A gentle start down to Champex­d'en­Bas where we begin to climb along the Bovine trail, which traverses the mountainside through flower filled pastures. We enjoy a picnic lunch at a rustic refuge, with the chance to learn about the famous Swiss fighting cows. Later in the day there are stunning views down to the Roman town of Martigny and the Rhône valley as we walk to the Col de la Forclaz for the night. Ascent: 570m. Day 7: Col de la Forclaz to Argentière

As we come full circle we head up and over the Col de Balme, from where Charles Dickens penned a letter describing the stunning beauty of the mountains. Along the Posettes ridge and down through the forests to the charming hamlet of Tré­le­Champ, and down to the village of Argentière. Ascent: 1070m.

Day 8: Argentière to Chamonix

From the village we head up through the Nature Reserve to the famous Lac Blanc, which provides a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc Massif, with its peaks and glaciers. A final chance to enjoy the flowers of the high mountain and see ibex and chamois, often we can get very close. A cable car from Flégère back down to Chamonix, for a well deserved drink and the end of the tour! Ascent: 1200m.