On our standard, 11-night version of the Tour Mont Blanc, you'll have 8 nights in village hotels with private bathroom, and 3 nights in simpler mountain inns where private rooms are not assured. Showers are available all nights. Starting and finishing in Chamonix, this tour includes a couple of optional, very scenic detours to maximize your TMB experience, as well as a rest day in Courmayeur in the middle of the tour. Private rooms are often available for the 3 nights in remote huts and inns, but space is very limited, and if private rooms are not available, there are somewhat larger communal sleeping rooms. They're wonderful places with a lively and convivial dining atmosphere. There are many alternate versions of the Tour du Mont Blanc as well - longer or shorter tours are very possible, we can arrange more or fewer nights in huts and mountain inns, and 4-star upgrades are available in some villages - so please ask if you're interested in varying this itinerary. Two of the hut nights are not paid in advance on this standard tour, leaving you some flexibility to make last-minute changes in the event of bad weather during your tour.

Your typical day on the TMB starts with a continental buffet breakfast at your hotel or inn, giving you the energy needed for a big day of hiking. Before setting out on your hike, visit a bakery and market for lunch supplies, or bring some money for a stop in one of the alpine restaurants along your route. Reminders will be included in your route notes. Soon, you'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours. With a several passes to cross, Tour du Mont Blanc is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days.

You should finish your hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and gaze upon Mont Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, enjoy a delicious dinner at your inn or on your own in town. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal provides a satisfying end to your day.

With 3 countries worth of soaring, beautiful mountains, lofty passes, and gorgeous trails, the self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc is an exhilarating trek that lives up to its world-class reputation.

Day 1 For the Tour du Mont Blanc, it's best to fly to Geneva, and we'll arrange your transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center at the foot of Mont Blanc. Enjoy the ambiance of this beautiful village with impressive views of Mont Blanc. Stay in a comfortable hotel in town. (de l'Arve, Aiglons, or Prieure)
Day 2 One of the classic hikes in the region leads to Lac Blanc for an introductory dayhike. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Preserve, a rugged ridge across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. Make good use of local cablecars to can enjoy more time hiking near the lake, and keep an eye open for bouquetin - a mountain goat with long curved horns that are frequently sighted in this region. Return to Chamonix for a 2nd night. (de l'Arve, Aiglons, or Prieure)
Day 3 Hiking the traditional first stage of the Mont Blanc tour brings you to the minor Voza pass to the lovely Bionnassay valley, a wooded region with impressive glaciers and waterfalls, and capped by blinding peaks. An optional ascent leads over the higher Tricot pass to the Miage valley, before descending to the quaint village of les Contamines for the night. Stay in a 3-star village hotel, or ask about a simpler mountain inn option nearby. (la Chemenaz or refuge Nant Borrant)
Day 4 From les Contamines, the Tour du Mont Blanc route starts with a beautiful walk along the wooded Bon Nant stream, then a long ascent across two nearby passes, Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. Descend to the tiny hamlet of les Chapieux and stay the night in a rustic mountain inn. (auberge de la Nova)
Day 5 Leaving les Chapieux, a gradual ascent leads to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy. Here you're greeted by an amazing view into the Veny valley and the Mont Blanc range. The Aiguille Noire de Peuterey is particularly impressive from this vantage point, and Mont Blanc itself dominates the view ahead of you. Continue down valley and into the medieval village of Courmayeur, where you stay in a pleasant 3-star hotel or a nearby B&B in an historic home. (Bouton d'Or or Walser)
Day 6 A second day in Courmayeur is a great way to break up the Tour du Mont Blanc. There is plenty to do in the village, cablecars take you up to high vantage points, or there are great dayhikes near town. Stay in the same hotel a second night. (Bouton d'Or or Walser)
Day 7 One of the highlights of the tour is the high traverse of Mont de la Saxe above Courmayeur, with incredible views of Mont Blanc and the towering Grandes Jorasses as you hike to the comfortable Bonatti hut. Enjoy sunset views of Mont Blanc from the patio as you settle in for your final night in Italy. (rifugio Bonatti)
Day 8 Hiking to the back of the Italian Val Ferret, you'll enjoy more great views while crossing the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland. Descend through tidy green fields with high cliffs and glaciers draped above you, to the tiny village of la Fouly, a quiet stop along the Tour du Mont Blanc. (Edelweiss)
Day 9 One of the easier hikes on your Mont Blanc tour takes you through woods and up to the pretty, lakeside village of Champex. A much more strenuous alternate route leads over a high pass, to a hut perched along the edge of the Orny glacier, before descending to Champex. Stay in a comfortable village hotel. (Glacier)
Day 10 An undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone valley. Weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads up to the high pass of Fenetre d'Arpette, one of the highest points along the tour and along the Trient glacier. Finish the day at a small hiker's inn at Forclaz. (Col de la Forclaz)
Day 11 On your final hiking day of the tour, cross the Col de Balme into France, coming back full circle to sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. A possible sidetrip to the nearby Posettes ridge leads to even greater views, with a delightful trail leading down to the valley floor. Spend our last night of the Mont Blanc tour celebrating in Chamonix. (de l'Arve, Aiglons, or Prieure)
Day 12 Today you say au revoir, and depart for your post-Mont Blanc destinations.

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Read Josh Roberts in USA Today recap his guided Tour du Mont Blanc with Alpinehikers in 2003.

Our self-guided prices are per person, based on two people sharing a standard double room. This self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc includes 9 nights prepaid hotels and inns, breakfast each day, 4 dinners, unpaid reservations for 2 nights and meals in remote mountain inns (auberge de la Nova and Bonatti), Geneva airport transfer to Chamonix and back, hiking maps, detailed route descriptions (including longer, shorter, and rainy day options), train schedules, sightseeing suggestions, and lots of useful information to help ensure a successful trip.

Not included are lunches, dinners in Chamonix or Courmayeur, drinks with dinners, extras (such as laundry, phone calls from the room, etc), luggage transfers, ground transportation other than airport transfers, or the cost of the nights and meals at Auberge de la Nova or Bonatti hut ($60-75 per person per night).

If you'd like to lengthen or shorten your self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc, add destinations, or create a customized tour of the Mont Blanc region from scratch, let us know. We have extensive experience all over the Alps, and will be happy to work with you to build the hiking vacation that best suits your needs.

Learn more about custom and self-guided tours