France, Italy, and Switzerland Inn-to-inn
Trekking from France into Italy and Switzerland, the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the great hiking tours of the world...
Self-guided Tour du Mont BlancEverything but the guide...custom tour design, hikes, and all the details. |
Self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc: 9 day ExpressA 9-day self-guided version of the longer tour |
Private guided Tour du Mont BlancMake it private! Your companions, your dates, your tour - we do the rest. |
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the great hiking tours in the world. On this guided TMB tour, we’ll cross numerous passes and trek through 3 countries – France, Italy, and Switzerland – as we circumnavigate Mont Blanc, at 15,781 ft, the highest mountain in the Alps. We’ll hike through spectacular valleys and stay in a combination of 3-star village hotels and remote inns. The Tour du Mont Blanc is truly an epic trek – a great opportunity to meet hikers from around the world and enjoy an rich variety of cultures, cuisines and views. In keeping with the adventurous nature of the tour, we’ve designed a spirited itinerary, and two of our nights will be spent in traditional gites with shared sleeping rooms, lively atmospheres, and a healthy sense of accomplishment. Showers are available every night, and our village hotels feature private rooms and bathrooms. Luggage is transported separately and you will have it with you for 7 of the ten nights. Note, the single room supplement is for a single room on 8 nights only.
Our typical day on the Tour du Mont Blanc starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn, and soon we’ll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours of inn-to-inn hiking. With many passes to cross, the hiking is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days. Our tour will go counter-clockwise around Mont Blanc, hiking south-east from Chamonix, then up through Italy and into Switzerland, before coming back down to Chamonix.
We should finish our daily hikes around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and enjoy views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, we’ll enjoy dinner together at our inn or a local restaurant. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal and good conversation provide a satisfying end to our day. We will leave one dinner in Courmayeur free, giving you a chance to explore on your own.
With 3 countries filled with soaring mountains, lofty passes, and gorgeous trails, the Tour du Mont Blanc is an exhilarating trek that lives up to its world-class reputation.
For those without the time to devote to the full Tour of Mont Blanc, you are welcome to join us for half the tour. The southern route starts in Chamonix and leads through remote landscapes on the way to Courmayeur. It’s a beautiful route, and is a good choice for strong hikers who want a fairly strenuous experience. The northern route begins in Courmayeur and crosses through Switzerland before dropping down to Chamonix. This is a better choice for people who would like a more moderate inn-to-inn experience. Both stand alone as a beautiful tour in their own right, with plenty of great hiking, wonderful views, and pleasant surprises along the way. The tour cost for a 6 day/5 night half TMB is $2795/person.
Day 1
Chamonix – Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France.
Day 2
Chamonix – One of the classic hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc, high above the village.
Day 3
le Contamines – An undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, over the Tricot pass and through the quiet and quaint Miage valley on one of the prettiest corners of the TMB.
Day 4
les Mottets – A quick bus ride brings us to our trailhead at the Notre Dame de la Gorge chapel.
Day 5
Courmayeur – Leaving France, a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures leads to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy.
Day 6
Courmayeur – After one of our favorite breakfasts, a second day in Courmayeur gives you a chance to either rest up or take an optional dayhike high above town.
Day 7
Bonatti – The second half of the Tour du Mont Blanc is slightly less rugged, with easier passes, but just as beautiful.
Day 8
Champex – The Italian side of Mont Blanc is steep and rocky, and the Grand Jorasses rivals Mont Blanc as the focal point of our views.
Day 9
la Forclaz – The next stage on the TMB takes us through woods and farms with sweeping views of the Rhone valley.
Day 10
Chamonix – The final hike on our Mont Blanc tour leads us through woods and meadows to the Balme pass on the border with France.
Day 11
depart – Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.
