Chamonix – Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France.

An airport pickup is included, making this an easy and relaxing hour and half journey. Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with perhaps time to relax at the pool and outdoor patio of our charming Chamonix hotel before meeting the group for dinner.

• Hotel les Aiglons
• D

Chamonix – One of the classic hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc, high above the village.

This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. We’ll make good use of local cable cars so we can enjoy more time hiking near the lake. Return to Chamonix for a 2nd night.

• Hotel les Aiglons
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 3200 ft up, 1670 ft down

les 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.

Passing through a tiny hamlet of stone houses where cows and horses graze peacefully surrounded by hanging glaciers, stop in the small village of les Contamines for a night at a friendly hiker’s inn or a nearby 3-star hotel. Our luggage will meet us here.

• Hotel la Gelinotte or les Chemenaz
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 1660 ft up, 2730 ft down

les Mottets – A quick bus ride brings us to our trailhead at the Notre Dame de la Gorge chapel.

Hiking up along an old Roman road, we continue the TMB tour with a long, steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col de la Croix du Bonhomme and Col du Bonhomme. After lunch near the pass, we’ll descend into the Valle de Glaciers, and stay in a popular hiker’s inn along the valley floor, with a charming dining room and new 4-person dorms.  Or we can stay at the la Nova inn where private double rooms are available.

• auberge de la Nova or refuge les Mottets
• B / L / D
• hike: 7-9 hours, 12.5 miles; Elevation: 5130 ft up, 2800 ft down (les Mottets) or 7-9 hours, 11.5 miles; Elevation: 4320 ft up, 3050 ft down (la Nova)

Courmayeur – Leaving France, a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures 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, with narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and a lively, pedestrian-only core. Our luggage will be waiting for us at our 3-star village hotel.

• Hotel Bouton d'Or
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2220 ft up, 2910 ft down (from les Mottets) or 7-9 hours, 12 miles; Elevation: 3270 ft up, 2910 ft down (from la Nova)

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.

Courmayeur is an extremely atmospheric village, with cafes, bakeries, gelaterias, and stylish shops. It’s great for people-watching and relaxing. Or take the cablecar high above the valley to the upper reaches of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian) for close-up views of the highest peaks in the alps. Or spend an afternoon hiking to the comfortable outdoor restaurant terrace at Col Checrouit, with great food and unbeatable views. The options are plentiful! Dinner will be on your own tonight in Courmayeur.

• Hotel Bouton d'Or
• B / L
• rest up or take an optional dayhike high above town

Bonatti – The second half of the Tour du Mont Blanc is slightly less rugged, with easier passes, but just as beautiful.

One of the highlights of the TMB is stunning walk along the crest of the Mont de la Saxe ridge, with the vertical cliffs of Mont Blanc and the Grande Jorasses towering above us to the west. While the ridge itself is a strenuous hike, a more moderate option follows a mid-level traverse of the ridge accompanied by incredible views throughout the day. High cliffs draped with glaciers accompany us along the route to Bonatti hut, a beautiful inn perched high in the mountains with small dorm rooms.

• rifugio Bonatti
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 7 miles; Elevation: 3480 ft up, 860 ft down

la Fouly – The Italian side of Mont Blanc is steep and rocky, and the Grand Jorasses rivals Mont Blanc as the focal point of our views.

On this stage of the TMB, we’ll cross the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland, with rolling green meadows filled with happy cows. We’ll descend to the tiny village of la Fouly and spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel.

• Hotel Edelweiss
• B / L / D
• hike: 7-9 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 3120 ft up, 4520 ft down

Champex – Today’s hike is one of the easier stages on the Mont Blanc tour, with a pleasant valley walk to Champex.

Champex is a pretty lakeside village, a peaceful oasis and great place to spend an afternoon on a terrace overlooking the lake. Your luggage be waiting at our 3-star village hotel.

• Hotel Glacier
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 9.5 miles; Elevation: 1380 ft up, 1790 ft down

la Forclaz – The next stage on the TMB takes us through woods and farms with sweeping views of the Rhone valley.

Weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads to the Fenetre d’Arpette with famous views to the Trient glacier, a popular variant on the traditional TMB route. We’ll stay in the popular hiker’s inn at Col Forclaz.

• Hotel Col de la Forclaz
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2460 ft up, 2260 ft down (Bovine) or 7-9 hours, 9.5 miles; Elevation: 3940 ft up, 3740 ft down (Fenetre d’Arpette)

Chamonix – The final hike on our Mont Blanc tour leads us through woods and meadows to the Balme pass on the border with France.

Enjoy gorgeous views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix valley as we cross the pass and descend to la Tour. Finish with a bus ride back to Chamonix, where we meet up with our luggage once again, and enjoy a delicious celebratory dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

• Hotel les Aiglons
• B / L / D
• hike: 6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 2890 ft up, 3120 ft down

depart – Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.

• B