Check into your hotel and meet your guide for a trip briefing today evening. Free time to yourself. Stay in Courmayeur.

After a relaxing breakfast, we set off up a path from Courmayeur crossing a torrent then climbing steeply through thick larch forests (some of the most beautiful on the trail) on a good path to the Rifugio Bertone (1989m). This is a great place for a cappuccino. From there, if the weather is good we can take the high route ascending the Mont de la Saxe ridge, a wide grassy ridge dotted with wildflowers which has superb views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the South Face of the Grandes Jorasses, before crossing the airy summits of la Tete Bernarda (2534m and la Tete de la Tronche 2584m). After three and a half hours, we reach Refuge Bonatti before heading down to the valley floor to Val Ferret. Low route alternative would be an easier option with less altitude gain, and also with a reduction of the final time. Transfer back to Courmayeur and return back to our accommodation. (B, L, D)

This morning we transfer to Val Ferret from where we head up to the Grand Col Ferret the frontier between Italy and Switzerland. Along the way, we will stop at Refuge Elena for a morning tea or coffee. There are spectacular views towards Mont Dolent whose summit divides three countries, Italy, France and Switzerland. From there we head down to la Peule which is a great place for lunch. Here we will have our picnic lunch made of local produce such as cheeses, cold cuts and bread (delicious). From here it is another 2 hours through wildflower meadows along sinuous streams to the village of La Fouly where we will check into the delightful Hotel Edelweiss, where a hearty dinner awaits. (B, L, D)

A small mountain road comes up the Swiss Val Ferret to La Fouly from Champex but we are able to walk on the opposite side of the valley on a path which meanders through pleasant pine forests. We pass through the village of Praz de Fort and to the well-preserved village of Issert. We hike along the narrow street between old chalets and grain stores in their original condition. This day is notable for the beautiful old Alpine buildings that we pass.

The trail then branches off the main valley and climbs gradually around the hillside, traversing above the pretty village of Champex with its deep blue lake. (For those who wish to shorten this day it is possible to take a local bus from La Fouly to Champex.) e continue along the lakeshore and finally climb 200 meters to the most charming hotel Splendide and its great mountain view (1627m). 

This day is notable for the old chalets and grain stores in their original condition, lining the narrow streets and if the weather is fine this will be topped by a dip in the crystal clear waters of the lake if you wish.  (B, L, D)

One of the best mountain days on the whole trek takes us across the Fenetre d’Arpette (2665m). This high Col lies at the head of the Val d’Arpette and the crossing is one of the finest variants on the TMB circuit. The ground is fairly rough but never technical and when we reach the pass we are rewarded with a fantastic view down to the Trient Glacier and across into the glacial bowl of the Plateau du Trient with the Aiguille du Tour (3544m) rising above (Crossing the plateau de Bovine is an easier or bad weather alternative).

From Col de Forclaz we will transfer down to Argentiere, where we spent the night. (B, L, D)

Note: The above-mentioned trail is one of the TMB’s variants. This will be done if the group is appropriate and the weather conditions are good. Alternatively, we will continue on the normal TMB route to Col de Foclaz via Bovine. This is a 5hr journey over 13 km with an ascent of 757m and a descent of 797m.

In the morning we transfer back to Col de la Forclaz The second last big climb of the TMB sees us ascending 900 meters to reach the Col de Balme (2200m). This ancient pass forms the border between Switzerland and France and as we descend down towards the village of Le Tour on the French side a spectacular panorama opens up across the entire Mont Blanc range and we find ourselves gazing down the valley towards Chamonix

We return to our accommodation in Argentiere where we savour a local meal and after a nice bed to rest in. (B, L, D)

From Argentiere, we transfer to the Col des Montets and ascend via Cheserys lakes into the Aiguilles Rouge on a spectacularly high-level path known as the Grand Balcon Sud. In this elevated position, we can gaze across the valley towards the huge Argentiere Glacier and the tremendous Aiguille Verte (4122m). At Cheserys, we can detour to Lac Blanc (2352m), a famously photogenic spot where the Chamonix Needles can sometimes be wonderfully reflected in its still waters. After lunch, we continue on for another 1.5 – 2 hours to the Planpraz cable car and then down through the forest into Chamonix. (B, L, D)

This morning your return transfer from Chamonix to Geneva airport is waiting and you are off to your next destination. (B)