Check into your hotel and in the heart of Chamonix. Free time to yourself.

Today you will have time to explore picturesque Chamonix and its surroundings. After an introductory town tour by our local guide, you may want to take the infamous “Aiguille du Midi” cable car leading up to the highest restaurant in Europe or wander around the cobbled streets, taking a coffee and pastry in one of the street cafes or even a spot of last-minute expedition shopping. Chamonix is a wonderful place to explore and a great place to relax before your expedition the following day. This evening we will go out for dinner and receive your briefing with our trek leader. (B, D)

We begin by driving a short distance down the Chamonix valley to Les Houches and then taking the Bellevue cable car to Col de Voza. This avoids a steep and relentless slog right at the beginning of the trek. Many climbers heading for Mont Blanc also use this cable car. We descend gently to cross the melt stream of the giant Bionnassay Glacier by a swaying bridge before climbing to the Col de Tricot (2120m) from where we begin to have magnificent views of the glacial chaos of the north face of the Domes de Miage. The path descends steeply at first to the homely Refugio ‘Miage’ in the Miage glacial valley. Here we will rest and enjoy lunch before heading up over another pass before heading down into the charming hamlet of Les Contamines, where we spend the night. Les Contamines inhabits the valley floor with the spire of the old church reflecting the magnificent rocky mountains that surround. Les Contamines is the last major settlement before Courmayeur in Italy. Overnight in a charming local hotel. (B, L, D)

Transfer to the Baroque church ‘Notre Dame de la Gorge’ built in 1699. From there we head along the ‘Chemin Romain’, the old Roman road, before crossing the river over an old Roman stone bridge. We continue to la Balme with the option of a refreshing drink at the Refugio before we head up a steep section to Col du Bonhomme at 2329 m and even further to Col de la Croix du Bonhomme at 2408m and on to Refugio de La Croix du Bonhomme at 2443 m. That is our climb for today and from here we start our descent towards Les Chapieux where we stay in the charming hotel of this small mountain village dating back to the late 19th century. (B, L, D, 

Today we start with a 15-minute transfer to the Ville des Glaciers. From here we head up another 750 meters in altitude to Col de la Seigne marking the frontier between France and Italy. There is an information centre just below the Col on the Italian side with good information on the area, including a 3D map of the massif. A long down to the valley below ends at the wonderful Refugio Elisabetta, where a hot meal awaits and we can taste our first Italian coffee. Our guide will pick out some of the most famous climbing routes on the mountain, including the Peuterey Ridge and Brouillard Face.

The view is stunning with glaciers slowly pouring off the massif, creating amazing valleys and wonderful waterfalls during the summer. If the weather is fine we might be able to take a high route towards our final destination, the wonderful Italian mountain town of Courmayeur and its views of ‘Monte Bianco’. Otherwise, we will take the more leisurely walk through the valley floor with its lush grasslands and glacial moraine fields. (B, L, D)

In the morning we head off for a trip to the ancient Roman town of Aosta, only one-hour south-east of Courmayeur. Here we explore the historic past in and  below the busy streets  of this Roman outpost during our private tour.
After lunch in a local ‘Osteria’ we head back to Courmayeur where you will have free time to explore the town, known as the Italian Counterpart to Chamonix.
One of Italy’s premier Ski Resorts in winter, in summer Courmayeur is inviting you to roam its charming cobblestone streets and taking in the relaxed atmosphere of the pedestrian centre, lined with sophisticated bars, cafes, and restaurants. Crowned by Monte Bianco itself and its dark stone massif with its snow peaks looming over the town. What an amazing backdrop for one of Europe’s most beautiful towns. This is a day to explore ancient history and local secrets, while giving those tired muscles some time to relax. Your guide is always happy point out more options where to go, what to eat and what to do. (B)

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), 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. This route is known as the balcony due to its superb views of the Italian side of Monte Bianco and the South Face of the Grandes Jorasses. We will enjoy this highlight of the trek 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 Refugio Bonatti, maybe another cappuccino, before heading down to the valley floor to Val Ferret. The low route alternative is an easier option with less altitude gain, and 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 border  between Italy and Switzerland. Along the way, we will stop at Refugio Elena for a morning tea or coffee. There are spectacular views towards the summit of Mont Dolent who divides the three countries of Italy, France and Switzerland. From there we head down to La Peule, a great place for lunch. We will enjoy our picnic lunch made of fresh local produce such as cheeses, cold cuts and baguette. We continue or walk downhill for another 2 hours through wildflower meadows along sinuous streams before we enter the charming Swiss village of La Fouly with its wooden houses and flower decorated balconies. Here we will check into the delightful Hotel Edelweiss, where a hearty dinner awaits. (B, L, D)

Exploring the Mont Blanc Massive by foot is giving us the opportunity to walk the beautiful trails meandering through pleasant pine forests, fields of wildflowers and over towering passes, stopping here and there along the way to marble at the villages we pass through.

Today is such a typical day along the TMB where we will wander the small mountain road from La Fouly to the beautiful village of Champex and its mountain lake, passing through the village of Praz de Fort and the well-preserved village of Issert along the way. The trail then branches off the main valley and climbs gradually around the hillside, traversing above the pretty village of Champex. We 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 of 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 by car 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 from where we start our second last big climb of the TMB, which 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 with its peaks and glaciers 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 Planpraz cable car that will take us directly into Chamonix. (B, L, D)

Return transfer this morning from Chamonix to Geneva airport. (B)