TOUR DU
MONT BLANC

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Trek surrounded by stunning Alpine landscapes, stay in charming mountain villages AND cross through 3 countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland! Magnifique! Bellissimo! The Tour du Mont Blanc is a mountain lover’s dream!




 

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$5,350

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

 

Hiking the highlights of the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc and circumnavigating the tallest mountain in Western Europe!
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Taking in the views as you cross through three countries, France, Italy and Switzerland, and hike over four Alpine passes (the highest being the boundary between Switzerland and Italy, the Grand Col Ferret at 2536 m)
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Staying in rustic and charming refuges, auberges and local inns and indulging in the local cuisine (and wine!)
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Disconnecting from the daily grind, and connecting with a group of awesome adventurous women
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Experiencing the support, safety and sustainability that make adventuring with WHOA extra special

 
 


WHAT TO EXPECT

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s most famous and beloved long distance hikes, and for good reason! We perfectly planned this Tour du Mont Blanc highlights trek so you can enjoy the most spectacular views all day, every day, and spend the evenings enjoying local cuisine and wine and resting in rustic and charming refuges, auberges and inns. Your hiking gear will be transported along the way, so you only need to focus on hiking with your daypack, taking in the views (this trek has VIEWS), and having a heck of a lot of fun! It’s a great match for mountain lovers who are looking for a multi day trek with a side of that cozy Alpine culture! Be sure to thoroughly read the Daily Breakdown and make sure you’re fully prepared for the distances and elevation gains on this circuit.

CONDITIONS
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF IT ALL

The highest elevation we’ll reach on this trek is at Grand Col Ferret (2536 m), so while it’s unlikely you’ll feel the effects of altitude, there’s a cumulative elevation gain of over 5000 m, so it’s very likely you’ll feel the effects of the many rocky ups and downs in your legs!

The Tour du Mont Blanc hiking season is during the summer, even so, it’s not uncommon to encounter some snow on the higher sections of the trail. Bottom line, mountain climates are unpredictable, so be ready to embrace what Mother Nature throws our way, and put on a layer and dance when it gets cold. Remember, the difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude!

TRAINING
IT DOESN'T GET EASIER, YOU GET STRONGER

 

With a cumulative elevation gain of over 16,000 ft in 45 mi over 6 back-to-back days, the Tour du Mont Blanc is no joke! As with all adventures, the better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be! Stay active, break in your boots, and start conditioning your legs now for LOTS of ups and downs.

 


MAP



ITINERARY

AT-A-GLANCE
DETAILED BREAKDOWN
 

DAY 1

SWITZERLAND to FRANCE
Fly into Geneva (GVA) to meet up with the team. Head to the French mountain town of Chamonix for the Welcome Dinner and briefing.

Drive Time: 1+ hours

DAY 2

FRANCE
Trek through a forest, along the Solelieu path, up into the mountain pastures of les Pres and our hut for the night.

Hike: ∼5 mi | 8+ hrs
Elev: 3,000 ft 600 ft

DAY 3

FRANCE
Hike through pastures, past Lacs Jovet and up over the Col du Bonhomme mountain pass.

Hike: ∼8.5 mi | 9+ hrs
Elev: 3,000 ft 3,300 ft

DAY 4

FRANCE to ITALY
Say Bon Giorno as we cross into Italy by hiking over Col de la Seigne and get a taste of Italian Alpine culture.

Hike: ∼12.5 mi | 10+ hrs
Elev: 2,800 ft 3,000 ft

DAY 5

ITALY to SWITZERLAND
Cross over another border into the vast Val Veny and take in Mont Dolent views.

Hike: ∼11.5 mi | 7+ hrs
Elev: 4,300 ft 3,050 ft

DAY 6

SWITZERLAND to FRANCE
Circle back into France as you summit your final mountain pass of the adventure.

Hike: ∼9 mi | 7+ hrs
Elev: 2,900 ft 2,400 ft

DAY 7

FRANCE
Complete the circuit heading back to the Chamonix Valley and celebrate with a farewell fondue dinner.

Hike: ∼6.5 mi | 7+ hrs
Elev: 2,400 ft 1,100 ft

DAY 8

FRANCE to SWITZERLAND
Transfer and depart from Geneva.

Drive Time: 1+ hours

 

DAY 1

GENEVA TO CHAMONIX

We’ll pick you up in Geneva, Switzerland and head through the Swiss and French Alps to Chamonix – one of the most iconic mountain towns in the world, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc in the heart of a dramatic U-shaped valley! You’ll have time to relax and explore this resort town (where the first Winter Olympics were held in 1924) before we gather for our Welcome dinner and briefing.

Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Stay: Hotel Refuge des Aiglons, Alpina Eclectic or similar
Arrival Logistics: Arrive to Geneva Airport (GVA) by noon this day. There will be two meet up locations, the Geneva Airport and main train station at 2PM. You would be responsible for getting yourself to one of these locations.

 

DAY 2

FRANCE

The day begins with a transfer to Les Cugnon where we start our hike in a forest, and continue along the Solelieu path until we reach the Chalet Nant Barrant. We will cross a valley climbing up to the pastures of les Prés where we will spend our first night on the trail in one of the only women-owned and run mountain huts along the Tour du Mont Blanc. The hut prides itself on sustainability and providing delicious, locally sourced cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Approx. Distance: 5 mi / 8 km
Hike Time: 8+ hours
Elevation: 3,000 ft 600 ft / ↗ 926 m ↘ 190 m
Stay: Refuge des Prés or similar

NOTE: On nights when we stay in a Refuge, you won’t have access to your luggage.

 

DAY 3

FRANCE

This morning we’ll start our morning as we continue hiking through mountain pastures until we reach the Chalets de Jovet, where we will make a small detour to see the beautiful Lacs Jovet before continuing onto to our lunch spot, the Col du Bonhomme (7,641 ft). In the afternoon we’ll descend a steep grassy trail leading to the remote hamlet of Les Chapieux (3,786 ft) where we’ll overnight in a charming auberge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Approx. Distance: 8.5 mi / 14 km
Hike Time: 9+ hours
Elevation: 3,000 ft 3,300 ft / 886 m 1030 m
Stays: Les Chambres du Soleil, Autantic or similar

 

DAY 4

FRANCE to ITALY

Today we’ll go from bonjour to buon giorno as our path leads us out of France and into Italy! We’ll transfer from Les Chapieux to the trailhead at the Vallée des Glaciers, climb east over the Col de la Seigne (8,251 ft) and finally descend into Italy to reflective Lac Combal. If the weather cooperates, the views along our route will take your breath away! The dramatic southern face of the Mont Blanc range is fully exposed above us as we hike down to La Visaille, from where we transfer to Courmayeur.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Approx. Distance: 12.5 mi / 20 km
Hike Time: 10+ hours
Elevation: 2,800 ft 3,000 ft / 856 m 941 m
Stay: Hôtel Berthod or similar

 

DAY 5

ITALY to SWITZERLAND

We begin our highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc trek this morning from the Bonatti hut towards Switzerland. Alpine meadows, rushing streams and stunning views of the Val Veny serve as our backdrop as we hike to Switzerland via the Grand Col Ferret (8,320 ft)! Mont Dolent towers above and its summit is the meeting point of the borders with France, Italy and Switzerland. You'll continue to be amazed by fabulous close-up views of rocky spires and sparkling glaciers. Our grassy path ultimately leads us to the quiet but scenic village of La Fouly (5,282 ft), and a short transfer will bring us to our accommodations for the night in the charming Alpine village of Champex, Switzerland.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Approx. Distance: 11.5 mi / 19 km
Hike Time: 7+ hours
Elevation: 4,300 ft 3,000 ft / 1310 m 910 m
Stay: Hotel Glacier, Hôtel Sunways or similar

 

DAY 6

SWITZERLAND BACK TO FRANCE

In the morning, we’ll transfer to Trient where our path follows an old smuggler's route back into France. We’ll hike to Col de Balme (7,185 ft), the border between Switzerland and France, and eat our picnic lunch while gazing down at the Swiss countryside behind us and the Chamonix Valley ahead. The views of Mont Blanc are absolutely phenomenal! From the Col des Montets, we take a transfer to our hotel, just north of Chamonix.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Approx. Distance: 9 mi / 15 km
Hike Time: 7+ hours
Elevation: 2,900 ft 2,400 ft / 896 m 732 m
Stay: Hotel Le Jeu de Paume or similar

 

DAY 7

FRANCE

In the morning, we’ll take a short drive to the Col des Montets where we begin our hike along the Grand Balcon to the spectacularly situated Lac des Cheserys with the many glaciers and peaks of the entire range in view. Finally, we’ll close the loop of our Tour du Mont Blanc adventure at La Flégère (6,151 ft), and the cable car will carry us down into the valley over Alpine pastures to Les Praz. In the evening, we’ll all gather together to raise a toast to an excellent adventure and enjoy a farewell fondue dinner in Chamonix!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Farewell Fondue Dinner
Approx. Distance: 6.5 mi / 11 km
Hike Time: 6+ hours
Elevation: 2,400 ft 1,100 ft / 752 m 335 m
Stay: Refuge des Aiglons, Alpina Eclectic, or similar

NOTE: The La Flégère cable car may cease operations if high winds are present. In such conditions, we’ll hike down to Les Praz, adding an additional 2,600 ft of descent.

 

DAY 8

FAREWELL FRANCE TO SWITZERLAND

After breakfast, we’ll head back to Geneva and connect with homeward-bound flights, ending our unforgettable, action packed adventure around one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world! (Feel free to book your departure from Geneva anytime after 1 PM.)

Included Meals: Breakfast


NOTE: All distances and times are approximate! This is a special highlights itinerary, so the exact route, itinerary and accommodation is subject to change based on trail conditions, weather, availability and unforeseen conditions, and that's part of the adventure! Even when things change, trust you'll be well taken care of with WHOA quality, professionalism, and TLC!

 


PHOTO GALLERY



REVIEWS



 

Itinerary subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions, but that's part of the adventure! Even when things change, trust you'll be well taken care of with WHOA quality, professionalism, and TLC!

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It’s of the utmost importance to us that any giving back we do is sustainable and fills a need that is of value to our partners. For that reason, our visits and partnerships can and do vary depending on the season, the organization's needs, and the abilities and desires of our group. Bottom line, in each case, we do our best to seek out local partners that are doing great, sustainable work, and we work closely with them to understand their needs to create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!