Guided Tour du Mont Blanc

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View of the Mont Blanc summits in snow reflected also on the Lac Blanc surface in fold morning light on Tour du Mont Blanc trekking trail

Tour du mont blanc trekkers above Chamonix with alpine lake and snowy peaks in the horizon.

Join a guided Tour du Mont Blanc group to complete this classic route with an experienced guide.

Hike with a group of like-minded hikers around the highest peak in the Alps!

10 days hiking with 9 nights accommodation.

2345€

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Description

Our Guided Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) follows the classic route through France, Italy and Switzerland. It starts in Les Houches and finishes in Chamonix, making an almost-complete circuit around Mont Blanc. The total distance of the TMB is around 170 kilometres (105 miles), with 10,000 metres of ascent. Book a Guided Tour du Mont Blanc, and complete this ultimate challenge in the company of a qualified guide and other, like-minded hikers.

See a fully detailed hiking description of our 10 day TMB hikes HERE.


Hike start and end point	Meet: Les Houches, TMB archway 9:00am End: Chamonix 4:30pm
Price includes	Accommodation (shared bedroom / dormitory) All planned transportation according to the itinerary Fully qualified international mountain leader (IML) Half-Board (breakfast, 3 course dinner) One complete lunch pack for every day Support from our local team

Additional services	Luggage Transfer: € 335.- per bag, max. 15kg Luggage storage during your hike Poles rental €10

Guided Tour du Mont Blanc : The Highlights

The TMB hike “has it all“! Big mountain views, unique nature, and hearty food to keep you going. Hiking the classic route, you’ll travel through a variety of landscapes. From dark, damp forests, you’ll emerge into bright alpine meadows, full of fragrance and the sound of cow bells. Listen out for marmots, with their distinct, high-pitched cries, and look for grazing chamois and ibex. You might even spot a rare flower, such as a Martagon Lily or a Black Vanilla Orchid (yes, they really do smell like vanilla!).

Further up, as you reach the high mountain passes, the landscape becomes more rugged. Only the most specialised plants grow here, hidden between the rocks. Ask your guide to explain the different ways these plants have adapted to their environment! At the end of your day, dig into a wholesome plate of local food. We especially love the blueberry tarts, which use fresh, hand-picked berries. Other popular dishes include Italian polenta, and Swiss “rösti”.

Completing the TMB circuit is a physical, once-in-a-lifetime achievement. It’s something you can be proud of, and by joining a guided Tour du Mont Blanc group, you’ll feel an unbeatable sense of camaraderie. This really helps to keep you going when things get tough, and many TMB hikers stay in touch after their trip. By booking a guide, not only can you hike this classic route safely, but you’ll benefit from a wealth of local, expert knowledge.

For more information and details, visit our FAQ page.

Here you will find out how to prepare for a guided Tour du Mont Blanc, and see our detailed TMB packing list.

Itinerary

Each day is around 15 – 20 kilometers (12 miles), with 1000 meters of ascent. The highest point of the TMB is at 2665m above sea level. For a description of a typical TMB day, read this post.

Day 1 Your adventure begins

Les Houches > Les Contamines

Meet your guide, for Comfort hikers this will be 8:30am at Hotel Plan B in Chamonix, for Classic hikers this is at 9am at the TMB Arch in Les Houches. You'll then ride the Bellevue cable car and traverse alpine meadows towards the Bionnassay Glacier. Here you'll see a glacial torrent, which you'll cross via an exhilarating suspension bridge. From there, you'll climb to Col du Tricot, then descend to the Miage Chalets. This is a great place to stop for a snack. One final climb brings you to the second pass of the days, and then easy trails lead you through meadows and forests down to Les Contamines. Comfort hikers may take a short transfer to their hotel.

This day covers 14km, with 700m of climbing.

Day 2 On ancient paths

Les Contamines roman road view from TMB trek

Les Contamines > Les Chapieux

An easy river path will lead you past a historic church and onto a Roman road. You'll ascend up to Col du Bonhomme, and as you climb the trail will become more technical. From the pass, you'll continue up to Col des Fours, which is one of the highest points of the TMB. A steep descent leads back to easy trails, and you'll join a farm track down to Refuge des Mottets. Alternatively you'll take a short taxi to Bourg St Maurice from the village of Les Chapieux to access hotel accommodation.

This day covers 20km, with 1400m of climbing.

Day 3 Welcome to Italy

TMB trekking and nature Museum beneath Col de la Seigne

Les Chapieux > Val Veny

A gradual climb will bring you to Col de la Seigne, where you'll cross into Italy. The views from here are incredible! You'll see Mont Blanc's west face, Himalayan in scale, and you'll see down into å. A gentle descent takes you past a remote mountain museum, which is well-worth a visit, then past Rifugio Elisabetta. Listen out for marmots above Elisabetta; their distinctive calls tend to fill the whole valley! After sampling some local dishes, continue down through the forest to Rifugio Monte Bianco or Rifugio Maison Vielle. On the Comfort tour this is one of your nights in shared accommodation in a real mountain refuge.

This day covers 17km, with 720m of climbing.

Day 4 Italian food and culture

Val Veny > Courmayeur

With three long days behind you, it’s time for an easier day. A steep climb through forest will bring you to the Courmayeur ski resort and a little refuge. After stopping for a snack, you can either take the cable car down to Courmayeur, or continue on foot. If you choose to hike, the highlight of this descent is passing through Dolonne. This charming village, with its quiet, modest streets, feels authentically Italian. Spend the afternoon exploring the bustling, historic town of Courmayeur.

This day covers 8km, with 300m of climbing.

Day 5 The balcony trail

Courmayeur > Val Ferret

After a strenuous start up to Rifugio Bertone, you’ll join the famous balcony trail. This undulating trail is so smooth that you can look up from your feet. Thickets of fragrant alpenrose colour the slopes, and you’ll get a clear view of the Mont Blanc massif. From this viewpoint, the scale of Mont Blanc’s hanging glaciers and towers is striking! One final climb will bring you to Rifugio Bonatti, where you’ll spend the night. Alternatively, if you’re a Comfort Tour guest, you’ll head back to Courmayeur.

This day covers 18km, with 1100m of climbing.

Day 6 Into Switzerland!

Val Ferret > La Fouly

You’ll continue along the balcony trail before dropping down to a refuge, where you can enjoy your last Italian coffee. Now you’ll begin the steep climb to Grand Col Ferret, which is the highest point of the classic route and marks the Italian-Swiss border. The trail climbs in strenuous zigzags, but it is not technical, and when you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Grand Jorasses. The second half of the day is gentle; smooth trails lead you down through meadows to the sleepy village of La Fouly.

This day covers 20km, with 850m of climbing.

Day 7 Discover Pure Swissness

La Fouly > Champex Lac

This is the easiest day of the TMB. You won’t cross any mountain passes, and the trails are smooth. A pleasant valley walk through colourful meadows and dense forest will lead you to the lake-side town of Champex. Along the way, you’ll pass old farming communities and hamlets. By late lunch, you’ll have reachedyour accommodation. Spend the afternoon exploring the town; go find an ice cream, then enjoy the lake by taking a swim or renting a paddle-board. Alternatively, you might like to explore the botanical gardens or just kick back and relax on the terrace with a cold drink.

This day covers 16km, with 520m of climbing.

Day 8 Alpine Meadows & Pink Church

Champex Lac > Trient

Stroll along quiet roads out of Champex, passing meadows and colourful chalets. You’ll then enter the forest and ascend the hillside steeply. The climb is challenging, but you’ll be in the shade for most of the way. Eventually the gradient eases, and you’ll reach a wide, open pasture full of cows. Treat yourself to a home-made tart or cake at the “buvette”, and enjoy the views of vineyards below. When you’re ready, continue on an undulating trail across the hillside, then drop down to Trient through the forest.

This day covers 16km, with 850m of climbing.

Day 9 Views of Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc viow and hikers on a high trail section of TMB

Trient > Tré-Le-Champ

This penultimate day of the TMB brings you back to France. You’ll start by zig-zagging up the cool, north-facing forests of Trient, before coming out into high alpine pastures. A huge flock of sheep often graze here, and sometimes you’ll see the shepherd with his dog, whistling commands. A gentle traverse will lead you to Col de Balme. From here, you’ll descend to either Montroc or Vallorcine. If you’re joining a Classic Tour, you’ll stay in one of these this picturesque mountain hamlets. Comfort Tour hikers will continue down to the town of Argentière.

This day covers 16km, with 1150m of climbing.

Day 10 The Home Stretch!

Tré-Le-Champ > Chamonix

The last day of the TMB is not one to miss! A steep but shady trail brings you to the crystal-clear Lac Blanc. If the group feels confident, you can reach the lake via a series of metal ladders. After enjoying the unbeatable views from Lac Blanc, you’ll traverse the hillside to a ski resort, and then descend to Chamonix. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a shorter day, you can follow the shady river trail from Tré-Le-Champ. You’ll arrive in Chamonix at around 4pm, where you can enjoy a final drink with your group to celebrate!

This day covers 16kms, with 1200m of climbing.

Departure dates

What’s not included

Our treks include all the services and the meals during the trek so you can focus on the hiking and enjoying the views. Here's what's not included:

Equipment rental. Contact us about pole rentals.
Pre- / post-trek accommodation
Travel to / from the trek
Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, drinks, etc.)
Any taxis or transfers you may need to take if you need to skip a trekking day
Tips (entirely at your discretion)
Trekking travel insurance

Luggage transfer and luggage storage during the trek - please read up your trek description to find out details, or Contact us for more details. Each trek is different in terms of luggage storage options.

You know your travel habits best, so budget accordingly. Most places accept cards and where cash is required, on the Tour du Mont Blanc you can use Euros. Haute Route is mainly in Switzerland, so consider bringing Swiss Francs for your private expenses.

TMB Info & read more

TMB - Hike around the Mont Blanc

Read the typical day-by-day description of our TMB hike.

Read TMB Itinerary

Hiking the TMB with Happy Tracks - FAQ

How difficult is the Tour du Mont Blanc?

The classic route is considered a difficult hike. This is because of the distance, the ascent, and terrain. It crosses several high mountain passes, and follows some technical, rocky trails. Hiking the TMB therefore requires a good level of fitness. That said, you don’t need specific experience in the mountains. It’s the perfect first multi-day hike for those with a good base level of fitness, and there is no mountaineering involved. You should be able to hike 15km with 1000m of ascent per day or ascend at a minimum speed of 300 metres per hour (with backpack) to complete this trek with a group. Hiking stages can take around 8 hours per day so you must be prepared for this.

How can I prepare myself?

Get prepared by doing some endurance training. Exercises like running, walking, cycling etc. are good. It is also important to get used to your hiking boots and to your backpack (with weight!). Try your kit out several times to make sure everything is comfortable.

Will I do any variants?

There are many alternatives, or so called “variants”, to the classic route. Some take steeper, more technical trails, which require a greater level of fitness. For example, the most difficult part of the TMB is the climb up to Col de la Fenêtre. However, this is a “variant” that most guided groups choose not to do. Other TMB variants take shorter, easier trails. If you join a guided TMB group, the exact route that you’ll take will depend on the fitness of your group, as well as the trail and weather conditions.

What is luggage transfer?

Luggage transfer would allow you to carry just a small day-bag while hiking. Our transfer partner will drive your bag safely to the next destination during the day. This service is available for 8 out of 9 nights. This is a good option if you want to carry bulkier clothing, or if you want a few extra items (such as a book or a laptop) in the evenings. To benefit from this service, pack your luggage into a soft bag. There aren't any size restrictions, but the weight is limited to 15kg per bag. We cannot transport loose, single items or open bags (e.g. shopping bags), and you must protect fragile items to avoid damage.

What is the accommodation like?

You will stay in a mixture of mountain hotels and remote refuges. The hotels are fairly basic, and are located in quiet towns with just a few shops. For more information about mountain refuges, read this post. You will always have access to hot showers, running water, and electricity sockets which you can use to charge your devices. You will be provided with a blanket and a pillow, but you must bring a sleeping bag liner. Not all mountain inns have private bathrooms in the rooms, some have shared bathroom facilities.

Can I stay in private accommodation for the whole tour?

It is not possible to stay in just private accommodation on the classic TMB route. However, you can sleep in private rooms for 7 out of 9 nights on our Comfort Tour.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Free WiFi is available in most places, but it is often quite slow and unstable. There isn't any WiFi at the mountain refuges.

What is the food like on the tour Du Mont Blanc?

There are lots of mountain refuges along the trail where you can buy snacks and small plates of warm food (e.g. an omelet and a blueberry tart). We will provide you with a new lunch pack at the start of each day. Our lunch packs include one large item (e.g. a sandwich or a quiche), plus several small snacks.
The choice at breakfast and dinner will vary depending on where you are on the TMB; there is more choice in the towns than in the mountain refuges. A typical refuge breakfast consists of bread, jam, fresh fruit, tea and coffee. At dinner, we are normally offered soup, followed by meat (e.g. chicken or beef), vegetables, carbohydrates (e.g. potatoes, pasta), and a dessert to finish (e.g. créme caramel, chocolate pudding).

Are dietary requirements catered for on the TMB?

If you have a dietary requirement, it's essential that you let us know in advance so that we can inform the accomodation.

We can accommodate the following :

Nut allergies
Vegetarian / vegan
Coeliac / gluten-intolerant

If you have a more complicated dietary requirement, you might have to carry some of your own food for breakfasts and dinner.

How much water will I need to carry?

We recommend carrying 2 - 3 litres of water each day (100floz). Bottles are fine, but a camel bag (water bladder) is more practical because you can drink while trekking. Every TMB refuge and hotel has free, drinkable tap water. On the trails, there are safe water fountains to fill up from. Your guide will advise you each day about where you can re-fill your water container.

What is the weather like on the TMB?

The weather is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, with fewer patterns. That said, in general June and September are dry, cooler months, with temperatures at around 18°C (64°F). As the temperatures increase in July and August, we start to see more afternoon showers and thunderstorms. The TMB classic route crosses several high mountain passes, which can be windy, cold, and sometimes snowy. For more information about TMB weather, visit this post.

Do i need insurance to hike the tour du mont blanc?

The classic TMB route crosses several mountain passes, and it follows some technical trails. It is considered a difficult trek, and the objective dangers should be taken seriously. Because of this, we strongly recommend getting insurance (travel, medical and mountain insurance). We will not accept responsibility for any costs that occur as a result of inadequate insurance. However, we can help you prepare by answering questions and giving advice - just get in touch!

What Currency Do I need?

France and Italy use Euros (EUR), and Switzerland uses Swiss Francs (CHF). You can withdraw cash in the bigger towns, and most shops and restaurants will accept card payments. When on the trail, it's a good idea to carry a bit of cash in both Euros and Swiss Francs, as most mountain refuges do not accept card payments.

What do I need to Bring?

You can download our packing list here. If you strictly follow the packing list, you’ll be prepared for every situation and your backpack won’t get too heavy. Aim for no more than 10kg on your back, otherwise it will get tough! For tips and tricks about how to pack for the TMB, read this article.

Do I Really need hiking boots?

We recommend using lightweight hiking boots (GoreTex, Leather or similar) which cover your ankles. Hiking boots prevent ankle injuries and are the most suitable footwear for crossing snow patches, which are fairly common. We recommend bringing a light pair of sneakers or sandals to use in the evenings.

Do I really need hiking poles?

Walking poles are not mandatory but we strongly recommend them. The uphills are easier and on the downhill you can take weight off your knees. Generally speaking, hiking poles prevent knee and ankle injuries. We know that traveling (especially by airplane) can be tricky with hiking poles in your luggage, that’s why we rent hiking poles to our clients on demand.

What if I can't complete a day / the entire tour?

If you are feeling unwell / unable to complete a stage, you will have to rely on public or private transport to get to the next stage. Some stages are quite easy to “skip”, and others are more difficult. Your guide and the Happy Tracks team will assist you in finding a suitable solution. Please bear in mind that you will be responsible for paying any additional costs. If you cannot finish the tour, your guide and the Happy Tracks team will assist you in finding a suitable solution.

Ask us anything

Many of your questios are in our FAQs and if not, send us an email, we'll be happy to help!

Typical day on TMB

balcony trail above Val Ferret with hikers

Book a private group, any dates

Our reviews on Tripadvisor

Our Happy customers

Don't take our word for it. Read our reviews from Tripadvisor

   Alta Via 1 - Wonderful experience - My first hut to hut trip was totally amazing!! Kirsti, our guide made from this hiking a wonderful experience, sharing super helpful tips and sharing all the knowledge from her... read more extensive experience hiking the Dolomites and more!
 
 This was a challenging but rewarding journey, the huts were super cozy places to stay, all clean, comfortable and the food was excellent everywhere.
 
 sharing these with my friends and joining a group with the same adventure mindset was top!! I enjoyed every minute. Highly recommend!
Cinthia S
27 July 2026 
   Amazing experience! - Did a compressed alps hut to hut route thru much better adventures.  The experience was amazing.  Scenery was awesome, accommodations good, food good for a vegetarian, group dynamic... read more was great.   I liked how the trip varied different accommodations and used cable cars, trains as well as walking.  Rich ( our guide) was local and his knowledge of guiding, the terrain, and alternative routes were not only impressive but made the trip even more enjoyable.  His easygoing personality made the group gel well, however he was always attentive to ensuring our well being. 
 Highly recommend!
Annetta D
28 August 2026 
   Happy Tracks - TMB, an unforgettable experience! - Had an amazing trip hiking the TMB! It was definitely challenging, but so rewarding with incredible views every step of the way. I was grateful to have shared this experience... read more with wonderful people, and I look forward to staying in touch. 🤗🌻
 Rich, our guide made this trip so enjoyable - his exceptional kindness, knowledge, and adaptability ensured my needs were met. Everything was well organized, and I felt safe and supported throughout. I highly recommend Happy Tracks!
Mara B
4 August 2026 

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Hike start and end point

Price includes

Additional services

Guided Tour du Mont Blanc : The Highlights

How can I prepare myself?

Do I Really need hiking boots?

Do I really need hiking poles?