Day 1 Arrive Chamonix

Our circuit begins and ends in France, starting at Chamonix. Today is an arrival day, with no planned activities.

The Mont Blanc mountain range is one of the most spectacular regions in the Alps. Marked trails on the circuit straddle three countries (France, Italy and Switzerland) and cross over mountain passes allowing hikers to enjoy the magnificent scenery on this long loop. The majesty of Mont Blanc with the summer flora of wildflowers, shrubbery and trees has inspired generations of alpine visitors, and this region has been attracting mountaineers and hikers from around the world for over two hundred years. Late spring to summer is the best time for hiking in this area.

The town of Chamonix is an authentic French mountain town, located at the foot of Mont Blanc. It lies in one of the most picturesque valleys of the French Alps, with innumerable alpine peaks towering around you, pine forests, alpine valleys to explore, and beautiful glaciers spilling from the high massif. The town is home to 10 000 inhabitants, swelling to 100 000 during peak season.

Day 2 Les Houches to Les Contamines (7-8hrs) (B,L)

We take the bus to Les Houches, where we begin with a cable car ride to Bellevue. From here on a clear day you’ll enjoy great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range. Our hike takes us past the Bionnassay Glacier, up to the Col de Tricot, after which a steep descent brings us to our lunch spot. Following lunch we climb up to Le Truc and then back down to Les Contamines.

The French Alps form an arc from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, 350 km long with an average width of 100 km. The average altitude is 1100m with Mont Blanc, the highest point, at 4807m. We can witness the processes of ice movement and erosion of the Mont Blanc massif. The area is characterized by dramatic gorges, wide flat rivers, mountain torrents and sharp pinnacles.

Day 3 Les Contamines to Les Chapieux (7hrs) (B,L,D)

A short drive will take us to where we begin hiking along the old Roman road toward the Col Du Bonhomme (2329m) and the Croix du Bonhomme (2479m). After a steep ascent and some traversing, we stop for lunch and are rewarded with awesome views down into the Vallee des Chapieux. We then descend to Les Chapieux, our home for the evening. This is a tough day but the fantastic views and the satisfaction of coming over the Col du Bonhomme make it all worthwhile!

Day 4 Les Chapieux to Courmayeur (6-7hrs) (B,L)

Continue climbing through open pastures, arriving at the Col de la Seigne (2,516m) and the border with Italy, before descending into the beautiful Val Veny, passing picturesque glacier lakes en route. We spend the night in the Italian town of Courmayeur, the biggest town in the Italian Mont Blanc circuit, and you’ll have a free evening to explore the town’s restaurants and bistros.

Day 5 Courmayeur - Rest Day (B)

We have scheduled a rest day in Courmayeur, so you have the opportunity to enjoy the older areas of Courmayeur and Entreves, take a cable car from La Palud to Punta Helbronner on Mt Blanc, or ride another cable car for the transglacial crossing from Italy into France.

Day 6 Courmayeur to La Fouly (4-5hrs) (B,L)

Walk past the Glacier de Pré de Bar, cross the Grand Col Ferret (2537m) and drop into Switzerland through the Valley of La Fouly (1457m) where we spend the night in the picturesque chalet-filled town of the same name.

Day 7, 8 La Fouly to Champex (5hrs on day 7) (B,D)

An easier walking day today takes us past rivers, charming Swiss towns and beautiful countryside. The scenery, now forest and pastoral scenes, will not disappoint. You'll pass through some small villages, the most charming of which is Tre Le Champ. Notice how the woodpiles are stacked meticulously, like perfect building blocks. Here it's an art. We spend the night in the lovely lakeside town of Champex.

Take the opportunity on day 8 (a rest day) to visit the world-known museum Fondation Pierre Giannada and to walk in the vineyards of the Rhone Valley.

Day 9 Champex Lac to Trient (6hrs) (B,L,D)

Today’s tough hike starts at Champex d’en Bas and a steep switchback path heading upwards for great views of the Rhône Valley below. Taking the Bovine Way, an old trail used to access the flower-filled summer cow pastures high above the valley, we continue to Trient, Switzerland. Weather permitting, we have the option of taking the Fenêtre d’Arpette, a “window” through the mountains offering spectacular views.

Day 10 Trient to Chamonix (6hrs) (B)

Saying goodbye to Switzerland, we head back to the Chamonix Valley passing through a larch forest to the Col de Balme and on to Argentière and Chamonix.

Day 11 Chamonix

We have another opportunity to take a cable car, this time to the Aiguille du Midi (3937m) for a closer look at the Mont Blanc. Alternatively take the Montenvers train to La Mer de Glace and stroll back down to Chamonix.

From the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m), you can practically touch Mont Blanc. It stretches across glaciers and snow fields and is one of the best ways to enter into the secret world of glaciers; arrival is via the world's highest téléphérique (cable car), from Chamonix. At 14km long, 1800m wide and as deep as 400m, the Mer de Glace is the second-largest glacier in the Alps. Here you can step inside and take a tour in an ice cave that is carved anew each Spring. Please note that traversing the glacier without proper equipment or a guide is dangerous and should not be done.

Day 12 Depart Chamonix