Tour du Mont Blanc East, Self-guided
The Eastern circuit Tour du Mont Blanc trek, starting in Courmayeur and finishing in Chamonix undertaken independently by you with planning and support by us.
8 days holiday | 6 days hiking | flexible dates | configurable
The Eastern half-circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc trek starts in the charming mountain town Courmayeur in Italy. From here it follows the same itinerary as the classic Tour du Mont Blanc through Switzerland into France and finishes in the historic mountain town Chamonix Mont Blanc.
The self-guided Eastern half-circuit Tour du Mont Blanc is perfect for those wishing to complete the full classic tour but prefer to do it in two shorter parts. It's also very suitable for anyone who is looking for their first independent walking holiday in the Alps.
If you’d like to learn some facts about the TMB you can visit our Tour du Mont Blanc Information page.
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Hiking around Mont Blanc -
Crossing the Balme pass between Switzerland and France on the Tour du Mont Blanc -
A guided group hiking through Swiss alpine pastures on the Tour du Mont Blanc -
Hiking through alpine pastures with cows on the Tour du Mont Blanc -
Our guided group hiking past shepherds hut high above the valley on the Tour du Mont Blanc -
An old chapel in a peaceful location in a small hamlet on the Tour du Mont Blanc guided hike -
A guided hiking group enjoys lunch at the Bovine high mountain pastures in the Swiss Alps on the TMB -
A guided group is posing in front of Mont Blanc from the Aiguilles Rouges above Chamonix -
One of our guided groups hiking towards Chamonix on the Tour du Mont Blanc -
The iconic 'TMB' marker showing the way on the Tour du Mont Blanc
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Courmayeur, Italy
You arrive in Courmayeur and check in at your hotel. Your evening is free to explore the many bars and restaurants in Courmayeur. Night in hotel.
Day 2: From Courmayeur to Refuge Bonatti
From the town center of Courmayeur, you start your climb to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. You follow the ridge above the Ferret valley, enjoying breathtaking views of the towering peaks that form the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The night is spend in the splendid Bonatti hut.
Day 3: Refuge Bonatti to La Fouly
From the Bonatti hut, you continue traversng above the Ferret valley until you drop down to Arnouva. Here. you start the ascend to Grand Col Ferret, pasing the Elena mountain hut on the way. You now enter Switzerland and descend into the idyllic Swiss Ferret valley to the village of La Fouly.
Day 4: From La Fouly to Champex
A gentle day today, starting with a walk down the Swiss Ferret valley, along a gushing river and through charming old Swiss farming villages. A relatively short ascent takes you through wood land to the lake side village Champex.
Day 5: From Champex to Trient
Leaving Champex, you have a choice of two routes. You can hike over the notorious Fenêtre d’Arpette - a narrow mountain pass cut into a rugged alpine ridge, or you can walk via the gentler and more idyllic Bovine mountain pastures. You descend to the small village Trient, where you spend the night in a bustling auberge, where you can share your experiences with other hikers.
Day 6: From Trient to Argentiere
From Trient, you climb steadily up to the Balme pass, where you cross the border back into France and the Chamonix valley. You traverse the ridge line of the Aiguilette des Posettes, enjoying breathtaking views in all directions before descending to the village Argentiere for the night.
Day 7: From Argentiere to Chamonix
You leave Argentiere for the last leg of your tour, ascending to the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. A stunning walk takes you to the beautiful lac Blanc. From the lake, you continue via a stunning high level traverse with some of the finest views in the Alps. All too soon, you arrive at the Planpraz cable car station and your final descend to Chamonix.
Day 8: Departure day
Breakfast in the hotel and the official end to your Tour du Mont Blanc Eastern trek.
TRIP DETAILS:
Grade:
Suitable for experienced, independant mountain walkers with good fitness and stamina and an adventurous spirit.
Duration:
8 days holiday with 6 days walking
Accommodation:
5 nights in hotels, 1 night in auberge and 1 night in mountain hut.
Group size and guides:
Min. 2 people. No max. size and no guide.
Options available:
Bag transfers
Extra nights
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and support by Alpine Treks
Detailed route cards
Topographic maps (1:25000), NOT photo copies
Practical information pack
7 nights accommodation
Meals (7x breakfast and 5x dinners)
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to Courmayeur and from Chamonix
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Cable cars and busses if/when used