Exceptional tour around Mont Blanc

France, discover this 11-day trip

Trip Description

Succumb to the beauty of the Alps during this trek in the Land of Mont Blanc... Feast your eyes and experience unforgettable moments! Our team will do everything possible to support you during the first hikes, but also to ensure your transportation throughout the stay. And since we are passionate about sharing our secrets and expertise of the Alps with you, our mountain guides will delight you with picnics made up of local specialties from their homes. For us, it's like opening the door of our home to you! Let yourself be guided and experience Mont Blanc... differently!

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1
Let's go!
"Very authentic refuge, the view is splendid, we haven't even started walking yet and we already feel transported and immersed" (Thierry, summer 2020) From your arrival station, we will pick you up to take you to the heights of St Gervais! At the end of the afternoon, Laurence will give you a briefing about your trek. You will then enjoy dinner in an authentic refuge, facing Mont Blanc.
day 2
Warm-up through Les Contamines
From Les Contamines to Les Chapieux 7h10 of walking - Accommodation: refuge - Meals included: morning, noon & evening - Transfer: 30 minutes. "Laurence is top notch, nothing to say, we learned a lot with her and spent two great days in her company. We had never really hiked before and she was able to reassure us, give us advice, and set the pace!" (Malorie, summer 2020) After breakfast at the refuge, meet Olivier & Laurence near the refuge, who will take you to the start of the hike. Here we go, you start your trek from Notre-Dame de la Gorge. Our guide Laurence will accompany you all day to share her tips and expert mountain advice. At the end of the afternoon, meet up with Olivier, our private driver, in Les Chapieux for a ride to your evening accommodation. Finally, recover from your day with dinner and a night in a refuge with a true mountain style. Detailed itinerary: Cross the Bon Nant torrent, up to the Nant Borrant chalet-refuge. Then, after crossing the Plan des Dames, reach the Col du Bonhomme (949 m) by a short but steep scree slope, where large snowfields remain late in the season. Step over the Nant des Lotharets and arrive at the Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme (2,479 m), then continue your way to the Col de la Croix-du-Bonhomme refuge (2,433 m). Descend through the alpine pastures to reach the Raja chalets (1,796 m). Then continue the descent along the grassy path leading to the village of Les Chapieux (1,549 m).
day 3
Towards Italy, here we go!
From Chapieux to Col Chécrouit 5h40 of walking - Accommodation: refuge - Meals included: morning, noon & evening "Impressive landscapes, good hike, quite long and very beautiful." (Brice, summer 2020) In the early morning, meet for breakfast at the refuge before setting off for the day's hike! After your hike, dinner is served in an Italian refuge, where you will also spend the night. Detailed itinerary: Begin your ascent to reach the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m). Then descend through the wide Lée-Blanche valley, where you will have the chance to spot many marmot colonies. Along a path that first goes downhill and then flattens out, finally reach the Lower Alpe of Lée-Blanche (2,035 m), where this time you can see ruined sheepfolds and old barracks. Continue to reach the water reservoir of Lake Combal (1,975 m) and continue your ascent to the Upper Arp-Vieille chalet (2,303 m). Then reach Lake Chécrouit (2,165 m), then its pass (1,956 m), where your accommodation is located.
day 4
Courmayeur, at the right time!
From Col Chécrouit to Courmayeur 2h00 of downhill walking - Accommodation: inn - Meals included: morning, noon & evening - Transfer: 10 minutes. You are expected early in the morning for breakfast at the refuge before setting off for a short hike. After a good pizza, enjoy your afternoon relaxing at the inn's spa. After a day full of relaxation, enjoy a night in an authentic and warm inn. Detailed itinerary: From your refuge, take the descending path to the hamlet of Praz-Neyron (1,807 m). Then skirt the buildings of the Plan Chécrouit station (1,701 m) to the north, then, via numerous switchbacks, reach the picturesque village of Dolone (1,210 m). By road, cross the Doire Baltéa, go up towards the cemetery and reach the center of Courmayeur (1,226 m). You then have an appointment with Olivier at 11:30 am for a transfer from the end of the trek in Courmayeur to the inn, which also has a relaxation area with pool and treatments available from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Check-in at the inn is scheduled for 3:00 pm and, at 7:30 pm, recharge your batteries with dinner at the hotel restaurant. A menu à la carte including 3 tasty dishes will be offered to you.
day 5
La Dolce Vita will win you over!
Courmayeur Accommodation: hotel - Meals included: morning, noon & evening - Transfer: 20 minutes. To start the day, recharge with a breakfast at your accommodation. Then, join Laurence for an excursion to Courmayeur. She will no doubt share her knowledge and local anecdotes with you, and will accompany you all day to guide you, always in a good mood! On the agenda: hike to Lake Arpy and local picnic by Laurence. Then, at 7:00 pm, you are expected in front of your hotel, where a local driver will come to pick you up to take you to the restaurant. Enjoy a dinner of local specialties!
day 6
Always ready for Val Ferret!
From Courmayeur to Champex 6h00 of walking - Accommodation: inn - Meals included: morning, noon & evening - Transfer: 1h00. "The Val Ferret hike, one of the most beautiful stages in my opinion and the one I enjoyed the most!" (Agnès, summer 2020) After breakfast at your accommodation, meet Sarah, our guide from Chamonix, for a transfer to the start of the hike. When you are ready: a quick message, and Sarah is there! She will take you to your accommodation so you don't have to worry about anything. In the evening, you will have dinner and spend the night in a chalet, all in a warm and wooded setting. Detailed itinerary: After a descent to the hamlet of Lavachey (1,642 m), reach the Bonatti refuge (2,025 m). Then join the buildings of the Alpe Inférieure de Malatra (Malatra-Desot; 2,054 m) to reach a trail junction. After crossing a stream by a bridge, reach the dilapidated chalets of Gioé-Désot (2,009 m). Enjoy a breathtaking view of the peaks and glaciers overlooking the Italian Val Ferret. Climb up to the Val de Bellecombe, then descend via switchbacks to reach the Ferret valley at the place called Arp-Nouva-Désot (Arnuva on the IGN map: 1,776 m). Cross the Doire du Val-Ferret and continue your route to reach the wide plateau where the Elena refuge (2,054 m) is located, at the Pré-de-Bar alpine pasture. Climb north to reach the Grand col Ferret (2,537 m). After skirting the top of the vast Revers de la Peule combe, cross the alpine meadows of La Chaudière. A steeper slope then leads you to the chalet of La Peule (2,071 m). Continue and cross the Drance de Ferret, then, after a short climb, arrive at the foot of the Ars-Dessous chalets (1,800 m). Take the road to the left which leads to the village of Ferret (1,705 m).
day 7
We're warming up the quadriceps in Champex!
From Champex to Trient 6h00 of walking - Accommodation: inn - Meals included: morning, noon & evening. After a hearty breakfast at your accommodation, you set off for the day's hike. In the evening, you enjoy a dinner and a night in an inn, comfort after the effort! Detailed itinerary: Join Champex d’En Bas (1,359 m) and, via a gently sloping forest road, go to the foot of the Clochers d’Arpette. Admire the view of the Rhône valley and the Combins. Then, continue your way to reach the chalets of the Bovine alpine pasture (1,975 m). Cross the Portalo pass (2,049 m), descend into the larch forest where valleys open up the view over Martigny and the road to the Col de La Forclaz, and reach the Giète chalet (1,884 m). Follow the descending path to the Col de La Forclaz (1,526 m). Continue to the village of Trient (1,281 m).
day 8
On the way to Tré-le-Champ!
From Trient to Tré-le-Champ 6h00 of walking - Accommodation: guesthouse - Meals included: morning, noon & evening - Transfer: 10 minutes You start the day early with breakfast at the hotel. Be ready for your departure for the day's hike. At the end of the afternoon, you have an appointment with Sarah at Tré-le-Champ for a transfer to your accommodation. Then, Sarah takes you to dinner in a restaurant where you enjoy a sophisticated meal. Afterwards, enjoy a night in an old Savoyard farmhouse. Detailed itinerary: After reaching the hamlet of Peuty (1,326 m), cross the Nant Noir. Continue your ascent and take a switchback trail to reach the place called Tsanton des Aroles and emerge into the alpine pastures before arriving at the Herbagères sheepfolds (2,036 m). By a mule track, continue the climb and, after a few switchbacks, reach the wide Col de Balme (2,191 m). Pass under Mont Béchat, then descend along a ski lift line to the southwest to reach the Col des Posettes (1,997 m). Find the trail that joins the GRP Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc, follow it south-southwest and rejoin the GR at the Tête-aux-Vents crossroads. Follow the D 1506 to the left until the hamlet of Tré-le-Champ (1,417 m).
day 9
Tré-le-Champ, Lac Blanc: winning combo!
From Tré-le-Champ to Chamonix 6h00 walking - Accommodation: chalet - Meals included: morning & noon - Transfer: 55 minutes "The chalet where we stayed was incredible and had a lot of charm!" (Angèle, summer 2020) You get up early to have breakfast at the guesthouse. Then join Sarah and let yourself be driven to the start of the day's hike, in complete peace of mind. You then have an appointment in the afternoon with Sarah at the bottom of the La Flégère cable car for an aperitif, before returning to your accommodation. Then enjoy a dinner in the center of Chamonix, Sarah takes care of the transport. Spend the night in a private chalet with mountain style. Detailed itinerary: After passing the Aiguillette d’Argentière (climbing school), climb a wide chimney and a succession of ledges, then continue the ascent to the Tête-aux-Vents crossroads (2,132 m). Pass a cairn, continue the climb overlooking the Chéserys lakes and reach Lac Blanc (2,352 m), then the Chéserys chalet (1,998 m). Then continue your way to the La Flégère chalet (1,877 m).
day 10
Discovering Cham!
Chamonix Accommodation: chalet - Meals included: lunch & dinner. "A very beautiful finish with a majestic helicopter tour that simply makes you want to stay in these beautiful mountains and go hiking again!" (Maxime, summer 2020) Meet Sarah at the reception of your accommodation at 8am and set off to discover the Aiguille du Midi! Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, Sarah will take care of your transport. Then, gain altitude during a panoramic helicopter flight around Mont Blanc, lasting 30 minutes. A cocktail dinner awaits you at your chalet, to end the day in style! For more information about the excursion to the Aiguille du Midi: https://experience-mont-blanc.com/fr_FR/experience/mythique-aiguille-du-midi-12-journee
day 11
What?! Is it already the end?
Thank you for the patience and enthusiasm of Olivier and Sarah. Really great, both of them. Olivier always present, no matter the time. Flawless! (Marie-Christine, summer 2020) At the end of your stay, we take care of your transfer to your departure train station or airport.