Tour of Mont Blanc

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival at Les Contamines.

  Settle into your hotel room, where you will be welcomed.

• day 2

  Les Contamines - Les Chapieux

  Transfer to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, then ascent to the Col du Bonhomme before heading to the Croix du Bonhomme, then descent into the Chapieux valley. This is a resolutely mountainous stage, with a remarkable view of the Aiguille des Glaciers. Accommodation at the Nova refuge-inn.

• day 3

  Les Chapieux - Courmayeur (room option) or up to Refuge Elena (dormitory option)

  Start the day with an ascent to the Col de la Seigne, on the border with Italy. The descent offers panoramic views, with the Aiguilles de Peuterey and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur in the distance. You spend the night in Courmayeur in a hotel (night and breakfast in this case) or in a dormitory: in that case, there is a bus transfer to the end of the Val Ferret. From there, allow about 1 hour to reach the Elena refuge, facing the Pré de Bar glacier. Night at the Elena refuge.

• day 4

  Courmayeur or Refuge Elena - Champex (Val d'Arpette)

  Second border crossing (Switzerland) via the Grand Col Ferret, then descent to the splendid village of La Fouly. Breathtaking view of the Combins massif to the east, and of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif. Bus transfer to Champex, where there are 3 to 4 hours of hiking left to reach the Val d'Arpette guesthouse.

• day 5

  Champex (Val d'Arpette) - La Forclaz (or Trient)

  You pass through the Fenêtre d'Arpette, one of the highest crossing points of this tour, reaching an altitude of 2850 m. During the descent towards Trient, the scenery along the glacier is breathtaking. For less experienced hikers (or in case of bad weather), a route via the Col de Bovine is possible. Accommodation in a mountain inn at the Col de la Forclaz or in Trient.

• day 6

  La Forclaz (or Trient) - Argentière or Le Tour (if dormitory option)

  You re-enter French territory via the Col de la Balme, with a panorama worth the detour over Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. The descent is direct to Le Tour. Alternative possibility to sleep at the Gîte du Moulin or the Gîte de la Boerne. Accommodation in the Club Alpin du Tour refuge or in a 3* hotel in Argentière.

• day 7

  Argentière or Le Tour - Chamonix

  

  This last day offers one of the most beautiful balconies in the mountains, not to be missed under any circumstances: the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges. In front of you stand the Verte and the Drus, then, along the Flégère trail, the Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, the Mont Blanc du Tacul, the Aiguille du Goûter, and the Mont Blanc facing you. A grandiose spectacle is therefore on the program. The descent to "Cham" is via Le Praz. An alternative is possible via the Flégère cable car. Regular shuttles take you to the center of Chamonix.