ITINERARY
Tour du Mont Blanc Express,
(8 days, download full itinerary as pdf file)
Return to 'HIKING THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC EXPRESS' Trip Page
Day 01: ARRIVAL DAY
All guests will be met at Geneva airport, and will be brought to our hotel in the Chamonix valley.
Briefing will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 02: LAC BLANC
Hike up to Lac Blanc from the Col des Montets.
We have lunch at the Lac Blanc refuge, followed by some fresh fruit tart and a coffee. Then we walk back across the Grand Balcon Sud and down to Les Praz.
This is a warm-up day that enables us to check the gear and make sure that everything works.
Walking time: 5-6 hours, Accommodation: Hotel in Les Praz
Day 03: COL DU BONHOMMES - CHAPIEUX
After a 45minutes transfers to Les Contamines, we start to walk up to the Col du Bonhomme 2,599m (8'527 ft).
At the Croix des Bonhommes Refuge, we stop for a picnic lunch, or, if the weather is bad, we'll have some hot soup / salads / omelettes to reenergize us for the hike down to the hamlet of Les Chapieux 1,705m (5'594 ft).
If the weather is good and the guests are motivated, a variation over the Col des Fours is also possible. The walk would end in Ville des Glaciers, and we would take the shuttle down to Chapieux, which takes approx. 10 minutes.
Walking time: depending on the route, 6 - 7 hours
Accommodation: Mountain Inn in Chapieux.
Day 04: COL DE LA SEIGNE, COURMAYEUR
In Ville des Glaciers, we have a guided visit of a local cooperative, which produces the famous Beaufort cheese. The Beaufourt cheese is one of the top Gruyere cheeses, and is made from the milk of two different cow varieties. A kilo of high quality Beaufort costs up to EUR 35 in Paris. We have enough time to sample it, and we will also buy some for our picnic this day.
Then we have a long steady climb to the Col de la Seigne 2,516m (8'254 ft), where we have the first glimpses of the 'other' side of Mont Blanc.
We stop for some refreshments or our first real Italian espresso at the Elisabetta hut, before heading down to Courmayeur.
Walking time: 7 hours, Accommodation: Hotel
Day 05: COURMAYEUR - CHAMPEX
An easy start to the day, time for some last minute shopping and for a quick coffee. We will then have a quick transfer to Arnuva in the Italian Val Ferret, from where we hike up towards Switzerland.
A quick descent brings us to La Fouly via La Peule, which is another little cheese cooperative.
Nicolas and his wife produce a very good Raclette cheese, that is also very delicious cold, with some good, freshly baked bread.
Our driver awaits us on the trail end, and will transfer us to Champex-le-Lac.
Walking time: 4-5 hours, Accommodation: Hotel in Champex-le-Lac
Day 06: COL DE FORCLAZ
From Champex, there are two options: Either a more arduous climb up the Fenêtre d'Arpette with a spectacular view of the Trient glacier and the Aiguille du Tour, or around the ridge on the Bovine trail to the Col de la Forclaz, then a quick van transfer to Finhaut for the night.
Walking time: 5 - 7 hours, depending on the route
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 07: COL DE BALME, CHAMONIX VALLEY
The final day, the Massif du Mont Blanc awaits and the last obstacle is the Col de Balme and the gentle descent into the village of Le Tour and then into Argentière for a much-deserved beer.
Farewell dinner in our hotel in the Chamonix valley.
Walking time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel/Chalet in the Chamonix valley
Day 08: DEPARTURE DAY
All clients will be transferred back to Geneva airport.
