Mont Blanc Highlights

The Mont Blanc Circuit is one of the finest walking routes in the Alps. It is a series of paths linking the seven valleys that surround the highest mountain in western Europe, Mont Blanc. It normally takes a fortnight to complete, but if you have less time, this one-week tour takes in the most outstanding sections with beautiful mountain highlights each day. Throughout this walking holiday, we are based in a delightful chalet with en suite rooms, comfortable living areas (inside and out) and delicious, home-cooked meals. We use a mix of private bus and local trains/buses to travel out each day to rejoin the next stage of our walk. At the end of each day we return home for afternoon tea, or for those who wish, a dip in the chalet’s bubbling whirlpool bath.

KEY INFORMATION 

Five days centre-based walking; one free day

Travel by minibus, local train and cable car

Altitude maximum 7,717ft (2,352m), average 5,003ft (1,525m)

Group normally four to 14, plus UK leader. Minimum age: 16

Seven nights in comfortable chalet

Location start: Chamonix Valley

Location end: Chamonix Valley

HIGHLIGHTS ❇️

❇️ Walk surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery

❇️ Stay in a comfortable chalet with outdoor hot tub

❇️ Enjoy the shops, bars, restaurants and cafes of Chamonix

Included ✅

✅ Accommodation

✅ All breakfasts, 5 Picnic Lunches, 6 Home-Cooked Dinners

✅ Afternoon tea and cake on walking days

✅ All transport and listed activities

✅ Standard transfers

✅ Guide - Tour Leader

✅ Detailed Itinerary (upon booking confirmation)

Not Included ❌

❌ Flights (optional item)

❌ Travel Insurance (optional item)

❌ Single accommodation (not available)

❌ Solo traveller supplement (Where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

❌ Visas or vaccinations

⚠️ Optional items can be added to your travel upon your request

Onsite / Nearby ➡️

➡️ Country/Lakes

➡️ Mountains

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Chalet Chalupa or Chalet Chocolat

Welcome to your comfortable alpine chalet, your beautiful base for this incredible walking holiday. We’ll walk into Chamonix in the afternoon, before a pre-dinner briefing from the walking leader, where you can ask any questions you may have.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 Drive to the head of the Chamonix Valley; walk towards Switzerland via the trekking peak L'Aiguillette des Posettes and on to Col du Possettes and then descend back towards La Tour

Our first walk of the week is on the slopes of the Col de Balme from where we will have views back to Mont Blanc and into Switzerland. From the small hamlet of Montroc we have a short warm-up walk before the trail turns uphill on a steady zigzag path. As the trees thin, the views get even better and by late morning we reach L'Aiguillette des Posettes (7,220ft/2,200m). This is a peak from which we are rewarded with a panorama over the Chamonix Valley, the Aiguilles Rouges National Nature Reserve, and around to Switzerland. The path continues down to the Col des Posettes and then on a steady trail becoming ever more winding and finally down to La Tour.

Ascent: 2,700ft (820m); descent: 2,400ft (730m); walking time: six hours

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance covered: 9.0 km / 5.6 miles

Day 3 Transfer above Les Houches; ascend to the Bel Lachat Refuge, before crossing the Carlaveyron Natural Reserve and summiting the Aiguillette des Houches and the Aiguillette du Brévent

Today we have a spectacular walk from the Merlet park up to the Bel Lachat refuge on the classic Tour de Mont Blanc and GR5 routes. Crossing the beautiful Carlaveyron Natural Reserve, we summit the Aiguillette des Houches (7,500ft/2,285m) for one of the finest views in the Alps - looking directly across the Chamonix Valley to the Mont Blanc summit. Passing through alpine meadows we descend by a different route to La Flatière.

Ascent: 2,950ft (900m); descent: 3,050ft (930m); walking time: seven hours

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance covered: 11.0 km / 6.8 miles

Day 4 Starting from Les Contamines valley, we cross the Col de Voza and continue towards Les Houches

Approximately a 35-minute transfer from our chalet brings us to Les Contamines valley which is where we start our walk back towards the Chamonix Valley. The day starts on a valley path that narrows and steepens as we climb up towards the Passerelle de Bionnassay, a dramatic suspension bridge spanning a white-water stream that tumbles from the Bionnassay glacier above. The route then brings us round to the Col de Voza (5,360ft/1,653m) with an expansive view up the Chamonix Valley. During the afternoon we trek down to the valley floor although there is a cable car option (payable locally) if you have tired legs.

Ascent: 1,840ft (560m); descent: 2,000ft (610m); walking time: seven hours

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance covered: 11.0 km / 6.8 miles

Day 5 Free day for optional walks, activities or sightseeing

Today is a free day for optional walks or sightseeing. Your leader will be able to advise you on possible walking routes or you may choose to visit the bustling alpine resort town of Chamonix, which has numerous shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. There are several cable car excursions you can make from Chamonix; the most spectacular is the ascent to the Aiguille du Midi (12,600ft/3,842m), offering fantastic views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. It should also be possible to take the mountain train up to Montenvers for close-up views of the glacier, Mer de Glace, or if you are feeling adventurous you could enjoy a tandem paragliding flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy; climb to Bonatti refuge and traverse high above the spectacular Val Ferret to Courmayeur

We drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy. From Arp Nouva we climb up and along to the Bonatti refuge. At just over (6,560ft/2,000m), the view from here is one of the finest on the tour. Mont Blanc itself, the towering rocky peak of Grandes Jorasses, and the glaciers that crowd the northern flank of Val Ferret are there to be admired. Following a dramatic traversing path, we contour high above the valley before descending towards the valley floor. Time allowing, we head off to Courmayeur, the perfect spot for a well-deserved Italian ice cream.

Ascent: 1,500ft (450m); descent: 1,804ft (550m); walking time: seven hours

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance covered: 15.0 km / 9.3 miles

Day 7 Lac Blanc and the Grand Balcon Sud

From our chalet in Chamonix, we walk to Les Praz and take the gondola to La Flégère. From this higher vantage point, we will start a circular walk to Lac Blanc (7,715ft/2,352m), which affords excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. After plenty of time enjoying the panorama, we descend to Lacs des Chéserys where, on a still day, we will see the mountains reflected in the water. En route there is a short ladder to descend. From here, we descend a little further again onto the Grand Balcon Sud and walk back to La Flégère. What remains of the afternoon is free to enjoy Chamonix centre or return to the chalet to relax in the garden.

Distance: 5.6mi (9km); ascent: 1,770ft (540m); descent: 1,770ft (540m); walking time: seven hours

Please note: the above distance does not include the flat walk from the chalet to the gondola, which is a few kilometres depending on which chalet you are in. Alternatively, we may take public transport.

Spring and autumn departures: La Flégère gondola is open for trips between 10th June and 16th September. Outside this time, the gondola is due to be closed and its cost is not included in the price of the holiday. If the timetable changes and the lift is open, the cable car cost will be paid locally (approximately €20).

Alternatively, we will enjoy the following spring and autumn itinerary.

From Argentière (4,100ft/1,250m) we start our day following the petit Balcon Sud before changing tack and climbing to the Grand Balcon Sud that contours the Chamonix valley. The panoramic views over the valley to Mont Blanc and all the other peaks, valleys and glaciers are breathtaking. From La Flégère we descend via Chalet Floria where we will have time for a cup of tea. Due to the added descent this is a little harder than the summer itinerary, but the views are equally stunning.

Distance: 7.5mi (12km) plus any extra flat walking in the valley getting to and from the chalet; ascent: 2,430ft (740m); descent: 3,120ft (950m); walking time: eight hours

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance covered: 9.0 km / 5.6 miles

Day 8 End Chamonix

Invigorated after a week treading alpine trails, take one final look at Mont Blanc before starting your journey home. Not ready for the adventure to end? You can always speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in this magnificent region.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer Details

Free arrival and departure transfers for all customers to and from the end hotel. Transport, including airport transfers, is usually by private air-conditioned minibus. All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where a client may choose to curtail a group walk.