Tour du Mont Blanc East, half circuit, guided

The Eastern part of the Tour du Mont Blanc trek starts in Courmayeur in Italy, and follows the same itinerary as the classic tour through Switzerland into France and finish in Chamonix Mont Blanc. The 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 is also very suitable for anyone who is looking for week-long hut-to-hut walking holiday in the Alps, whether first-timers or experienced.

Day : Meeting in Courmayeur
Meet with your guide and tour leader in our hotel for welcome, equipment check and a briefing on the Tour du Mont Blanc ahead. 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, we start our climb to the Bertone hut and the Mont de la Saxe ridge. We 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. (B+D)

Day 3: From Refuge Bonatti to La Fouly 
From the Bonatti hut, we continue up the Ferret valley. At Arnouva we start the ascend to Grand Col Ferret, pasing the Elena mountain hut on the way. We 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 Ferret valley, along a gushing river and through charming old Swiss farming villages. A relatively short ascent takes us through wood land to the lake side village Champex.

Day 5: From Champex to Trient
Leaving Champex, we hike up the Arpette valley to the notorious Fenêtre d’Arpette - a tiny mountain pass cut into a rugged alpine ridge. This is the highest point of the Tour du Mont Blanc and probably some of the best alpine walking in the world. From the pass we descend to the hamlet Trient.

Day 6: From Trient to Argentiere
From Trient, we hike steadily up to the Balme pass, where we cross the border back into France and the Chamonix valley. We traverse the ridge line of the Aiguilette des Posettes, enjoying breathtaking views in all directions. We descend to the village Argentiere for the night.

Day 7: From Argentiere to Chamonix
We leave Argentiere for the last leg of our tour, ascending to the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. A stunning high level walk takes us to the beautiful lac Blanc and some of the finest views in the Alps. All too soon, we commence our final descend to Chamonix and the completion of our tour.

Day 8: Departure day
Breakfast in the hotel and the official end to our Tour du Mont Blanc trek. (B)