Tour du Mont Blanc Express, guided

On the Tour du Mont Blanc Express we'll sample the highlights of the classic tour du Mont Blanc, visiting all 3 countries (France, Switzerland and Italy) and linking the sections by using transportation on a few days. The Tour du Mont Blanc Express trek is perfect for people on a limited time schedule who wish to experience the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in a one week window, whilst staying in comfortable accommodation along the way.

Day 1 (Saturday): Meeting in Chamonix
You arrive in Chamonix and 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 Chamonix.

Day 2 (Sunday): Above Chamonix to Les Houches
Our trip starts with a cable car ride that takes us up to nearly 2000 meters. Here, above the tree line, we begin a stunning high level traverse above the Chamonix valley with exceptional views of Mont Blanc. We descend to the village Les Houches and our hotel for the night. (B+D)

Day 3 (Monday): From Les Houches to Les Contamines
We take a cable car up through the ski area of Les Houches. A lovely traverse below the Aiguille du Gouter takes us to the snout of the Bionnassay glacier, which we cross via a suspension bridge. We climb to the Col de Tricot and descent to the Miage mountain pastures for lunch. We have another short climb to the Chalets du Truc before we descend to Les Contamines. (B+D)

Day 4 (Tuesday): From Les Contamines to Vallée des Glaciers
From Les Contamines we climb steadily up an old roman way towards the top of the Contamines valley. A stunning and wild walk takes us over a succession of mountain passes before our descent to the Vallée des Glaciers (the Glaciers Valley) and the final short stretch to our charming mountain hut. (B+D)

Day 5 (Wednesday): From Vallée des Glaciers to Courmayeur
We leave the hut and ascend to the Seigne mountain pass, where we cross the border into Italy and get the first views of the dramatic Italian side of Mont Blanc. A gentle descend into the beautiful Val Veny,before another short climb takes us to Col Checrouit and, finally, the descend into Courmayeur. Your evening is free to explore the many bars and restaurants in Courmayeur. Night in hotel. (B)

Day 6 (Thursday): From Courmayeur to la Fouly and Champex
From Courmayeur, a short transfer takes us to the top of the Ferret valley where our hike begins. The trail goes steadily upwards through scenic mountain pastures. A last Italian coffee stop is possible before we reach the Grand Col Ferret mountain pass. We now enter Switzerland and descend through the idyllic Swiss Ferret valley to the village of La Fouly, where we jump on our transfer to the charming lake side village Champex. (B+D)

Day 7 (Friday): From Champex to Trient
Leaving Champex, we have a choice of two routes depending on how the group feels. We can cross the notorious Fenêtre d’Arpette - a tiny mountain pass cut into a rugged alpine ridge, or we can opt for the gentler Bovine route, which takes us by a old farm, which serves as a mountain hut and offers superb views of the Rhone valleys. Either way, we end the day at a bustling auberge in the small village of Trient. (B+D)

Day 8 (Saturday): From Trient to Argentiere and Chamonix
We leave our Auberge in Trient for the last leg of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Today’s walk goes up to the Balme pass, where we cross the border back into France. We descend into the familiar surroundings of the Chamonix valley with Mont Blanc and the jagged peaks of the Chamonix valley above us. We jump on our transfer for the last stretch along the valley floor to our hotel in Chamonix. Night in 3 hotel. (B)

Day 9 (Sunday): Departure day
Breakfast in the hotel and the official end to our Tour du Mont Blanc Express trek. (B)