france Tours Tour du Mont Blanc Camping Trek

Itinerary:

Day 1 Les Bossons, France
Meet your fellow travellers and tour guide at Les Bossons. Here you will experience wonderful views of Mont Blanc and the dramatic crevassed Glacier des Bossons, which becomes even more spectacular at sunset.  

Day 2 Les Frasserands  
The trail today is named the 'Grand Balcon' and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole mountain range. Initially you will contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (2352m - 7715ft). The trail descends and then contours again, high above the valley, before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands (1371m - 4500ft). In the afternoon, there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend.  

Day 3 Trient, Switzerland
We begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (2201m – 7200ft), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (2,191m – 7190ft) where you will follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Enjoy incredible views of the Trient Glacier as you descend to the small hamlet of Trient (1296m – 4250ft) where you will spend the evening.  

Day 4 Champex  
Crossing from Col de la Forclaz to Champex you will enjoy beautiful views of the Rhone Valley below. The historic paths of the 'Bovine route' will take you through meadows and high alpine pastures to the charming town of Champex set beside a picturesque alpine lake.  

Day 5 La Fouly  
Walk south, descending through alpine woods and other pretty farming villages. This is also quite a good day for flowers earlier in the season, including orchids. Continuing up the valley you will reach the remote village of La Fouly (1600m - 5250ft) which lies at the foot of Mont Dolent, whose summit marks the meeting point of France, Switzerland and Italy.  

Day 6 Val Ferret, Italy
Still following the same valley and the river 'La Drance', climb to the 'Grand Col Ferret' (2537m – 8320ft), the highest pass of the tour. Now in Italy, the mountain views from the Col are stunning with Grandes Jorasses dominating the scene. Walk down the valley to Arp Nouva (1,770m – 5800ft) where you can take an optional bus to Planpincieux (1,600m – 5250ft).  

Day 7 Val Ferret  
Today is a day to rest your legs and enjoy activities locally in and around Val Ferret. For excellent close-up views of all the big peaks and the glacier, take the cable car from La Palud to Point Helbronner (3461m - 11350ft).

Day 8 Val Veny  
Follow a beautiful contouring path around Mont de la Saxe to Courmayeur. The views of the south Mont Blanc massif are exceptional, as are those of the towering peaks of the 'Grandes Jorasses', and the glaciers which crowd the northern flank of the Val Ferret. There is a steep descent to Courmayeur (1230m – 4030m) where you will take a short bus ride into the spectacular Val Veny (1530m – 5020ft).  

Days 9-10 Chapieux-Les Contamines, France  
Follow the old Roman road across today's pass, the 'Col de la Seigne' (2516m – 8250ft), marking your re-entry into France. A fairly steep descent brings you through La Ville des Glaciers (1,789m – 5870ft) and finally to Les Chapieux (1553m – 5090ft), a small hamlet which is only inhabited in the summer months. Having now reached the southwest corner of the circuit, you turn north to climb once again, making a steep climb to the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2478m – 8130ft) and then contouring around to the Col du Bonhomme (2328m – 7640ft). Later descend (again on a Roman road) to your campsite in Les Contamines (1180m - 5900ft).  

Day 11 Les Contamines  
Today is another day to recharge your batteries. Enjoy optional local walking trails or visit the local market in Les Contamines.  

Day 12 Le Bossons  
Another long day; we walk through Les Contamines, ascend to Chalets du Truc (1720m – 5614ft) and then descend to the Chalets de Miage (1,560m – 4120ft). From here take the trail that climbs steeply to the Col de Tricot (2119m – 6950ft) before descending very close to the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay, where you will enjoy good views of the north side of the Mont Blanc massif. Re-enter the Chamonix Valley and descend to the village of Les Houches (dependent on the time of year there is optional cable car descent from Bellevue to Les Houches).  

Day 13 Les Bossons
The final day on the TMB circuit is long, with a tough climb of over 1,500m through pine forest, but you will be rewarded with the best views of Mont Blanc and its neighbours of the whole trek.

Day 14 Les Bossons  
Today is a free day at Les Bossons. There are several good walks in the Chamonix Valley or just enjoy your time exploring Chamonix itself. Take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, or the Montenvers cog railway for sensational mountain views (optional).  

Day 15 Les Bossons  
Tour ends after breakfast.  

Departs: