10-day TMB hike starting from Chamonix
Join a 10-day TMB hike starting from Chamonix and discover some of the most amazing sights on one of the most famous routes in the Alps with a certified local guide.
Private
Alps
10 Days
May - Oct
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Discover the famous Tour du Mont Blanc route.
- Enjoy amazing panoramic views.
- Visit lovely villages and stay in cozy cottages.
- Join a 10-day TMB hike with a true local who knows the area better than anyone.
Description
The Mont Blanc massif is a perfect place for hiking. Over the course of 10 days, we will cover much of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc, a circular route that traverses France, Italy, and Switzerland, allowing us to explore some amazing valleys, glaciers, and mountains.
The TMB is one of the most famous tours of the Northern Alps and involves 3 countries, 7 alpine valleys, 71 glaciers, and 400 peaks. The emblematic Mont Blanc will be our pillar on this hike that begins and ends in Chamonix, following the route in a counterclockwise direction, just as most trekkers do to avoid crowds.
Each day, you will hike between 5 to 7 hours, with some longer stages. The total route is over 160 km with a cumulative elevation gain of around 10,000 meters. Therefore, a good fitness level is mandatory. In some stages, it’s possible to use cable cars or buses to reduce effort and adapt the itinerary when needed. In the evenings, you will stay in mountain huts and gîtes, typical of the Mont Blanc massif — lovely places to enjoy dusk together, far away from everyday troubles and concerns. You can find a detailed itinerary below.
Up to 12 people can join this hike. Local IML certified guide François will be guiding the tour. He is a true local as his family settled into the region over 500 years ago, and he is the ideal TMB hiking guide because he truly knows the area and the culture like the palm of his hand.
Please contact us if you would like to join this unique hike around Mont Blanc. We will plan the tour together, on the most convenient date for you. It will be a great pleasure to guide you on these beautiful trails and to be able to share these terrific places in the mountains.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- Included: Guiding fee
- Not included: Accommodation, food for participants and guide
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Chamonix and Group Briefing
Meeting point in Chamonix, depending on participants' arrival times. Introduction to the guide and overview of the tour. Overnight stay in the valley.
Day 2: Les Houches to Refuge de Miage
From Les Houches (1,008 m), we hike through Col de Voza (1,653 m) and Col de Tricot (2,120 m) with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguilles Rouges, and the Dômes de Miage. Optional cable car to Bellevue (1,800 m) available. Overnight at Refuge de Miage (1,559 m), nestled in a scenic hanging valley. Distance: 13 km · Ascent: +1,300 m · Descent: -750 m (800 m less ascent with cable car)
Day 3: Refuge de Miage to Nant Borrant or La Balme
We cross the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve, enjoying a mix of forest trails and alpine views. Stop at Refuge de Tré la Tête for lunch. Overnight at Refuge de Nant Borrant (1,459 m) or La Balme (1,706 m), depending on availability. Distance: 13 km · Ascent: +900 m · Descent: -1,000 m
Day 4: Over the Col des Fours to Refuge des Mottets
Challenging stage across two high passes: Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,479 m) and Col des Fours (2,716 m), with stunning views of the Aiguille des Glaciers. If needed, there’s an alternative descent via Les Chapieux. Overnight at Refuge des Mottets (1,864 m). Distance: 15 km · Ascent: +1,385 m · Descent: -1,000 m
Day 5: Into Italy: Refuge des Mottets to Col Chécrouit
We enter Italy via the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m), enjoying panoramic views of the Aiguille Blanche and Aiguille Noire de Peuterey. We pass Lac Combal and Alpe Supérieure de l’Arp Vieille before reaching Col Chécrouit. Overnight at Gîte Le Randonneur (1,900 m) or Rifugio Maison Vieille (1,956 m). Distance: 19 km · Ascent: +1,150 m · Descent: -1,100 m
Day 6: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti or Elena
After a morning in Courmayeur (1,226 m), we climb through the forest to Rifugio Bertone and then contour the Val Ferret with views of the Brenva Glacier and Grandes Jorasses. Overnight at Rifugio Bonatti (2,025 m) or, due to availability, Rifugio Elena (2,061 m). Distance: 18 km · Ascent: +1,050 m · Descent: -1,000 m (If staying at Elena: +7.5 km, +290 m ascent, -250 m descent)
Day 7: Crossing to Switzerland: Rifugio Bonatti/Elena to Champex-Lac
We cross the Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m), entering Switzerland with views of lush alpine meadows. We descend to La Fouly (1,600 m) and then take a short transfer to avoid a long flat section before climbing to Champex-Lac (1,470 m). Distance: 20 km · Ascent: +1,000 m · Descent: -1,400 m (Adjust if previous night was at Elena)
Day 8: Champex-Lac to Trient via Fenêtre d'Arpette
A high and scenic route via Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m), with views of the Trient Glacier. In case of bad weather, an easier route through Bovine is available. Overnight in Trient (1,300 m). Distance: 15 km · Ascent: +1,250 m · Descent: -1,450 m (Via Bovine: 16 km · +800 m · -1,000 m)
Day 9: Return to France: Trient to Le Tour and Chamonix
We reenter France through the Col de Balme (2,191 m), enjoying views of the Glacier du Tour, Aiguille du Chardonnet, and Mont Blanc's north side. Optional cable car descent to Le Tour (1,453 m). Final night in the Chamonix valley. Distance: 11 km · Ascent: +1,000 m · Descent: -750 m
Day 10: Departure from Chamonix
Transfer to Geneva Airport. Optional extra night in Chamonix available on request.
FAQs
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About the guide
Muntania
Languages
English | Spanish
Certificates
AEGM
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
Valeriya
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Joshua
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
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Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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