Tour du Mont Blanc 9-day trekking adventure in the Alps
Join Terralpina and their certified mountain guides on this unforgettable 9-day Tour du Mont Blanc, a full circuit through the heart of the Alps.
Alps
9 Days
Jun - Oct
High
Intermediate
Description
Embark on the most iconic trekking adventure in the Alps with Terralpina’s 9-day Tour du Mont Blanc. This classic route circles Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4,810 meters, and takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Over the course of nine consecutive days, we’ll hike a full loop around the massif, following well-marked trails and scenic variants of the GR TMB, chosen for their beauty and authenticity.
The journey begins in Les Houches, just outside of Chamonix, and from there we’ll cross high mountain passes, remote alpine valleys, and picturesque hamlets as we traverse this legendary terrain. Every step of the way, we’ll be surrounded by glaciers, dramatic granite spires, and open alpine meadows. This is a 100% self-supported trekking experience, meaning we’ll carry all our gear and hike from one refuge to the next without vehicle assistance or luggage transfers. It’s a pure, human-powered mountain adventure — just as the great Alpine traverses were meant to be.
Throughout the trek, we’ll be accompanied by a Spanish-speaking UIMLA-certified mountain guide from Terralpina, deeply knowledgeable about the region’s terrain, weather, and culture. With small group sizes limited to 10 participants, you’ll enjoy a more personal and flexible experience. Each day involves 6 to 8 hours of hiking with considerable elevation gain, so good physical condition is essential.
This trek offers a rare opportunity to connect deeply with nature while also experiencing the diverse cultures of the Alps. Highlights include walking among hanging glaciers, observing alpine wildlife and wildflowers, and taking in panoramic views from mountain passes like Col de la Seigne and scenic ridges like Mont de la Saxe. Along the way, we’ll stay in a variety of charming mountain huts and local accommodations that offer simple comfort, warm meals, and unforgettable views.
Terralpina’s 9-day Tour du Mont Blanc is designed for adventurous hikers who want to experience this legendary route in its most authentic form. If you're looking for a challenging and enriching trekking experience that crosses international borders on foot, this is the journey for you. Join us and discover the raw beauty of the Alps, one step at a time.
Price includes
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival in Chamonix Valley
Arrival and group meet-up with your mountain guide and fellow trekkers. Overnight in a local gîte in the Chamonix valley.
Day 1: Les Houches to Les Contamines: Glaciers and Alpine Meadows
Start the trek with a cable car ascent to Bellevue (1,800 m), then hike past the Bionnassay Glacier and over the Col de Tricot (2,120 m) to the alpine chalets of Miage. End the day descending into Les Contamines. Distance: 12 km | Ascent: +680 m | Descent: –1,300 m | Time: 5 h
Day 2: Les Contamines to Croix du Bonhomme: Into the High Alps
Gradual climb through pastures and rocky terrain toward the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme (2,300 m). Expect wild alpine landscapes and possible sightings of ibex (bouquetins). Distance: 13 km | Ascent: +1,350 m | Descent: –50 m | Time: 6 h
Day 3: Croix du Bonhomme to Elisabetta: Two High Passes & Italy Awaits
Cross Col de Fours (2,665 m) and descend to Les Mottets, then climb the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) to enter Italy with stunning views over Val Veni and Mont Blanc’s southern face. Overnight at Refugio Elisabetta. Distance: 16 km | Ascent: +1,000 m | Descent: –1,250 m | Time: 8 h
Day 4: Elisabetta to Bertone: Glacier Views & Italian Charm
Climb to Col de Chécrouit, descend to Courmayeur by cable car, then make a tough but scenic ascent to Refugio Bertone, where you'll enjoy a sunset with Mont Blanc views. Distance: 17 km | Ascent: +1,320 m | Descent: –950 m | Time: 8 h
Day 5: Bertone to Elena: Into the Heart of Val Ferret
Traverse the panoramic balcony trail with superb views of the Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc. Reach Refugio Elena (2,056 m) at the head of the Italian Val Ferret. Distance: 15 km | Ascent: +800 m | Descent: –650 m | Time: 7 h
Day 6: Elena to Arpette (Switzerland): Crossing the Grand Col Ferret
Climb to Grand Col Ferret (2,537 m) and cross into Switzerland. Descend through postcard-perfect pastures to Ferret village, then transfer to Champex and walk to Arpette (1,650 m). Distance: 12 km | Ascent: +850 m | Descent: –850 m | Time: 5 h
Day 7: Arpette to Trient: Two Scenic Route Options
Option 1: Challenge yourself on the rocky trail through Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m). Option 2: Take the gentler, greener Bovine route past traditional Swiss farms. Finish in Trient, followed by a short transfer back to France.
- Arpette route: 13 km | +1,150 m | –1,450 m | 6 h
- Bovine route: 16 km | +810 m | –1,150 m | 6 h
Day 8: Trient to Le Tour: Back into France via Col de Balme
Cross the border at Col de Balme (2,199 m) with expansive views of Mont Blanc. Follow the ridge of Les Frettes before descending to the alpine village of Le Tour (1,400 m). Distance: 14 km | Ascent: +1,150 m | Descent: –1,050 m | Time: 6 h
Day 9: Lac Blanc & Aiguilles Rouges: A Scenic Finale
Climb into the Aiguilles Rouges massif to the iconic Lac Blanc (2,352 m) for classic Chamonix Valley views. Partial descent by cable car. Celebrate the end of a great journey back in Chamonix. Distance: 12 km | Ascent: +1,050 m | Descent: –630 m | Time: 5 h
About the guide
Terralpina
Languages
English | French | Spanish
Certificates
IFMGA | UIMLA | AEGM | SNAM
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
You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.
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.
Cami
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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