The complete tour of Mont Blanc

Description

I propose you an exceptional trekking: the complete tour of the Mont Blanc!

All the most beautiful balcony trails are gathered in this circuit, and the show is assured thanks to the proximity of the big glaciers.

At the program: one trek, three countries, 10 days, 160 kilometers and thousands of steps. But these numbers are nothing compared to the emotions you will experience on this tour of Mont Blanc!

This tour is the complete version of the mythical Tour du Mont Blanc, from Chamonix to Chamonix and with possible variations. It takes you to the discovery of the extraordinary diversity of landscapes of the Mont-Blanc massif.

You will enjoy a rich fauna and flora while walking with a light backpack, because in the evening you will find your luggage, as well as the tents set up at the bivouac place. We will prepare your evening meals and picnics, home-made and prepared with local products.

You can also follow me during the summer on other itineraries in the Alps, such as the Queyras tour or the Clarée tour with ascent of the Thabor.

Program

D1: Chamonix - Bionnassay.
After meeting with the rest of the group at the Planard parking lot at 9am, the hike begins with a traverse to the village of Les Houches and then a climb through the forest to the Prarion summit (1969m). There you will enjoy a first 360 degrees panorama before going down to the Fioux refuge to spend the night in a bivouac.
6.5 hours of walking, altitude positive difference: 775 meters, altitude negative difference: 320 meters.

D2: Bionnassay - Les Contamines-Montjoie.
Today you will be amazed! By a beautiful itinerary at the foot of the glaciers, you pass the Tricot pass (2120m) and cross the Truc mountain pasture. Descent to the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie to spend the night in a bivouac at the Pontet campsite.
7 hours of walking, D+: 950m, D-: 1300m.

D3: Les Contamines-Montjoie - Les Chapieux.
Following the Roman way, you go up to the Bonhomme pass (2408m) and the Fours pass (2665m), objectives of the morning. After a picnic in front of an extraordinary panorama, you will reach the Chapieux valley, at the end of the Tarentaise valley, the Mecca of Beaufort cheese production!
8 hours of walking, D+: 1300m, D-: 900m.
Possibility of a variant adding 300 meters of difference in altitude.

D4: Les Chapieux - Veny valley.
Today, it's a magnificent day facing the Mont Blanc that awaits you! It starts with a climb to the Seigne pass (2514m), border between France and Italy. Then you enter the Aosta valley through the Veny valley. The Italian side of the Monte Bianco offers itself to us and it is at the camp-site of the Veny valley that this stage ends.
6 hours of walking, D+: 730m, D-: 1000m.

D5: Veny valley - Ferret valley.
You start this fourth day of walking with an ascent to the Maison Vieille refuge then you continue with the descent to Courmayeur, the "Italian Chamonix", passing through the old village. Then you go up to the Sapin valley and the Bertone refuge to find the bottom of the Ferret valley and the Tronchey campsite where the bivouac is located.
8 hours of walking, D+: 1400m, D-: 1300m.

D6: Ferret valley - La Fouly.
This morning, you walk in front of the Mont Dolent, meeting point between France, Switzerland and Italy. Arrived at the Grand Col Ferret (2537m), Switzerland welcomes you! The descent is pleasant towards the Peule mountain pasture to reach La Fouly, a small village located at 1600 meters in the heart of the Valais. Bivouac at the glacier campsite.
8 hours of walking, D+: 1400m, D-: 1400m.

D7: La Fouly - Champex.
Today you discover the Swiss Ferret valley and its small traditional villages to reach Champex and its beautiful lake. This stage ends with a short climb to our accommodation of the day, a comfortable hostel located in the Arpette valley and next to which we bivouac.
6.5 of walking, D+: 735m, D-: 700m.

D8: Champex - Trient.
For this seventh day of walking, it is a superb stage in balcony above Martigny which awaits you. The vineyards of the Rhone valley in the distance are a testimony of the Swiss wine production. The descent to the small village of Trient is done by the bisse du Trient. Depending on the shape of the group and the conditions (I will decide on the best option), we have the possibility to go through the Arpette window (2665m) via an alpine and grandiose route.
6 hours of walking, D+: 715m or 1050m, D-: 925m or 1350m.

D9: Trient - Trélachamp.
It is now time to return to France. Throughout the day, the view on the Chamonix valley opens up and becomes striking. The small village of Le Tour is waiting for us to spend the night in a warm gîte.
5 hours of walking, D+: 1000m, D-: 850m.

D10: Trélachamp - Chamonix.
For this last day, you take the direction of the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. The path follows a panoramic balcony facing the Mont Blanc: you will certainly enjoy one of the most famous landscapes of the Chamonix valley!
Then you go down to the Flégère and take the path that leads to the center of Chamonix. The loop is now completed!
7 hours of walking, D+: 1350m, D-: 850m.

Note: depending on the weather or for any other reason beyond my control, I may have to modify this program exceptionally.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• All meals except the picnic on the first day.
• The transfers of luggage.
• The provision of tents, comforters, kitchen sets and their installation.

The price does not include

• Transport to and from Chamonix, about an hour drive from Annecy or Geneva.
• Snacks.
• Picnic lunch on the first day.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• In a tent for two people,
• or under a marquee (equipment provided).

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