Trekking Mont Blanc (Self-Launched)
10 days · Mont Blanc / Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland)
G Adventures charges £2,130
No-markup version: ~£505 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 10-day circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc, starting and finishing in Chamonix and crossing France, Italy and Switzerland on foot. This is the independent version of G Adventures' "Trekking Mont Blanc" — same route, same iconic passes and alpine refuges, but self-booked: you arrange your own dorm beds in mountain refuges and budget hotels, use local buses and cable cars between stages, and carry your own 40L pack. Expect 13-20km days over high cols, glacier views, and hearty mountain dinners. All costs are approximate per person in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Chamonix
Chamonix, France
Arrive in Chamonix at your own pace and settle in. Use the day to buy a map (the IGN Tour du Mont Blanc 1:50,000 or the Cicerone guidebook), confirm refuge bookings and pick up any last supplies. Walk the town, check the weather forecast at the tourist office, and rest your legs before the trek begins.
🚌Arrive by shared shuttle or Flixbus from Geneva Airport (~1h45, ~£25-35); local buses within Chamonix
🛏Budget hotel or hostel dorm in Chamonix (e.g. Chamonix Lodge, Plan B Hotel)
- →Orientation walk around Chamonix town
- →Pick up TMB map/guidebook and gas canister
- →Check weather forecast and confirm refuge bookings
Chamonix to Les Contamines-Montjoie
Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
Take the local bus to Les Houches (or walk the short link trail), then hike the classic opening stage of the TMB — roughly 15km through forest and alpine meadow over the Col de Voza and past the suspension bridge on the Bionnassay glacier trail, down to Les Contamines-Montjoie. A gentle first day to find your walking rhythm.
🚌Local bus Chamonix-Les Houches (~£2-3); hiking on foot
🛏Gîte/refuge dorm in Les Contamines (e.g. Gîte Le Pontet, Chalet de la Vieille)
- →Local bus Chamonix to Les Houches
- →Hike Les Houches to Les Contamines (~15km, 6-7h)
- →Col de Voza and Bionnassay glacier viewpoints
Les Contamines to Les Chapieux
Les Chapieux, France
A tougher stage: hike ~15km from Les Contamines up to the Col du Bonhomme and over the Croix du Bonhomme, then descend into the hamlet of Les Chapieux. Climb steadily through pasture and rocky alpine terrain with long-range views of the Beaufortain. Refill water at the Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme if needed.
🚌Hiking on foot
🛏Mountain refuge dorm in Les Chapieux (Refuge de la Nova / gîte communal)
- →Hike Les Contamines to Les Chapieux via Col du Bonhomme (~15km, 7-8h)
- →Cross the Croix du Bonhomme pass
Les Chapieux to Courmayeur, Italy
Courmayeur, Italy
Trek ~15km from Les Chapieux over the Col de la Seigne into Italy, passing glacial lakes and the Pyramides Calcaires, with Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles rising ahead. Descend past Lac Combal to the Miage area, then drop into the Val Veny. Take the local bus the last stretch into Courmayeur (or walk it) and enjoy your first Italian dinner.
🚌Hiking plus local SAVDA bus from Val Veny/La Visaille to Courmayeur (~£3)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel dorm in Courmayeur (e.g. Hotel Edelweiss, Maison Glarey)
- →Hike Les Chapieux to Col de la Seigne to Val Veny (~15km, 7h)
- →Glacial lakes and Pyramides Calcaires viewpoint
- →Optional: cable car from Courmayeur to Pointe Helbronner
Courmayeur free day
Courmayeur, Italy
A built-in rest day in Courmayeur. Options include the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car up to Punta Helbronner (3,466m) for panoramic glacier views and a possible peek across to the French side, or a shorter day hike in the Val Veny/Val Ferret. Rest, resupply and enjoy Italian mountain food.
🚌Local bus and cable car within Courmayeur
🛏Budget hotel or hostel dorm in Courmayeur
- →Skyway Monte Bianco cable car to Punta Helbronner (book online, ~£40-50 return)
- →Optional day hike in Val Ferret
- →Explore Courmayeur old town
Courmayeur to Val Ferret
Val Ferret, Italy
Hike ~13km from Courmayeur high along the Mont de la Saxe ridge path into the Italian Val Ferret. It is a steep climb with big payoff views over the Val Veny and across to the Grandes Jorasses. Night in a mountain rifugio in the valley.
🚌Hiking on foot
🛏Rifugio dorm in Val Ferret (e.g. Rifugio Bonatti, Rifugio Elena)
- →Hike Courmayeur to Val Ferret via Mont de la Saxe (~13km, 6-7h)
- →Grandes Jorasses and glacier viewpoints
Val Ferret to La Fouly, Switzerland
La Fouly, Switzerland
A long, steep stage: ~20km from the Val Ferret over the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m) into Switzerland, descending to the village of La Fouly. This is a big day with sustained climbing — start early, carry plenty of water and snacks, and enjoy crossing your second international border on foot.
🚌Hiking on foot
🛏Guesthouse/hostel dorm in La Fouly (e.g. Gîte Alpage de La Peule area, Auberge des Glaciers)
- →Hike Val Ferret over Grand Col Ferret to La Fouly (~20km, 8h)
- →Cross into Switzerland on foot
La Fouly to Trient via Champex
Trient, Switzerland
Take a short local bus (or walk) down to Champex, then follow the 'Bovine Way' — a scenic ~16km trail through larch forest and meadow past the Alpage de Bovine — to the hamlet of Trient. A gentler but long day with fine views toward the Trient glacier.
🚌Local TMR/bus La Fouly-Champex (~£4-6); hiking on foot
🛏Auberge/refuge dorm in Trient (e.g. Auberge du Mont Blanc, Relais du Trient)
- →Local bus La Fouly to Champex
- →Hike Champex to Trient via the Bovine Way (~16km, 6-7h)
- →Col de la Forclaz viewpoint
Trient to Chamonix
Chamonix, France
Final trekking day: ~12km from Trient over the Col de la Balme back into France, descending steeply to Le Tour in the Chamonix valley. Take a local bus (or the Le Tour cable car down if legs are spent) into Chamonix centre. Celebrate completing the circuit with a well-earned dinner.
🚌Hiking; local bus Le Tour-Chamonix centre (~£3); optional cable car
🛏Budget hotel or hostel dorm in Chamonix
- →Hike Trient over Col de la Balme to Le Tour (~12km, 6h)
- →Optional Le Tour cable car descent
- →Evening celebration dinner in Chamonix
Depart Chamonix
Chamonix, France
A relaxed morning in Chamonix before onward travel. Allow at least 2 hours to reach Geneva Airport (about 2h away) — book flights no earlier than midday. If time allows, soak up one last view of Mont Blanc.
🚌Shared shuttle or Flixbus Chamonix to Geneva Airport (~1h45, ~£25-35)
🛏None (checkout and depart)
- →Free morning in Chamonix
- →Optional Aiguille du Midi cable car if schedule permits
- →Depart for Geneva or onward
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£505 | £2,130 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,625 per person (76%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£505
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Trekking Mont Blanc (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £505 per person for 10 days in Mont Blanc / Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,130 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £505 — a saving of roughly £1,625 (76%) per person.
How long is the Mont Blanc / Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland) trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Mont Blanc / Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Mont Blanc / Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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