Day 1: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti, Val Ferret

• Arrival:
  • If arriving on the day your trip starts, your flight must arrive before 6:30 am for 8:00 am transfer.
  • Most prefer to arrive the day before and get picked up at 09.00 pm from Vert Lodge, Chamonix on the day the trip starts.
• Pick ups:
  • 08.00 am - Montreux Jazz Cafe, Geneva Airport
  • 09.00 am - Vert Lodge, Chamonix
• Transfer to to Courmayeur. Hike up Val Ferret Valley with views of Mont Blanc and Mont Blanc Massif.
• Destination: Rifugio W. Bonatti

Day 2: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

• Route: Hike to Italy-Switzerland border, views of Mont Blanc Massif.
• Refreshment break before reaching Grand Ferret Pass at 2,536m.
• Cross into Switzerland, pass through a local farm with Swiss cheese sampling.

Day 3: Champex-Lac to Trient

• Route: Gentle downhill walk, warm-up for ascent to Alp Bovine.
• Lunch with Rosti.
• Descend through Col de la Forclaz, known from the Tour de France.
• Finish in the Swiss village of Trient.

Day 4: Trient to Le Tour

• Route: Early start to Col de Balme in France.
• Stunning Mont Blanc views.
• Descend through wildflower meadows to Le Tour.
• Return to Geneva Airport (aiming for 17:30 pm)
• Departure flight must be after 20:30 pm, given sometimes traffic

If you are arriving on day 1 of the trip, ensure your scheduled arrival is before 06:30 am to ensure you make the transfer at 08:00 am.

Your flight back must be after 20:30 pm on the final day.

Day 1: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti, Val Ferret

After being picked up from Montreux Jazz Cafe, Geneva Airport (08.00 am) or Vert Lodge, Chamonix (09.00 pm), we'll drive to the ski resort town of Courmayeur on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range.

We'll kick off our adventure by hiking up the Val Ferret Valley, where we'll enjoy spectacular views of Mont Blanc (or Monte Bianco) and the Mont Blanc Massif as we climb.

We’ll arrive at the gloriously remote Rifugio W. Bonatti at 2,025m, ready to kick back and chill.‍

Distance: 5.8km. Ascent: 550m. Descent: 50m. Max altitude: 2,056m

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Day 2: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

Today starts with a hike up to the border of Italy and Switzerland. As we climb, we'll no doubt want to keep stopping for photos of the incredible south face of the Mont Blanc Massif.

We'll pause for a well-deserved refreshment break to replenish energy levels for the highest point of our trek - the Grand Ferret Pass at 2,536m. We'll cross over into Switzerland and head down the mountain, passing through a local farm where we'll be able to sample delicious Swiss cheeses.

Distance: 20km. Ascent: 1,000m. Descent: 1,290m. Max altitude: 2,536m

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Day 3: Champex-Lac to Trient

After yesterday's climb, we'll enjoy a gentle walk downhill through woodland to warm our muscles in preparation for a challenging ascent to Alp Bovine - famous for its Rosti - a delicious, pan-fried vegetable dish.

Well fed, we'll head down through the Col de la Forclaz, made famous by the Tour de France cycle race.

After a few photo opportunities, we'll enjoy a gentle walk downhill to the lovely Swiss village of Trient.

Distance: 18.5km. Ascent: 810m. Descent: 1.000m. Max altitude: 2,050m

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Day 4: Trient to Le Tour to Geneva Airport

Our last day but possibly the most spectacular as we head into France. We need to make an early start for the climb up to Col de Balme, but tired legs will soon be forgotten as we're blown away by superb views of Mont Blanc.

We'll end our hike with a pleasant walk down the mountain through wildflower meadows to Le Tour, where we'll head back to Geneva Airport to say a fond farewell to the Alps and our new adventure buddies.

Distance: 11.1km. Ascent: 975m. Descent: 1,192m. Max altitude: 2,202m

We'll be staying in mountain refuges or huts. Bear in mind these are in remote locations with supplies being carried in by helicopter, so will be quite basic. Expect dormitory-style rooms and shared bathrooms.

• They do have electricity, hot showers and Wi-Fi.
• The refuges we use are;
  • Night 1: Rifugio Bonatti - remote, epic views, hot showers, dormitory-style accommodation
  • Night 2: Refuge d'Arpette - stunning views, hot showers, 6-8 person dormitory accommodation
  • Night 3: La Grande Ourse Hotel - more mountain views, an incredible bar and garden, showers, 8-person dormitory accommodation
• A duvet and pillow are provided but no sheets, so you'll need to bring a sheet sleeping bag liner. Don't have one? Don't worry - you can buy one from your guide for 25 Euros or the refuge for around 60 Euros. They're easily washable and you can use them time and time again so they're a handy piece of kit to have.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• Guide - fully qualified and first aid trained
• Meals - apart from lunches
• Transfers - from the airport to trek start point and return transfer to airport
• Accommodation - mountain huts/refuges in dormitories & shared bedrooms

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights
• Visa - fees (if any)
• Travel Insurance - required
• Lunches - plenty of places to buy lunches on the hike
• Alcohol - in the refuges
• Personal Souvenirs

• Pick ups:
  • 08.00 am - Montreux Jazz Cafe, Geneva Airport
  • 19.00 pm - Vert Lodge, Chamonix
• You'll be transferred to Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
• Drop-offs:
  • Transfer from Le Tour back to Geneva Airport
  • We aim to arrive at the airport by 17:30 but it's best to book flights after 20:30 in case of any delays on the mountain or the roads.

IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR ME?

I'm travelling solo, is this a good option for me?

• Absolutely! We offer this trip so that like-minded people could go on adventures without having to sort the long-winded logistics of who would do all the driving, coordinate annual leave, arrange hotels, etc.
• More than half of our guests book solo, it's one of the main reasons people choose to book with Call to Adventure.
• We have lots of guests booking in 1s, 2s, and 3s so you'll be in good company.

What is the age range?

• It always differs but the average is between 25 - 55 with a few either side.
• But remember age is just a number so this shouldn't be too much of a focus for you.

Is there a minimum age for this trip?

• Open trips - 18 years old
• Private trips - please enquire

How fit do I need to be?

• If you've got a good base level of fitness or are a regular hiker you'll be fine.
• We generally hike for around 6-8 hours a day at a gentle pace and take lots of breaks.
• Most days involve a sustained climb, so you'll need to be prepared for this, training beforehand will help you get the most from your hike.
• Hiking, particularly mountain walking with a day pack and running are all ideal.

What sort of terrain will we be hiking over?

• The Tour Du Mont Blanc involves a lot of ascent and descent over a mixture of forest trails, gravel paths and rocky stepped paths.
• There's no scrambling but it's a good idea to train by walking over uneven terrain before your hike.

What size will the group be?

• Up to 14 guests per group.

How many mountain leaders will be walking with us?

• One guide per group.

Do I need travel insurance?

• Yes, check that it covers the trip you’re interested in
• We recommend Campbell Irvine
• We also recommend you get some personal insurance to cover you for injury or any personal loss or damage.

Is the guide insured?

• Yes, our guiding partners are insured for all the activities they offer, but you’ll still need to take out your own travel insurance.
• Check that it covers the trip you’re interested in

We recommend Campbell Irvine

‍KIT

What will I need to bring for this trip?

• We'll send out a full kit list after booking 
• You can also select to hire gear you know you’ll need at checkout or add it on later

‍FOOD

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

• Yes, please just let us know when you're booking
• You can add this to the 'notes' section at checkout

What's the food like?

• Breakfasts are generally continental style, often with a variety of juices, tea and coffee.
• The three-course dinner in the evening is filling and wholesome.
• During the day, you can either buy lunch along the way or order a packed lunch from the refuge. You'll be able to sample delicious local specialities on this trip.
• If you have any food preferences or allergies just make us aware of this at the time of booking by adding this to 'notes' at checkout

TRANSPORT

What time are the transfers?‍

• Pick-ups:
  • 08.00 am - Montreux Jazz Cafe, Geneva Airport
    • Arrive BEFORE 06:30 am to ensure you make the connection
  • 09.00 am - Vert Lodge, Chamonix
    • ‍you may choose to arrive a day or so before the start day, in which case this is a good option
• Please note WE CAN NOT WAIT FOR YOU.
• An on-time departure is essential for the remainder of the day.
• If you miss this connection you will need to make your own way to the start of the route.
• You must tell us if you want to be met at the airport or the Vert Lodge.
• Drop-offs:
  • We aim to arrive at the airport by 17:30 but it's best to book flights after 20:30 in case of any delays on the mountain or the roads.
  • Your flight back must be after 20:30 pm on the final day.

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OTHER

What's the weather like?

• Between June and September, the Alps region generally experiences sunny and warm weather with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius (90F).
• However, mountain weather can be unpredictable and can change very quickly. Snow and hail aren't uncommon and storms can often blow in late afternoon during summer.
• When it rains, the temperature can drop rapidly so it's best to be prepared by taking good waterproofs, hat, and gloves.

When is the best time of year to hike the Tour Du Mont Blanc?

• Most people hike the trail in the summer months - June, July and August. These days are longer, warmer and drier. However, these months are also the busiest so if you prefer less crowded trails, consider going in spring or autumn. Temperatures are likely to be cooler but in spring the flowers will be out and in the autumn you'll get to enjoy the changing colours of the leaves, plus there are fewer crowds - bonus!

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• Free cancellation or date change up to 65 days before departure
• Deposits are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by us, then you'll get a full refund