Day 1: Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti, Val Ferret

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If you are arriving on Day 1, make sure your scheduled arrival is before 09:30 am to ensure you make the transfer at 11:15 am. Your flight back must be after 20:30 pm on the final day.

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After being picked up from Geneva Airport or Chamonix, we'll drive to the ski resort town of Courmayeur on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range.

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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 being as we're in Italy) and the Mont Blanc Massif as we climb.

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

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

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Day 2: Rifugio Bonatti to La Fouly

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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.

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We'll stop 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.

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

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Day 3: Champex-Lac to Trient

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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.

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

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

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

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Day 4: Trient to Le Tour

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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.

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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.

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

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Fully qualified local mountain guides
• Transfers from the airport to trek start point and return transfer to airport
• Accommodation in mountain huts/ refuges in dormitories & shared bedrooms
• Meals, apart from lunches

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Personal travel insurance
• Lunches (there are plenty of places to buy lunches on the hike)
• Alcohol in the refuges
• Personal souvenirs

• A daysack: 35 - 45 litres
• Travel towel
• Dry Liner or rain cover for day sack
• Sheet sleeping bag liner - can be bought from the guide or the refuge
• 2 x t-shirts - not cotton
• Comfortable clothing for the evening
• 4 pairs of hiking socks
• 3 - 4 pairs underwear
• Fleece or warm layer
• Light down or Primaloft jacket
• waterproof jacket with hood
• Waterproof trousers
• 1 x pair of hiking trousers: ones that zip off into shorts are ideal
• Lightweight hat and gloves
• Water bottles or bladder - At least 2L
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• Hat, preferably one that covers the neck
• Personal medication – painkillers, blister plasters etc
• Toiletries
• Electronics - phone, charging cable, USB plug (Swiss compatible plugs can be bought from your guide
• Lipsalve
• Hand sanitiser & wet wipes

Optional

• Trekking poles - can be hired from your guide for 10 Euros
• Swimsuit
• Personal snacks

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You'll be collected from Geneva Airport at 11:15 or Chamonix at 12:30, then transfer to Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.

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After the trip ends you'll be transferred to Geneva Airport from Le Tour. 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.

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What's the accommodation like?

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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.

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The refuges we use are;

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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

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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.

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What time are the transfers?

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On the first day of your trip, a transfer bus will meet you at:

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11.00 - 11:15 am at Geneva Airport, Switzerland, Montreux Jazz Cafe

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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. We advise that any flight is scheduled to arrive BEFORE 9:00 am to ensure you make the connection.

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or

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12:00 - 12:30 pm at Vert Lodge, Chamonix (you may chose to arrive a day or so before the start day in which case this is a good option)
You must tell us if you want to be met at the airport or the Vert Lodge.

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

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How fit do I need to be?

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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.

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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.

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What's the food like?

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Breakfasts are generally continental style, often with a variety of juices, tea and coffee.

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The three-course dinner in the evening is filling and wholesome.

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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.

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If you have any food preferences or allergies just make us aware of this at the time of booking.

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What sort of terrain will we be hiking over?

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The Tour Du Mont Blanc involves a lot of ascent and descent over a mixture of forest trails, gravel paths and rocky stepped paths.

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There's no scrambling but it's a good idea to train by walking over uneven terrain before your hike.

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What's the weather like?

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Between June and September, the Alps region generally experiences sunny and warm weather with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius (90F).

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However mountain weather can be unpredictable and can change very quickly. Snow and hail isn't uncommon and storms can often blow in late afternoon during summer.

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When it rains temperature can drop rapidly so it's best to be prepared by taking good waterproofs and hat and gloves.

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Is there a minimum age for this trip?

Yes, all our trips are for people of 18 years of age and older.

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