Trekking the Mont Blanc Circuit: a 10-day alpine trek across the foothills of the Alps, spectacular rolling hills, meadows and valleys, from Chamonix to Chamonix.
This is the famed Tour due Mont Blanc trek, which launches from Chamonix, France in the French foothills, that will take around the Mont massif and that goes through France, Italy and Switzerland, then back to France, ending where you started.
G Adventures bills this as a “challenging hiking circuit” but one well worth the effort, as you find yourself in just a breathtaking spot on the planet, the European Alps. (Outpost contributor Robert Brodey did the Tour du Mont Blanc and wrote about for Outpost. You can check out his story and see some fantastic photos here.)
Trip Overview
Day 1 | Arrive in Chamonix, France, the famously-charming gateway alpine town in France to an Alps trek. You’ll be met by your G Adventures’ CEO — Chief Experience Officer — assigned to the tour. (Check with operator or click on link below for what the CEO does.)
Day 2 | Chamonix to Les Contamines-Montjoie. Your group heads to Les Houches, for you first full day of alpine trekking: about 24 kilometres (14 miles).
Day 3 | Trek from Les Contamines-Montjoie to Les Chapieux, about 18 km (11 mi) from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.
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- View of Mont Blanc from Col du Voza, Les Houches, France. (Credit: Elisa Locci/iStock)
Day 4 | Les Chapieux, France to Courmayeur, Italy, an approx. 23 km (14 mile) trek.
Day 5 | Courmayeur, Italy, where you get a free day to rest up and explore the mountain town. Optional activities like a cable ride up the mountain or a day hike are also available.
Day 6 | Courmayeur to Val Ferret. Today you hike about 14 km (or 8.6 miles) from Courmayeur to the Italian Val Ferret.
Day 7 | Val Ferret to La Fouly, Switzerland. G Adventures advises that this is “a long, steep hike” of about 20 km (12 miles) to the Swiss mountain village of La Fouly.
Day 8 | La Fouly to Trient (Switzerland). You’re driven to the village of Champex, where you will begin following what’s referred to as the “Bovine Way,” about a 16-km (10-mile) trek.
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- This photo and above: a hiker pauses for the fantastic view along the Tour du Mont Blanc, near Orsières, Switzerland, 2019. (Credit: Renata Tyburczy/iStock)
Day 9 | Trient to Chamonix. For your last day of this spectacular circuit, you trek about 14 km (8.6 miles) over the Col de la Balme to the Chamonix valley, back in France.
Day 10 | Chamonix, France. Grab breakfast, and savour your last morning in Chamonix.
Trekking Mount Blanc | G ADVENTURES
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Phone: 877.277.9853
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SM: FB, IG, Twitter
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Length/Departs: 10 days; June 2022.
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Accommodation: Mountains refuges, “clean hotels and hostels.”
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Group size: average of 10 people, max. of 12.
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Price: typically from $2,200 CDN, but check with operator for current rates, and ask about special deals and sales.
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Difficulty: “Physical Grade 5” (challenging); ask operator for more info as altitude is a factor. G Adventures notes this is a backpacking trekking trip, meaning you carry your own packs and do not have access to support vehicles.
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Special note: G Adventures advises that though the itinerary and route are always pre-planned, “a certain amount of flexibility” is “built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.” You can bring this up with the operator with you speak with them.
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COVID-19 status: G Adventures requires full immunization for this tour (as presently stated). For more info on G Adventures health protocols, check its Travel With Confidence program here.
