Day 1: Arrive Les Houches (D)
Fly to Geneva and transfer to Les Houches. A private company, Chamexpress, operates a shuttle bus 6 times a day between Geneva Airport and villages of the Chamonix valley (including Les Houches). Swiss Travel can book these transfers for you for an additional cost.
Day 2: Les Houches to Les Contamines: 19 kms / 7 hours(B)
Climb from Les Houches via Col de Voza to the Col de Tricot. There is a very steep descent then to the Chalets de Miage followed by a short climb over Truc before descending through forest to Les Contamines. This is a demanding day and many walkers start by taking the cable car up from Les Houches to Bellevue to avoid the long, initial slog.
Day 3:Les Contamines to Les Chapieux, 17.5 kms / 7 hours (B, D)
Ascend to the Col du Bonhomme and then traverse to the slightly higher Col de la Croix de Bonhomme, before descending to Les Chapieux. Your bags are not carried to this point. You have to carry your wash bag and a change of clothing for two days and 1 night.
Day 4: Les Chapieux to La Palud, 30 kms / 9 hours. (B)
The walk can be shortened to around 20km by using local buses along the Val Veni but the bus service does not normally operate before 1 July. After a steady ascent past Ville de Glaciers, you cross the Col de la Seigne into Italy. In summer (not before 1 July) there is a local bus service along the Val Veni from Cantine de la Visaille to La Saxe and Courmayeur, but purists can follow the strict TMB route high up on the south side of Val Veni, or follow delightful low-level paths along the Val Veni itself. From La Saxe or Courmayeur you can walk or catch the bus up to La Palud.
Day 5: La Palud. (B)
A rest day. On a clear day you may like to take the cable car from La Palud to Pointe Heilbronner (3462m) on the crest of the Mont Blanc massif with views across the Glacier du Geant.
Day 6:La Palud to La Fouly. 28 kms / 7 hours(B)
The walk can be shortened by taking the bus to La Vachey or Arnuva. You cross the Grand Col Ferret to re-enter Switzerland. From Grand Col Ferret you descend through alpine meadows past the barns of La Peula (refreshments available) and the tiny village of Ferret to your hotel in La Fouly.
Day 7: La Fouly to Champex. 17 kms/4.5 hours (B, D)
You follow the beautiful Swiss Val Ferret and pass through some pretty villages before leaving the valley to climb through woods to Champex in its picturesque lakeside setting. An easy day and in warm weather there is time to cool off in the open-air swimming pool.
Day 8: Champex (B)
A rest day. A chance to stroll around the lake and visit the botanic gardens (open daily except Sundays and Mondays - small entry fee). There is also an abundance of day walks from Champex.
Day 9: Champex to Trient, 20km/5 hours. (B, D)
You ascend through woods and then descend to the Col de la Forclaz (refreshments available including, in season, local tarte aux myrtilles – recommended!). There is then the option of a walk to the Chalet du Glacier for fine views of the Trient Glacier before descending to the village of Trient. Basic accommodation in a simple auberge.
Day 10: Trient to Argentiere, 20 kms/ 6 hours (B)
You cross into France via the Col de Balme revealing the Chamonix Valley below and the Mont Blanc massif. On the way up to the col there is a longer but very scenic alternative via Les Grands.. For those who want a more leisurely (and still scenic) day, descent from Col de Balme to Argentiere is possible via Le Tour.
Day 11: Argentiere to Chamonix, 12 kms/5 hours (B)
You climb via Tre le Champ and Les Cheserys, and make a detour to the scenic Lac Blanc before rejoining the Grand Balcon route, which looks across the Chamonix valley towards Mont Blanc. From La Flegere you descend to the valley at Les Praz de Chamonix on foot or by gondola & cable car.
Day 12: Chamonix. 14 kms / 6 hours (B)
A chance to take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi; or a train ride to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace glacier; or explore Chamonix and its surroundings.
Day 13: Chamonix to Les Houches (B, D)
You rejoin the trail either at La Flegere, using the cable car from Les Praz de Chamonix, and continue along the Grand Balcon to Plan Praz or at Plan Praz via the Brevent cable car from Chamonix. Ascend to Col de Brevent and on up to the peak of Le Brevent, one of the highest points of the tour. From Brevent you descend to Les Houches and make your way to the hotel.
Day 14: Depart Les Houches. (B)
Coach to Geneva airport.
Typically Included:
- 13 nights hotel accommodation (11 nights 2 star, occasionally 3 star hotels)
- All breakfasts and five dinners
- Transfer of luggage on all days except day 3
- Transfer of one piece of luggage per person and a charge for extra pieces of approximately CHF20 per extra bag.
- Detailed, scaled maps and route information on self-guided tour
Additional information: This tour operates on fixed dates to accommodate the logistics of baggage movement. Up to 15 people per day do this walk but you do not have to walk together if you are on a self-guided tour. This hotel trek tends to be booked up quite early.
For the guided tours, you will be met on the first evening at your hotel, by a guide for a briefing. A minimum 4 and a maximum of 15 people in the escorted groups.
