Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we're happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights – 5 Day Itinerary

5 days / 4 nights

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Join us on this short version of Tour du Mont Blanc, experiencing the highlights of this iconic trek on a 5-day itinerary, great for those with limited time.

Starting point

Courmayeur

Finish point

Chamonix

Season

June - September

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Join us on this short version of Tour du Mont Blanc, experiencing the highlights of this iconic trek on a 5-day itinerary, great for those with limited time.

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Self-guided from 1.195 €/person

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Join us on this short version of Tour du Mont Blanc, experiencing the highlights of this iconic trek on a 5-day itinerary, great for those with limited time.

Starting point

Courmayeur

Finish point

Chamonix

Season

June - September

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

A great way to experience the TMB without taking a whole week off work
Hike through Italy, Switzerland, and France, exploring some of the best stages of the route
Finish in Chamonix, the mecca for outdoor enthusiasts
Sleep in an off-the-grid mountain hut, enjoying their tasty Alpine food

Itinerary of the trip

On your first day, you can take it relatively easy. Even if you arrive at Courmayeur later in the day, you shouldn’t be in any rush, as the hike to Rifugio Bertone won’t take long. The trail zigzags across the slopes until you reach the hut on a panoramic viewpoint above the Courmayeur Valley. Here, you’ll already enjoy a much more open view of the Mont Blanc massif than you did from the valley before.

Hiking

4.5 km and 760 m of elevation gain

Accommodation

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

Today marks your first full day on Tour du Mont Blanc. You will take the classic TMB route, which takes you along the flank of the mountain with great views of the massif and Val Ferret. There’s an alternative trail along the mountain ridge over Mont de la Saxe, but with a long way ahead, it would make an already demanding day even more so. Soon after passing Rifugio Bonatti, a mountain hut with one of the best views over Mont Blanc, you’ll descend to Val Ferret. From there, you’ll hike towards Grand Col Ferret, where you leave Italy and cross into Switzerland. The landscape will start to look noticeably different. Don’t forget to enjoy the views of the Grand Combin and the Grandes Jorasses before settling in for the night at Alpage de La Peule.

Hiking

20.5 km and 1200 m of elevation gain / 1100 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

Your day begins by descending into the Alpine village of La Fouly. There you’ll also see Mount Dolent, the tri-border between France, Italy, and Switzerland. Without any cols to traverse, this is the easiest stage on the Tour du Mont Blanc. It will take you slowly through the valley, past green meadows and Alpine villages. It ends at the Champex-Lac, a pretty lake town that looks like something straight out of the Canadian Rockies.

Hiking

23 km and 580 m of elevation gain / 1200 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

This is the last day in Switzerland, and you have two options on how to spend it. You can leave the relaxing valley and ascend the Col de la Forclaz with great views of the Rhone Valley. This is the easier route, cutting around the mountain with awesome views over Val Valais. In case of good weather and energetic legs, you can also go across the Fenetre d’Arpette. This route is more technically difficult but also more scenic and wild. Don’t worry, they both end up in Trient, where you’ll stay at a cozy auberge.

Hiking

14 km and 800 m of elevation gain / 960 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The first ascent of the day will be to Col du Balme, where the end comes into sight. From the refuge there, you’ll have some awesome views of the whole Chamonix Valley. Continue on into France towards the Col des Posettes and the equally-named ridge that follows. Enjoy the great views of some of the most iconic parts of the massif on the left, while the descent takes you steeply down to Montroc, where you can board the train back to Chamonix and end the trip before 4 pm. You’ll have plenty of time to get to Geneva for an evening flight or stay in Chamonix for some celebration. Either way, inform us in advance and we can help you plan.

Hiking

14.5 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 1000 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

3 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

1 night in (mountain) hut with half board

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights in Chamonix or Courmayeur

Luggage transfer from Courmayeur to Chamonix

Priority support

Private rooms

Transfer from Chamonix to Courmayeur

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

If you’ve always wanted to hike the world-famous Tour du Mont Blanc, but you can never find the time to do the whole circuit, this is the place for you.

This is the perfect short version of the TMB, still hiking through 3 countries, exploring some of the most diverse alpine landscapes. Yes, you will see Mont Blanc, the glaciers, the sharp mountain peaks, the winding valleys, and the green pastures.

If somebody asked you how it was on Tour du Mont Blanc, they would think you had hiked the whole trail.

Combing our off-trail research and hiking experience, we take your wishes and preferences to best advise you on which specific route to take. We then book all of your accommodations and other services that you need. And a few weeks before setting off, you’ll get the detailed itinerary with the planned GPS route, and you’re ready to go.

You’ll stay in one peaceful mountain hut, a boutique hotel, and two authentic auberges (inns), giving you a chance to also experience the local cuisine.

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.

Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.

On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.

Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.

No, because the huts provide their blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.

Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.

If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.