Guided Tour du Mont Blanc East – 5-Day Small-Group Trek

A 5-day small-group hike through three countries with fantastic views of Mont Blanc

À propos : Four full trekking days across the eastern half of the TMB, from Courmayeur to Le Tour.
Dates :
20th-24th June 2027 – Disponible
11th-15th July 2027 – Disponible
8th-12th August 2027- Disponible
Durée du séjour : 5-days total, 4 days hiking, 4 nights
Taille du groupe : 4-8 personnes
Coût : 950€ per person (850€ early booking price until 7th November)
Difficulté :
Physique Technique

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Following the success of our TMB West over the last four years, here is the trek over the opposite half of the TMB. Our Tour du Mont Blanc East shares all the elements that make the Western version so good. There are amazing views, hut-to-hut trekking, small-group camaraderie, challenging alpine hikes, and multiple countries. There are some differences though. The views on the eastern half are less remote wilderness, more chocolate box Switzerland. Think of pristine peaks towering above alpine meadows, dark green forests and charming wooden chalets. You’ll see more touches of civilisation in the refuges too. There will be WiFi, better showers, and optional baggage transfers. Overall, you’ll find the trekking is a little more accessible on this side of the TMB. However, the high mountains are close and this is still a tough trek.

Since this is a highlights trek, we use a taxi on day 2 to transfer from La Fouly to Champex Lac. This lets us skip a valley section and focus on the most scenic parts of the route.

Liens utiles :

Aperçu
Réservation
Itinerary
Carte
Ce qu'il faut apporter

Informations pratiques
Galerie
Avis
Terms and conditions

Grand Col Ferret, the first border crossing on the Tour du Mont Blanc East — The Swiss Italian border at Grand Col Ferret

Is it for me?

The TMB East is a moderately challenging hike, suitable for regular hill walkers. It’s a great choice for a first multi-day trek if you’re already happy with single day hikes. We’ll be walking up to 7 or 8 hours a day, with up to 1100m height gain. Altitude is not generally a problem, but we will hike above 2500m where most people feel some shortness of breath. The trip is not suitable for children under 16, and we ask that 16- and 17-year-olds are accompanied by an adult.

Hébergement : We stay in mountain refuges, auberges, or lodges. All nights are spent in shared dormitories.
Repas : All breakfasts and dinners are included, apart from the evening of arrival day. We also provide a packed lunch on the first hiking day. The remaining lunches are not included. We can either stop at a refuge or mountain restaurant at lunchtime, or buy packed lunches from the overnight accommodation.
Transport : Shared return transfers from Geneva airport to Chamonix are included.
Taille du groupe : 4-8

Ce qui est inclus :

Transferts aller-retour depuis l'aéroport de Genève (possibilité de rendez-vous à Chamonix)
Four nights accommodation in shared dormitories
Three evening meals, four breakfasts, and one picnic lunch on the first hiking day
Quatre jours de randonnée encadrée par un accompagnateur en montagne

The following items are not included in the price:

Lunches apart from day 1
Evening meal on arrival day
Drinks and snacks
Flights or travel to the meeting point
Accommodation after the trip
Assurance

Ce voyage étant vendu comme un voyage à forfait, des conditions spécifiques du vente s'appliquent en plus des conditions générales de White Marmotte. Vous disposez également de droits supplémentaires en vertu des règles de l'UE et de la France en matière de voyages à forfait.

Five-day itinerary
Arrival Day: Shared transfer from Geneva airport to Chamonix, bed and breakfast accommodation in Chamonix
Day 1: Taxi transfer to Planpincieux, near Courmayeur in Italy. Hike to Rifugio Elena
Day 2: Hike from Rifugio Elena to La Fouly. Taxi transfer to accommodation in Champex Lac
Day 3: Hike from Champex Lac to Trient
Day 4: Hike from Trient to Le Tour. Public bus to Chamonix. Shared transfer to Geneva Airport

Jetez un coup d'œil à la galerie de photos pour voir d'autres images du voyage.

Hiker on rocky terrain on the Arpette variant — Approaching the Fenêtre d’Arpette

Booking the Tour du Mont Blanc East

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The standard price is 950€ per person (850€ for early bookings before 7th November) to join a 5-day/4-night group trip. We are a registered Tour Operator with ATOUT France Immatriculation IM038220006. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, your money is protected by a financial guarantee with Groupama.

Payment Schedule

For bookings made before 1st January 2027, we take a 50€ deposit. The remainder of the standard 20% booking deposit is due by 31st January 2027.
For bookings made after 1st January 2027, a 20% deposit is payable on booking.
The balance is due two months before the first day of the trip. For bookings made later than this date, the full amount is payable on booking.

Annulations

more than 6 months before the start date: full refund
between 6 months and 2 months before the start date: 80% refund, i.e. you lose the deposit
between 2 months and 1 month before the start date: 50% refund if you have paid in full
less than 1 month before the start date: no refunds

Upgrades

Extra night(s) – 100€ per night: if you would like to stay in Chamonix after the trip, we can arrange one or more extra nights in the lodge we use for the first night. Your airport transfers can be used on any date you choose in the summer season, whether you book extra nights through us or find your own accommodation.
Accommodation upgrade – from 50€ per night for 2 people sharing : you can upgrade to a private room for the night in Chamonix before the trip. It may be possible to upgrade other nights, but availability is very limited. Typical prices are 50€ per person per night for 2-3 people sharing private rooms, 100€ per night for one person.
Luggage transfers – 250€ per bag: it is possible to transport a 15kg bag to the end of each day’s trek so that you only need to carry the equipment you need each day. After the trip, the bag will be available to collect in Chamonix.

Contactez nous for more information about any of these options, or let us know on your booking form if you want to add any to your booking. You can pay the standard deposit amount and we’ll adjust the balance payment to take the upgrades into account.

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Click the buttons above to book, or send us an email to bookings@whitemarmotte.com to request more information. Please note that conditions spécifiques du vente s'appliquent à ce voyage, veillez donc à les lire avant de réserver.

Hikers in the forest approaching Bovine Alpage — The Bovine Alpage Route

Review text over image - Wonderful trip with a great guide! Ian was knowledgable, considerate and friendly and picked a route that worked so well for us

What our customers are saying…

This is a new trip, so we don’t have reviews yet. Here is some customer feedback from the TMB West

“Wonderful trip with a great guide! Ian was knowledgable, considerate and friendly and picked a route that worked so well for us and made sure that everything ran incredibly smoothly. Will definitely use again.” – Kenneth Roberts

“… We had an amazing 5 nights doing the TMB and will definitely be going back next summer” – Sharon Power

“It was challenging & fantastic all mixed together with sun, snow, thunderstorms and epic scenery! Ian’s 4 day itinerary is perfectly planned …” – Mel M

Lire plus d'avis sur Google et Tripadvisor

Tour du Mont Blanc East – Detailed Itinerary

Arrival day

From Geneva airport you’ll take a shared transfer to your accommodation near Chamonix. You can arrive at the airport at any time during the day, as long as your flight is scheduled to land no later than 7.30pm. We don’t include an evening meal on arrival day, as you may prefer to get food on the flight or at the airport. You can buy dinner at the bar/restaurant in the lodge until 9.30pm, or take a fifteen minute stroll into Chamonix town centre.
Accommodation: Lodge (dormitory, private room upgrade available)

Mont-Blanc and Chamonix from the Col de Balme near the end of the TMB East — Mont-Blanc (left) from the Col de Balme

Day 1: Planpincieux to Rifugio Elena

Right after breakfast, we’ll take a taxi through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy. We’ll be dropped off at Planpincieux in the Italian Val Ferret, just a few kilometres from Courmayeur. From here we’ll hike up to the Val Ferret Balcony path. This leads us to the famous Rifugio Bonatti, a great place for an Italian espresso. Staying on the Val Ferret balcony path, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the south side of the Mont Blanc Massif. The granite walls of the Grandes Jorasses are awe inspiring, and we’ll soon see Mont Dolent, the tri-point of Italy, Switzerland and France. Reaching the old farm at Arp Nouva, we’ll drop down to the valley floor before the final climb towards the well appointed Rifugio Elena.
Hébergement : Refuge de montagne
Distance : 13km
Altitude Gain/Loss: 900m/440m
Maximum Altitude: 2070m

Hikers in the Italian Val Ferret, start of the TMB East — The Italian Val Ferret

Day 2: Rifugio Elena to La Fouly

We start the day by continuing the climb to the Grand Col Ferret, at the head of the Italian Val Ferret valley. Here we’ll cross the border into Switzerland and see the scenery change almost instantaneously. We’ll leave the jagged granite peaks for alpine pastures dominated by the icy dome of the Grand Combin high above. You’ll often spot ibex and marmots on this section. If we have time, we can take in the peak of the Tête de Ferret as well.

The trail becomes easier as we descend to the refuge and dairy farm at La Peule – a great place to stop and sample some fresh raclette cheese. The trail then winds down into the valley and the delightful little town of La Fouly. From here, a taxi takes us down the valley to our accommodation above Champex Lac.
Hébergement : Refuge de montagne
Distance : 13km
Altitude Gain/Loss: 530m/940m
Maximum Altitude: 2536m

Trient village, with the pink church in the centre — The charming Swiss village of Trient

Day 3: Champex Lac to Trient

Today there are two choices, depending on conditions and the ability of the group. Typically we take the Bovine Alpage route, descending through woodland and chalets to a café at Plan d’Au, before climbing steep pine forests to reach the green, pastoral plateau where the Bovine farm and restaurant sits. We are rewarded by great views of the Swiss Rhone valley, and distant high alpine peaks. A long wooded traverse brings us to a historic crossing point at the Col de la Forclaz, before the descent to Trient. A dramatic alternative route takes us over the high and difficult Fenêtre d’Arpette – this rocky mountain pass is a shorter and more direct route, but with more elevation gain. It’s a lot more challenging.
Accommodation: Auberge
Distance: 16km or 13km
Altitude Gain/Loss: 730m/1080m or 1040m/1390m
Maximum Altitude: 2050m or 2665m

The refuge at the Col de Balme near the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc East — The French-Swiss border and Col de Balme

Day 4: Trient to Le Tour

Today begins with the long, steady climb to the Col de Balme, and the French border. Here we’ll be rewarded with a sudden view of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Aiguilles, weather permitting. The refuge straddling the border is a good spot for refreshments before the descent into France. We can either descend directly, or take a longer route over the scenic Posettes ridge if time allows. A cable car descent is also possible for tired legs.
Accommodation: None – shared transfers to Geneva airport are provided. Extra nights are available as an upgrade.
Distance : 11km
Altitude Gain/Loss: 1100m/950m
Maximum Altitude: 2204m

Map of the Tour du Mont Blanc East route with elevation profiles — Hiking route in red, transfers in blue

What to bring on the Tour du Mont Blanc East

As we’ll be staying in refuges overnight, we can travel light on this trip. You’ll be able to fill up your water bottles and buy packed lunches along the way. However, you’ll still have to carry enough kit for four days hiking. If you want to carry less, ask us about optional baggage transfers.

You should be able to keep the weight down to seven or eight kilos, plus water. You’ll need the following items:-

Rucksack big enough to carry everything – about 30 litres
Suitable footwear (see below)
Veste imperméable
Pantalon imperméable
Veste chaude (par ex. doudoune)
T-shirts ou couches de base
Pulls ou hauts à manches longues
Long trousers (you can wear shorts, but please bring long trousers too)
Warm hat and gloves
Sous-vêtements et chaussettes de rechange
Lunettes de soleil
Chapeau de soleil ou casquette
Crème solaire
Drap de sac de couchage en coton ou en soie (disponibles chez Decathlon)
Serviette de voyage
Water bottles (1-2 litres – please fill up before we leave Geneva)
Brosse à dents et dentifrice
Savon/shampoing/gel douche - Conseil : essayez une barre de shampoing solide pour gagner du poids.
Médicaments personnels éventuels
Bank card and cash for drinks/snacks/extras
Passport
Phone and charger
Earplugs (optional)
Bâtons de trekking (facultatifs mais recommandés - vous pouvez les louer chez nous si nécessaire)

Footwear

If you are not used to hiking on uneven terrain, we recommend wearing sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support. This will make it easier to move on rocky ground and reduce the chance of a sprained ankle. Many people hike the TMB wearing trail running type shoes, and if you are used to wearing them in the mountains then these are perfectly fine. However, trail shoes provide no ankle support and little edge grip, so they are not as practical for hikers who are not used to them.

Si vous avez des questions ou des inquiétudes concernant l'équipement, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter et nous nous ferons un plaisir de vous conseiller.

Cowbells on display in Le Tour — Traditional cowbells in Le Tour

Informations pratiques

No, the full Tour du Mont Blanc typically takes 10 days or more. Our shorter TMB Treks, The TMB East on this page and the TMB West, cover some of the best bits over 4 days of trekking. These treks give a great taste of the TMB route over a shorter break, without spending nearly a fortnight on the trek.

Yes, either or both transfers can be arranged for different dates if you want to stay a few days extra in Chamonix. We can organise extra nights in the Vert Lodge where you’ll stay on the night before the trek. However, there are plenty of accommodation options in the town if you’d prefer something different, from campsites to five star hotels. There is an extensive bus and train network too, so it is easy to get around the valley without a car.

Yes, if you don’t need one or both of the transfers we can offer a discount of 50€ per transfer you don’t take. We can reduce the price by 100€ if you don’t need accommodation on arrival night, but you’ll need to get yourself to the Vert Lodge before 7am on day 1. Contactez-nous pour plus de détails.

Our transfer service can meet flights landing in Geneva up until 7.30pm. For the return journey, we recommend booking any flight from 7.30pm onwards on day 4. If you would like the return transfer on a later date, we can get you to the airport for any flight taking off at 9.30am or later.

If you are not sure whether your flights are suitable, please contactez-nous for advice before booking.

While you don’t need to be a marathon runner, you do need to be able to hike on hilly terrain for up to eight hours per day. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a mountainous route around some of the highest points in Europe. In general, we cover 10-16 kilometres and 500-1100 metres of ascent each day. The Tour du Mont Blanc East is easier than our 4-day TMB Ouest, but it’s still challenging. If you are not used to walking in the mountains we recommend that you get some practice beforehand – it is very different from walking on the flat.

If you have a medical condition which may affect your ability to complete this trip, please contactez-nous to discuss suitability. We want you to be able to take part if possible, but if you have a condition that could lead to a life threatening emergency, you need to carefully consider whether you can safely complete the trek. The route crosses inaccessible mountain terrain, sometimes with no mobile network signal, however the overnight accommodation is always accessible by road, or by 4-wheel-drive track. This trip is less remote than the TMB West, but we can still be several hours walk from the nearest road or shelter.

While we do not want to bar anyone from participating in the trip, we reserve the right to ask for a letter from a physician before accepting your booking, or to refuse your booking if we are not satisfied that you can complete the trip safely.

Nous ne recommandons pas non plus ce voyage si vous souffrez d'une maladie qui affecte votre capacité à effectuer des exercices modérément intenses pendant une longue période ou à marcher en toute sécurité sur un terrain accidenté.

Nous trouvons que Decathlon est l'endroit idéal pour se procurer ces articles à un prix raisonnable. Si vous avez des difficultés à trouver quelque chose, faites-le nous savoir et nous verrons ce que nous pouvons faire pour vous.

This trip uses a mixture of refuges and auberges, including one high mountain refuge at over 2000m altitude on the Italian section. The first night in Chamonix is in a hotel/lodge, while the nights in Switzerland are in a refuge near the valley, and an auberge (basic hotel). All nights are spent in shared dormitories as standard, but you may be able to upgrade to a private room subject to availability. Facilities are basic, but you can expect a friendly atmosphere, plenty of food at dinner, a pleasant bar and a terrace with a view. On this trip, all the accommodation has WiFi and hot showers.

Please note that the Rifugio Elena is quite remote – there may be no phone signal and the wifi can be temperamental. You may not be able to use credit cards here if the phone/internet signal is not working.

We aim to have between four and eight people in a group, and we will not book more than eight places. However, we will commit to running a trip from the first booking, so even if only one or two people book we will guarantee to run the trip. In the unlikely event that you are the only person to book, we’ll give you the option of coming on your own (with private guiding), transferring the booking to another White Marmotte product, or cancelling for a full refund.

We’ll be staying in France, Italy and Switzerland so you’ll need a means to pay for items in all three countries. France and Italy use euros, while Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc. All the accommodation takes bank cards, but the Rifugio Elena occasionally has problems accepting card payments so it is good to have cash as a backup. Mountain restaurants we pass do not always take cards. You can withdraw both francs and euros at Geneva airport, euros in Chamonix, and francs at La Fouly, the first village we reach in Switzerland.

You’ll need to pay for lunches, drinks, and any extras along the route. You’ll also need a means to pay in unforeseen circumstances, such as if you need to leave the trip early or have medical bills.

If you arrive late, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. If you can get to Chamonix on arrival day (or night), you can check into the hotel at any time, no matter how late. If you miss the departure for Italy the following morning, we will do our best to organise for you to join the group as early as we can, however it is likely that there will be additional transport and/or accommodation costs which you would have to cover. It may be possible for you to meet us in Italy, or you may need to travel to Champex to meet the group on night three.

Insurance is not included in the cost of this trip, so you’ll need to have your own insurance which covers search and rescue, including by helicopter, and emergency medical care in France, Italy and Switzerland. This is a mandatory requirement in order to protect both you and us in the event of an emergency. Mountain rescue is free in France, but can be extremely expensive in Italy and Switzerland.

Si vous résidez en France, vous pouvez souscrire une police appropriée à www.sport.lycea.fr.

Hiker near the Bovine Alpage on the TMB East — Bovine Alpage

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Veuillez lire les conditions spécifiques du vente qui s'appliquent à ce voyage avant de le réserver.

Reviews from White Marmotte customers (all products)

    
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jason C 
 18 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Awesome experience
Ian, Is an experienced and steady guide who made for a memorable trip. His expertise and steady hand were much appreciated as we navigated our 5-day hike of the French Alps. If you're looking to embark on a similar hike, I highly recommend. Ian, because I am confident you'll be thrilled with your choice.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Stephanie G 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Tour des Aiguilles Rouge
We booked a 5 day hiking trek of the Tour des Aiguilles Rouge with Ian for august 2026.” There were 12 of us on the trek . Ian was knowledgeable and experienced in this area of the French Alps . He pointed out important points and knew the history of the area. It was an incredible 5 days , filled with fun and adventure !!! He did a great job arranging our lodging and food at the refuges too. Thank you Ian ! ! !
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Hannah Mendonca 
 24 August 2026
 
 
  Ian was an absolutely fantastic guide from start to finish! He organised everything so seamlessly and made the whole experience feel effortless honestly! I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a more perfect guide.

From picking us up at the airport to arranging our transport, drop-offs, shuttles and overnight stays at the mountain refuges, he took care of every little detail- kept us on track and made sure we were where we needed to be and on time throughout the whole trip, which made everything feel so smooth and stress-free.

Beyond being incredibly organised, he was the kindest and most patient guide you could ask for. He even put up with my inconsistent pace without ever making me feel rushed, and always made sure everyone was comfortable and able to enjoy every part of the experience.

The TMB itself was absolutely spectacular!!!unreal views, an amazing experience for sure and so many unforgettable memories that I’ll take away with me. A big thanks to Ian for organising it allll. I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing guide and an unforgettable TMB experience!!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   SharonB186338 
 5 July 2026
 
 
 Verified Excellent hiking skills course
We’d done plenty of mountain hikes over the years, but after spending several years behind a desk, we were a bit unsure about our fitness and whether our mountain skills were up to scratch for another multi-day adventure. From the moment Ian met us at our hotel and talked us through the week’s plan, we felt completely at ease. Everything was well organised, and every day built upon the last, which gave us the opportunity to build confidence while learning and refreshing essential skills such as navigation, rope work, orienteering, and dealing with unexpected situations in the mountains. Ian is incredibly knowledgeable, calm and patient, which made the whole experience both enjoyable and rewarding. We came away feeling far more confident and had a brilliant week in some stunning scenery. We’d highly recommend Ian to anyone looking to develop their mountain skills or simply enjoy a fantastic guided experience.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   LISA L 
 30 June 2026
 
 
 Verified Chamonix Shakers TMB2026
We just completed a six day Tour du Mont Blanc , and honestly having Ian as our guide made the whole experience unforgettable. No matter the weather, terrain , or how we were feeling , we always felt safe, well informed, and completely looked after. Ian had this great ability to read the group and set the perfect pace when needed. I remember on particular hard climb, I found myself stepping exactly where he stepped, and somehow it felt like I was being carried up the mountain by a white marmotte! That’s the kind of quiet confidence he brings. Add to that his genuine kindness, gentleness and steady encouragement, and you’ve got someone who elevates the whole journey. Feel very blessed to have completed this trip and would highly recommend.