---
title: "TMB Classic 12 Days - Self-Guided"
type: "tour"
trip_type: "self-guided"
lang: "en"
distance_km: 115
elevation_plus_m: 7500
elevation_minus_m: 8700
difficulty: "Medium"
duration_days: 12
from_price_eur: 2440
season: "mid-June to mid-September"
accommodation: "hotels and lodges"
start_point: "Les Houches"
end_point: "Chamonix"
url: "https://www.tmb-guide.com/en/tours/tmb-classic-12-day-self-guided/"
description: "12-day self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek. 115 km through France, Italy and Switzerland with hotel accommodation and luggage transport included."
---

# TMB Classic 12 Days - Self-Guided

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in 12 days, self-guided. {{115 km | 71 mi}} trek through France, Italy and Switzerland with hotel accommodation, luggage transport and full assistance.

## Overview

Available from two participants, this 12-day self-guided trek takes you around the entire Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland. With comfortable hotel and lodge accommodation, daily luggage transport and full phone assistance, you hike at your own pace on well-marked trails. Departures are available daily from mid-June to mid-September 2026, but the TMB is extremely popular - booking well in advance is strongly recommended. Certain periods such as the Marathon du Mont Blanc (late June) or the UTMB (late August) can severely limit availability.

## Stats

- Trip type: self-guided
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 12 days
- Daily hours: 4 - 7h / day
- Distance: 115 km
- Elevation gain: 7500 m
- Elevation loss: 8700 m
- Accommodation: hotels and lodges
- Start: Les Houches
- End: Chamonix
- From price: €2440 per person
- Season: mid-June to mid-September

## Highlights

- Col de Tricot and Bionnassay glacier
- Col du Bonhomme and Chapieux valley
- Col de la Seigne - crossing into Italy
- Grand Col Ferret - entering Switzerland
- Fenetre d'Arpette at {{2,750 m | 9,022 ft}}
- Lac Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges panorama
- Free day in Chamonix

## Included

- 11 nights accommodation (3-4 star hotels and mountain lodges)
- 11 breakfasts and 8 dinners
- Daily luggage transport (except Day 4 to refuge)
- Day 3 morning transfer
- Digital travel packet with GPX tracks and smartphone app
- Phone assistance during the trip

## Not included

- Travel to/from Les Houches and Chamonix
- Lunches and 3 dinners (Courmayeur, Chamonix)
- Cable car and local bus tickets
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and drinks

## Availability

- 06/2026: full
- 07/2026: full
- 08/2026: available
- 09/2026: available
- 06/2027: available
- 07/2027: available
- 08/2027: available
- 09/2027: available

## Day-by-day itinerary

### Day 1: Day 1: Arrival in Les Houches

- Distance: 0 km
- Time: 0 h
- Ascent: 0 m
- Descent: 0 m

You arrive in Les Houches and settle into your hotel for the night. Take the time to explore this charming village at the foot of Mont Blanc and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Les Houches.

### Day 2: Day 2: Les Houches - Les Contamines

- Distance: 12 km
- Time: 4.5 h
- Ascent: 640 m
- Descent: 1275 m

You leave the charming village of Les Houches to begin this legendary trek. The Bellevue cable car spares you the initial climb and eases you into this first day of hiking. The TMB trail winds through beautiful forest overlooking the Bionnassay valley, passing through picturesque alpine hamlets and offering superb views of Mont Blanc. The Dome du Gouter, the Aiguille de Bionnassay and its imposing glacier accompany your progress.
After climbing to Col de Tricot, you descend in switchbacks to the Chalet de Miage, then follow the river down to the village of Les Contamines.
Night at a 4-star hotel in Les Contamines.

### Day 3: Day 3: Les Contamines - Les Chapieux

- Distance: 14.5 km
- Time: 6.5 h
- Ascent: 1200 m
- Descent: 900 m

After a short morning transfer to Notre-Dame de la Gorge, you begin the ascent towards Col du Bonhomme, then continue to the Croix du Bonhomme before descending into the remote Chapieux valley. This is a truly alpine stage with magnificent panoramic views over the Aiguille des Glaciers.
Night at a mountain lodge in Les Chapieux.

### Day 4: Day 4: Les Chapieux - Refuge Elisabetta (Italy)

- Distance: 13.9 km
- Time: 5.5 h
- Ascent: 995 m
- Descent: 385 m

From Les Chapieux, you hike towards the Ville des Glaciers before continuing to the Col de la Seigne, marking the border with Italy. The descent rewards you with spectacular views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Aiguilles de Peuterey and the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
For this night you must carry your own overnight pack as luggage transport is not available to the refuge.
Night in half-board at Refuge Elisabetta (dormitory).

### Day 5: Day 5: Refuge Elisabetta - Courmayeur

- Distance: 12.1 km
- Time: 4.5 h
- Ascent: 550 m
- Descent: 980 m

You climb onto one of the finest balcony trails of the Tour du Mont Blanc, reaching Col de Checrouit with sweeping views across the Italian side of the massif. From here you descend to the lively town of Courmayeur - either on foot or by cable car.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Courmayeur.

### Day 6: Day 6: Courmayeur - La Fouly (Switzerland)

- Distance: 14.4 km
- Time: 5.5 h
- Ascent: 850 m
- Descent: 1000 m

A short bus ride takes you to the head of Val Ferret, from where you hike to Refuge Elena before tackling the Grand Col Ferret - your gateway into Switzerland. Throughout this stage you enjoy remarkable views of the Combins massif to the east and the Italian side of Mont Blanc behind you.
Night at a 3-star hotel in La Fouly.

### Day 7: Day 7: La Fouly - Champex

- Distance: 15.4 km
- Time: 5.5 h
- Ascent: 550 m
- Descent: 600 m

A bucolic walk through one of the prettiest valleys in the Valais region. You pass through traditional Swiss villages with their distinctive wooden chalets before arriving at the charming resort of Champex, set beside its beautiful mountain lake.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Champex.

### Day 8: Day 8: Champex - Trient

- Distance: 16.5 km
- Time: 8 h
- Ascent: 1190 m
- Descent: 1615 m

Today's highlight is the Fenetre d'Arpette at 2,750 m (9,022 ft) - the highest point of your trek. The ascent is demanding but the reward is a grandiose panorama and a thrilling descent alongside the Trient glacier. In case of poor weather or for an easier alternative, the route via Col de Bovine offers a gentler option with pastoral views.
Night at a mountain lodge at La Forclaz or in Trient.

### Day 9: Day 9: Trient - Argentiere (France)

- Distance: 11.2 km
- Time: 6.5 h
- Ascent: 1000 m
- Descent: 820 m

You return to France by crossing Col de la Balme, where a stunning panorama unfolds over Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Verte. The well-graded descent brings you down through alpine meadows to the valley floor and the traditional mountaineering village of Argentiere.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Argentiere.

### Day 10: Day 10: Argentiere - Chamonix

- Distance: 9.6 km
- Time: 6 h
- Ascent: 900 m
- Descent: 1100 m

The Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges offers one of the finest alpine panoramas anywhere. You climb to Lac Blanc, where the view is simply breathtaking - the Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, the Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Blanc itself spread before you. You then descend towards Chamonix, with the option to take the La Flegere cable car for part of the way down.
Night at a 4-star hotel in Chamonix.

### Day 11: Day 11: Free day in Chamonix

- Distance: 0 km
- Time: 0 h
- Ascent: 0 m
- Descent: 0 m

A well-earned rest day in the capital of alpinism. You are free to explore Chamonix at your leisure - take the cable car up to Plan Praz or the Brevent summit for more spectacular Mont Blanc views, visit the town's museums and shops, or simply relax and soak in the mountain atmosphere.
Night at a 4-star hotel in Chamonix.

### Day 12: Day 12: Departure from Chamonix

- Distance: 0 km
- Time: 0 h
- Ascent: 0 m
- Descent: 0 m

Check-out after breakfast. End of your Tour du Mont Blanc adventure.

## FAQ

### How difficult is the TMB 12-day self-guided trek?

The Tour du Mont Blanc is rated as a medium difficulty trek (3/5). The stages involve significant elevation changes but the trails are well-marked throughout. A good level of fitness and some experience of mountain hiking are recommended. The 12-day format spreads the effort over shorter daily stages compared to faster itineraries.

### How far in advance should I book?

We strongly recommend booking several months in advance. The TMB is extremely popular and accommodation fills up quickly, especially in July and August. Certain periods such as the Marathon du Mont Blanc or the UTMB further limit availability.

### What does the self-guided formula include?

The self-guided formula includes accommodation in hotels and mountain lodges, breakfast daily and most dinners, luggage transport between stages, a digital travel packet with detailed route descriptions and GPX tracks, and phone assistance throughout your trip. You hike at your own pace without a guide.

### What type of accommodation is provided?

Accommodation is in 3-star and 4-star hotels and comfortable mountain lodges throughout the trek. One night is spent in a refuge dormitory (Refuge Elisabetta) where luggage transport is not available. All other nights are in private rooms.