---
title: "TMB Classic 8 Days - Self-Guided"
type: "tour"
trip_type: "self-guided"
lang: "en"
distance_km: 90
elevation_plus_m: 5342
elevation_minus_m: 5590
difficulty: "Medium"
duration_days: 8
from_price_eur: 1700
season: "mid-June to mid-September"
accommodation: "hotels and lodges"
start_point: "Saint Gervais"
end_point: "Chamonix"
url: "https://www.tmb-guide.com/en/tours/tmb-classic-8-day-self-guided/"
description: "Classic Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days, self-guided. 90 km trek with hotel accommodation, luggage transport and assistance. Mid-June to mid-September."
---

# TMB Classic 8 Days - Self-Guided

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc in 8 days, self-guided. {{90 km | 56 mi}} trek through France, Italy and Switzerland with hotel accommodation, luggage transport and full assistance.

## Overview

Available for groups of two or more, this 8-day self-guided trek takes you through the most spectacular alpine scenery across France, Italy and Switzerland. You stay in comfortable hotels and mountain lodges, with daily luggage transport so you can hike with just a daypack. Departures are possible daily from mid-June to mid-September 2026, but availability fills up fast - especially during the Marathon du Mont Blanc (late June) and UTMB (late August). Early booking is strongly recommended.

## Stats

- Trip type: self-guided
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 8 days
- Daily hours: 4 - 7h / day
- Distance: 90 km
- Elevation gain: 5342 m
- Elevation loss: 5590 m
- Accommodation: hotels and lodges
- Start: Saint Gervais
- End: Chamonix
- From price: €1700 per person
- Season: mid-June to mid-September

## Highlights

- Col du Bonhomme and Croix du Bonhomme
- Col de la Seigne - crossing into Italy
- Grand Col Ferret - entering Switzerland
- Fenetre d'Arpette at {{2,750 m | 9,022 ft}}
- Col de la Balme and return to France
- Lac Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges panorama

## Included

- 7 nights accommodation (3-4 star hotels and mountain lodges)
- 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Daily luggage transport (max 15 kg per bag)
- Day 2 morning transfer
- Digital travel packet with GPX tracks and smartphone app
- Phone assistance during the trip

## Not included

- Travel to/from Saint Gervais and Chamonix
- Lunches and 3 dinners (Saint Gervais, 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 Saint Gervais

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

You arrive in Saint Gervais and settle into your hotel for the evening. Take the opportunity to explore this charming spa town at the foot of Mont Blanc and prepare for the days ahead.
No hiking today.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Saint Gervais.

### Day 2: Day 2: Saint Gervais - Les Chapieux

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

A private morning transfer takes you to Notre Dame de la Gorge, the starting point of your trek. From here, you begin the long climb toward Col du Bonhomme, then continue to the Croix du Bonhomme. This is a demanding first day of hiking with a truly alpine atmosphere - wide-open mountain landscapes, rocky trails and sweeping views of the Aiguille des Glaciers accompany your descent into the remote valley of Les Chapieux.
Night in half-board at a mountain lodge in Les Chapieux.

### Day 3: Day 3: Les Chapieux - Courmayeur (Italy)

- Distance: 15 km
- Time: 6 h
- Ascent: 700 m
- Descent: 1000 m

You leave Les Chapieux and climb steadily toward Col de la Seigne, which marks the border between France and Italy. As you cross into Italy, the panorama opens up dramatically with views of the Grandes Jorasses, the Aiguilles de Peuterey and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A long descent through the beautiful Val Veny leads to a bus connection into the lively town of Courmayeur.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Courmayeur (bed and breakfast).

### Day 4: Day 4: Courmayeur - Champex (Switzerland)

- Distance: 14.6 km
- Time: 6.5 h
- Ascent: 802 m
- Descent: 968 m

A bus takes you to the head of Val Ferret on the Italian side. You hike past Refuge Elena with its stunning views of the Glacier du Pre de Bar, then climb to Grand Col Ferret - the border between Italy and Switzerland. The descent into the Swiss Val Ferret offers remarkable views of the Combins massif to the east. You continue through traditional villages to reach the charming resort of Champex.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Champex.

### Day 5: Day 5: Champex - La Forclaz/Trient

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

Today's stage is the most challenging of the trek. You climb to the Fenetre d'Arpette at 2,750 m (9,022 ft), the highest point on this TMB itinerary, where a spectacular panorama awaits. The descent alongside the Trient Glacier is steep and dramatic, with loose scree and stunning glacial scenery.
In case of poor weather or snow, an alternative route via Col de Bovine offers a gentler but equally scenic option.
Night in half-board at a mountain lodge at Col de la Forclaz or in Trient.

### Day 6: Day 6: Trient - Argentiere (France)

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

You cross Col de la Balme and return to France, greeted by a sweeping panorama of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguille Verte and the Chamonix valley below. The descent takes you through alpine meadows and forests to the village of Le Tour, then on to Argentiere.
Night at a 3-star hotel in Argentiere.

### Day 7: Day 7: Argentiere - Chamonix

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

The final hiking day follows the Balcon des Aiguilles Rouges, one of the finest panoramic trails in the Alps. You climb to Lac Blanc, where the view is simply unforgettable - the Aiguille Verte, Les Drus, the Mer de Glace, the Aiguilles de Chamonix and Mont Blanc spread out before you in a single sweeping vista. You then descend toward La Flegere, with the option to take the cable car, before continuing down to Chamonix.
Night at a 4-star hotel in Chamonix (bed and breakfast).

### Day 8: Day 8: Chamonix - Departure

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

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Your Tour du Mont Blanc adventure ends in Chamonix, well connected by bus or train to Geneva airport and other destinations.
No hiking today.

## FAQ

### How difficult is the TMB Classic 8-Day trek?

The Tour du Mont Blanc is rated as a medium-difficulty trek (3/5). Each stage involves significant elevation gain and loss, but the trails are well-marked and maintained. A good level of fitness and some experience with mountain hiking are recommended before setting out.

### How far in advance should I book?

We strongly recommend booking several months ahead. The TMB is one of the most popular treks in the Alps and accommodation fills up quickly, especially in July and August. Periods around the Marathon du Mont Blanc and the UTMB further reduce availability.

### What is included in the self-guided package?

The self-guided package includes 7 nights of accommodation in hotels and mountain lodges, breakfasts, most dinners, daily luggage transport between stages, a digital travel packet with GPX tracks and a smartphone app, and phone assistance throughout your trip. You hike at your own pace without a guide.

### What type of accommodation can I expect?

You stay in a mix of 3-star and 4-star hotels and comfortable mountain lodges. All rooms are private doubles or twins. The final night in Chamonix is in a 4-star hotel. One night is spent in a mountain lodge in a more remote area where hotel options are limited.