Climb Mont Blanc (4805m)
Tackle the highest peak in Western Europe during the climb of a lifetime, testing your tenacity on the mountaineer’s mountain
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, qualified mountaineering guidesHotel & Mountain hut
4 nights in mountain huts and 3 nights in a hotel in ChamonixMeals
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinnersTransfers
All transport between locationsEquipment
Blankets or duvets are provided at the mountain refugesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 6 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Learn mountaineering skills from expert guides as you cross glaciers and summit Tête Blanche (3429m)
Face off against mighty Mont Blanc (4805m), the highest peak in France and in the Alps, with a guide ratio of 1:2 when going for the summit
Mont Blanc’s legendary mountain huts get booked a long time in advance – so book your 2025 climb by November 2024
Looking for an alternative? Check out our trip to Monte Rosa, the Alps’ second-highest peak – an equally epic climb but without the crowds
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Chamonix!
Fly into Geneva and make your way to your hotel in Chamonix, where you host will be waiting. Meet your fellow explorers (you'll be in a group of up to six people), get briefed on the adventure ahead, then head out in search of dinner.
Day 2
Training: a taste of mountaineering
Hiking
Sort out any last-minute kit rentals in Chamonix and then head up the valley by minibus to Le Tour, from where you'll ascend by ski lift to the Col du Balme. Hike up to the Albert 1er refuge, located at an altitude of 2702m, right on the edge of the Glacier du Tour. Enjoy the stunning Alpine views during lunch before an outdoor snow and ice training session with your guides during the afternoon, to prepare you for the challenge ahead.
Day 3
Summit Tête Blanche (3429m)
Hiking
Wake up bright and early, put your crampons on and set out to make the 700m ascent of Tête Blanche (3429m). The route to the summit will a mixture of rock and snow, with a rocky ridge-line section where you’ll need to scramble on the Aiguille du Tour – the perfect warm up ahead of Mont Blanc. You'll then cross the Col Supérieur du Tour and descend to reach the Cabane du Trient hut (3170m), in time for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 4
Up and over the Col Supérieur du Tour (3289m)
Hiking
Set out early once again, from the Trient cabin, ascend back up to the Col Supérieur du Tour. Then retracing your steps, you'll return down to the Albert 1er Refuge for a short break. From there, you descend to the village of Le Tour. Back at base in Chamonix, the guide will meet you to inform you of the rest of the programme according to the weather forecast and the mountain conditions. You're one step closer to the big one.
Day 5
Hiking between Alpine peaks
Hiking
Drive to Les Houches (10min) and ride the Bellevue cable car and Tramway du Mont Blanc to Refuge du Nid d’Aigle. Hike to the Tête Rousse Hut and rest up for the night, ready for tomorrow’s ascent of Mont Blanc.
Day 6
Summit Mont Blanc (4805m)
Hiking
Time to test your determination to the full! Rise early and begin your ascent on Monday, the best day of the week to summit this spectacular mountain (due to it being the quietest day). Scramble past the Refuge de Goûter and ascend the Dome de Goûter before tackling the Bosses Ridge, finally topping out on the summit of Western Europe’s tallest peak, the highest mountain in the Alps. Once you’ve sucked in that incredible view, descend to the Goûter Hut for a well-earned rest and the chance to share stories from the day.
Day 7
Return to Chamonix
Hiking
Continue your descent and ride the train and cable car down to Les Houches, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to Chamonix. You can either leave as soon as you get back (around 17:00), or you’re welcome to stay a final night in the hotel at no additional cost. Usually, guides and guests go for a meal to celebrate and bask in the achievement of a lifetime.
Day 8
Head for home
Chow down on one last breakfast before checking out and making your way back home, or on to your next adventure.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
The food in the mountain huts is basic but tasty (three courses in the evening; hot drinks and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast.) You can also buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks, as well as warm lunches, in the huts.
Vegetarians can be catered for, but please let your host know in advance. Vegan and other dietary requirements can also be catered for but it will be basic and we recommend that you bring snacks to bulk out the meals. Whilst in Chamonix, breakfasts can cater for vegan/gluten free and dairy free diets.
What is the accommodation like?
Chamonix
You'll stay in a twin-share, en-suite room at a 3-star hotel in central Chamonix. You'll be close to rental shops, restaurants and bars.
The Alps
You'll stay in mountain huts in a mixed dorm with bunk beds where you can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view. Blankets or duvets are provided, so no sleeping bags are needed, but we recommend that you bring a thin sleeping bag liner. There is no running water in the huts on Mont Blanc so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (there are no showers).
Due to Mont Blanc's legendary status, its mountain huts get booked up well in advance. We suggest booking your 2025 climb before November 2024 so that we can secure your space.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for the three nights in the hotel in Chamonix for an extra charge – see Optional Extras for the price. Rates shown are for the 2024 climbing season, 2025 prices will be available soon. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
It is not possible to have private accommodation in the mountain huts.
This trip has been rated as Tough
Previous technical mountaineering experience isn't essential, as training on winter mountaineering skills (such as walking with crampons whilst attached to your guide with a rope and how to use an ice axe) will be provided by your guides during the preparation phase on days 2-4, but realistically the more mountain experience you have the better your chance of making the summit.
Regardless of experience, you do need a high level of cardiovascular endurance, all-round fitness, a can-do attitude and plenty of determination. The summit of Mont Blanc is at 4,805m; the altitude and the amount of vertical ascent and descent demands the respect and preparation of every mountaineer. At a minimum, you need to be able to hike comfortably with a heavy pack - carrying your technical gear plus food, water, and extra clothing - for up to 12 hours at a moderate pace, a good head for heights and good overall balance and awareness. This trip has been rated at the top end of our difficulty scale for good reason.
In short, alpine and prone to change, so you'll need to prepare for all weathers and dress in layers. Put it this way – it’s called the ‘white mountain’ for a good reason. The climbing season runs from mid-June to late September and between those dates there is no better or worse time to attempt the climb. The beginning and end of the season can be snowy/ cold, and the middle months can be busier and the hotter temperatures can cause afternoon storms.
Summit success varies from season to season but remains consistent throughout the months. If the weather shuts you down, your host will endeavour to find the closest mountain in the area with better weather and thanks to their base location they are generally able to find an equally beautiful alternative within driving distance in France, Italy or Switzerland.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Central Chamonix
18:00 on Day 1
Ends
Central Chamonix
17:00 onwards on Day 7, or any time on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet you at your hotel in Chamonix on Day 1. They can arrange a private transfer from Geneva Airport if required – see Optional Extras section for prices). Alternatively, you can get a choice of buses from the airport or the central bus station to Chamonix.
Travel options
You can fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) which is approximately one hour from Chamonix. Alternatively, you can fly into Milan Airport (LIN) or Zurich Airport (ZRH) and travel on to Chamonix from there.
For those who wish to avoid flying, Chamonix is also accessible by train via the St. Gervais-les-Bains (Le Fayet) station at the base of the valley, which connects to Chamonix Mont Blanc train station. For example, you can take the Eurostar from London to Paris and then connect to a number of direct lines (or an overnight sleeper train) from Paris to St. Gervais-les-Bains, then on to Chamonix Mont Blanc station.
You can also travel to Geneva by various train routes from other parts of Europe and travel on to Chamonix from there by bus. Geneva Bus Station is a 5-minute walk or short taxi ride from the central train station. There are various bus services from Geneva Bus Station to Chamonix, with the quickest option taking 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Your return leg at the end of the trip can begin at Chamonix Mont Blanc train station for various onward train travel routes throughout Europe, or you can take the bus from Chamonix to Geneva and travel on by train from Geneva train station.
For those wanting to arrive a day early or extend their trip, your host is happy to help arrange pre- or post-trip accommodation on your behalf. The price and style will depend on availability and your budget. Optional Extra Rates shown are for the 2024 climbing season, 2025 prices will be available soon.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's available to hire?
- Ice axes, hard hats, harnesses and crampons are available to hire locally. See Optional Extras for prices.
What do I need to bring?
Equipment
- Ice axe for general mountaineering (between 50 and 70cm depending on your height)
- Mountaineering B2 or B3 Boots and gaiters
- C2 or C3 Standard, steel mountaineering crampons compatible with your boots (if you're not sure whether your boots are crampon compatible, check out this handy guide).
- Helmet – standard, hard plastic climbing helmet
- Climbing harness (adjustable so that it is comfortable over all your layers), with 2 screw-gate carabiners
- Trekking poles – foldable
- Rucksack – mountaineering specific, 30-50L. It must have an ice axe strap to stash your ice axe when you are not using it, and a rain-proof cover.
Clothing
- 3 sets of socks and thermal tops
- Lightweight hardshell hooded top and bottoms
- Warm hat and 2 pairs of gloves. One pair should be thick mountaineering gloves and the second a thinner pair suitable for mid-mountain conditions.
- Insulating layers: we suggest a thin lightweight fleece and a synthetic or down jacket
- Mountaineering trousers
- Shorts, hiking shoes and trainers - nice to wear around town and on the approach to climbing days
Other
- Earplugs
- Water bottles, up to 2L
- Sun protection, including: sunglasses (category 4), goggles, sun hat, factor 30-50 high mountain sunscreen, lip salve/block
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Sleeping bag silk liner (you don’t need the sleeping bag itself as blankets/duvets are provided in the huts)
- Personal first aid – blister kit, aspirin, or paracetamol
- Cash for extra drinks/snacks in huts
- ID
All items
Payable Before Departure
All items
… Per Person
Climbing Harness
Payable Before Departure
Climbing Harness
… Per Person
Crampons
Payable Before Departure
Crampons
… Per Person
Hard Hat
Payable Before Departure
Hard Hat
… Per Person
Ice Axe
Payable Before Departure
Ice Axe
… Per Person
Single room - From:
Payable Before Departure
Single room - From:
… Per Night
Twin/double room - From:
Payable Before Departure
Twin/double room - From:
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade in Chamonix (3 nights)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade in Chamonix (3 nights)
…
Private transfer to/from Geneva Airport to Chamonix (each way up to 8 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer to/from Geneva Airport to Chamonix (each way up to 8 people)
…
Private transfer to/from Geneva Airport to Chamonix (round trip to 8 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer to/from Geneva Airport to Chamonix (round trip to 8 people)
…
I'm ready for Himalayan Mera Peak.
Massive thanks to our guides Patrick and Fred and my group Jen, Tom, Loui, Graham and Mark for company. My first summit over 4000m. Amazing experience in France, Switzerland and Italian Alps. Hope I'll be ready next year 6476m summit 🙏🫶
Successful summit of Mont Blanc
Experience of a lifetime! The guides were absolutely outstanding getting us to the top of Mont Blanc in 60 kmph winds. The acclimatisation trip provided a great opportunity to practice walking in crampons and the technical skills of using an ice axe, so no prior experience was required. My top tips: you can rent boots there which are crampon compatible, there are crocs at the huts so don't need to pack sandals and bring a thermos for the summit day as the hut will fill it with hot tea!
Mt Blanc
It’s a good trip. It’s safe, the guides are competent if maybe a little conservative. It is a tourist operation. They do not teach much they basically rope you up and say follow me. As an example, in my group only three of us had ever held an ice axe before but there was no instruction on how to use it or the best way to carry it and not a word about self arrest. They did give my group some basic crampon instruction on a glacier. I would give the company a C- on communication. I had a couple of unanswered emails/ texts or long delays on responses.
Having stated the above I did enjoy the trip. The scenery was magnificent, the huts were comfortable and well stocked. The guides we competent if overly conservative as previously stated. At the end of the day they did deliver on a safe attempt to summit Mt Blanc.
Our Purpose
To protect our world's wild places, one adventure at a time.
Book With Confidence
Positive impact adventure travel
