Tour DU MONT BLANC Trip Explained
“We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth."
A Silent Walking Retreat on the Tour du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc, one of Europe’s most beautiful mountain paths, winds gently through the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. Surrounded by wide skies, ancient peaks, and open valleys, it offers a natural refuge for slowing down, coming home to ourselves, and learning to walk in freedom. In this spirit, we warmly invite you to join our second Paths of Happiness silent walking retreat in this sacred alpine landscape.
This retreat will be guided by six Plum Village monastics—two nuns and four monks—including Brother Dao Hanh, Brother Do Luong, Brother Thien Duc, and Brother Phap Xa. Together, we will practice as a sangha, supporting one another in cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and peace in each step.
Each day begins in stillness. We gather for morning meditation and setting of intention, allowing body and mind to arrive fully before we begin walking. As we step onto the trail, we practice mindful walking, learning to walk not in order to arrive somewhere else, but to arrive fully in the present moment. The mountains, the breath, and the rhythm of our steps become our teachers.
Throughout the journey, silence is offered as a gentle container, allowing us to listen deeply—to ourselves, to one another, and to the living world around us. Evenings include Dharma talks, silent meals, and guided reflections, creating space to rest, to nourish the heart, and to touch the joy of being together as a spiritual community.
All practical details—accommodations, meals, luggage transfers, and transportation—are lovingly arranged so that participants may walk freely, without worry, supported by professional mountain guides and the monastic sangha.
Over the course of the retreat, we will walk approximately 65–70 miles (about 110 km) of the Tour du Mont Blanc, spread across several days. This is not an attempt to complete the entire circuit, but a conscious choice to create a rhythm of walking, resting, and deep practice. Short transfers and rest days are woven into the journey, honoring the body and allowing time for integration, contemplation, and renewal.
This retreat is not about striving or endurance. It is an invitation to walk gently on the Earth, to care for the body with mindfulness, and to rediscover our natural capacity for peace and happiness. Supported by the sangha and held by the majesty of the Alps, each step becomes an opportunity to touch wonder, gratitude, and freedom—right here, right now.
Experience the World with Pathsofhappiness
Retreat Leaders: Plum Village Monastics
Retreat will be guided by six Plum Village monastics—two nuns and four monks—including Brother Dao Hanh, Brother Do Luong, Brother Thien Duc, and Brother Phap Xa.
Total Hiking
During this retreat, we will walk approximately 65–70 miles of the 103-mile Tour du Mont Blanc, following a rhythm that balances mindful walking, rest, and integration.
- Day 1 is a day of arrival and connection, allowing body and mind to settle into the practice.
- Days 2 and 3 are fuller walking days, inviting steady effort and presence in each step.
- Days 4, 5, and 6 unfold at a gentler pace, with shorter walks, sitting meditation, and supportive bus transfers between valleys and refuges.
- Days 7, 8, and 9 emphasize mostly downhill walking and softer terrain. Day 8 includes a longer walking stretch, approached at an unhurried pace and followed by a transfer, allowing space for rest and recovery.
- Day 10 is a day of departure, as we carry the practice with us beyond the mountains.
This rhythm is offered to support sustainable practice, encouraging us to walk with care, listen deeply to the body, and arrive fully in each moment.
Organizers
The trip leaders will be Hemant and Joydeep who have led previous Paths of Happiness journeys and are experienced hikers. Additionally the group will be supported by two experienced mountain guides from Nepal, our friends Tek and Kiran.
DETAILED itinerary
Day to Day Walkthrough
DAY 1: 31-AUG-26, MON: ARRIVAL IN GENEVA AND TRANSFER TO LES HOUCHES
95 KM/59 MI, 1.5 HRS DRIVE
Upon arrival at Geneva International Airport (participants based in Europe may meet directly in Les Houches if that’s easier), you will be welcomed by the organizing team for the group transfer into France. After check-in, you’ll gather in the evening with the monastics for a welcome orientation and intention setting, followed by a gear check to ensure everyone is prepared for the trekking days ahead.
Accommodation:
RockyPop Chamonix – 3 Star
1476 avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches, France
Rooms: Standard Double or Twin Bedrooms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 31-Aug-26, 3 PM | Check-out: 2-Sep-26, 11 AM
Amenities: Private bathroom, free toiletries, shower, air conditioning, safety deposit box, toilet, towels, linen, socket near the bed, desk, soundproofing, video, TV, telephone, ironing facilities, iron, pay-per-view channels, heating, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, carpeted, cable channels, wake-up service, wardrobe or closet, toilet paper. Free parking, free high-speed internet (Wi-Fi), bar/lounge, game room, skiing, books, DVDs, shuttle bus service.
Activities: Welcome orientation, gear check, and intention setting with the monastics.
Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel). Lunch & Dinner (at RockyPop or at another restaurant).
Elevation: Geneva (375 m/1,230 ft) to Les Houches (1,008 m/3,307 ft)
Bus Transfer: Geneva Airport to Hotel RockyPop Chamonix
DAY 2: 1-SEP-26, TUE: LES HOUCHES (BRIEFING & MEDITATION)
ELEVATION: NO CHANGE
This is a settling-in day in Les Houches. You’ll meet for a detailed trip briefing (plan, safety, daily flow), followed by a gentle meditation session to prepare mind and body. The remainder of the day is intentionally unstructured—time to acclimate, rest, and absorb the calm of the valley before trekking begins.
Accommodation:
RockyPop Chamonix – 3 Star
1476 avenue des Alpages, 74310 Les Houches, France
Rooms: Standard Double or Twin Bedrooms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 31-Aug-26, 3 PM | Check-out: 2-Sep-26, 11 AM
Amenities: Private bathroom, free toiletries, shower, air conditioning, safety deposit box, toilet, towels, linen, socket near the bed, desk, soundproofing, video, TV, telephone, ironing facilities, iron, pay-per-view channels, heating, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, carpeted, cable channels, wake-up service, wardrobe or closet, toilet paper. Free parking, free high-speed internet (Wi-Fi), bar/lounge, game room, skiing, books, DVDs, shuttle bus service.
Activities: Trip briefing & meditation
Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel). Lunch & Dinner (at RockyPop or at another restaurant).
DAY 3: 2-SEP-26, WED: BUS TRANSFER LES HOUCHES → LE TOUR, SKI LIFT TO COL DE BALME, WALK TO TRIENT
8 KM/5 MI, 3–4 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑850 M/2,790 FT. ↓850 M/2,790 FT.
You begin with a scenic bus transfer from Les Houches to Le Tour (~45 minutes), moving up-valley through the Chamonix corridor. From Le Tour, you’ll take a ski lift sequence (gondola + chairlift, ~10–15 minutes) toward Col de Balme, which intentionally bypasses the steepest initial climb and quickly opens up big alpine views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. From the lift, you’ll hike toward Trient (Switzerland)—a descent through alpine meadows and rocky paths with panoramic valley views. Trekking poles are recommended for comfort on the downhill. Arrival is into the quiet village feel of Trient, with an evening reset into retreat rhythm.
Accommodation:
Auberge Du Mont Blanc – Hostel
Planpro 1, 1929 Trient, Switzerland
Rooms: Twin Bedrooms & Mixed Dormitory (Single Beds)
Check-in: 2-Sep-26 | Check-out: 3-Sep-26
Facilities: Free tap water, hot water for thermos, pub, restaurant, Wi-fi, garden, sauna, dishes, area for drying clothes, free hot showers, Wi-fi (free), weather information, electricity (220v), dining area, private parking, bar, terrace, bike and mountain bike storage area.
Activities: Morning meditation, mindful stretching, and intention setting.
Trek Details:
- From: RockyPop Chamonix (1,008 m/3,307 ft)
- To: Auberge Du Mont Blanc, Trient (1,300 m/4,265 ft)
- Distance: 8 km/5 mi, 3–4 hrs + bus transfer
- Difficulty: Moderate (mainly descent with minor ups; lifts reduce initial ascent)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & Packed Lunch
- Elevation: ↑850 m/2,790 ft | ↓850 m/2,790 ft
- Transfers: Bus Les Houches → Le Tour; lifts Le Tour → Col de Balme
DAY 4: 3-SEP-26, THU: TRIENT TO CHAMPEX-LAC
15 KM/9.3 MI, 5–6 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑550 M/1,805 FT. ↓430 M/1,410 FT.
Today has a classic “Swiss hillside and lake” character: you hike from Trient through alpine meadows and forest, climb gently toward Col de la Forclaz, then descend into Champex-Lac, a lakeside village with chalet scenery and a calmer, restorative cadence after the longer movement days.
Accommodation:
Pension en Plein Air – Refuge
Route du Lac 45 / 1938 Champex-Lac, Switzerland
Rooms: Twin Bedrooms & Dormitory (Single Beds)
Check-in: 3-Sep-26 | Check-out: 4-Sep-26
Facilities: Free tap water, hot water for thermos, area for drying clothes, possible to wash clothes, people transport, free hot showers, Wifi (free), weather information, electricity (220v), bar, terrace, bike and mountain bike storage area.
Activities: Morning meditation, mindful forest walk, lake reflections.
Trek Details:
- From: Auberge Du Mont Blanc, Trient (1,300 m/4,265 ft)
- To: Pension en Plein Air, Champex-Lac (1,470 m/4,823 ft)
- Distance: 15 km/9.3 mi
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Additional Meals: Packed Lunch
- Elevation: ↑550 m/1,805 ft | ↓430 m/1,410 ft
DAY 5: 4-SEP-26, FRI: CHAMPEX-LAC TO LA FOULY
18 KM/11 MI, 5–6 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑550 M/1,805 FT. ↓430 M/1,410 FT.
You continue deeper into Switzerland with a day characterized by meadows, forest lanes, and small villages, gradually ascending toward La Fouly. The overall feel is steady and pastoral, with repeated openings into Val Ferret views and an arrival into a small mountain community.
Accommodation:
Maya-Joie – Refuge
Route du Barfay 4, 1944 La Fouly, Switzerland
Rooms: Dorms and Twin Bedrooms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 4-Sep-26 | Check-out: 5-Sep-26
Activities: Mindful walking, evening meditation, group reflection.
Trek Details:
- From: Pension en Plein Air, Champex-Lac (1,470 m/4,823 ft)
- To: Maya-Joie (1,600 m/5,249 ft)
- Distance: 18 km/11 mi, 5–6 hours hike
- Difficulty: Moderate (uphill sections)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Additional Meals: Dinner & Packed Lunch
- Elevation: ↑550 m/1,805 ft | ↓430 m/1,410 ft
DAY 6: 5-SEP-26, SAT: LA FOULY → GRAND COL FERRET, BUS TRANSFER ARNOUVA → COURMAYEUR
15 KM/9.3 MI, 6–7 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑930 M/3,015 FT. ↓100 M/330 FT.
This is a major mountain day and typically one of the most memorable: you leave La Fouly and climb steadily to Grand Col Ferret, the Swiss–Italian border and the high point of this program. After reaching the col, you descend toward the roadhead, then take a bus transfer from Arnouva into Courmayeur, shifting into Italy and a different cultural/landscape feel.
Accommodation:
Hotel Ottoz Meublé – 3 Star
Str. Dolonne Courmayeur, 9, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy
Rooms: Standard Rooms (Twin Beds)
Check-in: 5-Sep-26 | Check-out: 7-Sep-26
Activities: Nature walk, long sitting meditation, sangha sharing.
Trek Details:
- From: Maya-Joie (1,610 m/5,249 ft)
- To: Hotel Ottoz Meublé (1,224 m/4,016 ft)
- Distance: 15 km/9.3 mi, 6–7 hrs hike + bus transfer
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (steep ascent to the col)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Additional Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Elevation: ↑930 m/3,015 ft | ↓100 m/330 ft
- Bus Transfer: Arnouva → Courmayeur
DAY 7: 6-SEP-26, SUN: IN AND AROUND COURMAYEUR
4–5 KM/3 MI, 3 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION: NO CHANGE
A deliberately restorative integration day in the Italian Alps: short walks in alpine meadows near Courmayeur, ample time for rest, gentle strolling, and optionally enjoying a café in town. The day is designed to support recovery, deepen practice, and let the group metabolize the intensity of the Grand Col Ferret crossing.
Accommodation:
Hotel Ottoz Meublé – 3 Star
Str. Dolonne Courmayeur, 9, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy
Rooms: Standard Rooms (Twin Beds)
Check-in: 5-Sep-26 | Check-out: 7-Sep-26
Activities: Relaxation day, day hikes, nature walk, long sitting meditation, sangha sharing.
Trek Details:
- From: Hotel Ottoz Meublé (1,224 m/4,016 ft)
- To: Alpines around Courmayeur
- Distance: 4–5 km/3 mi, ~3 hours hike
- Difficulty: Easy
- Meals: Breakfast
- Additional Meals: Packed Lunch & Dinner
- Elevation: No Change
DAY 8: 7-SEP-26, MON: COURMAYEUR → LES CHAPIEUX, THEN BUS TRANSFER TO BOURG SAINT-MAURICE
21 KM/13 MI, 7–8 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑1,400 M/4,593 FT. ↓1,075 M/3,527 FT.
This is a long day, so we will start a bit early. Start walking from the hotel to the Dolonne cable car base (10–15 min). Take the cable car up to Plan Chécrouit (1,700 m/5,577 ft.), saving an elevation of 500 m/1,640 ft. and 1–2 hours of climbing. Start hiking from Plan Chécrouit to Maison Vieille (1,950 m/6,398 ft.) for an hour, followed by a gentle hike of 10–15 minutes to Col Chécrouit (1,956 m/6,417 ft.). From there, hike to Rifugio Elisabetta via Lake Combal. After a short break, climb up to Col de la Seigne (2,516 m/8,255 ft.), the border between Italy and France and the main climb of the day. Descend by 1,000 m/3,280 ft. with a distance of around 7 km/4.3 mi to Les Chapieux (1,549 m/5,082 ft.) through alpine meadows and rivers. After the hike, take a shuttle or bus (~15 km/9 mi, ~25 minutes) to Bourg Saint-Maurice.
Accommodation:
Hotel Base Camp Lodge – Bourg Saint-Maurice (2 Star)
170 Place du Commandant Bulle, 73700 Bourg Saint-Maurice, France
Rooms: Double/Twin Bedrooms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 7-Sep-26 | Check-out: 8-Sep-26
Activities: Scenic hike, glacier viewpoints, evening meditation.
Trek Details:
- From: Hotel Ottoz Meublé (1,224 m/4,016 ft)
- To: Hotel Base Camp Lodge (815 m/2,674 ft)
- Distance: 21 km/13 mi, 7–8 hours + ~30-min bus transfer
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (steep ascent to Col de la Seigne)
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Additional Meals: Packed Lunch
- Elevation: ↑1,400 m/4,593 ft | ↓1,075 m/3,527 ft
DAY 9: 8-SEP-26, TUE: BUS TRANSFER BOURG SAINT-MAURICE → LES CHAPIEUX, THEN WALK TO LES CONTAMINES
18 KM/11 MI, 6–7 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑650 M/2,133 FT. ↓1,050 M/3,445 FT.
Begin with a bus transfer from Bourg Saint-Maurice to Les Chapieux. From Les Chapieux, hike toward Les Contamines through alpine meadows, forests, and small streams, arriving into the valley setting of Les Contamines for a restful refuge evening.
Accommodation:
Gîte le Pontet – Refuge
2481 route de Notre Dame de la Gorge, 74170 Les Contamines Montjoie, France
Rooms: Double or Twin Bedrooms/Dorms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 8-Sep-26 | Check-out: 9-Sep-26
Activities: Scenic hike, glacier viewpoints, evening meditation.
Trek Details:
- From: Hotel Base Camp Lodge (815 m/2,674 ft)
- To: Gîte le Pontet (1,164 m/3,818 ft)
- Distance: ~30-min bus transfer + 18 km/11 mi, 6–7 hours walk
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner & Packed Lunch
- Elevation: ↑650 m/2,133 ft | ↓1,050 m/3,445 ft
DAY 10: 9-SEP-26, WED: LES CONTAMINES → BELLEVUE PLATEAU, SKI LIFT TO LES HOUCHES, BUS TO CHAMONIX
11 KM/7 MI, 4–5 HRS HIKE | ELEVATION ↑820 M/2,690 FT. ↓500 M/1,640 FT.
Walk from Les Contamines to the Bellevue Plateau, then take a ski lift down to Les Houches (5–10 minutes). From Les Houches, take a short bus transfer into Chamonix for a celebratory farewell dinner and overnight stay. This closing day is a time to reflect on the journey and share insights with the group in the lively mountain town of Chamonix.
Accommodation:
Chalet Hôtel le Prieuré & Spa – 4 Star
149 Allée Recteur Payot, Chamonix City Centre, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Rooms: Twin Bedrooms (Single Beds)
Check-in: 9-Sep-26, 2:30 PM – 4 PM | Check-out: 10-Sep-26, 11 AM
Amenities: Private bathroom, balcony, mountain view, free toiletries, safety deposit box, toilet, bath or shower, towels, linen, socket near the bed, desk, TV, telephone, ironing facilities, satellite channels, coffee machine, tea/coffee maker, iron, radio, heating, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, dressing room, wake-up service/alarm clock, electric kettle, outdoor furniture, cable channels, wardrobe or closet, upper floors accessible by elevator, clothes rack, toilet paper, entire unit wheelchair accessible.
Activities: Morning walk, farewell dinner, group reflections.
Trek Details:
- From: Les Contamines (1,164 m/3,819 ft)
- To: Chamonix (1,035 m/3,396 ft)
- Distance: 11 km/7 mi hike + ski lift + bus transfer
- Difficulty: Moderate (final walk with transfers)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Elevation: ↑820 m/2,690 ft | ↓500 m/1,640 ft
DAY 11: 10-SEP-26, THU: DEPARTURE FROM GENEVA
Departures from Geneva International Airport as you conclude the Paths of Happiness journey. Private shuttles will ensure a smooth return to the airport, marking the end of a transformative experience in the Alps.
Activities: Airport transfer, farewells.
Trek Details:
- From: Chamonix (1,035 m/3,396 ft)
- To: Geneva (375 m/1,230 ft)
- Distance: 88 km/55 mi, ~2 hrs by shuttle
- Difficulty: Easy (departure day)
- Shuttle Service: Chalet Hôtel le Prieuré, Chamonix to Geneva Airport