Italian, French & Swiss Alps Walk (Mont Blanc from Huts to Mountain Lodges) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 671 m (2200 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 9 a.m. at Gare Routière Genève in Geneva, Switzerland. Please, ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage, a daypack containing your rain gear, and anything else you may want for the day’s hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodations).

Welcome to the Alps! Following our meeting in Geneva, we took a shuttle to the picturesque mountain town of Courmayeur. Here we catch sight of two different perspectives of the magnificent Monte Bianco (“Mont Blanc” in France), Western Europe’s highest mountain at a staggering 4810 metres (15,781 feet). Following the trail, we begin our excursion through quiet woods and into a stunning meadow that frames the legendary mountain perfectly.

Journey through green forests and past wildflowers with a backdrop of the neighbouring peaks on the return to Courmayeur. After our hike, we head to and settle in Le Massif, an elegant, five-star alpine resort in the heart of town. Before dinner, take your time to relax and enjoy the resort’s amenities, soak in the spa, savour the serenity at the picturesque terrace or tour the town (spa treatments are at own expense).

In the evening, we convene for a welcome reception followed by a sumptuous dinner featuring gourmet menus and rich cocktails at the hotel’s exquisite restaurant.

FOUR HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 579 m (1900 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), 4-6 hours walking, Elevation gain: 1,006 m (3300 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), 5-7+ hours walking, Elevation gain: 701 m (2300 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), 5-7+ hours walking, Elevation gain: 1,097 m (3600 ft)

Indulge in a hearty breakfast, grab your camera and set out to explore the scenic balcony trail over the Val Ferret on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The scenery is breathtaking; the towering Monte Bianco massif looms above you while the neighbouring valley bursts with limitless shades of green.

A forested morning hike takes you to a small path that meets up with the famous Tour du Mont Blanc ridge trail. This popular route circumvents the whole Mont Blanc massif and is considered one of the most celebrated hikes in the world. Walk along the path, and marvel at a seemingly infinite stretch of dramatic peaks and the valley below, accessorised with slate-roofed alpine homes and a sparkling blue river.

Continue the climb to a picturesque rifugio, an unparalleled mountain hut, where we take a break to savour a classic northern Italian pranzo (lunch). After that, descend back into the valley, taking in the views of the spectacular glacial landscape.

If you’re up for a few more steps, join your tour leaders on a visit to Courmayeur, and enjoy the town’s unique Italian mountain culture and atmosphere. We gather for a festive dinner at a popular restaurant in town at night.

Level 3, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

Ciao Italy, bonjour France! If the weather permits, we use a series of cable cars to journey across the border. Soak in scenic vistas of the glacial as we approach the Aiguille du Midi, 3894 metres (12,777 feet), a single needle of rock looming above ice fields and moraine-strewn ridges. Proof of the Italian Engineer Count Dino Lora Totino’s genius, the cable car runs from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi in two sections, one continuous with no towers supporting the cable for a total of 1372 metres (4,500 feet). On getting to the peak, soak in heart-stopping panoramas of the Chamonix Valley and famous summits such as Aiguilles de Chamonix, the Aiguille du Géant and the Grandes Jorasses.

Descend by cable car to the Plan de l’Aiguille after taking in the magnificent views of Mont Blanc and the Swiss Alps (on a very clear day, you can see the Matterhorn!). There, we savour a delectable locally-made blueberry tart. After lunch, we climb a balcony trail to Refuge du Montenvers, our legendary home for the night.

Refuge du Montenvers was built in 1880 and renovated in 2017. It has a rich history of being a home to early mountaineers and travelers that came to explore the area. Spend some time at the hotel’s bar and take in vistas of the striking Mer de Glace, tomorrow’s conquest. When the sun sets, it will feel like you have the mountains to yourself because the day hikers would have left for Chamonix. Later, we gathered for a delicious dinner featuring mouthwatering Savoyard dishes at the hotel’s restaurant.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 335 m (1100 ft)
Level 3, Approx, 8 km (5 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 488 m (1600 ft)

Kit up with mountaineering boots and crampons for a thrilling exploration of the sublime landscape on a glacier walk! We meet with our professional Haute-Montagne (high-mountain) guides, who teach us how to use our equipment. If the weather is in sync, we climb in teams of four to six to explore the Mer de Glace Glacier. Walking on this massive glacier surrounded by rugged peaks and exceptional mountain scenery is one experience you’ll never forget.

Please note: While this activity is planned for the day, the weather will determine our exact itinerary. If we cannot access this part of the mountain due to unpleasant weather, your tour leaders and local mountain guides will provide an alternative hike.

If the glacier hike isn’t possible today, make your way down to Chamonix, beautifully situated in the French Alps, and traverse this charming mountain town. Nestled in the Arve River Valley, Chamonix is encircled by a captivating battlement of rocky and saw-edged peaks and glaciers, the most prominent views of Mont Blanc.

We board a historic cog train in the afternoon that takes us on a spectacular ride to Chamonix. Enjoy the short walk to the landmark Grand Hôtel des Alpes, an elegant mountain lodge in the heart of town, and our next accommodation. Settle into your ensuite room, pamper your hiking muscles at the spa, or venture out to town. Sip an aperitif at a café along the main road before settling into one of the town’s exceptional restaurants for dinner at your leisure.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 518 m (1700 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), 5-7+ hours walking, Elevation gain: 1,036 m (3400 ft)

Savour a tasty breakfast with a side dish of dazzling morning views at the hotel before we continue our trek, crossing the border from France into Switzerland. Get ready for a classic adventure as we board the historic Mont Blanc Express train to the famed Swiss resort village of Les Marécottes on the margin of the French Alps and Mont Blanca’s foothills.

Our hike begins on a trail that leads to the mountains, climbing steadily through some rugged landscape, past lush meadows, thick forests, and cows wearing bells.

We stop briefly in a mountain field to enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Emosson Lake. Located above the scenic Swiss village of Châtelard, the lake’s dam helps collect water from the Mont Blanc massif, making it the second largest reservoir in Switzerland. From here, we travel by train and on foot across the border and down toward the Chamonix Valley, taking in breathtaking vistas of Mont Blanc on our descent.

Back in Chamonix, you have the afternoon to rest and relax. Pamper yourself at the hotel’s spa or indulge in mountain resort shopping. We gather at night for a farewell toast and to relish an unforgettable dinner.

Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)

If you want a final look at Mont Blanc this morning, set out through peaceful woods for an excursion to a geranium flower-filled châlet that perfectly frames the famed mountain. Alternatively, delight yourself to a leisurely breakfast soaking in the vistas.

When you return to the hotel, you have the time to freshen up and leave with everyone to enjoy one last lunch together in the Alps. Then, say goodbye to your tour leaders and take a shuttle to Geneva, where our trip ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.