Discover the enchanting surroundings and a breathtaking journey through the French and Italian Alps on this 10-day hiking trip from Geneva to Chamonix Mont Blanc, and admire the highest mountain in Europe and the beautiful landscape of the Alps. Visit the incredible, world-famous mountain resort of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and the Mont Blanc mountain range. Explore the towering peaks, majestic glaciers, and picturesque alpine towns. Tour du Mont Blanc is among the few major mountain ranges in the world, with an extensive network of huts that allow hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and backcountry experience. This hiking tour offers an unforgettable experience of trekking along their incredible trail through the Alps. Staying in these high mountain huts is a beautiful and intimate experience, with splendid peaks as a backdrop
Highlights
Enjoy the great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range
Hike the Mount Blanc, Europe's highest mountain.
Admire the Bioniassay glacier and the rolling slopes of Col du Tricot
Visit Courmayeur, an Alpine resort at the foot of Mont Blanc
Explore a dense forest and flower field valley in Trient
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
Upon arrival in Geneva, Switzerland, take a private transfer by car to Chamonix. Check in at the hotel and attend an orientation about your upcoming adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Enjoy a welcome dinner and stay overnight at the Hotel de l’Arve.
Set off this morning after breakfast for your first day of hiking. Take the bus or train to the village of Les Houches, where we begin with a cable car ride to Bellevue. From here, on a clear day, you’ll enjoy great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range before beginning your hike to Les Contamines. Hike past the Bioniassay glacier, the rolling slopes of Col du Tricot (if weather permits), and afterward descend into the Valley of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Then climb up along an old Roman ridge and past an original Roman bridge. Arrive at the Gîte in a valley that leads to the Col du Bonhomme and stop for the night for a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 16 km Hiking Time: 5 hours Ascent Meter: 646 Descent Meter: 633 Elevation: 1,164 m
Day 3: Les Contamines-Montjoie | Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France
Begin the steep ascent to the Col du Bonhomme, then hike to the Croix du Bonhomme and stop for lunch to enjoy the amazing view of the Vallée des Chapieux. Descend to Les Chapieux and continue along the river valley to your next refuge.
Distance: 18 km Hiking Time: 7 hours Ascent Meter: 1316 m Descent Meter: 929 m Elevation: 1,554 m
Climb through open pastures and snowfields to Col de la Seigne (8,254’) and the border with Italy. Pass by picturesque glacier lakes while descending into beautiful Val Veny. A 45-minute descent will bring the group to La Visaille from this small hamlet and take a bus or taxi to the town of Courmayeur, Italy.
Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 4.5 hours Ascent Meter: 1004 m Descent Meter: 258 m Elevation: 2,516 m
Start the steep climb up to Rifugio Bertone (6,463’) with the best view of the Mont Blanc Massif. Hike along the Mont de la Saxe, taking the balcony path facing the ridge of the Grandes Jorasses. Stop for a picnic lunch and take in the unforgettable view. Descend to Rifugio Bonatti, overlooking the Italian Val Ferret for the night.
Distance: 12 km Hiking Time: 4.5 hours Ascent Meter: 860 m Descent Meter: 101 m Elevation: 2,025 m
Start towards Arp Nouva, then begin the steep climb across the Grand Col Ferret (8,323’), and descend into the hamlet of Ferret (5,593’), Switzerland. Take a quick bus ride to the village of Praz de Fort (3,776’) passing through beautiful forests and some small villages, including charming Les Alarches. From here, enjoy the view of the deep, green forest crawling up the foothills of the surrounding mountains. Climb up to the mountain village of Champex, where you can finally kick those feet up and relax.
Distance: 20 km Hiking Time: 6.5 hours Ascent Meter: 895 m Descent Meter: 1410 m Elevation: 1,470 m
Take the Bovine Way, an old trail used to access the flower-filled summer cow pastures high above the valley. Continue along your circuit today, passing the Col de la Forclaz (5,010’) and then heading downhill to Trient (4,265’). Weather and group ability permitting, the option of taking the Fenêtre d’Arpette route, a “window” through the mountains offering spectacular views, but only after a very long, technical, and steep up and downhill hike.
Distance: 16 km Hiking Time: 9 hours Ascent Meter: 1069 m Descent Meter: 1178 m Elevation: 1,300 m
Walk uphill through a large forest and open alpine slopes to the Col de Balme (7,221’). Trek the last downhill stretch to Montroc in the Chamonix Valley to wrap up this unforgettable trek. After returning by local bus to Chamonix, check in to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Distance: 8 km Hiking Time: 3.5 hours Ascent Meter: 733 m Descent Meter: 1257 m Elevation: 2,195 m
Day 10: Geneva | Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, a private transfer to Geneva Airport for your return flight home
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
9 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Porterage at all accommodation and all city taxes
Mercedes “E” car (2 pax) / Mercedes “V” minivan (4 pax) (or equivalent) with English-speaking driver and water available at all times at disposal for all transportations as per program
English Speaking Professional Alpine Guide
8 x Dinner (3 courses) with water, soft drinks and wine in typical restaurants or hotel restaurants or mountain huts. Standard coffee or tea service included (cocktails included in welcome and farewell dinners)
7 x Lunch in selected restaurants, mountain huts or picnic lunches
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.