Upon arrival in Geneva, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the bustling heart of Chamonix, one of the most historic, dynamic, and beautiful resorts in the world. You’ll meet your group at the hotel in Chamonix at 2:00 PM. After settling in, enjoy an afternoon outing as an introduction to the surrounding peaks and the rich mountaineering history of the valley. In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at a select local restaurant. (D)
Stats will vary depending on the activity chosen by the guides
We’ll take the historic Montenvers cogwheel train high above Chamonix to the spectacular Mer de Glace, one of the largest glaciers in the French Alps. After enjoying the glacier viewpoints and exploring the area around Montenvers, we’ll set out along the Grand Balcon Nord toward Plan de l’Aiguille. This scenic traverse follows a high-level trail beneath the dramatic Aiguilles de Chamonix, with sweeping views of the Mer de Glace, the Drus, the Grandes Jorasses, and the surrounding Mont Blanc massif. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way before reaching Plan de l’Aiguille.
From here, we can take the cable car down to Chamonix, or continue on foot along the mountain trails and descend through the forest to the valley. After returning to Chamonix, we’ll have time to relax or explore the town before gathering for dinner together at a favorite local restaurant. (BLD)
With cable car descent: Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km) | Ascent: 456 feet (139 m) | Descent: 1,729 feet (527 m)
Without cable car descent: Distance: 7.3 miles (11.8 km) | Ascent: 440 feet (134 m) | Descent: 4,583 feet (1,397 m)
(Reference route statistics; actual distances and elevation may vary depending on the final trail and conditions.)
We’ll travel to Le Tour at the head of the Chamonix Valley and take the Charamillon cable car into the high Alpine pastures. From here, we’ll hike toward Col de Balme, near the French-Swiss border, before continuing toward Aiguillette des Posettes for sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. This spectacular area offers a wonderful combination of open ridgelines, alpine meadows, and panoramic mountain scenery. Our guide can adapt the route to the group, offering a shorter outing for those who prefer a more relaxed day or an extended ridge hike for stronger walkers. We’ll return to Chamonix in the afternoon, leaving time to explore the shops and cafés before dinner on your own. (BL)
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.8 km) | Ascent: 2,316 feet (706 m) | Descent: 2,316 feet (706 m) (reference route; may vary)
This morning, we’ll ascend by cable car to the spectacular Aiguille du Midi, where panoramic terraces reveal an extraordinary world of glaciers, towering granite spires, and the high peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. Weather and lift operations permitting, we’ll continue across the high Alpine landscape aboard the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola toward Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side. After lunch at the Panoramic Restaurant, we will explore the alpine botanical garden and surrounding viewpoints, with beautiful views toward Mont Blanc and Val Veny. After descending by the Skyway Monte Bianco to Courmayeur., we will check in to our welcoming hotel in the heart of this elegant Italian Alpine resort, we’ll have time to relax or explore the charming town center before gathering for dinner. (BLD)
Please note: The high mountain lifts are weather-dependent. If conditions prevent the crossing, we’ll travel between Chamonix and Courmayeur through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and enjoy an alternative afternoon hike or time to explore Courmayeur.
Distance: 0.5–1 miles (0.8–1.6 km) | Ascent: 100 feet (30 m) | Descent: 100 feet (30 m) (reference route; may vary)
We’ll explore the beautiful Val Ferret, one of the Italian Alps’ most spectacular valleys. A short bus ride up the valley helps us avoid some of the initial climbing before we set out along scenic Alpine trails beneath the dramatic peaks of the Grandes Jorasses. We’ll traverse open meadows and mountain slopes toward Rifugio Walter Bonatti, a favorite destination among our guides for its spectacular setting and unforgettable views. We’ll pause for lunch at the refuge before continuing along the balcony trail or descending through the valley, depending on the group’s ability and the chosen route. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Courmayeur for a relaxing evening. (BL)
6.8 miles (11.0 km) | Ascent: 1,827 feet (557 m) | Descent: 1,827 feet (557 m) (reference route; may vary)
Today, we discover Val Veny, a dramatic glacial valley on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. After a short bus transfer toward La Visaille, we’ll hike through beautiful Alpine meadows and beneath towering mountain faces toward Lac Combal, with magnificent views of the Miage Glacier along the way. Depending on trail conditions and the group’s energy, we’ll continue toward Rifugio Elisabetta, a welcoming mountain refuge where we can enjoy a warm lunch surrounded by spectacular Alpine scenery. We’ll then retrace our route or follow the valley trails near Combal to return to Courmayeur. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the quieter side of the Mont Blanc region while enjoying the traditional hospitality of an Italian mountain refuge. In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner at a favorite local restaurant. (BLD)
Distance: 6.2 miles (10.0 km) | Ascent: 2,260 feet (689 m) | Descent: To be confirmed (reference route; may vary)
We’ll take the gondola from Courmayeur up to Plan Chécrouit, where we’ll begin a scenic hike through alpine meadows toward Rifugio Maison Vieille and Lago Chécrouit. From the lake, we’ll continue along the mountainside to Lago delle Vesses, enjoying beautiful views across Val Veny and the surrounding Mont Blanc peaks. After time to enjoy the lakes and mountain scenery, we’ll retrace our steps to Plan Chécrouit and take the gondola back down to Courmayeur. The afternoon will be open to enjoying all that Courmayeur has to offer before gathering for dinner at a favorite local restaurant. (BLD)
Distance: 4.1 miles (6.6 km) | Elevation gain: 1,240 feet (378 m) | Elevation descent: To be confirmed (reference route; actual statistics will vary depending on the final trail and lift access)
After breakfast, we’ll return to Chamonix, crossing back to the French side of the Mont Blanc massif. Once back in Chamonix, we’ll take the cable car to La Flégère and set out along the Grand Balcon Sud toward Planpraz. This classic balcony trail offers some of the finest views in the Alps, with the towering peaks of the Aiguilles de Chamonix and the glaciers of Mont Blanc rising across the valley. We’ll enjoy a picnic or mountain lunch along the way before descending by cable car to Chamonix. In the evening, we’ll gather for a celebratory farewell dinner to toast our adventures across France and Italy and the unforgettable landscapes of the Mont Blanc massif. (BLD)
Distance: 5.3 miles (8.5 km) | Ascent: 1,437 feet (438 m) | Descent: To be confirmed (reference route; may vary)
We say goodbye to Chamonix and the magnificent Mont Blanc massif, taking home lasting memories of our Alpine adventure. A shuttle transfer from Chamonix to Geneva Airport can be arranged according to your departure schedule. Please plan your flights with sufficient time for the transfer, airport check-in, and security. Shuttles are scheduled to pick you up approximately 4.5 hours before your flight departure, so please plan flights with this in mind (we recommend booking flights no earlier than 11:00 AM). If you are extending your stay, or your travel plans require a different schedule, shuttles can be arranged for any day and time that best suits your itinerary.
We rate this trip as moderately strenuous. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 5-7 hours per day on good trails with some steep ascents and descents, averaging 1500 to 2500 vertical feet per day at an elevation up to 8500 feet above sea level.
