Tour du Mont Blanc

Today you’ll hike just above Chamonix to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice). As a warm-up for our hike in the coming days, we’ll take a train up through the fir trees that flank the north side of the Mont Blanc massif, to Montenvers, overlooking this incredible glacier. From Montenvers we’ll hike further up through trees and boulder fields to Le Signal Forbes – a lookout point affording unsurpassed views of the Mer de Glace Glacier and huge granite spires that rise sharply from the moraine walls. On our descent, we’ll have incredible views of the upper Chamonix Valley and the Aiguilles Rouges Mountains. Before boarding the train back down to Chamonix, we’ll take a gondola down to Mer de Glace’s Grotto de Glace (Ice Cave). Every year, a new ice cave is dug into the bowels of the Glacier, enabling us to walk inside the incredible sea of ice! After making our way back down to Chamonix, you’ll have this afternoon to relax in town, take in the views and dining highlights, or pick up any last-minute items you might need for our hike.

Hotel Pointe Isabelle, Chamonix (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 5.4 kilometers (3.19 miles), 2 hours, elevation +/- 436 meters (1430 feet)

This morning we’ll leave Chamonix by Gondola up to Brevent (8410 feet), one of the highest peaks in the crystalline Aiguilles Rouges range, which stands opposite the Mont Blanc massif. From here we’ll hike across the Carlaveyron Plateau, the views of the north face of Mont Blanc, the Fiz range and the Chamonix valley are second to none! We’ll drop down to the village of Les Houches, our home for the evening, before meeting our local hosts and settle in for a hearty French mountain meal.

Hotel Les Campanules, Les Houches (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 14.4 kilometers (9 miles), 5-6 hours, elevation -1500 meters (5000 feet)

This morning we’ll drive a short distance to Annecy, the capital of the Haute Savoie region and one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. To kick off our day we’ll take to sea kayaks and circle part of this stunning crystal clear lake, exploring its numerous coves and beaches along the way. Later we’ll head back to Annecy town where you’ll have the chance to explore its narrow cobbled streets and 16th-century gothic architecture. With an outlook of the French Alps and an unmatched elegance, Annecy is the perfect place to lose yourself or simply sit on the sidewalk and watch the world go by!

Lodgings, Les Contamines (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Kayaking: 2-4 hours

We’ll return to the Mont Blanc Circuit this morning after a short drive to Val Montjoie where we’ll begin our hike on an old Roman road to Plan des Dames. After a short break, we begin a gradual ascent of the Col du Bonhomme – an iconic mountain pass and the gateway to the Beaufortain region, famous for its unique cheeses. After breaking for lunch here, we’ll drop down into the sweeping wildflower meadows in the valley below to Les Chapieux where we’ll jump in our vehicle and drive a short distance to our accommodation for the evening, in the hamlet of Bourg St Maurice.

Hotel Autantic, Bourg St Maurice (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 15.9 kilometers (10 miles), 5-7 hours, elevation +1233 meters (4050 feet) / -678 meters (2220 feet)

After breakfast we’ll head back to Les Chapieux where we’ll visit a local family-run Beaufort cheese factory that has been making cheese for hundreds of years, having passed down their traditional methods of production generation after generation. After our visit, we’ll begin our ascent of the “Vallee des Glaciers” (Valley of the Glaciers). Our first destination is the Col de la Seigne – the pass that straddles the border between France and Italy and is an amazing place to view the southern side of the Mont Blanc range. As you stand with one foot in France and the other in Italy, you’ll be confronted with astounding views of huge glaciers, massive rock spires and the broad ‘U’ shaped valley down into the Italian countryside. We’ll make our way down the valley, passing through green pastures and alpine streams. Our home for this evening is the village of Courmayeur, a picture-perfect Italian village at the head of the Aosta valley. Welcome to Italy!

Hotel Croux, Courmayeur (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 16.1 kilometers (10 miles), 5-7 hours, elevation +735 meters (2400 feet) / -836 meters (2740 feet)

Roman monuments, medieval castles, vineyards, and quaint villages define the Aosta Valley as one of Europe’s quintessential mountain regions, all against an incredible backdrop of steep snow-capped peaks. Today you’re free to explore Courmayeur and the surrounding area. Over hundreds of years, the local people here have perfected the “l’art de vivre” (the art of living), through exquisite mountain cuisine, beautiful architecture, and fine wine. A day exploring the eateries, art galleries, and vineyards of Courmayeur will recharge your culture batteries well and truly! If you’re keen to stay active today, there are plenty of adventurous options available, including hiking, cycling and golf to name just a few. Enjoy!

Hotel Croux, Courmayeur (Breakfast)

We’ll leave Courmayeur this morning and hike up through dense larch forest and onto alpine meadows leading up to Rifugio Bertone, where we’ll make a brief stop for an espresso and soak in the jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc. From here we’ll continue on to the Mont de la Saxe balcony trail overlooking the Italian Val Ferret, looking straight across to some of the highest peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and the tumbling glaciers that descend the southern side of the range into the valley below. They look so close, you’ll feel like you can throw a stone and hit the highest peaks – it’s a sight you have to see to believe. After lunch, we’ll drop down into the Val Ferret and green pastures of the Lavachey where we’ll enjoy a classic home-cooked Italian/French meal prepared by our local hosts.

Hotel Lavachey, Lavachey (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 15.2 kilometers (9.4 miles), 5-8 hours, elevation +814 meters (2670 feet) / -387 meters (1270 feet)

Close to our accommodation, the trail to Switzerland begins, over one of the Mont Blanc regions’ most renowned passes – the Grand Col Ferret. The massive granite spires of the south side of the Mont Blanc range are our backdrop on the ascent to the Col Ferret, followed by the astoundingly beautiful views of the Swiss Val Ferret, the Glacier de l’A Neuve and the village of La Fouly that lies beneath it. We’ll hike down to La Fouly through classic Swiss pastures, before a short drive to Champex Lac, a picture-perfect lakeside village and our home for the evening.

Hotel Sporting, Champex Lac (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 14.6 kilometers (9 miles), 4-6 hours, elevation +748 meters (2450 feet)/ -815 meters (2673 feet)

Today is a proper “Swiss cow day” as we hike through some of the greenest and most picturesque valleys on the planet, all accompanied by the soundtrack of cow bells ringing out across the meadows. As we hike to Bovine peak, we’ll have great views of Wildstrubel, the hulking glaciated 9-mile wide peak that divides the Valais and Bern regions of Switzerland, and out to the northwestern mountain passes of the Oberland area. After our hike, we’ll head down into the town of Argentiere, nestled in a stunning mountain valley just across the French border.

Hotel Dahu, Argentiere (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 14.7 kilometers (9.1 miles), 4-7 hours, elevation +/- 770 meters (2530 feet)

This morning you’ll be fitted with a high-quality front suspension mountain bike and we’ll ride all the way back down to Chamonix. The ride is spectacular as we bike through the small villages of the upper Chamonix Valley and the larch fir trees that flank the glacier-fed L’Arve River. We’ll finish our ride back to Chamonix for a picnic lunch before making our way to the Hotel, only a short walk away! After lunch, we’ll take ourselves high above the valley to experience Aiguille du Midi – a cable car that leaves from downtown Chamonix and ends at a granite needle peak building at 3841 meters (12,604 feet). Aside from marveling at this incredible feat of engineering, you’ll be blown away when you find yourself so close to the summit of Europe’s highest peak, taking in once-in-a-lifetime views of the Alps from a high-altitude perspective. Later, we’ll head back to Chamonix to spend the final evening of our trip together.

Hotel Pointe Isabelle, Chamonix (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Biking: 16.3 kilometers (10 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation - 423 meters (1390 feet)

Today is the last day of your trip around Mont Blanc. We’ll drive back to Geneva this morning in time for afternoon flights. If you’re staying in Chamonix or Geneva, we’re happy to help out with suggestions on other things you can do in the area. Either way, you’ll go home relaxed and refreshed after your active journey around one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, and enjoy a quintessential European Alps experience in true Active style.

No Accommodation (Breakfast)