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.
Accommodation: Hotel Pointe Isabelle, Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 3.19 miles (5.4 kilometers), 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,430 feet (436 meters) ascent, 1,430 feet (436 meters) descent

This morning we’ll leave Chamonix by Gondola up to Brevent 8,410 feet (2,563 meters), 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.
Accommodation: Hotel Les Campanules, Les Houches
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 7.5 miles (12 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 623 feet (190 meters) ascent, 4,396 feet (1,340 meters) descent

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 wherewhere you’ll have lunch on your own, and 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!
Accommodation: Les Chemenaz Hotel, Les Contamines de Montjoie
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Kayaking: 1.5-2 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.
Accommodation: Hotel Autantic, Bourg St Maurice
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 10 miles (15.9 kilometers), 5-7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 4,050 feet (1,233 meters) ascent, 2,220 feet (678 meters) descent

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!
Accommodation: Hotel Croux, Courmayeur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 10 miles (16.1 kilometers), 5-7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,400 feet (735 meters) ascent, 2,740 feet (836 meters) descent

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!
Accommodation: Hotel Croux, Courmayeur
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Hotel Croux, Courmayeur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 8.7 miles (14 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,870 feet (570 meters) ascent, 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) descent

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.
Accommodation: Hotel Sporting, Champex Lac
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 9 miles (14.6 kilometers), 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,450 feet (748 meters) ascent, 2,673 feet (815 meters) descent

After a beautiful transfer through the vineyards of the Swiss Rhone Valley, we’ll start our hike from Le Peuty, making our way up through lush, verdant forest as we head towards our last border crossing over the Col du Balme at 7,188 feet (2,191 meters). We’ll catch views of the beautiful pink church of Trient below us as we climb, passing a collection of 500-year-old stone buildings nestled amongst the soaring peaks around us, and as we crest over the Col de Balme and cross back into the France, we’re welcomed by spectacular views of the Chamonix Valley. Finally we'll reach a mountain refuge for a delicious homemade lunch with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Alguilles Rouges, before hiking down the valley to transfer to Chamonix for the night. 
Accommodation: Hotel Pointe Isabelle, Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (10 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,920 feet (890 meters) ascent, 2,329 feet (710 meters) descent

This morning we set off from Chamonix for a leisurely bike ride through the lower Chamonix Valley. This round trip takes us along the trails to Les Praz, Les Bois, and up to Les Tines, before cycling back along the river to Chamonix.

After lunch, we’ll take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from downtown Chamonix to high above the valley to the granite needle peak building at 12,604 feet (3,841 meters). Aside from marveling at this incredible feat of engineering, you’ll be blown away to 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 your trip together with a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Pointe Isabelle, Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 7.2 miles (11.6 kilometers), 3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 954 feet (291 meters) ascent, 954 feet (291 meters) descent

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.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast