Magical Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights – 8 Days

From Geneva, we transfer you to Chamonix. Bustling with outdoor enthusiasts, the French Alpine town of Chamonix is only a 90-minute transfer from Geneva Airport. Please supply flight details as soon as you can if you are arriving via Geneva (see the How to get there section on the website for the conditions). From the garden of your hotel, relax under the incredible Mont Blanc massif before further exploring the streets, pavement cafes and bars of this famous alpine town.

Accommodation: Hotel Oustalet
Run by the Durban sisters, Agnes and Veronique’s 3* hotel is a typical timber alpine chalet located in the heart of Chamonix. From their spacious garden, relax poolside with exceptional views of the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc.

Meals included: None

We start the day with a private transfer out to the beginning of the walk. A spectacular day of mountain walking begins with an ascent across forested slopes and onto steeper ground to the foot of a short section of fixed ladders. Being steeper ground means there are excellent chances to see agile Ibex mountain goats. Now, deep into the Aiguille Rouge Nature reserve, follow the trail to the idyllic setting of Refuge Lac Blanc overlooking the cobalt waters of the lake. Descending on rocky paths, the path narrows into the famous ‘Balcony Trail’, where you’ll enjoy largely unbroken vistas across to Mont Blanc range until you reach the cable car station of Plan Praz. Here, descend by cable car to your hotel in Chamonix.

Distance: 10km
Ascent: 730m
Descent: 270m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Oustalet

Today’s trekking starts by returning to Plan Praz by cable car. Re-joining the trail, you have several options, which include hiking up to the Col du Brevent and onto Le Brevent (2525m). At the mountain top restaurant, snow-capped peaks and glaciers seem within touching distance. From here, if you prefer to take the day a little easier, descend to Chamonix on the Brevent cable car. Alternatively, continue by foot, descending into alpine woodland and the village of Les Houches. Return to Chamonix via the mountain train (or bus). With an abundance of traditional and global dining options, Chamonix is a great place to rest and soak up the alpine experience.

Distance: 18.5km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 1770m

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Oustalet

Today we’d suggest taking the cable car up to Bellevue (1802m) at the western end of the Chamonix Valley. From Bellevue you have a choice of two routes to Les Contamines; Hike over the Col du Tricot (2102m), under the shadow of the Bionnassay and Aiguille de Bionnassay glaciers and onwards to the picture-postcard Chalet de Miage (famed for their blueberry tart). Alternatively, trek through high alpine pastures and enchanting woodland via the hamlets of Bionnassay and Le Champel to the peaceful village of Les Contamines. Once the walk is completed, we will provide you with a private transfer to Courmayeur.

Trek via the Col du Tricot: 15.5km or 18.5km
Ascent: 1010m or 1480m
Descent: 850m or 1320m

Trek via Bionnassay & Le Champel: 15.5km
Ascent: 1010m
Descent: 850m

By using the cable from Bellevue, either walk is reduced by approx. 2 hours and around 700-800m of ascent.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon
Run by the Grivel Di Addario family, this 3* hotel is located in a quiet street just a few minutes walk from the main centre. With a long heritage of mountaineers in the family, the hotel is well equipped to look after weary trekkers. A comfortable lounge, fireplace, a garden terrace and modest en-suite rooms all make for an enjoyable stay.

Follow the trail down to Lac Combal where you’ll soon begin to climb again towards Arp Vielle and onto a magnificent balcony trail towards Col Checrouit. Across the valley, the enormity of the southern Mont Blanc is revealed and there are many great vantage points to soak mountain life, relax with a picnic and look out for Marmots. To make the most of your time up on this trail, you can always descend directly to Courmayeur by chairlift.

Distance: 15.5km
Ascent: 850m
Descent: 1300m
Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

Today you can relax and stroll around the cobbled streets of Courmayeur or take the ski lift up and over the mountain. Today we supply you with a Skyway Pass to traverse the top of the mountain in semi-spherical cabins which gently rotate a full 360 degrees for the duration of the ascent. This not to be missed experience allows visitors to grasp the splendour of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks, such as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Gran Paradiso.

The beauty and mountains of Courmayeur have long been attracting climbers and trekkers since the late 18th century when Mont Blanc was conquered in 1786. In the town centre, the Guides Museum is well worth a visit, celebrating 150 years of alpinism.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon

Leave Courmayeur town on foot and ascend onto the steep forested slopes of La Montagne de la Saxe. After arriving at Rifugio Bertone, follow the ‘Balcony Route’, which gives incredible unbroken views across Val Ferret to Mont Blanc and Grand Jorasses. The high route is challenging, but it provides some of the most epic views on the walk. On reaching Rifugio Walter Bonatti, the picnic terrace is great for sampling the famous Bonatti hot chocolate and taking in the majesty of the mountains around you.

Distance: 14km or 17km
Ascent: 1080m or 1730m
Descent: 580m or 1250m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Crampon (or Rifugio Bonatti)
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We deliver you back to Chamonix with a private transfer where you can catch a train to anywhere in Europe, or you can go back to Geneva. However, this will depend on your onward travel arrangements. Take a walk around Chamonix, and indulge in freshly baked patisserie cakes and coffee before moving on to your next adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast