Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Alps Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Geneva, Transfer to Chamonix
1.5-hour private van transfer
Arrive at the airport in Geneva, Switzerland, for a 2pm pick-up. Transfer by private van to the charming mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France. Upon arrival at the hotel, you'll have time to rest a bit or explore the town before orientation, where you will meet the guides and other members of your group. End the day with a delicious welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in town.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes
(D)
Day 2 Hike Above Chamonix
Short Cable Car Ride
3-3.5 hours/4.5 miles hiking with 2,345’ of elevation loss
Start the day by taking the world-famous cable car to Aiguille du Midi and enjoy the view at 12,605'. From here, descend by cable car to Plan de l'Aiguille and start your journey along the stunning Grand Balcon hiking path that descends to the Montenver Upper Train Station. Enjoy an up close view of the Mer de Glace Glacier before making your way to the quaint Chalet Caillet, where you can enjoy an aperitif and dinner in the magical setting. Walk off your meal with a short hike down to your hotel in Chamonix.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Hike from Chamonix to Les Houches (France)
5–6 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,000' elevation gain & loss
Your hike from the hotel leads to the start of the trail beneath the Aiguilles Rouges along the Petit Balcon to Merlet (4,921'), with its magnificent views of the north face and glaciers of Mont Blanc. After traversing to Coupeau, you will make an easy descent to your hotel near the charming village of Les Houches (3,200').
Accommodation: Chalet Hotel Les Campanules
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Hike from Les Houches to Les Contamines (France)
7 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,500' elevation gain & 2,800' elevation loss
Leaving Les Houches, climb through the forest past beautiful mountain farmhouses and into the woods to the small pass of Bellevue, overlooking the Chamonix Valley. Marvel at the peaks and hanging glaciers of Aiguille de Bionnassay (13,294') and Mont Blanc (15,777'). Descend the thickly wooded hillside through typical alpine hamlets to the historic town of Les Contamines (3,829'), a traditional mountain village with picturesque wooden chalets and a fine old church.
Accommodation: Hotel La Chemenaz
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Hike the Roman Road to Bourg Saint Maurice (France)
35-minute private van transfer
7 hours/12 miles hiking with 4,200' elevation gain & 3,000' elevation loss
A long ascent on an old Roman road takes you to the Plan des Dames, before you make the last ascent to the Col du Bonhomme (7,641') and Croix du Bonhomme (8,100') where lunch is served. In the afternoon, hike the grassy trail downhill to Les Chapieux (5,080') with sightings of ibex, marmots, and beautiful wildflowers along the way. At the end of the day, take a short transfer to the village of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where you'll stay the night. Enjoy dinner in town.
Accommodation: Hotel L'Autantic
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Cross Vallée des Glaciers to Courmayeur (Italy)
1.5-hour private van transfer
6 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,300' elevation gain & 2,700' elevation loss
After a 50-minute transfer to the end of the "Vallée des Glaciers," enjoy a relatively easy hike over the Col de la Seigne (8,245'). Take in the breathtaking view of Mont Blanc, Himalayan in its immensity, rising in a near verticality from the Veny Valley to the summit 10,000 feet above. Afterward, descend into Italy to Lac Combal and Visaille. A transfer then takes you to Courmayeur (3,800'), situated beneath the Grand Jorasses and Brenva Glacier, where you will spend the night. Dinner tonight is in town.
Accommodation: Hotel Berthod
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Hike from Courmayeur to La Vachey (Italy)
5 hours/7–8 miles hiking with 2,500' elevation gain & 1,500' elevation loss
Today's beautiful mountainside walk offers fabulous views of Mont Blanc, hanging glaciers, and glacial moraines. As you climb the trail through larch and alder it's not unusual to see the deer and chamois that make this area their home. A continued ascent to the Rifugio Bonnatti offers yet more unforgettable views on the way up. Your descent takes a steep trail to the valley floor and then continues to La Vachey (4,500'). At the end of your hike, take a 15 minute transfer back to Courmayeur for another night at Hotel Berthod.
Accommodation: Hotel Berthod
(B, L)
Day 8 Hike from La Vachey to Champex (Switzerland)
30-minute private van transfer
5–6 hours/9 miles hiking with 2,500' elevation gain & 3,100' elevation loss
After breakfast this morning, transfer back towards La Vachey and today's trailhead. Start your hike past the spectacular "Glacier de Pre-de-Bar" with Mont Dolent above, the meeting point of the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Cross the Grand Col Ferret (8,300') to enter Switzerland, and descend to the scenic village of La Fouly (5,280'), located beneath the Glacier de l'A Neuve. Transfer by van to the lovely town of Champex (4,808'), a small lake resort that features typical Swiss-style chalets and charming gardens.
Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Follow the Trail to Col de la Forclaz, Transfer to Martigny (Switzerland)
30-minute private van transfer
6 hours/12 miles hiking with 2,400' elevation gain & 2,300' elevation loss
An hour and a half of moderate hiking followed by a rapid ascent in the forest brings you high over the Rhône Valley overlooking the town of Martigny. Fabulous views await! A sustained descent takes you to the Col de Forclaz (3,900'), from where you'll take a short transfer to Martigny.
Accommodation: Martigny Boutique Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Climb to the Vallorcine Valley (France)
30-minute private van transfer
5–6 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,900' elevation gain & 2,650' elevation loss
After breakfast, take a short transfer to nearby Trient. Climb steeply on an old smuggler's path through the forest to the French border and an unforgettable view of the Mont Blanc massif and the Chamonix valley. Your descent takes you deep into the Vallorcine Valley East of Chamonix, and to your hotel in Argentière (4,100').
Accommodation: Les Grands Montets Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 11 Hike Back to Chamonix (France)
6.5 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,700' elevation gain & 3,600' elevation loss
From Le Col De Montets (4,800') the hike to Les Cheserys (7,130') offers gorgeous views of the Le Tour and Argentiere glaciers, as well as the entire Mont Blanc range. After rejoining the Grand Balcon Route and La Flégère, descend to Chamonix (3,300') and a festive farewell dinner in town.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes
(B, L, D)
Day 12 Return to Geneva & Depart
1.5-hour private van transfer
Enjoy your final breakfast with the group before transferring from Chamonix to Geneva airport.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes
(B)
