Starts at 8 Days / 7 Nights
Upon reaching the Geneva International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by a member of The Explorer’s Passage team. Enjoy the sights as you’re transferred to your hotel in Chamonix, France. A world-famous resort town nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc which made history as the site of the first Winter Olympics held in 1924. This evening, you’ll have some leisure time to explore one of Chamonix’s top restaurants and stroll the charming streets of the town while feeling the anticipation of the Mont Blanc adventure ahead of you. At the end of the afternoon, you will attend an in-person orientation briefing to give you all the details about your trip.
On days 2-4 you can choose from the below activities.
Option 1: Aiguille du Midi cable car
From Chamonix, you will board the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car to ascend nearly 2800m within 2 separate sections. Use this time to visit this complex high mountain setting. This tour will be guided, which is a real plus to understand the landscape presented to you, as well as the history, and the stakes of building such a place. Afterwards, you will go down to the intermediate section, the Plan de l’Aiguille, to start a hike of about 6 km to reach the Montenvers, the hotel and the train station. The view is simply breathtaking as you watch over Mer de Glace, Les Aiguilles des Drus and the Grandes Jorasses. From the Montenvers, you can either walk down to Chamonix or take the historic cogwheel train.
Option 2: Tour du Mont Blanc Hike
You could also choose to face Mont-Blanc in the Aiguilles Rouges massif. It offers a spectacular view on the summits and glaciers of the valley.You will begin in the Col des Montets, which joins the Lacs des Chéserys and reaches the famous Lac Blanc (2352m). You will then descend to reach the Flégère cable car where you can decide to take or not depending on how tired you are. This Tour du Mont-Blanc ends in the village of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.
Today, you will hike to Col de Balme which is the border between Switzerland and France. This hike includes a picnic lunch which you can eat while taking in the view of the Swiss countryside behind you and look forward to the Chamonix Valley ahead.
The Via des Evettes originates from Italy during world war I, a modern via ferrata represents an exciting route that allows people who have no climbing experience to have the opportunity to climb into the high mountains with exceptional safety. It is the perfect way to experience your first experience of high alpine climbing. The Via Ferrata of Chamonix is even a great family excursion, as it can give children a taste of climbing and adventure. Additionally, the Chamonix Via Ferrata is free of charge! All you will need to buy is a return lift ticket for the La Flégère cable car. If via ferrata is completely new to you or your group, or if you are unfamiliar with alpine climbing, we highly recommend that you hire a certified mountain guide or take a short course before embarking on this route. Having a guide with you is also a great opportunity to learn more about Chamonix alpines history and possibilities. This particular via ferrata is rated 2 out of 5 in terms of difficulty.
Take on a fun and accessible experience on one of the most famous glaciers of the world! From the Montenvers, we will take the gondola down to the ice cave and then access the glacier for an easy walk on the glacier. Depending on the weather conditions, our guides may take you to a moulin and allow you to do some ice climbing. It is important to note however, that this activity is only available with a guide.
In the morning, after a nice breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred from your accommodation in Chamonix to the lovely Italian resort town of Courmayeur.
On days 5-7 you can choose from the below activities.
You will be transferred from your hotel to La Montagne de la Saxe. This ascending journey rewards us with picturesque views of the Grandes Jorasses, Brenva Glacier and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. You will then take a balcony trail leading you straight to the Rifugio Bonatti, which is named after the famous Italian alpinist and adventurer Walter Bonatti. This is known to be one of the neatest huts in the Alps, and the walls inside are decorated with pictures showcasing Walter Bonatti’s impressive life story. Be sure to try the hot chocolate here!
On this journey you will begin at La Dolonne lift which is right across the river from Courmayeur. Next, you will go up to Plan Chécrouit with the choice of either by foot or by lift. From Plan Chécrouit, you are on the Tour du Mont-Blanc path and you’ll go down through the valley, past Rifugio Maison Vieille, down to La Visaille. Barring a cloudy day, the views can be spectacular. You can also choose to go past the Rifugio Combal to the Lac du Maige, before you begin your final descent to La Visaille. From here, you can either take the local bus or a taxi back to Courmayeur.
After a long and physically exhausting journey, there’s nothing better than luxurious warm thermal waters, sauna, and hydro-massage to recharge. This delightful spa day is also paired with the view of Mont Blanc from the outdoor thermal pool. The QC Terme Pré Saint Didier is just a short drive (only 7 km) from Courmayeur. Additionally, if you would like to treat yourself, you can book a massage and choose between their wide array of treatments.
This guided tour is what many describe as the most incredible experience of their life.
Within the high mountain, your guide will take you on an adventurous yet easy walk at a 3500m altitude (~11,400 feet). We make sure to take our time on this walk as it truly is an amazing experience, and there is so much to enjoy. We highly recommend this trip!
Day 8: From Courmayeur, to flight home
This day marks the end of your trip where you will be transferred from your hotel in Courmayeur to either the Geneva or Milan Airport.
Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.
Hotel Mont Blanc is a five star hotel located in the heart of Chamonix. The architecture is typical of Chamonix and has been completely renovated by a famous french interior designer. Hotel Mont Blanc has 41 rooms with views of the beautiful Mont Blanc Peaks.
Hotel Grand Royal e Golf is a historical 5 star hotel located in the center of Courmayeur. Hotel Grand Royal e Golf has an on site spa, golf, and an excellent restaurant. The view from the hotel is unbeatable, with mountains surrounding. Courmayeur also has a lot to offer with shops and restaurants.
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to you before your adventure in Mont Blanc. We get very involved with our clients before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip.
Our knowledgeable support staff take care of the details of your in-country transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled in a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
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