Alps Chamonix & Courmayeur Hiking with Premier Lodging Tour
Classic Mont Blanc Trails & Elegant Mountain Hotels
- Available: June, July, August, September
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels, Comfortable Hotels
Our exclusive collection of premier lodging travel experiences blends active days on the trail and the comfort of elevated accommodations at night. It's the ultimate balance of adventure and relaxation.
Highlights
- Marvel at Mont Blanc scenery on day hikes, returning to luxurious accommodations each evening
- Take time to explore alpine towns, visit a 19th-century winery, and soak at a thermal springs
- Use cable cars and a cogwheel train to access iconic trails, hiking past alpine lakes and stunning mountain vistas
Itinerary
Arrive in Geneva, Transfer to Chamonix
Day 1
Arrive at the Geneva airport, Switzerland, for a 2pm pick-up. Transfer by private van to the charming mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France. Upon arrival at the 5-star Grand Hotel des Alps, you can rest or explore the town before meeting your guides and group for a trip orientation. End the day with a delicious welcome dinner at a lovely restaurant in town.Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
Transportation: 1.5-hours private van transfer
Meals: Dinner
Experience the Top of Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers Cog Train & Grand Balcon
Day 2
In Chamonix, take the famous cable car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi (12,605'). Take time to visit the site and enjoy the breathtaking views of the summit of Mont Blanc! Return by lift to Plan de l'Aiguille (7,710'). This is where the day's hike begins. After a short descent to the refuge of the same name, take the famous Grand Balcon Nord route, which passes beneath the numerous Aiguilles de Chamonix. The route passes at the foot of the Blaitiere and Nantillons glaciers. A short climb takes you to Signal Forbes (7,215'), with its panoramic view of the Mer de Glace and the north face of the Grandes Jorasses. The famous red cogwheel train takes you from Montenvers back down to Chamonix.Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
Activity: 3.5 hours/4 miles of hiking with 985' elevation gain and 650' of loss
Transportation: Cable-car and cog train ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
L'Index to Lac Blanc, Cheserys Countryside & Chamonix Thermal Baths
Day 3
From Les Praz, take a cable car up to L'Index (7,860'). Embark on an easy hike to the famous Lac Blanc (7,716'). Here, take in the view of the whole Mont-Blanc massif—the reflection of the peaks on the lake is an unforgettable sight! Return to La Flegere via the pastures and chalets of Les Cheserys. Take the cable car back down to Les Praz de Chamonix and transfer to Chamonix in the early afternoon. This gives you time to enjoy the Chamonix thermal baths, with indoor and outdoor hot water pools, massage facilities, relaxation rooms, an aperitif, and extraordinary views of Mont Blanc. This is the most relaxing way to end an exciting day of adventure! Dinner is on your own to explore the many options in town.Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
Activity: 4 hours/5 miles of hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and 2,790' of elevation loss
Transportation: Cable-car ride and short transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hike Le Brevent to Les Houches & Journey to Courmayeur
Day 4
Ride a cable car to the summit of Le Brevent (8,284'). You're surrounded by the mineral landscapes of the Aiguilles Rouges on one side, and the majestic Mont Blanc massif on the other all the way to beautiful Lake Brevent. The trail then loops around and ascends along a balcony-like ridge toward Tête de Bellachat, overlooking the entire Chamonix Valley and offering a constantly changing perspective of Mont Blanc with its famous glaciers and peaks: Glacier d'Argentière, Aiguille Verte, Mer de Glace, les Drus, Aiguille du Midi, and of course the Mont Blanc! Summiting Tete de Bellachat (7,220'), enjoy an exceptional 360-degree panorama of the Alps, rejoin the trail, and descend by cable car. Transfer to Chamonix, cross into Italy, and on to Courmayeur for an Italian dinner and three night stay.
Accommodation: Auberge de la Maison
Activity: 3-4 hours/4 miles of hiking with 1,500' of elevation gain and loss
Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer and cable-car ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Val Ferret, Pre-de-Bard Glacier & Grand Col Ferret
Day 5
This morning, transfer from Courmayeur to the end of Val Ferret. Gradually ascend a comfortable mountain path that is part of the traditional Tour Du Mont Blanc route, climbing to the Elena Hut (6,770') at the foot of the Pre-de-Bard glacier. Nestled in a gorgeous high-alpine bowl, the views are often dramatic. timing allows and the weather permits, you can push a little further up to the Grand Col Ferret (8,323'), the border pass with Switzerland! Transfer back to the hotel and explore the capital of the Italian Alps.
Accommodation: Auberge de la Maison
Activity: 3-5 hours/3-6 miles of hiking with 1,150'-2,450' of elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Val Ferret, Bonatti Hut, Plampincieux & Wine Tasting
Day 6
Start your day with a transfer to Val Ferret for a beautiful hike through the alpine meadows. From the famous Bonatti Hut (6,644'), follow a magnificent balcony facing the steep slopes of the Grandes Jorasses and the Mont Blanc massif. Descend to the small alpine hamlet of Plampincieux all the while taking in the majesty of the peaks before you. In the afternoon, leave your hiking boots behind to visit a winery and taste the famous Val d'Aosta wine. This is a different immersion into the vine-covered landscape around you. Enjoy the sights and aromas of winemaking, learning about the history of the vineyard, visiting the winery and barrique cellar to taste a range of locally produced wines.
Accommodation: Auberge de la Maison
Activity: 3.5-4.5 hours/6 miles of hiking with 1,650' of elevation gain and 2,280' loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Val Veny & Annecy Old Town
Day 7
Begin your last day on the trail discovering the Veny Valley. Hike to the Glacier de Miage Lake and Lac Combal (6,463'). A beautiful alluvial plain created by the glacier's natural barrier is home to some unique plant life! Afterwards, transfer to Annecy, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the French Alps famous for its old town and stunning natural lake. Lake Annecy is often referred to as the "Pearl of the French Alps.” Meet with your local guide for a 2-hour tour of the historic town center. Enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner at a gourmet restaurant in town.
Accommodation: Imperial Palace
Accommodation: Le PelicanActivity: 3-4 hours/4.5 miles of hiking with 350' of elevation gain and 600' loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Annecy to Geneva & Depart
Day 8
After breakfast, transfer with your guide to Geneva Airport for homeward flights. There will be one scheduled transfer on this day.Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
- MT Sobek has been perfecting trips in the Alps for over 50 years, inviting guests to experience the region in the style that suits them best.
- This trip is one of the few that has a base in both France and Italy, combining the stunning mountain towns of Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Annecy. Hike iconic Mont Blanc trails by day and relax in upscale accommodations at night.
- We work with professional local guides, who are truly the best in the Alps. Get an authentic experience in towns and on the trail with an insider guide.
Dates & Prices
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Juliette Q.
Juliette has been a trekking guide since 2007 and lives close to Chamonix, where she leads MT Sobek’s Tour du Mont Blanc adventure and several other summer hiking trips. When she’s not guiding, Juliette works as a nurse, and you can also find her mountaineering and rock climbing during. Juliette has a legendary smile and possesses deep local knowledge, which pairs well with her hiking experience and strong leadership qualities.
Yannick C.
Yannick grew up in the French Alps where hiking, skiing and climbing are usual activities for most people. He began to travel at a young age with his parents. At 19, he thought that it was time to discover the world on his own. His first trip to India was a revelation. The next year he fall in love with Tibet. Student life gave him the time to travel a lot with his backpack in many remote places. Naturally, he became a mountain leader in 2004 and started to lead groups in many beautiful areas of Asia's mountains: Mount Kailas in Tibet, Everest and Kanchenjunga in Nepal, Snowman Trek in Bhutan, Great Zanskar trek in India, and in Central Asia.
Julien L.
Julien's educational background is steeped in natural science. He is a trained French biologist and agronomist with a passion for exploring and sharing the wonders of nature. Based in Cordon, near Chamonix, he has conducted research across Europe, with a particular interest in European wildcats. With more than 15 years of guiding experience in the Northern Alps and Norway, Julien brings expertise, enthusiasm, and a deep love for the outdoors to every adventure. An avid adventurer, he enjoys long-distance walks, including completing the Pyrenees Haute Route and thru-hiking New Zealand. When not guiding, you'll likely find him hiking, running, or mountaineering in search of his next great challenge.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. This trip is rated activity level 3. You will be hiking between 3 and 5 hours a day at elevations of up to 2,500 feet. Alpine trails are often rocky, and we recommend having prior experience hiking in the mountains. On this trip some of the hikes can be skipped for cable-car rides. Time is also built in for village visiting, wine tasting, and hot spring soaking.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
3.5 hours/4 miles of hiking with 985' elevation gain and 650' of loss
Day 3
4 hours/5 miles of hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and 2,790' of elevation loss
Day 4
3-4 hours/4 miles of hiking with 1,500' of elevation gain and loss
Day 5
3-5 hours/3-6 miles of hiking with 1,150'-2,450' of elevation gain and loss
Day 6
3.5-4.5 hours/6 miles of hiking with 1,650' of elevation gain and 2,280' loss
Day 7
3-4 hours/4.5 miles of hiking with 350' of elevation gain and 600' loss
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Well-located premier properties with a high level of comfort, charm, and service, including relaxing onsite spas and spectacular mountain views.
Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
In the shadow of Mont Blanc in the heart of Chamonix, the Grand Hotel des Alpes is centrally located, just minutes from the lake, the lift to the Aiguille du Midi, and the old town. The traditional blue shuttered building, built in 1840 and beautifully renovated, offers 30 handsome rooms with extensive amenities including concierge service and afternoon tea.
Imperial Palace
Nestled on the shores of Lake Annecy, the fully renovated Imperial Palace has been welcoming guests since 1912. Contemporary air-conditioned rooms offer a comfortable retreat with quality bedding and look out on the city from the striking facade of the hotel. The spa features a small, heated pool with massage jets, sauna, steam room and massage. Enjoy a beverage on the salon terrace or try your luck at the casino.
Auberge de la Maison
Le Pelican
Weather
The days can change from hot to cold and wet. Snow is even possible at high passes. Expect highs in the high-60s and lows in the mid-50s during the summer months.