Alps Chamonix & Zermatt Hiking Tour
Day Hikes From Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
- Available: June, July, August, September
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Luxury Hotels
Highlights
- Discover the grandeur of the Alps with expertly guided day hikes from Chamonix and Zermatt
- Soak up jaw-dropping alpine scenery-from postcard-perfect villages to the towering Matterhorn and Mont Blanc
- Unwind in well-appointed mountain lodgings with prime access to trails and town highlights
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 hotel, 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
Hike Along the Grand Balcon
Day 2
Start the day with the world-famous cable car ride up to Aiguille du Midi (12,605') for breathtaking views over the Mont Blanc Massif. Ride down to Plan de l'Aiguille and follow the Grand Balcon hiking path through awe-inspiring scenery with the jagged peaks of the Aiguilles de Chamonix rising above as you descend to Montenver Upper Train Station. Enjoy a charming ride on the historic cog railway as you descend over the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier, before arriving back in Chamonix for a pleasant evening in town.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
Activity: 3 hours/4 miles hiking with 450' elevation gain and 1,800' loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour du Mont Blanc Trail
Day 3
Start the day in the charming mountain village of Les Praz de Chamonix, where a cable car will whisk you up to La Flegere ski resort (6,158'). From here you'll take the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc trail to Lac Blanc (7,716') and be wowed by magnificent views of the Mont Blanc range. Take the loop trail back to La Flegere passing Lac des Cheserys, lush pastures, and mountain chalets. Return to Les Praz by cable car.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix
Activity: 4.5 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey from Chamonix to Zermatt
Day 4
It's time to rest those legs with a leisurely drive to the Swiss Riviera! Explore Montreux, following a picturesque path from the castle turrets of Chateau de Chillon along the banks of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) into the delightful town, known for its lakeside promenades and cultural heritage. Experience the healing properties of Lavey thermal baths, then pass through Wallis (Valais) valley to Zermatt, a storybook mountain town at the base of the mighty Matterhorn. Settle into your hotel, where you'll spend three relaxing nights, then head to dinner with the group.
Accommodation: Christiania Hotels & Spa
Activity: 2.5 mile lakeside walk
Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Matterhorn Trails in Zermatt
Day 5
Discover Zermatt's spectacular surroundings as you explore trails at the foot of Switzerland's most famous mountain: the iconic Matterhorn. Hike to the renowned Zmutt hamlet (6,352') and then to Zum See. Once at Furi mountain station (6,125') take a cable car up to Schwarzsee (8,373'), a small, picturesque lake just below the Matterhorn. If you're motivated and time allows, there's an option to push a little further to the Hirli cable car station (9,107') for an elevated view of the lake. Return to Zermatt for a well-deserved meal and rest.
Accommodation: Christiania Hotels & Spa
Activity: 3.5-5 hours/5.5-6.5 miles hiking with up to 2,500' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride the Cog Railway & Hike to Gornergrat
Day 6
Experience the Monte Rosa side of Zermatt's mountains, starting with a ride on the famous Gornergrat cog railway up to 10,140 feet. At the top, soak up gorgeous views of the Monte Rosa massif and Dufourspitze, the second-highest peak in the Alps. From here, follow trails down the sunny, northwestern side of the mountains passing shimmering lakes, pretty hamlets, and alpine pastures all the way back to Zermatt. End your mountain adventure with a farewell dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Christiania Hotels & Spa
Activity: 4 hours/7 miles hiking with 550' elevation gain and 3,500' loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Geneva
Day 7
Bid farewell to the Alps today and return to Geneva airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Transportation: 2.45-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
We've been perfecting adventures in the Alps for more than 50 years, including expert-led hiking tours such as this.
On this well-paced itinerary, you'll enjoy spectacular day hikes from the iconic alpine hubs of Chamonix and Zermatt, giving you a quintessential mountain experience in just one week.
We work with professional local guides, who are truly the best in the Alps. Many of our Alps-loving guests return to hike with them year after year!
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.
David S.
Originally from a little village in the French Alps, David grew up in the mountains and then travelled across the five continents for ten years, as a student, traveler and hiker. His studies led him to specialize in local development, organic farming and ecotourism and eventually led him to settle in Costa Rica as tour leader. After a few years, he then moved back to the Alps to manage a mountain hut in the Mont-Blanc valley. He now resides in Chamonix as a crystal hunter, organic cook, and enthusiastic trekker. David possesses deep local knowledge, and is an excellent cook!
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.
Noemi D.
Noemi grew up in the Carpathian mountains of Romania but life brought her to the south of the Alps twenty years ago. Throughout the years, she has traveled to the four corners of the world and in 2013, while on a year-long journey across the globe, much of it spent on her sailboat, she decided to pursue her dream job and became a mountain leader. Ever since, she has shared her passion for the mountains with clients from all over the world.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Easy to moderate day hiking for 3-5 hours per day on mountain terrain between 6,000ft and 10,000ft elevation.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
3 hours/4 miles hiking with 450' elevation gain and 1,800' loss
Day 3
4.5 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and loss
Day 4
2.5 mile lakeside walk
Day 5
3.5-5 hours/5.5-6.5 miles hiking with up to 2,500' elevation gain and loss
Day 6
4 hours/7 miles hiking with 550' elevation gain and 3,500' 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
Charming accommodations in alpine towns and villages, featuring comfortable rooms, on-site restaurants, and warm alpine hospitality.
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.
Christiania Hotels & Spa
Christiania Hotels & Spa, is a lovely, family-run hotel and a guest favorite, complete with cultural Zermatt décor and friendly service. The hotel has amenities that include a spa, wellness services, fitness center, restaurant, and bar. All rooms have a panoramic view of the Matterhorn, free Wi-Fi, cable TV with radio, coffee machine and minibar.
Weather
The days can change from hot to cold and wet. Snow is even possible at high passes. Come prepared for everything.
FAQs
An MT Sobek representative will meet you in the Arrivals Hall of the Geneva Airport (GVA) between 1:30pm and 2pm on Day 1.
We have scheduled our departures during the best time of year to hike in this area. June and July are known for colorful wildflowers, while September brings the autumn colors.
Not necessarily. This is a moderate-level hiking trip, which means you will enjoy your experience more if you have hiked previously. However, most hikes can be modified or skipped entirely, and some hikes can be assisted by cable car or lift.
You will need a properly fitting daypack big enough to carry warm layers, drinking water, a snack, and your daytime essentials (phone, wallet, keys); as well as good hiking shoes. Hiking poles are essential for this trip.
Yes. But we hope you won't have to use it.
Yes - plan to bring a refillable water bottle, which you can fill straight from the tap at our hotel.