Alps Tour du Mont Blanc Express Hiking Tour
The Classic Three Country Loop in Just One Week
- Available: June, July, August, September
- Activity: Level 4
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels
Highlights
- Realize a hiking dream in less time on this express circuit of the Mont Blanc massif
- Savor the unique allure of three countries, three cultures, and three cuisines
- Experience nature at its most spectacular with the help of our dedicated, expert guides
Itinerary
Arrive in Geneva, Transfer to Chamonix
Day 1
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-Chamonix
Accommodation: Park Hotel Suisse & Spa-Chamonix
Accommodation: Hotel PrieureTransportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Dinner
Hike from Les Houches to Les Contamines (France)
Day 2
Starting in nearby Les Houches, climb through the forest past beautiful mountain farmhouses and through 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 through 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-Les Contamines
Activity: 7 hours/10 miles with 2,500' elevation gain & 2,800' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike the Roman Road to Les Chapieux (France)
Day 3
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 Seez, where you'll stay the night. Enjoy dinner in town.
Accommodation: Hotel Autantic-Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Accommodation: Base Camp LodgeActivity: 7 hours/12 miles with 4,200' elevation gain & 3,000' elevation loss
Transportation: 35-minute private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross Vallée des Glaciers to Courmayeur (Italy)
Day 4
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-Courmayeur
Activity: 6 hours/10 miles with 2,300' elevation gain & 2,700' elevation loss
Transportation: 1.25-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Champex (Switzerland)
Day 5
A short transfer puts you on a walking trail 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 Glacier and Sporting-Champex
Accommodation: Hotel SplendideActivity: 5-6 hours/9 miles with 2,500' elevation gain & 3,100' elevation loss
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Champex to Col de la Forclaz (Switzerland) & Argentiere (France)
Day 6
Our Tour du Mont Blanc Express takes the Bovine route. An hour and a half of easy walking followed by a rapid ascent in the forest brings you high over the Rhône Valley and the town of Martigny. Fabulous views await! An easy descent takes you to the Col de Forclaz (3,900'), from where you'll transfer to Argentière (4,100').
Accommodation: Hotel de la Couronne-Argentiere
Accommodation: Alpina Eclectic Hotel & SpaActivity: 6 hours/12 miles with 2,400' elevation gain & 2,300' elevation loss
Transportation: 30-minute private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike Back to Chamonix (France)
Day 7
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-Chamonix
Accommodation: Park Hotel Suisse & Spa-Chamonix
Accommodation: Hotel PrieureActivity: 6.5 hours/10 miles with 2,700' elevation gain & 3,600' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Geneva & Depart
Day 8
Enjoy your final breakfast with the group before transferring from Chamonix to Geneva airport.
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic Mountain Travel Sobek adventure and a best-seller that's been perfected over 40 years.
In 8 days, you'll enjoy the best of Chamonix and hike a more than 60 miles on this express circuit, staying at unique and well-located properties along the way.
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
- 2024
- 2025
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2024
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Looking for a different date? Check out our classic 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc Tour!
Alps Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking
2025
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Looking for a different date? Check out our classic 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc Tour!
Alps Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Looking for a private family adventure?
This trip can accommodate guests with a
minimum age of 16.
Private Trip Pricing:
2024 Pricing
5 to 6 guests from $6,995 per person double occupancy
7 guests from $6,695 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $6,595 per person double occupancy
10 to 16 guests from $6,195 per person double occupancy
2025 Pricing
5 to 6 guests from $6,995 per person double occupancy
7 guests from $6,695 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $6,595 per person double occupancy
*Seasonal rates may apply.
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
June, July, August, September
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
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 4. Although the trails are in excellent shape, this is a hard hike. You should be able to walk 10 miles per day for 6 days with elevation gains between 1,000' and 4,000'. You do not need to be a great athlete to do this tour, but being in good shape is essential.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
7 hours/10 miles with 2,500' elevation gain & 2,800' elevation loss
Day 3
7 hours/12 miles with 4,200' elevation gain & 3,000' elevation loss
Day 4
6 hours/10 miles with 2,300' elevation gain & 2,700' elevation loss
Day 5
5-6 hours/9 miles with 2,500' elevation gain & 3,100' elevation loss
Day 6
6 hours/12 miles with 2,400' elevation gain & 2,300' elevation loss
Day 7
6.5 hours/10 miles with 2,700' elevation gain & 3,600' elevation loss
Accommodations
Charming accommodations in alpine towns and villages, featuring comfortable rooms, on-site restaurants, and stellar vistas of surrounding scenery.
Weather
The days can change from hot to cold and wet. Snow is even possible in the high passes. Come prepared for everything.
Know Before You Book
Accommodations
Please come prepared for the experience of sleeping in the mountains, and in old towns and villages where the architecture might date back centuries. Most guestrooms and bathroom facilities are quite small, and amenities may be fairly basic.
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
An MT Sobek representative will meet you in the arrivals hall of the Geneva International Airport (GVA) between 1:30pm - 2:00pm on Day 1.
What happens if my flights are delayed en route?
We will provide your guide's phone number in the Final Bulletin, mailed to you 30 days prior to your trip. Our guides will help you to join the group and arrange transfers if necessary.
When should I plan my travel to depart from Geneva?
The transfer from Chamonix will arrive at GVA at 10AM. Please schedule your flight after 11am for European destinations and after 11:30am for all transcontinental destinations.
How is this "Express" trip different than the regular Tour du Mont Blanc trip?
The "Express" trip is shorter - 8 days vs 12 days. And there are 6 days of hiking on the "Express" trip, as opposed to the 10 days of hiking on the regular trip.
What is the food like on this trip? I'm gluten free. Will I find enough to eat?
There will be plenty of meats, cheeses, salads and fresh fruit. If you are gluten free, your guides will consult with the restaurants to ensure you have plenty to eat.
If I want to skip a day of hiking and rest, can I do so on this trip?
Yes. If you would like to skip a day of hiking, you may do so. BUT, you must be willing to take a ride with our luggage service vehicle to the next night's hotel.