France Mont Blanc Private Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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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.

Laurent L.

Laurent hails from Normandy, France, having grown up in Argentan. In 1991, he obtained his European Mountain Leader certification, and in 1995 he was awarded the coveted patch of the Compagnie des Guides. Laurent has been guiding for MT Sobek since 1995, and is a senior guide on our Alps trips, he has hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc close to 100 times! When he isn't guiding for MT Sobek, he teaches First Aid and Mountain Rescue to mountain and hiking guides. During the winter, he's a ski patrol monitor in the mountains above Chamonix.

Florence S.

A native of Chamonix, Florence is a descendant from two of the area’s oldest families. After growing up in the Chamonix Valley, “Flo” spent several years in the south of France, and then traveled abroad to South America and Asia. She returned to her ancestral home, where the mountains now form an integral part of her life. She has led nearly 50 trips to the Alps, not counting how many times she has done this trip for her own fun! In addition to being an accomplished hiking guide, Flo is a skier and climber. As a member of the Compagnie des Guides, she follows in the footsteps of her forefathers.

Beatrice M.

Beatrice is a native of Chamonix, France, and has been guiding professionally in the Alps since 1989. She comes from a family of mountain climbers and her grandfather was also a professional mountain guide. Aside from being an expert hiking guide, Beatrice is also an avid climber and accomplished skier, and is a ski instructor during the winter months. She loves the mountains and will share her enthusiasm and in-depth experience with you during your trip.

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Arrive at the airport in Geneva, Switzerland. You will be picked up at 12:00 p.m. for a transfer by private car to the mountain-ringed resort town of Chamonix, France. The transfer takes approximately 1½ hours, and once at the hotel, you\'ll have time to rest a bit or explore the town before meeting the guide for a "welcome" dinner and orientation.
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                    [Latitude] => 46.12 N
                    [Longitude] => 6.09 E
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                    [DayTo] => 5
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                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-8 hours/up to 10 miles hiking with 600-2,400\' elevation gain & loss
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We\'ve chosen several outstanding options for day hikes amid the splendid scenery of the Mont Blanc area. The trails traverse France, Italy, and Switzerland so you\'ll get a full complement of the fantastic scenery. Breakfast and lunch are included each day. After breakfast, the guide will lay out a variety of fixings for a delectable gourmet picnic lunch, including special regional cheeses and cold cuts, yogurt, fresh breads, plenty of fruits and vegetables, chocolate, and trail snacks. You\'ll fix your own lunch and carry it in your daypack. Each night you\'re free to take dinner in a local restaurant of your choice. We\'ll have a festive farewell dinner at the end of our final day of hiking (Day 5).

Possible excursions include the following:

Aiguille du Midi-Montenvers (France)
In 1741, the first tourists to Chamonix were transported to Montenvers on the backs of mules in order to admire the glaciers. Today, most travelers take a bright red cog train up the steep slopes to reach the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), the second-largest glacier in the Alps. We begin our hike from the hotel, crossing the town of Chamonix and entering the forest. Ascend a steep trail passing the Blaitiere farm to reach the "Grand Balcon," from where we have a fabulous view of the Chamonix Aiguilles towering above us. We traverse below these towering peaks toward the Montenvers railway sitting high above the Mer de Glace glacier. We may see alpinists on the glacier. Return to Chamonix by the cog railway. (5 hours hiking)

The Lakes of the Aiguilles Rouges (France)
North of Chamonix the massif of the Aiguilles Rouges offer beautiful views of the Mont Blanc massif. A telepherique allows us to quickly escape the valley floor for hikes to luminescent mountain lakes. According to the group\'s hiking abilities (and the weather forecast), two hiking options are available: one to Lake Cornu, a five-hour hike with an ascent/descent of 1,500 feet; or a hike to White Lake, an easier three-hour hike that offers a reduced 600-foot ascent and a 1,500-foot descent.

Courmayeur to Bonatti Refuge (Italy)
On the Italian side of Mont Blanc is the resort town of Courmayeur (4,014\'), spectacularly situated beneath the Grand Jorasses and Brenva Glacier. Here the views of Mont Blanc are Himalayan in scale - the mountain rises in a breathtaking abruptness from the Veny Valley to the summit 10,000 feet above. We\'ll hike two hours from the town to the Bertone Refuge, with its views of the entire Aosta Valley of Italy. We can continue to the well-known Bonatti Refuge, which faces the famous peaks and needles of the Grandes Jorasses. From here we descend into the Val Ferret, a beautiful valley connecting Italy and Switzerland, and meet a waiting vehicle that takes us back to Chamonix. (6 hours hiking, 2,100\' up, 1,500\' down, 35-minute transfer)

Emosson Dam (Switzerland)
Not far from Chamonix in Switzerland is a dam from which there are several splendid hiking options. Starting from the Passet Pass, we follow a trail to a terraced plateau with unobstructed views of the Tour Glacier, neighboring Swiss summits, and a background view of the summit of Mont Blanc. We descend through the wild and narrow Veudale gorge and reach a transfer vehicle for a return to Chamonix. (7 hours hiking, 2,100\' up and down, 1 hour total vehicle transfer)

The Combe of Fours (France)
With a little distance from the Mont Blanc massif, we can get a full appreciation of just how magnificent it really is. Just above the village of Sallanches in the Aravis massif is a small valley where reclusive mountain goats called chamois live undisturbed. From this valley, we\'ll have views of the Mont Blanc massif in all its majesty. (6 hours hiking, 2,400\' up, 2,400\' down, 45-minute transfer)

The Junction (France)
This is another challenging hiking option, one of the best the region has to offer. A classic route on the circuit, this trail connecting two glaciers is absolutely spectacular. (8 hours hiking, 3,600\' up and down)

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                    [Latitude] => 45.495 N
                    [Longitude] => 6.51 E
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Transfer to the Geneva airport for your homeward-bound flight. One group transfer is included, and will be scheduled to coordinate with your departure flight. Extra transfers can be arranged with an additional cost.
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Accommodations

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Based in Chamonix, France at the foot of Mont Blanc, this trip offers comfortable accommodations in a 4-star hotel with the most common amenities.

Grand Hotel des Alpes-Chamonix

Comfortable Hotel

Located 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 but newly renovated, offers 30 handsome rooms with extensive amenities including concierge service and afternoon tea.

Auberge du Manoir

Comfortable Hotel

This hotel was transformed from a farm into a beautiful alpine chalet. Complete with a fireplace lounge, travelers can enjoy hearty traditional alpine breakfasts each morning, and ideal scenario before days of adventure and exploration in the Alps. Much like many of the other accommodations in the Alps, the hotel offers a nice spa complete with an outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. The rooms are charmingly furnished in addition offering televisions and WiFi. Overlooking Mont Blanc, the Auberge du Manoir is just a few minute walk to the city center, and the perfect place to recharge on an adventure through this alpine environment.

Hotel Prieure

Comfortable Hotel

Experience classic Alpine hospitality in downtown Chamonix at one of the "Best Mont Blanc" unique mountain hotels. Completely renovated in 2015, chalet-style rooms feature en suite bathrooms, complimentary tea/coffee, free wifi, and mini-bar. Just a short walk to the Aiguille du Midi cable car!

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