Compare Trekking Mont Blanc by G Adventures vs Hiking Below and Beyond Mont Blanc: Switzerland, Italy and France by Road Scholar

Day 1 Chamonix

Arrive at any time.

Our circuit begins and ends in Chamonix, France. This evening is our first opportunity to try out some of the best Alpine specialities in a typical restaurant, such as Cheese fondue, Tartiflette or Raclette accompanied with some famous "Vin de Savoie" wine.

Day 2 Chamonix/Les Contamines-Montjoie

Travel to Les Houches and enjoy a 24km (15 mi) hike through the stunning countryside to Les Contamines and savour a delicious dinner in the evening.

We set off this morning after breakfast for our first day of hiking. We'll take the bus to the village of Les Houches, where we begin with a cable car ride to Bellevue. From here on a clear day you’ll enjoy great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range, before beginning our hike to Les Contamines.

Day 3 Les Contamines-Montjoie/Les Chapieux

Hike the challenging 18km (11 mi) from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.

Day 4 Les Chapieux/Courmayeur

Pass glacial lakes on the 23km (14 mi) trek from Les Chapieux to the Italian town of Courmayeur.

Day 5 Courmayeur

The picturesque mountain town of Courmayeur is an ideal backdrop for a free day. Opt to ride a cable car to Pointe Helbronner or go for a day hike.

Today we have a scheduled rest day to put up our weary feet or take the opportunity to enjoy the lovely town of Courmayeur and La Saxe. Enjoy an optional dinner with the group and our leader to taste some of the Italian Alpine specialities offered in Courmayeur's many atmospheric restaurants.

Day 6 Courmayeur/Val Ferret

Hike the 14km (8.6 mi) from Courmayeur to the Italian Val Ferret. It's a steep climb but the rewarding views are worth it.

Day 7 Val Ferret/La Fouly

Embark on a long, steep hike of 20km (12.5 mi) followed by a stay in the Swiss mountain village of La Fouly.

Day 8 La Fouly/Trient

After a short bus journey to the picturesque village of Champex, follow the "Bovine Way" and trek 16km (10mi) from La Fouly to Trient.

Day 9 Trient/Chamonix

Enjoy a final day of trekking 14 km (8.7mi) over the Col de la Balme to the Chamonix valley.

Day 10 Chamonix

We suggest booking your flight no earlier than 12:00 if you would like to leisurely enjoy your last morning in Chamonix. Please keep in mind that Geneva is approximately 2 hours away.

Please note that most international flights depart from Geneva Airport, and you will need to allow at least 3 hours prior to your departure time to travel from Chamonix to Geneva. For this reason, our suggested 12:00 flight departure time is not mandatory, but recommended to allow a leisurely final morning on tour.

Day 1 In Transit In Flight

Day 2 Arrivals Villars sur Ollon

Hotel check-in is at 2:00 p.m. Approximate transfer time: 1.5 hours.

At leisure.

Welcome dinner at the hotel. Water is included in the program cost at all meals. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a three course set menu.

Day 3 Villars, Switzerland Villars sur Ollon

Up to 6 miles of walking for 4 hours on natural forest trails and on cobblestones. The trail has a gentle ascent and descent, and some parts may be slippery if wet.

We start from Villars and transfer by bus to Solalex (4820 feet), a beautiful mountain pasture under the breathtaking cliff, Miroir d’Argentine. Discover local geology and then walk through pine forests and alpine meadows to Barboleuse (3973 feet).

After lunch, gently walk to Gryon (3655 feet) and enjoy a visit of this picturesque village full of history. Return to Villars via train.

At leisure.

At the hotel. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

At a local restaurant in Barboleuse.

At the hotel.

Day 4 Bretaye, Switzerland, Alpine Farm Villars sur Ollon

Up to 5 miles of walking for 3.5 hours on natural and mountain trails. The trail goes up and down with a total gain of approx. 165 feet and an elevation loss of approx. 230 feet.

Begin the morning with local transportation to Bretaye (5922 feet), the starting point of today's walking field trip. Hear a field lecture on Bretaye Lake. Walk across alpine meadows with the stunning Swiss Alps at every turn until we reach an alpine farm. Meet the farmer and learn the details of alpine farming and cheese making.

Continue hiking through forested trails to the bus stop, where we board the bus back to Villars.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Fondue at the farm.

At the hotel.

Day 5 St. Bernard Pass, Transfer to Cogne, Italy Cogne

Up to 1 mile of walking for 2 hours on natural trails and cobblestones.

Following breakfast, transfer by private coach down to the Rhone Valley and up to the incredible St. Bernard Pass (8114 feet), an ancient Roman transalpine route and more recently the path of Napoleon's army into Italy in 1800. En-route there is an excursion to the St. Bernard Museum, the first hospice founded as early as 1049 and appropriately named after Saint Bernard. This name later became famous for the St. Bernard dogs, loyal companions to the monks and mainly used as rescue and watchdogs. Learn about the "History of the Great St. Bernard Pass and the St. Bernard Dogs" during a field lecture.

Continue on the winding road down to the French speaking Valle d’Aosta in Italy and on to Cogne (5032 feet), the main gateway to the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, founded in 1922. Upon arrival, attend an orientation, stroll through the town, including a visit of the Maison Gérard Dayné, which is one of the best examples of Aosta Valley traditional architecture. Have a welcome drink at the hotel before dinner.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6 Valnontey, Italy, Alpe Vermiana Cogne

Up to 6 miles of walking for 4.5 hours on forest trails and on cobblestones.

This morning there will be a short transfer by local transportation to the hamlet of Valnontey, where your walking field trip begins. Our hike will take us up through coniferous and larch forests in a continuous ascent (total gain of 1880 feet). Experience fabulous views as you walk closer to the permanently snow-covered Gran Paradiso Mountains before descending the same way through Valnontey. Today's field lectures include "Alpine Garden in Valnontey" and "Liqueurs Made of Local Herbs."

Spend the afternoon learning how to cook the traditional polenta and tasting local wine.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Picnic lunch above Valnontey.

At the hotel.

Day 7 Lillaz, Italy, Urtier River, Gimillan Cogne

Up to 8 miles of walking for 4.5 hours on natural and mountain trails with a gradual descent.

Transfer by local transportation to the village of Lillaz (5304 feet) and the Lillaz waterfall. The walking field trip begins here, continues along the Urtier River and ends in Cogne. Enjoy the beautiful views of the mountain peaks and glaciers.

Local transportation to the old village of Gimillan (5900 feet), built on a natural terrace. From there, walk across alpine meadows and take in the panoramic views of the majestic mountains of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Learn about Gimillan and the national park during a field lecture. Return to Cogne by public bus.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

Day 8 Aosta, Italy Cogne

Up to 2 miles of walking for 2 hours on cobblestones.

Transfer by public bus to the attractive mountain town of Aosta (1912 feet), founded by the Romans in 25 BC - primarily a military camp, and called the “Rome of the Alps.” The setting of this town is pure enchantment, surrounded by mountains. The Roman layout of the streets of Aosta, with its narrow cobbled streets and overhanging upper stories, give the town a very alpine flair. Hear a lecture called "Aosta and Cogne – Past and Present."

Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most, before returning by public bus to Cogne. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Explore local fare on your own in Aosta.

At the hotel.

Day 9 Courmayeur, Italy, Transfer to Chamonix, France Chamonix

Up to 1 mile of walking for 2 hours on cobblestones and in town.

Private coach transfer to Chamonix with an excursion stop and walk in Courmayeur, a striking and fashionable resort located at the foot of Mont Blanc. Continue through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix (3395 feet).

After check-in, rejoin the group for a walking field trip of Chamonix. Today's field lecture covers the past and present of Chamonix, and Michel Paccard, first climber of Mont Blanc (15,780 feet) in 1786.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At the hotel.

At the hotel.

Day 10 Scenic Circular Trail to the Swiss Border Chamonix

Up to 5 miles of walking for 3.5 hours on natural and mountain trails.

Take a short ride by local bus to the village of Le Tours and then by cable car to "Les Autannes" (7200 feet). From there, start a circular hike with only minor elevation changes to "Refuge de Col de Balme" (at the Swiss border). From this point, we can enjoy wonderful views over the whole valley and the Mont Blanc range. Learn about the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc during a field lecture.

Walk down to "Charmillon," the intermediate station of the cable car (elevation loss of 1130 feet) and continue back by cable car and local bus to Chamonix.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Picnic on the trail.

At the hotel.

Day 11 Aiguille de Midi, France Chamonix

Up to 1 mile of walking for 1 hour on natural trails.

Today ride the cable car up Mont Blanc, enjoying the marvelous views as it first climbs to Plan de l’Aiguille (7600 feet) and then to Aiguille de Midi (12,604 feet). The panorama on a clear day is simply one of the best in the Alps, with views of mountains as far as the eye can see. If the sky is clear, you may even get a glimpse of the Matterhorn! This is a wonder that attracts people from all over the world. Hear a field lecture on the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc. Walk from the middle station Plan de l'Aiguille (7600 feet) to the Lac Bleu Lake. Return to Chamonix by cable car.

Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do more of what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Explore local fare on your own.

Farewell drink and dinner at the hotel.

Day 12 Transfer to Geneva, Switzerland Geneva

Up to 2 miles of walking for 2 hours on packed snow, natural trails, and on cobblestones. At La Mer de Glace there are over 400 steps up and down.

Take a morning excursion to La Mer de Glace (6279 feet). The Montenvers rack railway starts from Chamonix and in 20 minutes reaches the bottom of the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier (approx. 4 miles long, 656 feet thick). Then a cable car takes you to the ice cave. This historic site marked the start of Alpine tourism in the 19th century and offers a panoramic view of famous peaks such as Les Drus and Les Grandes Jorasses.

Transfer by private coach to the hotel in Geneva, Switzerland. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Geneva. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. You may want to see the large fountain Jet d'eau, the European headquarters of the United Nations, Palais des Nations, or Saint Peter's Cathedral. There are also many museums and gardens to see in Geneva. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions or give directions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Explore local fare on your own in Chamonix.

Explore local fare on your own.

Day 13 Departures In Flight

Transfer to the Geneva Airport. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.