Hiking Around Mont Blanc

Go Get Lost Reviews

4.9

Rated 4.9 out of 5

4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 110 reviews)

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Tour Type:

Walking and Hiking

Comfort Rating:

Casual / Premier

Activity Level:

Moderate/Challenging

Duration:

8 Days

This hiking tour of Mont Blanc passes through three different countries with three amazing cultures & cuisines – France, Italy and Switzerland – providing superb mountain views of the Mont Blanc Massif and the surrounding valleys. The trip takes you through a gorgeous wildflower-strewn Alpine backcountry by day, and charming mountain towns by evening. It traverses high Alpine passes offering a stunning scenery of lush pastures dotted with cows, wild mountain streams, rugged peaks, and impressive glaciers. The Tour du Mont Blanc doesn’t wander much above 8,000 feet, but still accesses the best of Mont Blanc’s impressive and legendary scenery. Each day’s leg covers between 5 – 10 miles, and our expert mountain guides will set an appropriate pace that allows you to complete the day’s adventure and gives you plenty of time to pause and take pictures.

You will sleep in beautiful accommodations (three and four-star hotels), and will dine on delectable food and wine served in quaint restaurants and mountain refuges.

NOTE:This tour is for fit hikers who are physically ready for the mountains. Each day you’ll enjoy amazing, exhilarating mountain panoramas, but to access these you’ll need to be comfortable with 2000-3000 feet of ascent AND descent each day, on rocky mountain trails. Please read the hike descriptions and ratings carefully to determine if this trip is a good fit for you. If you opt-out of a hike, be aware that you may be spending downtime in the transfer van as it supports the hikers.

Tour Dates & Pricing

RESERVE THIS TRIP

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Day 1 - Bellevue Hike

Departing the city of Geneva we transfer to the town of Les Houches where we take a cable car up to Bellevue (5900 ft); the start pointing of our hike. From this point we have several trail options as we enjoy a walk down the mountain along alpine pastures and through pine forests, whilst being offered spectacular view on the Mont Blanc massif, to the small alpine town of Bionnassay. From here we transfer by private bus to our comfortable accommodation in the nearby town of Saint Gervais. After we check-in at the hotel in the evening we join for a welcome dinner in the town.

Today's hike is rated HIGH MODERATE due to slippery and wet trail conditions while near the rivers, and the long descent. There is a total distance of 3.1 miles, hiking time of 2-3 hours, an elevation gain of 251 feet and an elevation loss of 1799 feet. The hike starts at a altitude of 5919 feet (the highest point) and ends at 4368 feet.

Day 2 - La Miage Hike

This morning we ride from Saint Gervais to the village of Les Contamines. Leaving town we walk up the flanks of the mountain to the Refuge de Miage, an alpine mountain hut where we will have lunch. Alongside the Torrent de Mirage and passing by the impressive and wild Gorges de la Gruvaz we descend to Le Champel. From there we transfer to our accommodation in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Once again we enjoy a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite local family restaurants in town.

Today's hike is rated MODERATE with a total distance of 4.8 miles, hiking time of 3-4 hours, an elevation gain of 1742 feet and an elevation loss of 1929 feet. The trailhead is at an altitude of about 4200 feet and the hike ends at an altitude of 4000 feet. The highest point of the hike is 5722 feet.

Day 3 - Col de la Seigne Hike

We have a very early start to our very special day! A short transfer takes us up La Ville des Glaciers (village of the glaciers) where today's walk commences. Today's a true alpine route where we cross the Col de la Seigne, a high mountain pass (8240 ft), into Italy. We pass the Refugio La Casermetta and traverse below impressive glaciers and morenes. Reaching the hamlet of La Visaille we will be met by our private bus to take us to our hotel in Courmayeur.

Today's hike is rated CHALLENGING, with a total distance of 9.5 miles, hiking time of 5-6 hours, an elevation gain of 2593 feet and an elevation loss of 3000 feet. The hike starts at an elevation of 5869, hits it's highest point at the Col at 8255, and descends to 5157 feet.

Day 4 - Go Get Lost in Italy Day

Enjoy your day at leisure in pleasant Courmayeur by having a nice cappuccino while shopping on its main street, or perhaps visit the beautiful Saussurea Alpine Botanical Garden, or ride the Skyway Monte Bianco, considered to be the world's most expensive cable car. It will take you up into the high, icy world of Mont Blanc for amazing views. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional dinner at an excellent Alpine restaurant.

Day 5 - Col Ferret Hike

Today you will start hiking in Italy, cross into Switzerland on the Col Ferret trail, then end up sleeping in France...three countries in one day! You'll also reach the highest point of your Mont Blanc experience as you enjoy the marvelous ambiance of the Mont Blanc massif. In the morning we ride from Courmayeur to Arp Nouvaz situated at an elevation of 5850 ft. The impressive Grand Jorasses is right next to us as we walk across the Col de Ferret into Switzerland. For lunch we stop at the Peule mountain hut, with magnificent views to enjoy while we relax and refuel. After lunch we'll have a pleasant downhill hike to the hamlet La Fouly and transfer onward to today's final destination of Argentiere, where we'll relax and recharge for tomorrow's adventure.

This hike is rated CHALLENGING, with a total distance of 9.5 miles, hiking time of 5-6 hours, an elevation gain of 2858 feet, and an elevation loss of 3156 feet. The hike starts at around 5850 feet of altitude, ends at 5242 feet, and reaches a maximum of 8323 feet as you cross into Switzerland at Col de Ferret.

Day 6 - Tête de Balme Hike

From the hotel we transfer to a mountain cablecar in Le Tour, which whisks us to our trailhead. Here commence a gentle ascent that takes us up to the Col de Balme which forms the border between Switzerland and France. We'll enjoy marvelous views of a high plateau as we walk down to the trail junction at Col de Posette. Our trail now begins a winding climb to reach the peak of Aguilla de Posette, and your reward will be some of the best views imaginable! We'll relax and drink them in as we have our trail lunch atop the mountain. Retracing our steps, we then take a cable car down the mountain to the cablecar. Our private vans will transfer us to Chamonix, one of the most picturesque and exciting mountain towns in the world, and our home for the next two nights.

Today's hike is rated MODERATE, with a total distance of 4.9 miles, a hiking time of 3-4 hours, an elevation gain of 740 feet, and an elevation loss of 1867 feet. The hike starts at around 7200 feet of altitude and reaches a maximum of 7253 at it's highest point before finishing at 6085 feet.

Day 7 - Go Get Lost in France Day

Enjoy your day at leisure in the exciting alpine ambiance of Chamonix. There are lots of options to occupy your day...take the Brevent Cable Car to the shoulders of Mont Blanc for some impressive glacier views, or perhaps the Aiguille du Midi cable car for some of the best Mont Blanc panoramas. One of the most amazing adventures is the Montenvers-Mer de Glace train which takes you up to the massive Mer de Glace glacier, where it's possible to explore a massive ice cave under the glacier and tour the Glaciorium museum. For the truly adventurous you can book a paraglide trip down the valley! Maybe a more relaxing day is your speed, in that case you'll find an endless assortment of shops, bars, and restaurants in the large pedestrian center of beautiful Chamonix. You can purchase those last-minute gifts and prepare for your departure tomorrow. Tonight we'll meet again for a farewell dinner to conclude our unforgettable journey together.

Day 8 - Au Revoir

This morning we’ll have a group transfer to Geneva airport.

HOTELS

Due to availability at the time of booking, hotels listed may change to similar hotels

Saint Gervais - 3 Star Hotel Le Couer Des Neiges- This classic mountain chalet-style hotel was built in 1901 and reflects the cozy style of a small, family-run inn. Located in the heart of the charming alpine village of Saint Gervais, Le Couer Des Neiges is the perfect place to relax after your day in the mountains.

Bourg-Saint-Maurice - 3 Star Hotel Autantic Hotel- At the entrance to the Haute-Tarentaise, at the foot of the biggest summer and winter ski resorts of Savoie, a charming hotel offers you the comfort and tranquility of a three stars establishment. You will be welcomed any day of the year, in a green and relaxing environment where the nobility of the stone, the warmth of the wood, the originality of the antique and period furnishings all contribute to the creation of a savoyard ambience.

Courmayeuar 4 Star Hotel Svizzero Well located just 400 meters from the historical center of Courmayeur, this chalet-style hotel features an interior design which uses original pieces and artisan pieces to reflect the common art of the land and create a warm and welcoming environment. The management and ownership have always been in the same local family, now in its third generation, with the fourth knocking on the door. Owners and staff work in complete harmony to make you feel at home. An informal environment awaits you, full of friendliness and cheer. Children are always welcome and they also love dogs, who will be welcomed by their very own “Giotto”. The lounge bar is magnificent, with a fire that’s always lit in winter. The Valle d’Aosta Region awarded our restaurant the Saveurs du Val d’Aoste seal of quality for the typical character of the interior and the food products used. The wine list, developed to offer mainly Italian, and Valdostan wines, boasts around 150 highly-selected labels. The Hotel Svizzero enjoys a marvelous view of the Dent du Géant (the Giant’s Tooth) mountain and of the traditional village of Dolonne. It has two large terraces, one outdoor, used as a bar and one in wood with a hot tub for sunbathing. A beautiful wellness center and spa top off the Svizzero experience.

OR

Courmayeur 4 Star Hotel Lo Scoiattolo With a fantastic location at the edge of the town center, the stay at the Hotel Lo Scoiattolo will make your holiday in the mountains even more special!
This 4-star hotel will give you unique emotions through the special attention to detail and the care of the high quality of the services they offer. The wellness center, the restaurant, the wine bar and the gazebo with dehors opening on the splendid setting of the Alps, are just a few of the reasons you'll feel pampered. Their Aqua Cadens wellness center, open 24 hours a day, has a whirlpool tub, Finnish sauna, chromotherapy sensorial shower, ice waterfall and relaxation armchairs. Their fine dining restaurant, reserved exclusively for hotel guests, offers a particularly refined type of catering, with a cuisine that uses the technique of cooking at low temperatures and offers Aosta Valley menus, with selected local suppliers. The selection of products and raw materials by their chefs is scrupulous and based on their seasonality, to always offer you the best quality and taste in your dishes.

Argentiere - 4 Star Hotel de La Couronne With the beginnings of mountaineering around 1865 , it is necessary to build a comfortable hotel in Argentière. It was done around 1865 with the construction of the Hotel de la Couronne. It is the period of the Second Empire, from where perhaps an explanation to its name. Until the end of the first world war, tourism is essentially summer. An elegant company, keen on mountaineering, was then for several weeks in the large hotels of Argentière. In 1924, with the 1st Winter Olympic Games, winter sports are launched in the valley. In February 1937, the world championships are held on the track of the FIS in Argentiere. The hotel, which installed the central heating in the preceeding years, benefits from this tourist manna. Since then, the Hotel de la Couronne has continued its modernization while retaining its authenticity. It is the only hotel of the nineteenth century in the Chamonix valley that has not changed activity since its construction.

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Argentiere - 4 Star Hotel Grand Montets This charming chalet-hotel in Chamonix Mont Blanc offers a warm and personalized welcome, an attentive service provided by friendly and discreet staff, just few steps away from the Grand Montets' slopes. This family hotel in Haute Savoie is not one of those found on glossy and cold paper, it is a truly living chalet, a particular way of life offered to hiking and mountain lovers in the French Alps. It is an ideal departure point for those who wish to measure themselves with the high mountain or those in quest of the self, but also for those who just wish to discover the Haute Savoie and our valley at the foot of the Mont Blanc, take a deep breath of the mountains' fresh air and be blown away by the panoramic views. One of the family's principles is to respect thier heritage and traditions, and to reinvent themselves through the seasons. This search for a balance is expressed through the choice of materials (old wood, Courtil stone, terracotta) and personalized decoration.

Chamonix - 4 Star Alpina Eclectic Hotel and Spa With its very contemporary architecture, the Alpina Eclectic Hotel, situated in center of Chamonix, features very contemporary decoration in contrasting colours inspired by the stylized representations of the mythical animals of the mountains. All in a mountain spirit with large sections of wood crossed by rays of light, like a barn in the mountain pastures. Result, a very eclectic and modern set for a truly unique stay. Cross the threshold of the Hotel Alpina Chamonix Spa and follow the wooden mat to the counter where you are welcomed. Then, soak up the very refined and natural atmosphere of the place. Everywhere wood, slate, stone facings… and the beneficial water of the hammam, sauna and jacuzzi! Back from a day of hiking or simply because you feel like it, treat yourself to a relaxing break in Chamonix at the foot of Mont-Blanc!

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Chamonix - 4 Star Grand Hotel des Alpes Built in 1840, this hotel is part of the history of Chamonix and the symbol of Savoy hospitality. It's 30 refined rooms of warm woodwork and amazing views will welcome you back after your day in the mountains. Enjoy the views of Mont Blanc from the lounge or swimming pool, or relax with a massage in the spa. Situated in the exact center of the old town, it's location is perfect for exploring the village.

• 2 nights at 3 Star hotels in Saint Gervaise and Bourg Saint Maurice
• 5 nights at 4 Star hotels in Argentiere, Courmayeur and Chamonix
• Meals as specified: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, 1 wine tasting (All meals include water and local wine)
• 5 hikes
• 3 cable car rides (as per itinerary)
• Transportation once the tour has begun
• Group departure transfer to Geneva airport
• All gratuities for waiters and coach drivers. (Gratuity for your primary local tour leader is NOT Included)
• Two professional hiking guides throughout the itinerary
• Fully escorted by a Go Get Lost tour leader
• A lifetime of unforgettable memories!

• Airfare package
• Gratuity for primary local tour leader
• Visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
• Single supplement charge
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.