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Map of Mont Blanc Highlights including France

Discover dazzling peaks and awe-inspiring scenery in the Alps

If you’re looking for unforgettable alpine views, rewarding hikes and a fantastic place to rest your head each night, you’ve come to the right place. Set out on an eight-day hiking adventure through the Alps, walking through inspiring scenes each day before returning to your base in Chamonix. With cable car rides included on several days, you’ll spend more time exploring and less time tackling tiring climbs, and with an International Mountain Leader guiding the way, you can trust that you’re in safe hands. From shimmering glaciers to mirror-like lakes, the best of the Alps is revealed on foot.

Start
Chamonix, France
Finish
Chamonix, France
Destination
France
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
ZFXM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 14

Why you'll love this trip

  • There’s no denying that the Alps provide some of Europe’s most stunning sights, and a week of hiking will reveal awe-inspiring glaciers, lakes and mountains.

  • Soar over spectacular scenery and soak in unbeatable views during a series of cable car rides, meaning you can walk through the region’s best landscapes without the tiring climbs.

  • Explore with an experienced International Mountain Leader, a highly qualified guide who will ensure the group’s safety while bringing the scenery to life.

  • Stay in a historic hotel in the heart of Chamonix , surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Unpack just once and enjoy an epic location that can’t be topped.

  • Hiking can really work up an appetite, which is why all meals are included on hiking days, ensuring you’re fuelled up for your adventures.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip, and you must be in a good physical shape to fully enjoy it. On most of the walking days, we will walk for up to 5 hours.

  • In order to avoid long and difficult climbs, cable car lifts have been included on 4 walking days. These rides will reward you with breathtaking views, but please be aware you will be very high off the ground.

  • Be sure to bring the appropriate gear required for alpine hikes. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.

  • This trip visits points over 2500m, where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Please be aware of the symptoms and let your leader know if you or any of your fellow travellers experience any.

Group of hikers walking along bottom of Mont Blanc massif
Chamonix Mont Blanc, quaint village
The Aiguille du Dru mountain peak, Mont Blanc
Hiking along Plan Praz with breathtaking views of Chamonix, Mont Blanc
Musee Alpin, Alpine Museum in Chamonix, Mont Blanc
Enjoying a traditional fondue dinner
Cable car ride into the summit of Mont Blanc
Scenic train ride around Chamonix, Mont Blanc
Hikers walking along Mer de Glace, glacier valley in Mont Blanc

Itinerary
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Bienvenue! Welcome to the Alps. We recommend flying into Geneva airport, where bus transfers are readily available to Chamonix, the French town where you will be based for your adventure. On arrival, settle into your splendid accommodation, a historic and scenic hotel which has been run by the same family since its opening in 1914. Placed on Chamonix’s main street and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the location is a perfect base for your explorations. A welcome meeting will take place this evening where you will meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on your adventure. Your leader will fill you in on what to expect over the coming days and provide recommendations on equipment. After the meeting, you may like to get to know each other over dinner in one of Chamonix’s fantastic restaurants. Pair alpine cuisine with an incredible atmosphere and you’re in for a real treat – bon appetit!
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

It’s time to get those legs moving! First, let a cable car do the climbing for you and enjoy a ride up to Bellevue. Not only does this cable car journey make the day’s walking a whole lot more pleasant, you’ll also be treated to spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, including the Chamonix Needles, the Mont Blanc massif and the Aravis Range. Hike along the path of famous Tour du Mont Blanc, in the forests below the Bionnassay glacier, before hiking up a relatively little summit of Tête de la Charme (1882m). Descend to the village of Bionnassay for a taste of typical life in the mountains, and perhaps pay a visit to the local museum for further insight. Transfer back to your accommodation in Chamonix and put your feet up.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bellevue cable car ride
  • Tête de la Charme summit hike
Optional Activities
  • Bionnassay museum visit - EUR6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today you will take a cable car lift, followed by approximately 4 hours of walking with an elevation gain/loss of +350m /-350m.

Wake up and breathe in the fresh mountain air before heading out for another day of hiking. Catch a train to the village of Le Tour, then begin a hike through the Balme mountain pastures, first crossing through the untamed Posettes pass. Take some time to admire the iconic needles of the Mont Blanc massif, stretching from the Aiguille du Tour through the Drus and the famous Aiguille du Midi. You’ll also be able to see across to Switzerland and the magnificent Emosson Dam. Return to Chamonix by train and enjoy and evening at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Col de Balme & Col du Posettes guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today will be approximately 4 hours of walking with an elevation loss of -700m.

The day is yours for your own discoveries – be sure to speak to your local leader for tips on how to make the most of your downtime, as there’s no shortage of incredible things to do in this beautiful part of the world! You may like to spend some time exploring the numerous bars, cafes and restaurants that line the streets of Chamonix. Or perhaps you’d rather set out in search of breathtaking views – there are several cable car excursions available from Chamonix, one of the most spectacular being the ascent to Aiguille du Midi (3842m/12600ft), offering fantastic views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. If you fancy getting really active, there are loads of mountain biking, white water rafting, paragliding and hiking options in the area.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Aiguille du Midi cable car ride - EUR100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today’s hike will lead you to a truly stunning sight, Lac Blanc, also known as the mirror of Mont Blanc. First, climb into the mountains on the Flegere cable car, offering up unforgettable alpine views that can only be seen by those travelling this way. After your ride, begin your hike towards the lake – one of the most beloved and celebrated walking routes in the region. Follow a high balcony path while keeping an eye out for wildlife – marmots, ibex and eagles are all frequently spotted along this trail! On arrival at Lac Blanc, take some time to admire the image of snowy peaks in the reflective water – this is one scene you won’t forget. Give your legs a well-earned rest and return via the Flegere cable car, descending into the beautiful valley below.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Flégère cable car ride round trip, Lac Blanc guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today you will take a cable car lift, followed by approximately 4 hours of walking with an elevation gain/loss of +262m /-745m.

Your hike today will lead you from Chamonix to Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. Lying above the Chamonix valley, this sprawling stretch of ice is one of the region’s most impressive sights. Walk uphill through dense patches of forest, taking in fantastic views of the valley and the surrounding peaks. After reaching the glacier, you have the option to continue on a downhill loop back to Chamonix, or you may prefer to take the Montenvers train for a shorter scenic trip back.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • La mer de Glace guided hike
Optional Activities
  • Montenvers Train trip - EUR30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today will be approximately 5 hours of walking with an elevation gain/loss of +956/-956m.

Prepare to feast your eyes on something really special today. Take the cable car up to Brevent station, and be rewarded with perhaps the best view of Mont Blanc possible, plus sweeping views over the Chamonix valley. Take a peek over the Brevent pass, then continue hiking to the Bel Lachat refuge and up to Brevent Lake, the perfect spot to pause and admire the magnificent landscape. Soak in views of the Mont Blanc massif and a land of ice and rock below. In the afternoon take a scenic cable car ride, dropping from 2500 all the way to Chamonix, sitting at 1000m above sea level. Tonight you may like to gather with your group for a final dinner to look back on everything you’ve seen and achieved over the past week.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Brévent cable car ride, Brévent pass & Bel Lachat guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today you will take a cable car lift, followed by approximately 5 hours of walking with an elevation gain/loss of +390/-390m.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today, but for those keen to keep the fun going, there’s time for one last walk. Speak to your leader about the option of an unaccompanied bus ride and 1-hour signposted walk through flower-covered meadows to the Col des Montets.
Optional Activities
  • Col des Montets guided hike - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

On foot, Cable Car, Train, Public bus, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Bellevue cable car ride
  • Tête de la Charme summit hike
  • Col de Balme & Col du Posettes guided hike
  • Flégère cable car ride round trip, Lac Blanc guided hike
  • La mer de Glace guided hike
  • Brévent cable car ride, Brévent pass & Bel Lachat guided hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Mont Blanc Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. Your adventure ends on Day 8 after breakfast. There are no activities included on that day.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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