French and Italian Alps Hiking & Walking Tour

Overview

Get ready for an unforgettable week in the Alps! Your guides will welcome you at 9:00 AM at the Café Boréal, near Geneva (Cornavin) central train station before a scenic 90-minute shuttle takes you to our picturesque lunch spot in Les Houches. Once the guides have shared an outline of the day ahead, and some handy trail tips, you'll embark on a one-hour hike along a forest single trail featuring stunning mountain views. After a section of steep climbing, you’ll reach the Parc de Merlet, where you can spot local wildlife. Enjoy lunch with Mont Blanc views before taking a challenging descent through the forest towards Chamonix, our home for the next two nights. This evening, we'll gather at the hotel's bar for a social hour, where your guides will lead a round of introductions and preview the week's adventures, before indulging in a local dinner at our hotel's restaurant.

Overview

Wake up to stunning mountain views for a beautiful day in the Alps. Today, we’ll take the gondola up to La Flégère to join part of the renowned Tour du Mont Blanc trail. This 105-mile (170 km) trail encircles the Mont Blanc massif, crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. While some sections are rocky, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent landscapes. Our hike will take us to Lac Blanc, traversing rugged terrain and vibrant alpine flora. The lake’s crystal-clear waters and mountain reflections make it a favorite for photographers and nature lovers. After enjoying a packed lunch, we’ll return to Chamonix via the same gondola. Tonight, with your guides' favorite restaurant suggestions, explore Chamonix, celebrated for its rich winter sports heritage and Olympic history.

Overview

Grab an extra croissant or pain au chocolat at breakfast before bidding farewell to Chamonix this morning. Board the red train to Gare de Montenvers for your first glimpse of La Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. From here, you'll step inside the glacier itself—an unforgettable walk through its ice cave formations. Continue on the well-marked path to Le Plan de l'Aiguille, where lunch comes with sweeping views of Chamonix. Then ascend by gondola to 12,605 ft (3,842 m) at L'Aiguille du Midi to explore Mont Blanc’s history and take in dramatic 360° panoramas. Weather permitting, cross the glaciers on a 30-minute gondola to Pointe Helbronner before descending on the Skyway into Courmayeur. End the day by unwinding at your lodge's wellness facilities before exploring this charming Italian town and savoring a traditional meal at your leisure.

Overview

Begin your day immersed in an authentic Italian atmosphere, and after a 20-minute shuttle, hop back on a segment of the Tour du Mont Blanc toward Rifugio Elisabetta. A short but steep ascend on paved and gravel roads will take you to the mountain hut for a quick snack before continuing your way to the highest point of our journey, Col de la Seigne, which stands at 8,248 ft (2,514 m). Here you'll have a hearty packed lunch, then, descend on the French side, where our van will be waiting to transfer you to our next lodge in Beaufort. Soak in the rugged beauty of the Beaufortain region along the way. Tonight, we'll gather for a group dinner in town, sharing stories of the day's adventures.

Overview

This morning, after breakfast, a short 20-minute shuttle will take you to Le Plan de la Lai, where you'll begin your hike up the Rocher du Vent, aptly named Wind Rock. Keep an eye out for marmots while taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Mont Blanc. This area is a hiker's dream, as you climb up to vast ridges lined with intense green meadows where the dairy cows freely graze. On the way back, we'll stop at Refuge de Plan Mya for a traditional alpine-hut lunch featuring the famous Beaufort cheese and local family stories. This afternoon, you can either relax on the hut terrace, soaking in the fresh Alpine air, or take on the climb up La Grande Berge, for even more stunning lake views. Tonight, we'll savor our final dinner together at the hotel restaurant, celebrating your alpine achievements.

Overview

Today is your final day in the Alps, and we're going up one last time to take in the panoramic views of Beaufort village, the surrounding mountains, and the charming traditional architecture of alpine houses. After saying goodbye to your guides at 11:00 AM at the hotel, a private shuttle will transport you back to Annecy train station, from where you can catch a train to your next destination.