french-alps-best-of-the-classic-walks-around-the-mont-blanc

Guided groups

Hiking

lvl. 2
New
Day-hikes
Réf : E308
8 days from 3635 € Book / Enquire

Our trip

  • The discovery of the "must-see" of the Mont-Blanc massif with easy hikes.

  • Enjoy the warm alpine hospitality and comfort of 4* hotels!

  • The visit of the Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers train and the thermal baths of Pré Saint Didier included

  • A three-day trip to Italy, in the heart of the Aosta Valley life

  • A small group of 8 people maximum

This itinerary in the country of Mont Blanc, a unique and prestigious massif, is composed of accessible hikes. After the escapades in the middle of the nature, you will have comfortable accommodations and facilities for relaxation. Not to mention the typical Italian cuisine of the Aosta Valley...

Reservation

Departure Return Price including VAT Departure status  
From 03 July 2023 to 10 July 2023 3635 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 24 July 2023 to 31 July 2023 3635 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 11 September 2023 to 18 September 2023 3635 € Confirmed Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 30 June 2024 to 07 July 2024 3650 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 28 July 2024 to 04 August 2024 3650 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 08 September 2024 to 15 September 2024 3650 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
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Itinerary

Hiking : a relatively accessible activity, hiking offers the opportunity to explore a country or a region up close, on foot, and to meet and mingle with the locals. On a traverse or loop, whatever your skill level, embark on one of our through-hikes to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the great outdoors.

Level 2: An average of 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day on a well-marked hilly path or trail.

Duration : 8 days
Luggage transfers : Only your day pack
Lodging : Hotel
Guiding : French, english speaking, mountain leader (UIMLA certified)
Group : From 3 to 8 participants

Day by day

Day 1

Welcome in Chamonix !

Lodging : hotel.

Arrival in Chamonix, a very typical and historical town in the Alps. Settle into your comfortable hotel, stroll through Chamonix's quaint cobblestone streets, and relax before embarking on what will be a truly amazing through-hike.

Day 2

Meeting with the Chesery lake

Ascent : 500 m. Descent : 500 m. Hiking : 4 h.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Meet at 09:00 am at your hotel with your guide. This day in the Aiguilles rouges massif, facing the Mont Blanc will offers incredible views of the glaciers and summits!

We first take the cable car up to the Flégère. From this point, we follow a balcony path that leads us to the famous Lac Blanc (2,352 m). We then reach the Chéserys lakes, famous for reflecting the most famous peaks of the Mont Blanc massif! We walk back to the Flégère to take the cable car back to Chamonix.

Day 3

Experience the top of Aiguille du Midi and the Montenvers

Ascent : 350 m. Descent : 700 m. Hiking : 4h.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
In Chamonix, we take the famous cable car to the top of l'Aiguille du Midi (3,842m). We will take time to visit the area and enjoy the amazing view on the Mont Blanc summit!
Transfer back with the lift to the Plan de l'Aiguille (2,350 m). Here starts the hike of the day. After a short descent to the refuge of the same name, we take the famous Grand Balcon Nord route which crosses under all the Aiguilles of Chamonix, from the Aiguille du Plan to the Aiguille de la République. The itinerary passes at the foot of the Blaitière and Nantillons glaciers. A short climb leads us to the Signal Forbes (2,200 m) offering a panoramic view of the Mer de Glace and the North face of the Grandes Jorasses in particular. A stop on the Montenvers site, before going back down with the famous red rack train to Chamonix.
Day 4

Brévent Lake and Aiguillette des Houches

Ascent : 250 m. Descent : 500 m or 1300 m. Hiking : 4h to 6h.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner. Transfer : 45 minutes.

Transfer with the cable car to go up to the summit of Brévent (2,525m). Still facing the Mont Blanc, a day where you alternate ascents and descents on short slopes until l'Aiguillette des Houches. We are surrounded by the mineral landscapes of the Aiguilles Rouges on one side, the Mont Blanc massif on the other, with its famous glaciers and summits : Argentière glacier, Aiguille Verte, Mer de Glace, les Drus, Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc...

Depending on the weather and the physical condition of the group, we can either turn around and take the lift back to Chamonix or start the descent to Parc Merlet and Les Houches. Transfer back to Chamonix with the local shuttle, then transfer to Courmayeur where we spend the next 3 nights.

Day 5

Val Ferret, Elena hut and Grand Col Ferret

Ascent : 350 m to 750 m. Descent : 350 m to 750 m. Hiking : 3h to 5h.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Short transfer at the end of the Val Ferret. We take a good path to reach the Elena refuge (2,061 m) at the foot of the Pré-de-Bard glacier. If we are in good shape and the weather permits, we can climb up to the Grand Col Ferret (2537 m), border with Switzerland !
Transfer back to the hotel with the local buses where we take the time to discover the capital of the Italian Alps.

Day 6

Veny Valley and Pré-St-Didier thermals baths

Ascent : 350 m to 600 m. Descent : 350 m to 600 m
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Discovering the Veny valley, we hike to the lake of the Miage glacier, the Combal lake (1,970 m). A beautiful alluvial plain resulting from the natural barrier of the glacier favors the observation of a unique vegetation!

In the afternoon, enjoy a good bath in the thermal baths of Pré Saint Didier. Inaugurated in 1838, these thermal baths offer you a course of about 40 sensory practices: sauna chalet, relaxation rooms, indoor and outdoor hot water pools, possibility of massages, lunch, aperitif. All we need to spend an excellent and relaxing day!

Day 7

Val Ferret, Bonatti hut , Bertone hut - Courmayeur and back to Chamonix

Ascent : 700 m. Descent : 1200 m. Hiking : 5 h 30.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner. Transfer : 45 minutes.
Transfer to the Val Ferret. Beautiful hike in the heart of the alpine pastures to the Bertone refuge (1,996 m). The steep Italian slopes of the Mont-Blanc massif overlook us, we are at the foot of the Grandes Jorasses. Descent through the Sapin valley to Courmayeur.
Late afternoon transfer to Chamonix where we enjoy our farewell dinner and the last night. You will say good-bye to your guide before enjoy your last dinner in town.
Day 8

End of the tour - Chamonix

Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.

Enjoy your last breakfast before checking out. Take the time to explore Chamonix before heading off.

Pricing

Pricing

The price includes / does not include

Price includes:

  • French, english speaking trekking leader (UIMLA certified) from day 2 to day 7 and from 4 to 8 participants,
  • Accommodations as described in double/twin rooms (in some cases in triple or quadruple rooms when accommodations lack double room availability).
  • Meals : 7 breakfasts, 6 diners (dinner not included in Chamonix on day 1), 6 pack-lunches,
  • Energetic snacks for the week,
  • A welcome drink,
  • Luggage transfer at the accommodations,
  • Cable-cars and transfers as described on the itinerary.

Price does not include:

  • Transportation from Geneva to Chamonix on day 1 and from Chamonix to Geneva on day 8 (don't hesitate to ask us if you are interested in these transfers, we can book this transfer for you),
  • Any single room (requested or for a odd number of people),
  • Dinner in Chamonix on the first day,
  • Drinks and personal expenses,
  • Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance,
  • Anything that is not specified in the "included in the price" list.

Spending and other expenses during your trip :

  • Tickets to any visit
  • Drinks and tip

During your trip

Our team

This trip is guided by a French - English speaking - UIMLA certified mountain leader from 4 to 8 participants. Specialists of the Mont Blanc, he will guide you on "their" trails through this region. Your guide will speak English...but don't be afraid if they speak as a French ;-)

All these transfers are included in the tour such as :

  • J 2 : cable-car from Praz-de-Chamonix to La Flégère (round-trip)
  • J 3 : cable to L'Aiguille du Midi : the red-train from Montenvers to Chamonix
  • J 4 : cable car to the summit of Brévent (round-trip) ; private transfer from Chamonix to Courmayeur
  • J 5 : bus from Courmayeur to Arnuva (round-trip)
  • J 6 : bus from Courmayeur to La Visaille (round-trip) ; transfer to Pré-St-Didier (round-trip)
  • J 7 : bus from Courmayeur to Arnuva (one way) ; transfer from Courmayeur to Chamonix

Lodging

Charming accommodation in a selection of comfortable 4* hotels in double/twin rooms with private bathroom in Chamonix and Courmayeur.

Both hotels are ideally located in the heart of the city. After hiking, you can enjoy a pleasant moment in the hotels' wellness area or have a drink at the bar.

Single room is always "on request".

https://www.alpinachamonix.com/en/ (or equivalent)
https://www.loscoiattolohotel.it/en/ (or equivalent)

Note: odd number of people are considered with a triple room. Single room always depends on availability and is with a supplement.

Meals

Our goal is to ensure that you eat well-balanced meals suited for the effort required each day, and to lighten your pack load as much as possible.
- Dinners (hot meals, very filling) and breakfasts are prepared by your accommodations or taken in a restaurant.
- The first dinner in Chamonix is not included to give you all options in town and a dinner on your own.
- Lunches are pack-lunches either prepared by your guide or the accommodation.

The picnic has an important place in a day of hiking. Healthy and balanced, it allows you to regain your strength before continuing the day's hike. The tasting of local products is an opening on the traditions and the regional culture, and then it is above all a moment of convivial exchange.
During our trekking trips, our guides are careful to ensure that these shared meals are special moments, and try to diversify the menus as much as possible while taking into account the constraints related to transport and food conservation in the specific conditions of the trip.
If you have strict dietary constraints, we invite you to communicate them to us before departure, in your personal space. Remind your guide of this during the first briefing: he will be in charge of the picnics and will be your contact with the accommodation providers.

We commit ourselves to :

  • Offer a share of regional products, chosen, when possible, from local producers to support short circuits.
  • Favour quality products and integrate a part of organic food.
  • Reduce packaging, especially plastic, and recycle the remaining ones

Luggage transfer

You will find your luggage in Chamonix and Courmayeur.
You only carry your gear for the day and your picnic.

Currencies

France and Italy are part of the Euro zone. You may find ATMs easily in the main cities and towns.
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.

 

Access

Access

This trip starts and ends in Chamonix Mont-Blanc. The nearest airport for this trip is Geneva Airport.

If you are flying into Geneva, the easiest way to get to Chamonix is to use an airport transfer service. We can book this transfer for you, just ask our specialists.

We have decided not to include the transfer from Geneva to Chamonix (round trip) to give you the greatest possible flexibility on your arrival and departure times (day and night arrival possible).

Required before leaving

Formalities

Please check with your embassy.

Health

Vaccinations

Required vaccinations

No vaccinations are required.

Recommended vaccinations

Please check to make sure that all your vaccinations are current: DPT, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.

Dentist and general physician

We recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.

Getting ready

Physical fitness level 2

To take full advantage of your trip, make sure that you stay in good shape by walking or hiking at least twice per week (12km to 15km).

Safety

The Mont Blanc Experience promise

No region in the world is 100% safe and without danger.

Allibert Trekking keeps you informed and is fully transparent when it comes to the potential risks. We gather security risk information from multiple sources: in-house research, monitoring specialized websites, meetings with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "safety and security" trips in the field, constant contact with our regional specialists, local teams on the ground, and France's travel agency federation.

Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot make any decisions for you.

If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to:

— Reinforce our guide team (for guided trips).
— Modify the itinerary for our tours.
— Place a tour or destination on hiatus for an extended period of time when we consider the level of risk to be too high.

Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.