Hidden Mont Blanc: The 5-Star Hiking Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 8-day hiking tour of hidden gems of Mont Blanc (group departures with set dates or private departures with your own date)
    • Accommodation (7 nights in a 5-star hotel, luxe apartments, or chalet)
      • For group departures, participants will stay at a hotel or apartments
      • For private departures, participants will either stay at a chalet or a hotel
    • Meals as listed in the itinerary
      • Breakfasts at the accommodation
      • Picnic lunches or lunches at huts
    • Private transportation during the tour
    • Geneva Airport transfers (to and from Chamonix)

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to France
    • Dinners (available to arrange upon request for private groups)
    • Meals not listed in the itinerary
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  While hiking the hidden gems of Mont Blanc doesn’t require any special skills, you still need to be fit enough for hiking 10 km (6 miles) per day on average for 6 days in a row, while carrying a daypack filled with things you’ll need throughout the day. You can expect the elevation gain to be between 500 and 800 m (1,640-2,625 ft). Your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder depending on the group.

  If you’d like to take on one of Europe’s most iconic routes, check out our guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek or Haute Route trek. More of a winter type? Go off piste skiing in Mont Blanc or if you’re up for a real challenge, check out ski touring in Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc or alpine climbing the Mont Blanc massif.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of personal items you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 20-30L bag)
    • Backpack rain cover
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, SPF lip balm, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper or wet wipes, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)
    • First aid kit
    • Multi-tool or Swiss army knife

  Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring:

  • • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Hiking socks
    • Week’s worth hiking clothing
      • Hiking pants or shorts
      • Hiking shirt or baselayer
      • Down or synthetic jacket
      • Rain jacket / windbreaker
      • Extra dry shirt
      • Poncho
    • Leisure clothing if you’d like
    • Spare clothes for layering

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this hiking tour in Mont Blanc, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
    • The minimum number of people needed for this tour to operate is 3. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
    • If you’re joining a group tour, you’ll be placed in a 5-star residence Le Cristal de Jade. These are luxe, spacious, fully-equipped apartments.
    • If you’re joining a group tour in August 2024, you’ll be staying at the Heliopic Hotel and Spa.
    • If you’d like to go on a private tour with your own group, please contact us prior to booking. In that case, it’ possible to rent a chalet for your group. The maximum group size here is set at 8 hikers. In case you’re a bigger group, your guide needs to check chalet and hotel availabilities.

  Hiking in Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount! There will be two shuttles (included in the price) on the first and on the last day of the tour that will take you to Chamonix.

  On Day 1, shuttles will depart at 11 am and 4 pm towards Chamonix. On Day 8, shuttles taking you to the Geneva Airport will depart at 7 am and noon.

  Once you get to Chamonix, you will meet your guide and your team at the 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade or Heliopic Hôtel & Spa at 6 pm on Day 1, or at your chalet if you’re joining as a private group.

• Safety measures in France, Italy, and Switzerland

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

  With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the 2024 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure any time in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.