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Hidden & Iconic Mont Blanc: The 5-Star Hiking Tour

8 days | Moderate
From $4,000 ()
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We’ve waited 770 million years for an adventure like this—ever since the Mont Blanc massif was created! Skip the 30-pound packs and thin hut mattresses for an 8-day journey that trades “roughing it” for high-altitude highlights across France, Italy, and Switzerland. Led by expert local guides, this fully organized tour gets you away from the usual TMB crowds to experience the region’s deep history—from touching 240-million-year-old dinosaur tracks to exploring the birth of Alpine mountaineering. Whether you’re walking the iconic Mer de Glace glacier or discovering hidden gems, you’ll return each evening to an upscale Chamonix base for a world-class meal, a spa session, and a premium mattress. It’s the perfect “best of” itinerary designed for those who want the rugged grit of the mountains by day and total luxury by night.

Adventure Highlights

  • Alpine luxury experience: Forget the daily pack-and-move; we return to the same premium lodging every evening, so you can swap your hiking boots for a spa session and a crisp bed
  • Alternative Tour du Mont Blanc: Explore the Mont Blanc massif on crowdless day hikes across France, Italy, and Switzerland with local experts leading the way
  • Swiss-Italian-French adventure: This trip features a cultural tasting menu: savor flaky croissants in the morning, hearty Swiss rösti, or maybe taste some hand-rolled italian pasta
Duration
8 days
Season
June through September
Group size
Up to 8 people
Accommodation
Luxury: Luxury apartments, superb hotels, or private chalet
Difficulty
Moderate: Great fitness required, hiking around 10-12 km (6-7 mi) per day, with up to 1,070 m (3,511 ft) of elevation gain
What's included
Guide, lodging, all breakfasts, most lunches, 1 dinner, airport transfers

The adventure, day by day

Choose this itinerary if you prefer staying at one of our premier hotels like Lykke, Heliopic, or La Folie Douce. While the inclusions remain the same as the apartment option, this version of the trip focuses on the most iconic alpine experiences and high-altitude "best-of" views. The standout differentiator here is a thrilling glacier walk on the Mer de Glace, where you’ll get up close to one of the most famous ice fields in the Alps using provided professional gear. You’ll also visit the legendary Lac Blanc, widely considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the French Alps for its crystal-clear reflection of the Mont Blanc summit.

Day 1: Arrival

After you arrive at Geneva Airport, you’ll get picked up at 2 pm and get transferred to your hotel in Chamonix. You’ll be staying at a four-star hotel—get settled in before meeting your guide and your all-women team for a welcome dinner. Tomorrow the hiking begins!

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Four-star hotel in Chamonix

Day 2: Haut-Cordon panoramic circuit

There’s no better introduction to the beauty of the Alps than by witnessing panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range and the surrounding valleys. The trail winds through Alpine meadows and dense forests, providing shade and a serene atmosphere. Once we reach the top, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Aiguilles Rouges, Mont Blanc massif, and even Switzerland! The descent allows hikers to appreciate the scenery from a different perspective—take your time and enjoy the views. There are 2 ways to hike up the Aiguillettes, you can find them below.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Accommodation: Four-star hotel in Chamonix

Option 1:
Hiking : 8 km (5 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-760 m (2,493 ft)

Option 2:
Hiking: 8 km (5 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +740 m (2,428 ft), -745 m (2,462 ft)

Choose this itinerary if you’d like to stay at Cristal de Jade luxury apartments (more lodging info below). This route is a deep dive into the region's ancient past and unique natural reserves. While you will still experience the "three-country drama" of France, Italy, and Switzerland, this specific itinerary features a fascinating day hunting for 240-million-year-old dinosaur tracks at the Émosson Dam. You’ll also explore the only Nature Reserve in the entire Mont Blanc massif at Les Contamines-Montjoie, wandering through charming villages filled with Baroque churches and renovated Savoyard farmhouses. It is the ideal choice for those who want their high-alpine miles seasoned with a heavy dose of geology and local history.

Day 1: Arrival

Day 1 of our special hiking tour is reserved for arriving and settling in. Make sure to reach Chamonix by 6 pm, because that’s when you’re meeting your guide and the group at the Residence*. Once we’ve all gathered, we’ll have a welcome dinner at 7 pm. Then a good night’s sleep, and—the adventure begins!

*Upon check-in, a €500 security deposit per room will be required—credit card only, American Express, virtual payment cards, or cash aren’t accepted—which will be released on your departure day.

Meals: Dinner at Le Monchu
Accommodation: Cristal de Jade kuxury apartments

Day 2: Haut-Cordon panoramic circuit
The town of Zermatt, below Matterhorn, the ending point of the Haute Route.

We’ll kick off the trip with a beautiful, 10.5-kilometer (6.5 miles) loop hike near Cordon in Haute-Savoie. We’ll get to appreciate the whole massif from afar and move into the pre-Alps area. Let your guide tell you a bit about the valley, the times of settlement, and how it grew popular. We’re going to avoid the crowds by going on this moderately challenging route, with otherworldly views. Then we’ll retreat back to Chamonix for the night.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 10.5 km (6.5 mi), 5 hours
Elevation gain: 819 m (2,687 ft)
Accommodation: Cristal de Jade kuxury apartments

Photo gallery

Lodging

Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.
Bine Žalohar
5.00
Bine Žalohar
Born in the Slovenian mountains, Bine Žalohar has traveled the world skiing and hiking. He is a passionate extreme sports enthusiast; freestyle skier, surfer, mountain biker, climber, and underwater fisherman. Having obtained a sports degree, Bine continued training and went on to become a licensed skiing and mountain guide. His passion lies in sharing the wonders of the beloved Alps as well as destinations in Japan, Croatia, France, Austria, and many more with fellow adventure junkies.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 8-day Chamonix & Mont Blanc hiking adventure (6 days of hiking)
      • Accommodation for 7 nights in accommodation of your preference — luxury apartments, deluxe hotel, or private chalet
      • Meals as listed in the itinerary (all breakfasts at your accommodation, most lunches/picnic lunches, and a welcome dinner)
      • Geneva Airport transfers to and from Chamonix (on Day 1 & Day 8)
      • Private transportation during the tour
      • Gear rental for the glacier walk (mountain shoes, crampons, and harness) — only if you

    Add-ons (available to add at checkout):

      • Single occupancy room

    Not included:

      • Flights
      • Dinners (only dinner on Day 1 is included, but there’s plenty of restaurants nearby & they can also be included)
      • Snacks, drinks, and personal expenses
      • Personal hiking gear
      • Anything not mentioned in the “included” section
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Repatriation and search & rescue insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
      • Travel insurance — highly recommended, available to add at checkout
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Most people think trekking the Mont Blanc massif means heavy packs, lukewarm tea, and sharing a 20-person dorm with snoring strangers. We’ve thrown that script out. On this trip, you get the high-alpine miles and the three-country drama—France, Italy, and Switzerland—without ever having to “rough it.”

    Expert local guides curated two fantastic options for you, each with its own accommodation and its own itinerary. While every trip delivers an elite experience, your itinerary shifts slightly based on your chosen accommodation—opt for staying at the Cristal de Jade luxury apartments or at one of Chamonix’s premier hotels. Along with these, there’s a slightly different itinerary. Additionally, you can go on a private tour (and have your very own chalet for your group) and you’ll follow the Cristal de Jade luxury apartments itinerary. More info below.

  • Since both options offer 8 days of high-alpine trekking across France, Italy, and Switzerland with premium accommodation, private transfers, and an expert guide, your decision comes down to the specific “flavor” of adventure and recovery you prefer.

      • Choose the Cristal de Jade luxury apartments option if: You are traveling as a couple, a family, or a group of friends (2–8 people) and want a spacious, “home base” feel with 2–5 room layouts and private balconies (with spa access). This itinerary is perfect for history and nature buffs, as it features unique treks to 240-million-year-old dinosaur tracks at Lake Émosson and a visit to the only Nature Reserve in the Mont Blanc massif at Les Contamines. It’s the ideal blend of upscale residence living and deep-dive geological exploration.
      • Choose the premier hotels option (Lykke, Heliopic, or La Folie Douce) if: You crave the classic, full-service hotel experience with high-end spa facilities and refined double or twin rooms. This route focuses on the “greatest hits” of the Alps, including the legendary Lac Blanc and a guided glacier walk on the Mer de Glace—complete with provided crampons and harnesses. It is the top choice for those who want the most iconic photo ops by day and a world-class spa session by evening.
      • Additionally, we can arrange a private chalet all for you and your group, along with a private guide! In that case, you would follow the Cristal de Jade luxury apartments itinerary. Let us know if interested!
  • While this Chamonix & Mont Blanc hiking adventure doesn’t require any special skills, great fitness is required for 6 consecutive days of hiking several hours per day. You’ll only be carrying a daypack filled with things you might need throughout the day—the rest of your luggage stays at your accommodation. You’ll be hiking 10-12 km (6-7 mi) per day on average, for 6 days in a row, while gaining up to 1,070 m (3,500 ft) of elevation.

    Keep in mind that your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder, depending on the group.

    Want to see what else is in the area? Discover our Mont Blanc hiking tours here!

  • 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 prices:

      • For this Chamonix & Mont Blanc hiking adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
      • If choosing to stay at Cristal de Jade’s luxury apartments, it takes a minimum of 6 people for the departure to run. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.
      • If staying at one of Chamonix’s premier hotels, it takes a minimum of 4 people for the departure to run. The maximum group size is either 8 or 16 participants (depends on the departure date).
      • If you’d like to go on a private tour with your own group, please contact us prior to booking. In that case, it’s possible to rent a chalet for your group.

    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.

  • The price for this Chamonix & Mont Blanc hiking adventure is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

  • To get to Chamonix, the starting point of your Chamonix & Mont Blanc hiking adventure, it’s best to fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA).

    Your guides will organize a group transfer from Geneva Airport, taking you directly to your accommodation in Chamonix. Exact departure times will be announced after booking, but keep in mind that these will be on Day 1 (from Geneva Airport to Chamonix) and Day 8 (from Chamonix to Geneva Airport).

    If this won’t fit your schedule, consider Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!

  • Repatriation/search and rescue insurance is mandatory, while travel insurance is highly recommended to join this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

    Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  • Deposits

    Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

    Basic

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Flexible

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Super Flexible

      • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
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