You'll have 4 stops in 6 nights, mixing nice village hotels with one night in a remote mountain hut. You'll start with 2 nights in Chamonix, followed by a hike along the first stage of the TMB ending in nearby les Contamines. The next day, a private taxi transfer takes you from es Contamines to the distinctive village of Courmayeur, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc for a hike through one of the most spectacular valleys in the Alps, the Italian Val Ferret, to the very comfortable Bonatti hut. Finally, hike to the Ferret pass to peer into Switzerland before returning by bus to Courmayeur for 2 final nights. Our deluxe tour stays in luxurious 4-star hotels in Chamonix and Courmayeur, while the standard tour chooses fine 3-star options in each village. Both stay in a 3-star hotel in les Contamines and one night at Bonatti hut. Bonatti hut is a comfortable hut with gorgeous views. They have some private rooms and showers, but you will have no luggage this night.

Your typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn, which gives you the energy needed for a big day of hiking. Before setting out on your hike, visit a bakery and market for lunch supplies, or bring some money for a stop in one of the alpine restaurants along your route. Soon, you'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours. With a couple of passes to cross, the hiking is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days.

You should finish your hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and gaze upon Mont Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, enjoy a delicious dinner at your inn or on your own in town. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal provides a satisfying end to your day.

With hikes in three countries, beautiful inns, and select trails among the highest mountains in the Alps, the Chamonix Mont Blanc Highlights tour is a gorgeous journey that does true justice to this amazing region.

Day 1 Arrive in Geneva, and we will arrange your transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with perhaps time for a daytrip up the Aiguille du Midi cablecar. Relax at the pool or garden of your charming 4-star hotel. (Hameau Albert 1er or Aiglons)
Day 2 One of the classic hikes in the region leads to Lac Blanc for an introductory dayhike. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Preserve, a rugged ridge across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. Make good use of local cablecars to can enjoy more time hiking near the lake, and keep an eye open for bouquetin - a mountain goat with long curved horns that are frequently sighted in this region. Return to Chamonix for a 2nd night. (Hameau Albert 1er or Aiglons)
Day 3 Hiking the traditional first stage of the Mont Blanc tour brings you to the minor Voza pass to the lovely Bionnassay valley, a wooded region with impressive glaciers and waterfalls, and capped by blinding peaks. An optional ascent leads over the higher Tricot pass to the Miage valley, before descending to the quaint village of les Contamines for the night. (la Chemenaz)
Day 4 A morning transfer by private taxi through the Mont Blanc tunnel brings you to the charming, cobblestoned village of Courmayeur, the heart of the Italian Mont Blanc region. Enjoy one of the most spectacular hikes in the Mont Blanc region from Courmayeur above the Val Ferret, with the vertical cliffs of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses towering above you to the west while the valley falls away below. Serious hikers can climb to the top of the Mont de la Saxe ridge, while lower trails make an easier, scenic traverse. Truly a magnificent day, and one of the highlights of the Mont Blanc circuit. Stay in a comfortable alpine hut. (rifugio Bonatti)
Day 5 Hiking toward the Grand Col Ferret, you'll descend down to the valley floor with time for an optional hike to the Grand Col Ferret pass separating Italy from Switzerland, and returning by bus to Courmayeur for the final night of your self-guided Chamonix Mont Blanc Highlights tour. (Novecento or Bouton d'Or)
Day 6 An second day in Courmayeur gives you time for one last spectacular dayhike, either up the Veny valley to Elisabetta hut, or ascending a scenic ridge to the peak of nearby Mont Chetif. Stay in a friendly and comfortable 3-star hotel and enjoy a night of la dolce vita while exploring the village center! (Novecento or Bouton d'Or)
Day 7 After breakfast, return by van to Geneva.

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Our self-guided prices are per person, based on two people sharing a standard double room. This tour includes 5 nights prepaid hotels in Chamonix, les Contamines and Courmayeur, breakfast each day, dinner in les Contamines, reservations for the night and meals at Bonatti hut, Geneva airport transfer to Chamonix by shared shuttle (8-12 seat vans), luggage transfer from Chamonix to les Contamines, private taxi transfer from les Contamines to Courmayeur, private taxi transfer from Courmayeur to Geneva, hiking maps, detailed route descriptions (including longer, shorter, and rainy day options), train schedules, sightseeing suggestions, and lots of useful information to help ensure a successful trip.

Not included are lunches, dinners, drinks with dinners, extras (such as laundry, phone calls from the room, etc), transportation other than the transfers mentioned above, or the cost of the nights and meals at Bonatti hut (about $70 per person). The large single supplement is required because of fixed room rates in Chamonix and taxi costs.

If you'd like to lengthen or shorten this tour, add destinations, or create a customized tour of the Mont Blanc region from scratch, let us know. We have extensive experience all over the Alps, and will be happy to work with you to build the hiking vacation that best suits your needs.

Learn more about custom and self-guided tours