Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. There are convenient airport shuttles that you can book once you have your flights secured.

Enjoy your first impressive views of Mont Blanc, with time to relax at our comfortable Chamonix hotel before meeting the group for dinner.

Arrival: Geneva.  Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts.  You can book a private or shared shuttle from GVA to Chamonix.  The trip takes 1½ hrs.  We recommend booking early with Mountain Dropoffs or Chamonix Valley Transfers.

One of the classic hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc, high above the village.  This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere.  They also have fantastic fruit tortes!

We’ll like to start from the Montets pass for a quieter approach to the lake, with jaw-dropping views along the way.  Descend by cable car and return to Chamonix for a 2nd night.

Start with a cable car to the Voza pass, where an undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, over the Tricot pass and through the quiet Miage Valley… one of the prettier corners of the TMB.

Passing through a tiny hamlet of stone houses where cows and horses graze peacefully surrounded by hanging glaciers, we’ll stop in the small village of les Contamines for a night at a friendly local hotel. Our luggage will meet us here.

A quick bus ride or an easy valley walk brings us to our trailhead at Notre Dame de la Gorge, a small chapel at the very end of the valley rebuilt in 1699. Hiking up along an old Roman road, we continue the TMB tour with a long, steady ascent across two lofty passes, Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme.

After lunch near the pass, we’ll descend to les Chapieux.  Depending on availability, we’ll either stay in a hiker’s inn here in les Chapieux, or take a short taxi ride to a nearby hotel, where we have a friendly 3-star hotel for the night.

A quick transfer brings us to the trailhead in the Valle des Glaciers. Leaving France, a gradual ascent through quiet alp pastures leads to the Col de la Seigne and into Italy.

Here you’re greeted by an amazing view into the Veny Valley and the Mont Blanc range. The Aiguille Noire de Peuterey is particularly impressive from this vantage point, and Mont Blanc itself dominates the view ahead of you. Continue down valley and transfer into the medieval village of Courmayeur, with narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and a lively, pedestrian-only core. Our luggage will be waiting for us at our 3-star village hotel.

After one of our favorite breakfasts at our hotel, a second day in Courmayeur gives you a chance to either rest up or take an optional dayhike high above town.

Courmayeur is an extremely atmospheric village, with cafes, bakeries, gelaterias, and stylish shops. It’s great for people-watching and relaxing. Or take the cable car high above the valley to the upper reaches of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian) for close-up views of the highest peaks in the Alps. Or spend the day hiking along an unbeatable balcony walk to rifugio Bonatti.  Dinner is on your own in one of Courmayeur’s many fine restaurants.

The second half of the Tour du Mont Blanc is slightly less rugged, with easier passes, but just as beautiful. The Italian side of Mont Blanc is steep and rocky, and the Grand Jorasses rivals Mont Blanc as the focal point of our views.

On this stage of the TMB, we’ll cross the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland, with rolling green meadows filled with happy cows. We’ll descend to la Fouly, and tiny village at the end of a quiet valley in Switzerland.  Some departures stay in nearby Ferret, 20 minutes away by foot.  Our luggage will be transferred here from Courmayeur.

An easier day today takes us through the Swiss Ferret Valley, on a pleasant path long the river with waterfalls cascading down mountains as we hike down-valley.  It’s a beautiful valley with plenty to catch your eye.

After a break for lunch, we hike up through forest to the pretty lakeside village of Champex, an inspiring place to spend an afternoon on a terrace overlooking the lake. Our luggage be waiting at our 3-star village hotel.

The next stage on the TMB takes us through woods along the Bovine route to Trient. Along the way, stop at a rustic farm restaurant with sweeping views of the Rhone Valley.  It’s a delightful walk.

Weather and energy permitting, a more rigorous hike leads up and over the Fenetre d’Arpette pass with dazzling views to the Trient Glacier, a popular variant on the traditional TMB route. We’ll stay at the Grande Ourse, a hiker’s inn in the tiny Swiss village of Trient. Private room with shared bathroom down the hall.

The final hike on our Mont Blanc tour is another great one. A steady uphill hike leads us up to the Balme Pass on the border with France. We like to take an alternate route with gorgeous glacier views and abundant blueberries.

Once at the pass, we’ll be greeted to jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc and the entire Chamonix Valley as we cross the pass and descend to la Tour. After a quick transfer back to Chamonix, make sure to check out the pool at our hotel, before we meet for a special celebratory dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Our June 18 departure will spend this night in les Houches.

Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.

Departure: Geneva.  Plan departure for the day your tour finishes.  You’ll need to book a private or shared shuttle from Chamonix to GVA, and the trip takes 1½ hrs.