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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Spectacular circuit around western Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc (15,770')
  • France, Switzerland, Italy - hiking across three international borders and between three distinct alpine cultures
  • Hiking through magnificent alpine scenery with abundant wildlife and wildflowers
  • Inn-to-inn hiking circuit

DETAILS

  • 9-day trip begins and ends in Chamonix, France
  • 8 nights in small inns and hotels
  • All breakfasts and dinners included

TRIP RATING

ActRating

Moderate to strenuous inn-to-inn hiking, 6-8 hours per day with daily ascents and descents

The Tour du Mont Blanc hiking circuit around Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain, is the perfect mix of awe-inspiring mountain views and the vibrant influence of three distinct European countries -- France, Italy and Switzerland. The hiking route wanders through alpine meadows, over barren passes, into small hamlets, and beneath gigantic glaciers as we travel through the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. Our expert guides lead us from village to village as we dip down into a new valley each day and savor changes in language, landscape, architecture, and cuisine. Our cultural delights range from the French resort town of Chamonix, to the medieval city of Courmayeur, Italy, to quaint alpine villages in Switzerland where we enjoy delicious and hearty meals of local specialties.

Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Tour Overview

Days 1-2: Meet in the mountain resort town of Chamonix, France, a pretty village nestled under the flanks of snow-covered Mont Blanc. From Chamonix, our warm-up hiking brings us up to the Aiguilles Rouges. As we hike along the Grand Balcony trail, we get a dazzling view of many of the highest peaks in the Alps, and of the mountain-ringed alpine Lac Blanc.

Day 3: Enjoy fabulous views of the Mont Blanc range, as we hike along the foot of the huge Glacier de Bionnassay, through lush meadows to the Col du Tricot (7,000'), and into Les Contamines, an unspoiled, traditional French village.

Day 4: Our hiking brings us along an old Roman road that climbs steadily through a beautiful conifer forest, and across broad alpine pastures, as we make our way over the Col de la Croix-de-Bonhomme (8,190') and down through rich, open pastures to the remote summer village of Chapieux.

Day 5: Leaving France, we hike into Italy via grassy trails and old Roman roads, crossing the Col de la Seigne (8,300'), with views of Mont Blanc's massive southern face, and descend into the mountain resort town of Courmayeur.

Day 6: We hike from Italy into the mountain wonderland of Switzerland via the Col Grand Ferret (8,400'), and continue hiking to the mountain-ringed lake resort of Champex, with its typical Swiss-style chalets and pretty gardens.

Day 7: Today there are two hiking options, one through the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and another more challenging route up and over the rugged Fenetre d'Arpette (8,800'). Both routes offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps.

Day 8: Today we complete our circuit, departing from Trient and hiking through high pastures and back into France over the Col du Balme (7,230'), with glorious views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley below. Celebrate our accomplishments tonight in Chamonix.

Day 9: Departure from Chamonix, France.

Step Away from the Ordinary ~ Mont Blanc Hiking


"Mont Blanc is the monarch of mountains;
They crown'd him long ago
On a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds,
With a diadem of snow."

-- Lord Byron

More Information

Mont Blanc Reading List


2009 Dates

  • July 4-12
  • July 25-August 2
  • August 22-30

Land Cost

  • $3695 per person
  • Single Supplement $395 (very limited availability, and not available on all nights) (prices good through December 31, 2009)

Have Questions? Call us at 800-941-8010, or E-mail a Boundless Journeys Mont Blanc Specialist today!

 

Mont Blanc Hiking Tour: RESERVE THIS TRIP