We have gathered all the ingredients for a successful and unforgettable trip.
12 Days / 11 Nights from Geneva
8 Days hiking
Welcome at the airport at an agreed time for a group transfer to the village of Les Houches. From where you can reach easily Chamonix by train or bus (we will provide you with a free daytime travel card)
Explore the charming town of Chamonix, known to be the capital of mountaineering. In the streets of this alpine town, you can hear all the languages of the world. Mountaineers from everywhere come here to confront the mythical Mont Blanc and discover the deep mountain culture.
Accommodation: Hotel*** in Les Houches
Lunch: self
Dinner: self
Get the cable car to reach the plateau de Bellevue (1800m). We will start the trek by descending gently to pass under
the giant glacier of Bionnassay before going up to the pass Col de Tricot (2120m). The path then goes down to the refuge of Miage, then by a last pass before joining the beautiful village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Free time to stroll in the village. Check in at the hotel
Possibility to shorten the hike according to the group level.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
D+660 / D-1290m
Accommodation: Hotel**** in Les Contamines-Montjoie
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: 3 courses meal at the hotel
Short transfer by public bus to Notre Dame de la Gorge, where we will start the ascent along the ancient Roman road and cross the Roman stone bridge
Then walk through the alpine meadows of La Balme and through the Contamines Natural Reserve, to reach the Croix du Bonhomme (2433m). Steepy descent in the pastures to Les Chapieux (1554m)
Walking time: 7 hours
D+1270m / D-900m
Accommodation: Shared rooms of to 3 to 4 beds, shared bathroom in a mountain inn
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: 3 courses meal at the Inn
Short transfer by public bus to La Ville des Glaciers (1789m). Hike up to Col de la Seigne (2516m) to enter in Italy, then beautiful descent in the Val Veny. Glaciers slowly pour into the valley, creating magnificent waterfalls and lakes. Go down the valley to Visaille from where we will transfer to Courmayeur
Courmayeur has managed to perpetuate a lifestyle of its own, based on hospitality, elegance and the preservation of the landscape
Walking time: 5,5 hours
D+670m / D-870m
Accommodation: Shared rooms of 2 to 3 beds ensuite bathroom in Hotel**
Lunch: picnic
Dinner: 3 courses Italian meal in a restaurant
Steep climb through thick larch forests to Refuge Bertone (1989m), an excellent stopover for a cappuccino.
Walk through pastures with an incomparable view of the Mont Blanc range to reach the rifugio Bonatti then we descend into the valley of Val Ferret and up to rifugio Elena.
Possibility of a longer hike the hike through Testa Bernarda according to the group level.
Walking time: 6,5 hours
D +1450 / D-550
Accommodation: Large dorm
with shared bathroom in a mountain hut
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: 3 courses Italian meal in the mountain hut
We climb to the Grand Ferret pass (2537 m), this pass offers a unique panorama on the Grandes Jorasses and Mont Dolent, whose summit divides three countries, Italy, France and Switzerland. We then go down in the Swiss Val Ferret to the alpine pastures of La Peule (2071 m) and continue to the typical Swiss village of La Fouly (1600m), built of wood and quartz stone, with red shutters and carved balconies.
Transfer by local bus to Issert for a last ascent to Champex to enjoy this pretty village with its deep blue lake.
Walking time: 6,5 hours
D+960 / D-1000 m
Accommodation: Shared rooms of 2 to 3 beds with private bathroom in a hotel*** in Champex
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: Swiss meal in the Hotel
We will go up through the alpine pastures of Bovine (1987m) and to Col de la Forclaz (1526m) by a path in balcony overlooking the Rhone valley, before reaching Trient. A more difficult route possible via Arpette depending on the conditions and the form of the group
Walking time: 5,5 hours
D+ 800 / D-950
Accommodation: 6 bed dorms with shared bathroom in a mountain Inn
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: 3 courses Swiss meal in the Inn
We go up to the Col de Balme (2190m), to go back to France, we reach the Pass des Posettes (1997m) along the balcony trail, from there the panorama of the glaciers of the Mont-Blanc massif are impressive. Then long but magnificent descent in the forest.
Walking time: 5 hours
D+850 / D-1000
Accommodation: Dorms of 4 to 6 beds with shared bathroom in a mountain Inn
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: 3 courses meal in the Inn
We start the last stage of the tour. Climb through the forest, use the ladders and handrails attached to the rock faces.
A final climb in large blocks of rocks will lead us to the magnificent Lac Blanc and its refuge (2352 m). Discover one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. Then go down to la Flégère to get the cable car down in the valley. Transfer to Les Houches
Check-in at the hotel and dinner in a Chinese restaurant to celebrate the end of the trek.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours
D+935 / D-500
Accommodation: Rooms of 2 to 3 beds with private bathroom in a Hotel*** – Les Houches
Lunch: Picnic
Dinner: Celebration dinner in a Chinese restaurant in Chamonix
Free time and transfer in the afternoon to Annecy
Accommodation: Shared rooms of 2 to 3 beds in Hotel***- Annecy
Lunch: self
Dinner: self
Optional Aiguille du Midi cable car, Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace Glacier
In the morning, Climb aboard one of the highest cable car to the famous Aiguille du Midi at 3770m
The terrace offers a 360° panoramic view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps, you will admire the surrounding mythical summits over 4,000 meters, and, especially a clear view of Mont Blanc.
Experience the Step Into The Void, walk on a 2.50 m glass cage over a 1000 m precipice
Late morning, take a trip back in time, hop on the red mountain train from Chamonix, running through the forest, tunnels dug into the rock and over viaducts. Upon your arrival at Montenvers (1913 m), a breathtaking panorama awaits you, with the largest French glacier below, the so-called Mer de Glace (Ice Sea), an excellent testimony of the climate change of our time. Explore the ice cave excavated each year in the glacier.
D10 AnnecyExplore the fairytale town of Annecy, a perfectly preserved medieval town, so-called the “Little Venice of the Alps” for its numerous canals. Stroll on the charming lanes, shopping streets, unusual places and historical buildings dominated by its castle. Have lunch and dinners in the numerous restaurants
Accommodation: Shared rooms of 2 to 3 beds in Hotel***- Annecy
Lunch: self
Dinner: self
Option Lake Annecy Cycling tour :
Cycle on one of the most beautiful bike and secure cycle path in France along the picturesque lake Annecy, and stop on the beaches for a swim. Discover villages on the way, like Talloires, a peaceful town nestled at the foot of the mountains and in the heart of a wonderful bay. This small town is famous for its abbey, its prestigious hotels and restaurants frequented by celebrities. Take a walk along its beautiful bay and in its alleys
Optional paragliding discovery flight with a certified guide over lake Annecy :
We will continue until the end of the lake for an unforgettable paragliding flight over the lake, one of the most
famous spots for paragliding in the world. Annecy and the surrounding mountains are the cradle of paragliding. Fly over Lake Annecy, known as the purest lake in
Europe.
Go for a paragliding tandem flight over lake Annecy. Enjoy great views and good thrills with a professional licensed instructor.
Accommodation: Hotel*** in Annecy
Lunch: Self
Dinner: Self
Check-out and transfer to Geneva airport
Enf of our services.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day
Type of hike: mountain trails with no particular technical difficulty.
Level: Experienced hiker with elevation gain and good physical condition needed
To take full advantage of your trip, do not forget to maintain your fitness once a week by walking (about 15 km) if possible on a course with elevation, or practicing a sporting activity (1.5 hours).
The program is given as an indication. Due to weather, safety and the fitness of the group the guide may change the itinerary. In this way, the walking times and the accommodation described in the itinerary can be changed and we will do our best to keep the same standards.
Shared rooms or dorms, in Hotels, mountain Inns or refuges.
Selection of different accommodations: mountain huts, village inns and 3 to 4-star hotels
According to the program
Breakfast are all included and served in the accomodation.
During the trek typical dinners are served in the accommodation or restaurant. Generally consists of a first course soup, salad or charcuterie, a main course of meat with one or two vegetables or rice or pasta, and a dessert course.
During the trek, you will have picnic lunch, generally composed of sandwiches, meats, fruits and local products.
You only carry your belongings for the day and the picnic.
A luggage of maximum 15kg per person is transported each day to the next accommodation per vehicle, during the TMB trek. Except on Day 5 (you will carry your essentials for the night)
Only soft luggage allowed, no suitcase.
You can store other luggage in Chamonix
Transfer by private or collective bus or public transport
Aiguille du Midi cable car, Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace Glacier
Paragliding discovery flight with a certified guide over lake Annecy
1-day bike rental in Annecy : 25 € / person
1-day e-bike rental in Annecy : 55 € / person
The reservation will be confirmed when deposits will be received
This trip is part of a group trip of several people
Minimum number of participants: 8 participants
Maximum number of participants : 13 participants
Payment schedule:
– Deposit on booking: 10 %
– 90 days before departure: 40 %
– 30 days before departure: 50 %
Total cancellation:
If the total cancellation of the trip was to be notified by the client, Alps Outdoor would be entitled to collect a penalty calculated as follows:
– More than 90 days before departure: 10 % of the total amount
– From 89 to 45 days before departure: 20 % of the total amount
– From 44 to 30 days before departure: 30 % of the total amount
– From 29 to 15 days before departure: 50 % of the total amount
– From 14 to 8 days before departure: 80 % of the total amount
– Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the total amount
