Hotel Mont-Blanc, Megève
In a fabulous location in the church square, the hotel is atmospheric with just 38 rooms, traditional décor with contemporary touches.
There is a restaurant on site, swimming pool, spa and cozy lounge bar.
The French and Italian Alps need little introduction; Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, dominates the horizon and hikers and alpinists have long been drawn to this region to feast (pun intended) upon it. We first stay in the lovely alpine village of Megève; with its pitch-roofed architecture and rural character, the charm is immediate. Then to Chamonix, the quintessential French adventure town, virtually surrounded by mountains and host of the Olympics in 1924. Finally, to Courmayeur, in northwest Italy to bask in the grandeur of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. For hikers who want to combine the best of France and Italy, hiking on glorious alpine trails, this is a bucket list trip.
Only Great Explorations:
- Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
- A hike you will never forget: from to Plan de l’Aiguille to Signal Forbes to Montenvers and enjoying an afternoon beverage on the terrace of the Refuge de Montenvers
- Alpinists talk in Chamonix
- Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks
- Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
- We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises
Genève to Mont Blanc & Chamonix Hiking
Genève
Geneva, Switzerland
Day 1+7
Megève
Megève, France
Day 1+2
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Day 3+4
Courmayeur
Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italy
Day 5+6
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
- 6 nights lodging
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, and all dinners but 1
- Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
- All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Jun 20-26 | Jun 19-25 |
| Jul 11-17 | Jul 10-16 |
| Jul 18-24 | Jul 17-23 |
| Aug 8-14 | Aug 7-13 |
| Aug 15-21 | Aug 14-20 |
| Sep 5-11 | Sep 4-10 |
Trip can start at any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
4-12 participants
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Genève / Genève
Activity Level
Moderate
Please refer to distance & elevation gain of each day's hike on the itinerary page
Terrain
These are alpine hikes, often starting with wide paths but including narrow trails and sometimes rocky terrain. Surefootedness an asset.
Cost
Land Cost
US $3,450*
Includes 6B/5L/5D
Single Supplement
US $880*
*Supplement if less than 8 pax:
6-7 pax: US $3,750 per person; Single supplement is US $925 per person
4-5 pax: US $4,150 per person; Single supplement is US $1025 per person
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All our trips outside Canada are quoted in U.S. Dollars (USD) but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars (CAD) also. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604 730 1247 | +1 800 242 1825.
Getting There
We will meet up in Genève, Switzerland at 9am. Arrive dressed in hiking attire with a daypack with anything else you may want for today’s hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s hotel). We will shuttle to Combloux, just outside of Megève in the Mont Blanc massif.
Shuttle from Genève to Megève, France: 1.5 hours.
Straight Talk:
Support: The hiking on this trip are typically on alpine trails without road access so there isn’t the possibility of van support while hiking. Ample support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Great Explorations leaders.
Weather: Hiking in the alpine can mean quickly changing, unpredictable weather, even during summer months. Your Trip Planner will provide recommendations for clothing which will include layers, windproof jacket etc.
Hotels: In this region, hotels do not typically have air conditioning.
1
Day 1
Megève
Our first hike is along forested trails through alpine meadows to a mountain refuge, where lunch awaits. Afterwards, we will hike down passing rustic ancient timber chalets peppering alpine pastures, to the charming village of Megève. . We’ll host a welcome wine reception and then have dinner at Flocons Village, 3-star Michelin chef Emmanuel Renaut’s original bistro.
Hike distance: 9.7 km; +465 m/-574 m (6 mi; +1,400’/-1,720’)
2
Day 2
Chamonix
Today, we’ll transfer to the village of St-Gervais-les-Bains to take the Mont Blanc tramway. This cog railway winds its way up through meadows, pastures and small mountain lakes, via Les Houches to Col de Voza. We will hike a trail past mountain auberges, across suspension bridges and down to the valley, enjoying views of the Bionnassay Glacier and Mont Blanc. After a sumptuous lunch at an alpine auberge, we will hike to Bellevue station. If you wish to extend the hike and enjoy another fantastic view we will climb Mont Lachat before leaving the alpine. Back on the tramway, you can return to St. Gervais. We then transfer to one of the most celebrated villages in France, Chamonix. Popular with climbers, skiers, hikers and adrenaline seekers.
Hike distance: 8.8 km; +1,050 m/-350 m (5.4 mi; +3,150’ /-1,050’)
Afternoon option: 1.4 km; +220 m (0.8 mi; +660’)
3
Day 3
Chamonix
We will take the La Flégère gondola and hike to Lac Blanc, one of the highlights of the “Tour de Mont Blanc”. The trail leads through a nature reserve where ibex and marmots are often spotted. The view from La Blanc of the Mont Blanc Massif is one of the most impressive in Europe. Continue to Lacs des Chéserys for an optional add-on if you wish. This will be a free night for dinner and you can choose from the many recommended restaurants in town.
Hike distance: 8.8 km; +540 m/-540 m (5.4 mi; +1,620’/-1,620’)
4
Day 4
Montenvers
We start the day by taking the famed cable car up to the top of the Aiguille du Midi where you can browse exhibits on the history of mountaineering and the geology of the Mont Blanc massif. A glass-floored exhibit dangles over a 3,000-foot drop! After catching our breath, we’ll cable car half-way down the mountain to Plan d’Aiguille where our hike starts. We will follow a trail to the Signal de Forbes viewpoint and bask in the view of the Mer de Glace, France’s longest and largest glacier. Arrive to Montenvers, where we overnight at the rustic and charming Refuge de Montenvers. You can visit one of the world’s most famous ice caves, the Grotte de Glace. We will enjoy dinner in the hotel’s superb restaurant and bask in the view.
Note – on some departures, we return to Chamonix in lieu of staying at Montenvers.
Hike distance: 6.8 km; +120 m/-500 m (4.2 m;, +360’/-1,500’); or 14 km; +222 m/-1,475 m (8.6 mi; +660’/-4,425’)
5
Day 5
Courmayeur
Awake in the splendor of the mountains. If staying at Montenvers you would like to hike down to Chamonix, this is an option after an early breakfast. Or, relax over a leisurely breakfast, and take the cog train back down to Chamonix. From here we’ll transfer 20min to the mountain village of Courmayeur in Italy. You’ll have three options today: for those who might enjoy a leisurely hike, this is an option to climb up to the Refugio Bertone for lunch and locally produced wines; it’s a moderate hike with views of glaciers rolling down from the high peaks near Mont Blanc. Or if you would like to try via ferrata ‘iron road’ in Italian, a method of climbing while attached to a cable, this is an option. Another option is to take the newly built Skyway Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) cable car up to the glacial snowfield. Afterward, descend to the village of Courmayeur and Hotel Berthod, a 3-star traditional family-owned hotel with plunge pool and spa.
Hike distance: 10.4 km; +750 m/-500 m (6.5 mi; +2,250’/-1,500’)
Morning optional hike: 7.5 km; +100 m/-950 m (4.6 mi; +300’/-2,850’)
6
Day 6
Courmayeur
Today, we’ll hike the famed Mont Blanc ridge trail. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Walter Bonatti refugio. Named after the famed mountain climber, explorer and journalist, this quaint mountain refuge is an ideal place to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, continue along the ridge trail, descending to the Val Ferret valley and Courmayeur. We will host a final night wine reception and then a celebratory dinner.
Hike distance: 11.7 km; +450 m/-645 m (7.2 mi; +1,350’/-1,935’)
7
Day 7
Depart
We will provide a group transfer at 9am to Genève. If you wish to linger and depart at your leisure, this is an option.
Hotel Le Morgane, Chamonix
This 4-star hotel is ideally located in the center of Chamonix, just 100 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable-car. All rooms features a balcony or terrace to admire the views of the mountains. Amenities include an one-site spa and excellent restaurant.
Refuge de Montenvers*, Montenvers
Established in 1880, this remarkable hotel, renovated in 2017 boasts a fantastic setting overlooking the Mer de Glace glacier. There are only nine guest rooms, cozy bar and restaurant with terrace both with panoramic mountain views.
*depending on availability, we might spend the 4th night at Hotel Le Morgane instead of here.
Hotel Berthod, Courmayeur
Combining a mix of modern and traditional, this family-run relaxed hotel has warmly decorated rooms with wooden floors. Most of the rooms have balconies and there is a plunge pool, spa with hot tub.
Tour Reviews
Our guide was exceptional. Her personality was a joy to be with and her skills as a driver, linguist, planner, navigator and conversationalist surpassed all our expectations. We loved the journey, the hotel choices, and especially the unique and delightful dinner restaurants chosen. The spas and breakfasts in the hotels gave us the nourishment and recovery we needed after our strenuous hikes each day. The needle at Mont Blanc, the ice caves, the Refugio Bertone and Bonatti were all exceptional destinations. The French and Italian Alps with their gorgeous villages definitely exceeded our expectations. The opportunity to have beautiful meals in the huts and Refugio’s in the midst of wilderness hiking is very foreign to us and a complete delight. The communication from the Great Explorations staff in advance of the trip was excellent. Our Travel Advisor provided timely responses and was cordial and fun. We were well prepared for the variety of weather and circumstances we encountered along the way. Overall we are forever grateful for our trip of a lifetime with you!
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