Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn, which gives us the energy needed for a big day of inn-to-inn hiking. We'll often start with a short transfer, and soon we'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours. With numerous passes to cross, the hiking is often strenuous, but there will also be opportunities for easier days. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!

We should finish our hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, and gaze upon Mont Blanc and the surrounding scenery. After that, we'll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local French and Italian specialties. A hearty meal and good conversation provide a satisfying end to our day.

The Tour of Mont Blanc Express and our longer Tour of Mont Blanc are organized and led by Louis Marino, a local Chamonix guide and a great hiking companion. They include luggage transport by a dedicated van and driver, and are limited to just 8 hikers. In addition to hotels, meals and mountain transfers, and unique among our tours, these tours include airport pickup and dropoff in Geneva and mountain rescue insurance.

With 3 countries worth of soaring, beautiful mountains, lofty passes, and gorgeous trails, the Tour of Mont Blanc Express is a quick and exhilarating trek that lives up to its world-class reputation.

Day 1 Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Here we'll meet, enjoy our first impressive views of Mont Blanc, and talk about the trip to come.
Day 2 One of the classic hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc for an introductory dayhike. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. We'll make good use of local cablecars so we can enjoy more time hiking near the lake. Return to Chamonix for a 2nd night.
Day 3 We continue the TMB tour with a morning transfer down the Chamonix valley to the nearby village of les Contamines. From here a beautiful walk along the wooded Bon Nant stream leads to long and pleasant ascent across two nearby passes, Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. We'll descend to Le Chapieux and stay the night in a rustic mountain inn.
Day 4 In Chapieux, enjoy a guided visit of a local cheese dairy before crossing the Col de la Seigne into Italy. We'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. We'll continue on to a vantage point above the medieval village of Courmayeur.
Day 5 A short transfer brings us through the Val Ferret with the vertical cliffs of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses towering above us to the west before crossing the Grand Col Ferret and into Switzerland. We'll descend through tidy green fields with high cliffs and glaciers draped along the side. Another transfer brings us to the lakeside village of Champex, yet another of Switzerland's hidden gems.
Day 6 An undulating trail leads us through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone valley. Weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads to the Fenetre d'Arpette and along the Trient glacier. We'll finish with a short van transfer to a small hiker's inn at Finhaut.
Day 7 Our final pass, Col de Balme, brings us back full circle to sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. A possible sidetrip to the nearby Posettes ridge leads to even greater views, with a delightful trail leading down to the valley floor. We'll spend our last night of the Mont Blanc tour celebrating in Chamonix.
Day 8 Today we say au revoir, and depart for our post-Mont Blanc destinations.

sign up now

Arrive:	Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest (flights from the US usually depart the day before). The closest airport is Geneva. This tour includes airport pickup and dropoff.
Depart:	Plan departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since the Geneva airport is only 1 hour away by van or taxi, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. The Swiss Card rail pass is not useful for this tour.

Dates don't work? Check out our similar Haute Route Highlights tour or our Bernese Oberland inn-to-inn tour.

Read Josh Roberts in USA Today recap his Mont Blanc trip with Alpinehikers in 2003.