Alps Walk

After arriving in Geneva, transfer to our hotel in Zermatt by train, enjoying a picnic lunch on the way. Explore Zermatt independently this afternoon before gathering for a welcome dinner.

Today we take the funicular and gondola lifts to reach the Five Lakes Trail, where we hike past beautiful alpine lakes under the backdrop of the iconic Matterhorn. Stop for a lunch of locally sourced regional cuisine at the Ze Seewjinu Hutte then return to Zermatt by funicular for some free time before dinner at a local restaurant.

Depart Zermatt early this morning and drive to Verbier, where we enjoy a day of lift-assisted hiking, taking in incredible views of the entire Alps range. Then continue by road over the Great St Bernard Pass into Italy and the fortified ancient Roman city of Aosta. 

Begin the day with a scenic drive to the mountain village of Cogne in Gran Paradiso National Park. Explore the woodland and its inhabitants as we hike the Belvedere Nature Trail, marveling at the birds of prey living on the cliffs and the visible effects of glaciation. Keep an eye out for ibex, chamois, marmots, hares, and foxes as well as the numerous species of birds that inhabit the alpine pastures.

Depart Aosta for the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), one of Europe’s most famous walks spanning more than 100 miles over three countries. Hike a section of the trail, stopping for lunch in one of the mountain huts that dot the route. Later this afternoon, check in to our hotel in Courmayeur and spend time exploring this picturesque Alpine village before dinner.

Return to the TMB trailhead today and continue along another section of the trail, hiking through spruce and larch conifer forests to alpine meadows brimming with fragrant myrtle, rhododendron, and Edelweiss. Return to our hotel this afternoon to rest before dinner. 

We leave Italy this morning, traveling under Mont Blanc through the 7-mile-long Mont Blanc Tunnel to France. Arrive in Chamonix, the cradle of mountaineering. Take the gondola at Le Tour to our trailhead for a hike into Switzerland and then back to France. Return to Chamonix for dinner. 

Rise early this morning to catch our cable car to Aiguille du Midi, transferring to trams for the final ride to the summit. Look out over the Mont Blanc Massif and across the entire Alps Range, catching a glimpse of the Matterhorn, our starting point of the journey. Descend to the base station to begin our hike over rolling terrain. Gather this evening with fellow travelers to toast our adventure at a farewell dinner.

Depart for the Geneva airport this morning for flights homeward bound.