Best of the French Alps

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Geneva - Transfer to Megève

From the Geneva Airport, you’ll be transferred to your 4-star hotel in the heart of charming Megève. Originally, Megève was a destination for French aristocracy—even before the Rothschild family developed it as one of the first ski resorts in the Alps and an alternative to St. Moritz. We’ll meet this afternoon for a brief orientation and walking tour through the village. Dinner in Megève. (D)

Ascent: 200 feet | Descent: 200 feet | Distance: 2 miles (may vary)

Day 2 – Megève, Mont Jaillet

The farming hamlet of Megève has evolved into a chic ski village in recent years, but for summer hikers there’s still plenty of traditional charm and commanding views. A hike toward Mont Jaillet will give us a first great panorama of the Mont blanc range, we'll stop for a nice lunch at a small chalet in the alpine meadow. (BSD)

Ascent: 1742 feet | Descent: 1742 feet | Distance: 8 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Megève, Mont d’Arbois

Our hike today in the Mont d'Arbois area takes us to visit a typical alpine farm. We'll have lunch at the farm and discover the traditional alpine way of life and hearty mountain fare. (BSD)

Ascent: 2208 feet | Descent: 2208 feet | Distance: 7.5 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Saint Gervais, Col de Voza, Chamonix

A short shuttle ride takes us to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, where we'll take the Mont Blanc Tramway, the highest rack railway in France, from Saint Gervais to Col de Voza. Our hike between Prarion and Bellevue yields spectacular views of the Bionnassay Glacier and allows us to discover the beginning of Chamonix valley. A cableway down to Les Houches brings us right into the valley and our hotel in the heart of historic Chamonix. (BSD)

Ascent: 2025 feet | Descent: 492 feet | Distance: 6 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Grand Balcon Sud, Brévent, Chamonix

From the valley floor, we take a cable car to La Flégère at an elevation of 6160 ft., then hike on to Planpraz. This belvedere trail offers a fantastic panorama of the Mont Blanc Range. After a picnic at Planpraz, we'll take the cable car up to the summit of Brévent, Chamonix’s second most favorite mountain, and then down to Chamonix. (BSD)

Ascent: 1312 feet | Descent: 1312 feet | Distance: 4.5 miles (may vary)

Day 6 – Mer de Glace, Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix

The cogwheel train to Montenvers was already bringing visitors to the Mer de Glace more than 100 years ago. Just like them, we'll discover the Mer de Glace, the longest and largest glacier in France, and view the amazing needled summits of the Aiguille du Dru (3754m) and the Grandes Jorasses (4208m) which surround the glacier. We continue along the Grand Balcon Nord trail toward the Aiguille du Midi cable car station. The Aiguille du Midi is the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, and speeds us to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi—an ascent of over 9000 feet—in just 20 minutes. From the top we have commanding views of the Mont Blanc, its glaciers, and the valley below. (BSD)

Ascent: 242 feet | Descent: 1432 feet | Distance: 4 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Argentière Glacier, Chamonix

It’s a short transfer from Chamonix to Argentière, where we'll take the cable car up to Les Grands Montets. A short hike yields jaw-dropping view of the Argentière Glacier, and a perfect vantage point from which to study this immense glacier and it seracs. (BSD)

Ascent: 926 feet | Descent: 926 feet | Distance: 5 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Annecy, Geneva

Departing Chamonix, we head to explore the old town of Annecy with its cobblestone streets, winding canals, and pastel-colored houses—all overseen by the medieval Château d’Annecy. We arrive in Geneva for check-in to our hotel and a farewell dinner. (BSD)

Ascent:: 200 feet | Descent:: 200 feet | Distance: 2 miles (may vary)

Day 9 – Depart Geneva

We say good-bye and continue an onward journey or return to the airport for homebound flights. (B)