What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 8-day hiking tour of hidden gems of Mont Blanc (group departures with set dates or private departures with your own date) Accommodation (7 nights in a 5-star hotel, luxe apartments, or chalet) For group departures, participants will stay at a hotel or apartments For private departures, participants will either stay at a chalet or a hotel Meals as listed in the itinerary Breakfasts at the accommodation Picnic lunches or lunches at huts Private transportation during the tour Geneva Airport transfers (to and from Chamonix) What’s not included: Transportation to France Dinners (available to arrange upon request for private groups) Meals not listed in the itinerary Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

While hiking the hidden gems of Mont Blanc doesn’t require any special skills, you still need to be fit enough for hiking 10 km (6 miles) per day on average for 6 days in a row, while carrying a daypack filled with things you’ll need throughout the day. You can expect the elevation gain to be between 500 and 800 m (1,640-2,625 ft). Your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder depending on the group. If you’d like to take on one of Europe’s most iconic routes, check out our guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek or Haute Route trek . More of a winter type? Go off piste skiing in Mont Blanc or if you’re up for a real challenge, check out ski touring in Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc or alpine climbing the Mont Blanc massif .

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of personal items you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 20-30L bag) Backpack rain cover Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, SPF lip balm, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper or wet wipes, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) First aid kit Multi-tool or Swiss army knife Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring: Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Hiking socks Week’s worth hiking clothing Hiking pants or shorts Hiking shirt or baselayer Down or synthetic jacket Rain jacket / windbreaker Extra dry shirt Poncho Leisure clothing if you’d like Spare clothes for layering Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this hiking tour in Mont Blanc, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants. The minimum number of people needed for this tour to operate is 3. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. If you’re joining a group tour , you’ll be placed in a 5-star residence Le Cristal de Jade. These are luxe, spacious, fully-equipped apartments. If you’re joining a group tour in August 2024, you’ll be staying at the Heliopic Hotel and Spa. If you’d like to go on a private tour with your own group, please contact us prior to booking. In that case, it’ possible to rent a chalet for your group. The maximum group size here is set at 8 hikers. In case you’re a bigger group, your guide needs to check chalet and hotel availabilities. Hiking in Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA) , one hour away. Check out Mountain Drop Offs —they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount! There will be two shuttles (included in the price) on the first and on the last day of the tour that will take you to Chamonix. On Day 1, shuttles will depart at 11 am and 4 pm towards Chamonix. On Day 8, shuttles taking you to the Geneva Airport will depart at 7 am and noon. Once you get to Chamonix, you will meet your guide and your team at the 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade or Heliopic Hôtel & Spa at 6 pm on Day 1, or at your chalet if you’re joining as a private group.

Safety measures in France, Italy, and Switzerland

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Streets of Chamonix with flowers and surrounding Alpine peaks covered in conifer woods.

Cocktail station at a chalet in Chamonix

Sunny day, living room of a chalet in Chamonix

Spacious double room in Chamonix in a chalet

Chamonix | France

Hidden Mont Blanc: The 5-Star Hiking Tour

5.00 ()

Season

June through September

Duration

8 days

Accommodation

Luxurious hotel, chalet, or apartments

Difficulty

Guide

Bine Žalohar

Book a call

From $3,950 () / 8 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Accommodation
Reviews
Things to know

We’ve waited 770 million years for an adventure like this one—ever since the Mont Blanc massif was created! Bine, our seasoned National Geographic guide, has put this exclusive trip together just to get away from the usual TMB crowds and have you experience fully the Mont Blanc views, and the region’s history, geology, and culture. One day we’ll be touching the 240-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, and the next we’ll be learning about the history of Alpine mountaineering. With a luxury 5-star residence as our base, we’ll be tasting some amazing local food and relaxing in a spa. Don’t miss this unique tour—you’ll return with awesome photos, memories for life, and a new appreciation for the Alps.

Adventure highlights

Alpine luxury experience

Charming Chamonix and a 5-star luxury residence will be your home for the week
Alternative Tour du Mont Blanc

Explore the Mont Blanc massif on crowdless day hikes across France, Italy, and Switzerland
A vacation for your taste buds

Try Italian gelato, popular Swiss fondue, and see what makes Alpenglow cocktails so loved

Download itinerary

Itinerary

A hiking tour of Mont Blanc unlike any other? This is it. The carefully prepared, all-inclusive 8-day trip is quite different from all other TMBs, bringing together crowdless trails and luxury lifestyle. Based in a 5-star Chamonix residence, we’ll be going out to French, Italian, and Swiss trails every single day with the food, transport, accommodation, and a fantastic guide all taken care of.

Day 1 of our special hiking tour is reserved for arriving and settling in. Make sure to reach Chamonix by 6 pm, because that’s when you’re meeting your guide and the group at the Residence. Once we’ve all gathered, we’ll have a welcome dinner at 7 pm. Then a good night’s sleep and—the adventure begins!

Meals: Dinner at Le Monchu
We’ll kick off the trip by stepping through history, hiking the geological trail of old Émosson, with panoramic views and traces of dinosaurs dating back 240 million years ago. Departing from the VerticAlp funicular, we’ll go to Lake Émosson and walk along it for about 1.5 km (1 mile). Then we’ll go towards Gorge de la Veudale, where spectacular views await, followed by the famous dinosaur footprints site. The return is via Vieux Émosson Lake to return to the same path, so we can finish the hike at the top of the Émosson Dam. We’ll learn a bit about glaciers, their melting and the environmental context, and then return to Chamonix.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 12,4 km / 7.7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 833 m / 2,733 ft
Day 3 is for a beautiful, 10.5-kilometer (6.5 miles) loop hike near Cordon in Haute-Savoie. We’ll get to appreciate the whole massif from afar and move into the pre-Alps area. Let your guide tell you a bit about the valley, the times of settlement, and how it grew popular. We’re going to avoid the crowds by going on this moderately challenging route, with otherworldly views. Then we’ll retreat back to Chamonix for the night.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 819 m / 2,687 ft
Today we’ll be going to Lake Pormenaz. We’ll take the Route de la Côte until the first bend, and continue walking towards Gorges de la Diosaz, crossing the Souay torrent. We’ll go up, leaving the paths of the Tête de la Fontaine and the Bajulaz on the right, then follow a long, steep slope to a pyramid-marker to reach the Chalets des Alpages de Pormenaz. We’ll cross over towards the Chalets de Chavanne-Neuve and the peak Pointe Noire de Pormenaz—where we’ll find some geological curiosities— and then go to the Lac de Pormenaz.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation: +1,061 m / +3,481 ft | -839 m / -2,753 ft
The trail today will take us to the Bonatti Circuit and Val Veny. Look forward to an Aperol Spritz with a view of Grand Jorasses at the Bonatti hut! The hut was named after a legendary Italian mountaineer who helped set it up. We’ll have a leisurely afternoon in Courmayeur’s downtown—don’t miss out on the local Focaccia and gelato! After a banger panorama of the whole Chamonix, it’s time to return to your accommodation in Chamonix.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 7.2 km / 4.5 miles
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation gain: 545 m / 1,788 ft
Starting from Col de la Fenêtre, today we’ll be touring around Les Contamines-Montjoie—the only Nature Reserve in the whole of Mont Blanc! Apart from enjoying some quintessential Alpine scenery, we’ll also visit the charming village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, with its historic appearance, its Baroque churches, and traditional architecture. More than 70% of old farmhouses have been renovated to honor the typical Savoyard style. Return to Chamonix.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: 423 m / 1,388 ft
The last hiking day takes us to the massive Bossons Glacier, Needles of Chamonix, Vallée Blanche, Les Drus, going towards the seracs of the Argentière Glacier and ending in Montroc. We’ll constantly be moving in nature reserves—their historical significance of being gaming reserves—and learning about their protection. We’ll return back with a Planpraz telecabine and then a train from Montroc to Chamonix. You’ll get to enjoy your last evening in this charming town.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Hiking: 4-5 hours
Elevation gain: 520 m / 1,706 ft
It’s time to say goodbye to Mont Blanc and the Chamonix area. If you’d like to stay longer, your guide will be happy to give you recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast

Hidden Mont Blanc: The 5-Star Hiking Tour

Adventure Brochure

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Meet your guide

5.00

Bine Žalohar

Born in the Slovenian mountains, Bine Žalohar has traveled the world skiing and hiking. He is a passionate extreme sports enthusiast; freestyle skier, surfer, mountain biker, climber, and underwater fisherman. Having obtained a sports degree, Bine continued training and went on to become a licensed skiing and mountain guide. His passion lies in sharing the wonders of the beloved Alps as well as destinations in Japan, Croatia, France, Austria, and many more with fellow adventure junkies.

Accommodation

Cristal de Jade

After a long day in the mountains, there’s nothing better than coming back to a 5-star residence. You’ll spend your nights at Cristal de Jade, luxe apartments at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Reminiscent of typical chalets, the apartments wonderfully blend into the Chamonix valley and face the mighty Mont Blanc massif. You’ll be staying at spacious and fully equipped apartments with large balconies—making it the perfect spot for sipping on an afternoon Aperol Spritz.

Cristal de Jade also offers pampering spa facilities. You can take a dip in the indoor swimming pool, relax in whirlpool baths, in a sauna, and steam room. You’ll find it hard to leave this paradise!

You’ll stay here if you’re joining a group departure (apart from August 2024 departures, if you’re joining then, you’ll stay at the Heliopic Hotel and Spa).

Heliopic Hotel and Spa

This hotel and spa at the base of Mont Blanc is the perfect refuge for enjoying winter sports and summer activities in the center of Chamonix. Located across from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Heliopic Hôtel & Spa promises an unforgettable stay in the Alps.

Spend your evenings in cozy decor, relax and rewind a NUXE Spa with sauna and swimming pool, and discover the amazing flavors of the mountains at each breakfast.

You will stay here if you are coming with a group in August.

Spacious chalet (private groups)

We can arrange stays in one of the modern chalets near the Chamonix city center for private groups. Set in spacious grounds with superb views, flat easy access and ample parking, this chalet is a first rate ski or summer base.

Surrounded by jagged mountains and Mont Blanc, these chalets offer open-plan living area, single and double bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, a private pool or jacuzzi, sauna, and much more. Chalets are also fully equipped and offer catering options for breakfast and dinner, so you’ll never have to worry about your meals. Breakfasts will always be prepared for you, while dinners can also be arranged at an additional cost.

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Mont Blanc Luxury Hiking Experience

Bine Žalohar

UIMLA-Certified Guide

5.00 (8 reviews)

Jeff Wedgwood

Bine was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable, offered lots of guidance to less-experienced and more-experienced hikers alike. He gave safety the highest priority.

Hee-June Julia Paek

Bine did an amazing job guiding our group, making adjustments to plans as needed, answering all our questions, and helping with every detail possible from hiking technique, equipment and clothing advice, language translations with locals, shopping and food suggestions and every possible concern we might have. He was also very knowledgeable about the area and could offer very interesting commentary and insight. With his positive, upbeat demeanour, deep knowledge and willingness to help, we really could not have imagined a more perfect guide.

Ronald Jones

Bine was nothing less than incredibly excellent. He is such a thoughtful, pleasant, well-planned yet flexible guide. He brought 6 unique adults between 50-70 years of age with similar physical abilities together for an amazing week of hiking in the Mont Blanc area. So very knowledgeable on history, geology and current issues of Chamonix. Always keeping abreast of the weather and making adjustments as necessary. Bine had a really fun and pleasant personality……all 6 of us in the group are clamoring to do another trip with him. Bottom line. We were in perfect hands with this young man and can’t wait to let him guide us again. !!

Hee-June Julia Paek

Bine was truly excellent! He is super punctual, considerate and knowledgeable. Hiking and food was the best. I was contemplating doing the TMB, but I’m so glad that I did the executive/luxury tour instead. I am definitely going to reach out to other tours from 57 hours and Bine again in future.

Frieda Martirosian

He was a delightful gem! He was always helpful, punctual, informative, thoughtful, resourceful, hospitable and more

Denise Scheberle

Bine was great! He chose excellent hikes that showed different aspects of the awesome Mont Blanc area. He was attentive to all of the hikers and went out of his way to be helpful. I would hike with Bine again and again!

Kim Askjaer

Bine is a great guide with lots of experience and indepth knowledge of all aspects of the outdoors in the Alps including its history, geography, weather, places to go, how to stay safe etc. He is great with people, accommodating the hikes to the skill-level of the group, so it has been a pleasure to spend a week with him.

Arsalan Monavvari

Bine is a great guy. Went above and beyond to accommodate our needs.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 8-day hiking tour of hidden gems of Mont Blanc (group departures with set dates or private departures with your own date)
  - Accommodation (7 nights in a 5-star hotel, luxe apartments, or chalet)
    
    For group departures, participants will stay at a hotel or apartments
    
    For private departures, participants will either stay at a chalet or a hotel
  - Meals as listed in the itinerary
    
    Breakfasts at the accommodation
    
    Picnic lunches or lunches at huts
  - Private transportation during the tour
  - Geneva Airport transfers (to and from Chamonix)
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to France
  - Dinners (available to arrange upon request for private groups)
  - Meals not listed in the itinerary
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
While hiking the hidden gems of Mont Blanc doesn’t require any special skills, you still need to be fit enough for hiking 10 km (6 miles) per day on average for 6 days in a row, while carrying a daypack filled with things you’ll need throughout the day. You can expect the elevation gain to be between 500 and 800 m (1,640-2,625 ft). Your guide can always make the day hikes easier or harder depending on the group.

If you’d like to take on one of Europe’s most iconic routes, check out our guided Tour du Mont Blanc trek or Haute Route trek. More of a winter type? Go off piste skiing in Mont Blanc or if you’re up for a real challenge, check out ski touring in Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc or alpine climbing the Mont Blanc massif.
Here’s a list of personal items you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 20-30L bag)
  - Backpack rain cover
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, SPF lip balm, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper or wet wipes, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
  - First aid kit
  - Multi-tool or Swiss army knife
Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring:
- - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Hiking socks
  - Week’s worth hiking clothing
    
    Hiking pants or shorts
    
    Hiking shirt or baselayer
    
    Down or synthetic jacket
    
    Rain jacket / windbreaker
    
    Extra dry shirt
    
    Poncho
  - Leisure clothing if you’d like
  - Spare clothes for layering
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this hiking tour in Mont Blanc, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
  - The minimum number of people needed for this tour to operate is 3. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
  - If you’re joining a group tour, you’ll be placed in a 5-star residence Le Cristal de Jade. These are luxe, spacious, fully-equipped apartments.
  - If you’re joining a group tour in August 2024, you’ll be staying at the Heliopic Hotel and Spa.
  - If you’d like to go on a private tour with your own group, please contact us prior to booking. In that case, it’ possible to rent a chalet for your group. The maximum group size here is set at 8 hikers. In case you’re a bigger group, your guide needs to check chalet and hotel availabilities.
Hiking in Mont Blanc can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount! There will be two shuttles (included in the price) on the first and on the last day of the tour that will take you to Chamonix.

On Day 1, shuttles will depart at 11 am and 4 pm towards Chamonix. On Day 8, shuttles taking you to the Geneva Airport will depart at 7 am and noon.

Once you get to Chamonix, you will meet your guide and your team at the 5-star Résidence Le Cristal de Jade or Heliopic Hôtel & Spa at 6 pm on Day 1, or at your chalet if you’re joining as a private group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits

You can secure one of the 2024 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
- - Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure any time in case the dates don’t suit you.
  - Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  - The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.