Sunday, July 21, 2024 - Saturday, August 3, 2024
Alps,
International,
France, Italy and Switzerland
Visit three European countries and experience the majestic the the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and the Matterhorn on this 14-day family hiking adventure! The TMB is perhaps the most iconic trekking circuit in Europe, normally taking hikers 11-12 days. Our trip starts with the "Best of the TMB", spread over 8 days, and concludes with three nights in Zermatt, Switzerland, home to the majestic Matterhorn, perhaps one of the most recognized peaks in the world! The trip is packed with perks! We include lodging in 3-4 star hotels; all breakfasts; most dinners; luggage transport; private shuttle from Chamonix to Zermatt; milage-reducing cable cars, buses, and gondolas; emergency medical and evacuation insurance; and custom daily itineraries with maps. Due to the high daily milage (8-11 miles/day) and significant elevation gain and loss each day, all participants must be in excellent physical condition with recent hiking experience. While everyone is welcome, this is a trip geared towards familes with teenage children over the age of 12. Our trip starts with two nights in Chamonix, France. From there we take a bus to Les Houches to start our journey. We hike from Les Houches to Les Contamines via Col de Voza, with great views of the Chamonix Valley. The second day, we hike over the pass Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, en route to Les Chapieux, a tiny mountain hamlet with a smattering of buildings and farms. Day three we cross the international border of France and Italy at Col de la Seigne, ending the day in Courmayeur by way of La Visaille. We take a break in Courmayeur, giving our bodies an extra day of rest and relaxation in this picturesque Italian village. After a transfer to Val Ferret, on day four we hike into Switzerland via the Grand Col Ferret, and overnight in the small hamlet of La Fouly. Day five we continue our journey through pastoral Switzerland and end the day in Champex, near a small mountain lake. Day six is up and over Alp Bovine, before coming to rest in Trient, where a pink church adds a colorful hue to this small town. Finally we cross back over the border into France, passing over Col de Balme on our way down to Argentière, and transfer to Chamonix for our final night in France. After our TMB circuit, we take a private shuttle to Zermatt. This car-free, old-world, mountaineering capital of the Swiss Alps is home to world's most iconic mountain, the Matterhorn. We spend three nights in Zermatt, with an optional day hike to the Five Lakes with views of the Matterhorn.
