Discover Europe’s most spectacular mountain scenery on this intoxicating walking tour of the French and Swiss Alps. Our first base is France's Chamonix Valley and from here we enjoy a series of superb walks. Via alpine forest, we climb to Col du Balme (2200m) via the smaller peak of Aiguillettes des Possettes. Using the ski-lift network we reach Brevent (2525m) and from here we embark on a wonderful circular walk of the area, where we are greeted with spectacular views of Mont Blanc at every turn. Travelling on an historic cog railway we reach Montenvers and get up close to the impressive Mar de Glace glacier. En route to our second base of Zermatt, on the Swiss side of the Alps, we stop at the charming Swiss town of Sion to explore its impressive medieval quarter. In the Zermatt Valley we walk through pastoral meadows and via ancient hamlets to experience stunning views of the legendary Matterhorn. Free days are also scheduled in both Chamonix and Zermatt to explore the many attractions of the valleys.
Day 1: Chamonix
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Chamonix, a charming old mountain town that lies right at the foot of Mont Blanc (4807 m) - the highest mountain in western Europe. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents), which is centrally located right in the heart of town. Chamonix has been a climbing and skiing centre for over 100 years and is considered the mountaineering capital of Europe. It has a wonderful atmosphere and a well-preserved Old Town, with cobbled streets full of lively sidewalk cafes. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6 pm, but you will be advised as to the exact place and time in a notice placed near the reception at our hotel), where we are given a briefing of what lies ahead on our tour.
Meals included: 1 dinner
Day 2: Chamonix Valley
Today we take a short transfer to the head of the valley at 1350 metres. Our aim is to reach Col du Balme (2200 m) via Aiguillettes des Possettes (2180 m). Looking at the altitudes it seems like a long climb, but the path is a steady and well-graded trail that rises out of the valley under the shade of alpine forests. As we climb further up and above the tree line, our view down the valley towards Mont Blanc opens out into a truly spectacular vista. From Aiguillettes des Possettes, a small peak that we reach en route, we enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Alps. Steady contouring paths take us to Col du Balme itself - the perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch. Our decent to Vallorcine (1260 m) is on a wide and easy trail. From there we are transferred a short distance back to Chamonix. (Walking distance: 13 km)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 3: Brevent – Fleger - Chamonix
Today’s plan is to see the best that the valley has to offer. As part of our tour we have included a two-day full pass of the area that allows us unlimited access to the ski lift network. We utilise this pass to give us access to two shorter walks. In the morning we take two lifts to the summit of Brevent (2525 m). From here we look directly across the valley to the immense and towering mountain side of Mont Blanc; there is no better view in the valley. We descend approximately 350 metres on to a broad shoulder that gives us fantastic photo opportunities. Looping round we then return to Brevent and descend by cable car to Plan Praz (2000 m), where we follow an undulating contouring path to Fleger (1840 m) and our final cable car off the mountainside. This path, the Grand Balcone Sud, is one of Chamonix’s most popular walks and rightly so. (Walking distance: 13 km)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 4: Montenvers - Chamonix
Today is a day of catching interesting lifts. We hop aboard the historic Montenvers cog railway and ascend to Montenvers (1630 m), a mid-level viewing station over the Mar de Glace Glacier. From here we can actually go inside the glacier and view up-close this mammoth river of ice. Our walk today is an easy six kilometres to the mid station of the Aiguille du Midi (2290 m). From here we are whisked up to 3342 metres to view the glaciers and higher slopes of Mont Blanc - a truly spectacular sight. We then descend back to the valley by cable car. (Walking distance: 6 km)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 5: Sion - Zermatt
Today is a relaxing day and a chance to rest our legs. Our private coach picks us up in the morning and takes us on a very scenic trip through the valleys into Switzerland. We stop en route in Sion, a charming Swiss town with alleyways that wind through a medieval quarter and an 11th century and 13th century château. After a short visit to Sion, we continue on to Zermatt (1630 m) and the second iconic mountain of the Alps - the Matterhorn.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 6: Zermatt Valley
Today we walk up and out of Zermatt and make our way through the old hamlets that were once upon a time the summer farms of the region. Our path gently climbs through the meadows and then under the north face of the Matterhorn. As the forests become thinner our trail turns on its heal and we cross the glacier river at 2220 metres before heading back towards Zermatt on the northern side of the valley, passing through a final hamlet called Zmutt, which is renowned for making great cheese. (Walking distance 13 km)
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 7: Free day (Zermatt)
Today is a free day in the Zermatt Valley to make your own discoveries. There are a number of attractions of offer in the valley and your tour leader will be at hand to offer advice on the various options available to you. Alternatively, a half-day walk with views of the Matterhorn can be arranged.
Day 8: End Zermatt
Our trip ends this morning after breakfast in Zermatt. Zermatt is well connected by train to onward destinations in Switzerland, including direct connections to Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport.
Meals included: 1 breakfast