Mont Blanc Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Chamonix

Arrive at Geneva Airport in Switzerland and take the shuttle to Chamonix, France (approximately one hour). Spend the night at a hotel in Chamonix.

• Altitude: Chamonix: 1,035 m / 3,395 ft

Day 2 – Technical Skills on the Crouches Traverse

Meet at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast, orientation, and a complete equipment check. After picking up any last-minute supplies and grabbing lunch in downtown Chamonix, we head to the Aiguilles Rouges for alpine rock and snow climbing instruction.

We ride the Flégère cable car to nearly 2,400 meters, then hike approximately 40 minutes to the base of the Crouches Traverse. Throughout the day we’ll refine footwork, movement, and alpine climbing techniques before descending past Lac Blanc, where there’s an opportunity to stop for coffee or the daily tart at the mountain café.

This training day prepares climbers for the technical demands of Mont Blanc. Overnight in Chamonix.

• Altitudes: Chamonix: 1,035 m / 3,395 ft; Top of Flégère Cable Car: 2,400 m / 7,875 ft; Top of Crouches Traverse: 2,837 m / 9,307 ft
• Elevation Gain: 1,802 m / 5,912 ft
• Climbing Gain: 437 m / 1,433 ft
• Climbing Time: 6–7 hours

Day 3 – Hike to Chabod Hut, Gran Paradiso (9,022 ft)

The next three days focus on climbing Gran Paradiso (4,061 m), Italy’s highest mountain and an outstanding acclimatization objective for Mont Blanc.

After a morning gear check, we travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Gran Paradiso National Park. From the trailhead, we hike approximately 3–4 hours to Chabod Hut, often spotting ibex along the trail. The afternoon is dedicated to additional climbing instruction and preparation for the following day’s summit attempt.

• Altitudes: Chamonix: 1,035 m / 3,395 ft; Trailhead: 1,833 m / 6,013 ft; Chabod Hut: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft
• Climbing Gain: 913 m / 2,995 ft
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Day 4 – Summit Attempt of Gran Paradiso (13,323 ft)

We begin before dawn with breakfast at the hut before ascending approximately 1,300 meters to the summit of Gran Paradiso. Throughout the climb, guides continue instruction in crampon technique, ice axe use, glacier travel, and rope systems.

After our summit celebration, we descend back to Chabod Hut for a second night, an important part of our acclimatization before Mont Blanc.

• Altitudes: Chabod Hut: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft; Gran Paradiso Summit: 4,061 m / 13,323 ft
• Climbing Gain: 1,311 m / 4,301 ft
• Climbing Time: 6–8.5 hours round trip

Day 5 – Descend & Return to Chamonix

After a relaxed breakfast, we descend to the trailhead and return to Chamonix. The afternoon is reserved for rest, equipment review, and final preparation for the Mont Blanc climb.

• Altitudes: Chabod Hut: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft; Trailhead: 1,833 m / 6,013 ft
• Hiking Time: 2–3 hours

Day 6 – Hike to Tête Rousse Hut

Following a final gear check, we travel to Les Houches and ride the Bellevue Téléphérique before boarding the Tramway du Mont Blanc to Nid d’Aigle. From there, we hike approximately 2–2.5 hours along the traditional Goûter Route to Tête Rousse Hut, where we spend the night in preparation for our summit attempt.

• Altitudes: Chamonix: 1,035 m / 3,395 ft; Nid d’Aigle: 2,370 m / 7,775 ft; Tête Rousse Hut: 3,187 m / 10,456 ft
• Elevation Gain: 2,152 m / 7,065 ft
• Climbing Gain: 817 m / 2,681 ft
• Hiking Time: 2–2.5 hours

Day 7 – Summit Attempt of Mont Blanc (15,782 ft.)

We leave Tête Rousse Hut before dawn and climb the Grand Couloir before continuing to the Goûter Hut. After a short break, we continue across glaciated terrain and along the summit ridge to the highest point in Western Europe. After celebrating the summit, we descend the same route and spend a second night at Tête Rousse Hut.

• Altitudes: Tête Rousse Hut: 3,187 m / 10,456 ft; Goûter Hut: 3,817 m / 12,522 ft; Mont Blanc Summit: 4,808 m / 15,782 ft
• Climbing Gain: 1,621 m / 5,319 ft
• Climbing Time: 10–12 hours round trip

Day 8 – Alternate Summit Day & Return to Chamonix

If conditions allow, we descend from Tête Rousse Hut back to the Tramway du Mont Blanc and return to Chamonix for a celebratory dinner. If weather prevents a summit attempt on Day 7, this day serves as our alternate summit opportunity before descending to the valley.

• Altitudes: Tête Rousse Hut: 3,187 m / 10,456 ft; Nid d’Aigle: 2,370 m / 7,775 ft; Chamonix: 1,035 m / 3,395 ft
• Descent Time: Approximately 1.5 hours to the tram

Day 9 – Depart Chamonix

Transfer by shuttle to Geneva Airport for flights home.

Itinerary subject to change based on weather, mountain conditions, and guide risk management decisions.