Premium: Trek the Tour du Mont Blanc

Arrive in Geneva and settle in for a scenic one hour drive to the alpine spa town of Saint-Gervais, nestled beneath Mont Blanc. Check in to your beautiful 4-star spa hotel – your base for the next two nights – then take some time to wander among the town’s cafes and soak up the mountain views. In the evening, meet your guides and fellow trekkers for a briefing over a drink, before tucking into a tasty welcome dinner at the hotel's restaurant, which serves delicious home-cooked meals influenced by both French and Italian cuisine.

Set off from the tiny hamlet of Notre Dame, where a striking Baroque church marks the start of your journey. Follow an old Roman road that winds gently into the mountains, gaining height as the forest gives way to alpine pasture. Pass by Refuge de la Balme, a classic mountain hut often visited by ibex and marmots, before pushing on to Lac Jovet (7,152ft). This serene lake, framed by jagged peaks and often still partly frozen early in the season, makes the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. After soaking in the views, descend through larch forest to the traditional village of Les Contamines. Your private transfer will be waiting to take you back to Saint-Gervais – time to relax and ease into spa mode, before a hearty dinner at a traditional local spot where you can tuck into classic Savoyard dishes.

Begin the day in Le Champel and follow a winding valley trail to the Miage Refuge, tucked beneath the vast Glacier de Miage. Pause here for a coffee or a snack, with views of icy crevasses and tumbling moraine in sight. The climb ramps up from here as you zigzag towards the Col du Tricot (6,955ft), a lofty saddle offering sweeping views over the Glacier de Bionnassay and the surrounding peaks. From the pass, descend through shady forest trails and cross a dramatic suspension bridge spanning a glacial stream. A final climb brings you to the Bellevue cable car station. From here, you can either ride or hike down into the Chamonix Valley. Check in to your 4-star spa hotel in Chamonix and wind down before dinner – you’ve earned it.

Start the day in Chamonix with a ride up to La Flegere, perched high above the valley and marking the start of one of the Alps' most scenic trails. From here, hike the Grand Balcon Sud – a spectacular traverse with uninterrupted views of Mont Blanc, its glaciers, and the jagged spires of the Aiguilles Rouges. The trail undulates gently across the mountainside, offering countless photo stops and the chance to spot chamois or golden eagles. If you're up for it, continue the climb from Planpraz up to the summit of Le Brevent for a sweeping 360° panorama over the entire Mont Blanc massif. Otherwise, descend by cable car and spend the afternoon at your own pace. The evening is yours to explore Chamonix’s lively streets, tucked-away cafes and cozy wine bars before your final night in town.

Say goodbye to Chamonix and set your sights on Italy. If weather allows, take the spectacular journey across the Vallee Blanche glacier system via the Aiguille du Midi and Helbronner cable cars – a thrilling traverse above crevassed ice fields and towering peaks. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to the Italian side instead. From the hamlet of Dolonne, set off along a stunning balcony trail with far-reaching views over the Val Veny. Pass the Chalet de Miage and continue on to the glacial waters of Lac de Combal, a peaceful spot for a break beneath soaring peaks. If you're feeling energetic, extend the hike up to Rifugio Elisabetta, tucked beneath the Glacier de la Lex Blanche at the very edge of the wild. Later, transfer to Courmayeur and check in to your central 4-star hotel. Dinner tonight is served in a traditional local restaurant handpicked by your host, which showcases the mountain specialties of the Aosta Valley. Buon appetito!

Step straight from your hotel into the Val Ferret and begin the steady climb to Rifugio Bertone. Pause here for a morning coffee on the terrace, with sweeping views across the valley to the snowy flanks of Mont Blanc. From the refuge, follow a panoramic high trail that contours along the valley wall – a classic section of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Reach Rifugio Bonatti, named after the legendary Italian alpinist Walter Bonatti, and soak up the remote mountain atmosphere and epic views of the Grandes Jorasses, before beginning your descent through larch forest. A short transfer returns you to Courmayeur. The evening is yours to explore more of the town’s charm – perhaps a gelato, an aperitivo, or a leisurely dinner in one of the many tucked-away restaurants.

Leave Courmayeur behind and climb steadily into the upper reaches of the Val Ferret, with marmots often whistling from the hillsides. Reach the Col du Grand Ferret (8,323ft), where you’ll cross from Italy into Switzerland, surrounded by vast alpine views stretching across three countries. From the pass, descend past grazing pastures and mountain streams to Le Peule Farm – a rustic spot that still produces cheese in the summer months. Continue on to the quiet village of La Fouly, where a private transfer whisks you away to Vevey, a lakeside town on the shores of Lake Geneva. Check in to your boutique Swiss lodge and raise a glass over a farewell dinner to celebrate your crossing of the Alps.

After breakfast, hop on the short train ride to Geneva Airport (1 hour 18 minutes) for your onward journey. If you’re not quite ready to leave, consider extending your stay to explore more of Lake Geneva – take a boat across the water to the medieval village of Yvoire, or wander the terraced paths of the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards.