The setting is captivating: needle-sharp peaks soaring above flower-filled meadows. Storybook villages and forested foothills mirrored in pure blue lakes. And majestic Mont Blanc, towering above it all. Warmhearted people with a knack for enjoying the finer things in life - like climbing mountains and relishing views of their glorious "backyard." And a pleasing mélange of rustic and chic, where cozy alpine chalets rub elbows with posh boutiques and restaurants. Join us to experience mountain life from two perspectives: français and italiano. Doubly sublime.
Day 1 Meander in glamorous Megève, tucked in the Mont Blanc foothills
Once a simple farming village, Megève now brims with luxury boutiques and is a delight to explore on foot Or warm up with a hike in the hills above town Fuel up with a lunch of regional specialties, including homemade cheeses, at a high-mountain farm.
Day 2 Take in spectacular views of Mont Blanc
while hiking on mountain trails across the Chamonix Valley 
From the town of Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc, a cable car whisks us to 5,175 feet to start our trek - don't worry, there's plenty of climbing left for your legs! Camera handy? Jaw-dropping vistas of Mont Blanc steal the show.
Day 3 Ascend by cable car to the Aiguille du Midi
for breathtaking views of the Chamonix Valley and famed peaks After a gondola ride, relax over a tasty traditional mountain lunch Hike to the Signal de Forbes viewpoint and gaze down over the Alps' second-largest glacier.
Days 4-6 Welcome to Italy!
Get your adrenaline fix as you trek with expert haute montagne guides across the Glacier du Géant Dive into a new language and cuisine - perhaps starting with a cappuccino? - and hike the gorgeous Val Ferret Stroll the pedestrian-friendly streets of Courmayeur, or if tired muscles protest, indulge in a massage at the hotel spa beneath the shadow of Mont Blanc.
Trip Highlights
- Meander in glamorous Megève, tucked in the Mont Blanc foothills
- Savor glorious views during high-altitude randonnées from forested valleys to dazzling meadows thick with wildflowers
- Soak up the scene in the famed alpine center of Chamonix, amid rock spires, glaciers and saw-edged peaks
- Get your adrenaline fix on a glacier walk with expert haute montagne guides
- Say buon giorno to Monte Bianco, the Italian side of Mont Blanc
Premiere Inns
Hôtel Mont-Blanc (1 night): An elegantly cozy alpine abode - one of the oldest in Megève - just steps from the Place de l'Eglise in the heart of town. (pool, spa)
Grand Hôtel des Alpes (2 nights): This gorgeous grande dame was built in 1840 as the first luxury hotel in Chamonix. (pool, spa)
Grand Hôtel Royal e Golf (2 nights): Located in the heart of town, and featuring elegantly appointed common areas and charming rooms with all the amenities you'd expect from a five-star hotel. (spa)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 3.1 | 1000 | 6.5* | 2000 | ||||||
| 2 | 3.0* | 800 | 6.0* | 1900 | 8.5* | 2500 | ||||
| 3 | 5.0* | 1000 | 7.5* | 1900 | 11.0 | 2000 | ||||
| 4 | 3.0* | 1000 | ||||||||
| 5 | 4.3* | 4000 | 9.3* | 4000 | 12.4 | 5600 | ||||
| 6 | 3.0 | 800 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/7-12 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $710 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/21-26 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $710 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/18-23 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $710 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $710 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $710 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
This new trip highlights some of our all-time favorite places in the French Alps along with a wonderful addition: a foray into Italy! So not only will you enjoy classic moments like exploring the alpine villages of Megève and Chamonix and hiking to incredible Lac Blanc, you'll also join a thrilling trek with expert high mountain guides across the Glacier du Géant and over the Italian border. And we've fallen in love with the charming Italian resort town of Courmayeur. We're pretty sure you will too!- Trip Development Coordinator, Europe