Family Adventure around the Tour du Mont Blanc, France

Make your way through three different countries and three separate cultures as a family, as you pass between France, Italy and Switzerland while exploring some of the best Alpine mountain trails in Europe. Ideal for families with children ages 12 - 18, you'll visit Lac Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve, lunch at a traditional farm with fantastic views out over the Rhone Valley and embark on an ascent of Mont Dolent.

You'll also get to bed down in some wonderful accommodations, from the Yeti Lodge in Argentiere (complete with hot tub and sauna) to the unique Bonatti mountain refuge, where you'll wake up surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Alps. This is a great adventure for families used to spending full days exploring the mountains.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive in Chamonix Valley

Day 2:
Today will give you a good introduction to the mountians, walking through the Aiguilles Rouge Nature Reserve to Lac Blanc.

Day 3:
Head over the beautiful Col de Balme (Charles Dickens once wrote a letter describing its beauty) and you can have on foot in France and the other in Switzerland

Day 4:
Follow the Bovine trail through verdant meadows, stop for lunch at a traditional farm and gaze out over the Rhone Valley.

Day 5:
Take a hike around a lake before following the mushroom trail towards Praz de Fort. Next comes a gradual climb towards Mont Dolent, the summit of which is shared by France, Switzerland and Italy.

Day 6:
Start with a long climb to the Grand Col Ferret, with a stop at Peule refuge for coffee and cake. At the top, you'll get to gaze out to the snow-capped Grand Combin.

Day 7:
Today you can choose to climb over the Col du Sapin and Tête de la Tronche before following the Mont de la Saxe Ridge. Soon you'll get to the Bertone Refuge, and then descend into Courmayeur

Day 8:
Depart