6 Days • 5 Nights
French Alps: Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll ride the cable car to the dizzying Aiguille du Midi for Mont Blanc face to face, board the little red train to the Mer de Glace glacier, walk flower-filled trails, and unwind in the canal-laced 'Venice of the Alps', Annecy, beside its impossibly clear lake. Fondue, tarte and mountain hospitality warm every evening.
With comfortable alpine hotels and the key experiences arranged, it is the Alps at their most spectacular and welcoming.
Trip Highlights
- The Aiguille du Midi cable car and Mont Blanc up close
- The Montenvers railway to the Mer de Glace glacier
- The mountain resort town of Chamonix
- Lakeside Annecy, the 'Venice of the Alps'
- Alpine walks and flower-filled trails (summer) or snowscapes (winter)
- A scenic drive through the Mont Blanc massif
- Five nights in comfortable alpine hotels
- Daily breakfast, a welcome fondue dinner and a lakeside lunch
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Transfer from Geneva into the mountains to Chamonix, cradled beneath Mont Blanc. Settle in and warm up with a welcome fondue dinner.
Ride the dramatic cable car to the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 metres, stepping out for a breathtaking eye-to-eye view of Mont Blanc and the glaciers below.
Board the little red Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier, exploring the ice cave and grand views, with an afternoon in Chamonix.
A scenic drive to Annecy, the 'Venice of the Alps', settling in beside its brilliant blue lake with time to wander the flower-filled old town.
A day around Lake Annecy — a boat cruise on the clear water, the canals and pastel houses of the old town, and a lakeside lunch in the mountain sun.
A final alpine breakfast before your transfer to Geneva for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 3 nights in Chamonix and 2 nights in Annecy
- Daily breakfast, a welcome fondue dinner and a lakeside lunch
- The Aiguille du Midi cable car ticket
- The Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace
- A guided Chamonix and Mont Blanc valley experience
- A visit to Annecy and its old town and lake
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from France
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (taxe de sejour), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can point you in the right direction
- Language: French is the language, and a warm bonjour and merci go a long way. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small cafes and tips
- Tipping: Service is included by law, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is a kind gesture
- Best seasons: France is wonderful year-round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively, and Provence and the Riviera shine from May to September
- Etiquette: Dress a little smartly for dinner, and cover shoulders and knees inside churches. A greeting when entering shops is always appreciated
- Getting around: France's TGV high-speed trains connect cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Meal times: Lunch runs roughly noon to 2pm and dinner from about 7:30pm. Many kitchens close between services, so we time meals to suit
- Museum closures: Many museums close one day a week — the Louvre on Tuesdays, Versailles on Mondays — and your itinerary is arranged around this
- Safety: France is safe, but as in any big city keep an eye on your belongings on the Paris metro and at busy attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a wine-country lunch or a Riviera dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy France's superb restaurants and cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there are no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for France?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal for touring, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Provence and the Riviera are at their best from May to September.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by France's excellent TGV high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
Is this a summer or winter trip?
Both work beautifully — summer brings green trails, wildflowers and clear cable-car views, while winter offers snowscapes and skiing. Tell us your season and we will tailor it.
How do we get to Chamonix?
The nearest airport is Geneva, about an hour away, and we include the private mountain transfer. Annecy sits conveniently between Chamonix and Geneva for your return.
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