Updated Itinerary

This is our tentative daily schedule at a glance. All timings and distances are approximate. Our tour staff will make daily announcements with specifics and times during the trip. Note that our itinerary may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

A typical day’s activities begin with a full breakfast before setting out at around 9:00 a.m. or a little later, for our day's walk, armed with rain gear, an extra layer (sweater or wrap), sunscreen, sunglasses, water, hat, camera and our sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. Stop along the way to enjoy lunch. After lunch, we are off again on the afternoon segment of our walk. On arrival at our hotel, we have time for a shower and some rest and a lecture before dinner.

While this program is called a walk, several of the days might be described by some participants as hikes rather than walks. All such terms are very subjective: a walk to one person may seem like a hike to another. The walks are of varying distance and level of difficulty. The average day’s excursion is about 6 or 7 miles and you should commit to walking with the group for the entire day as there is usually no support vehicle or opportunity to otherwise deviate from the excursion.

You will need to bring a light daypack for your raingear, camera, sunscreen and refillable water bottle and/or bladder. The tap water in is safe to drink so in keeping with our effort to eliminate single-use bottles on all Travel/Study programs, we ask you to be sure to bring a refillable water bottle and/or hydration pack that you can fill in your hotel room or at breakfast and refill at lunch to make sure you have plenty of water during the day.

It is most important that you begin a regimen of training now. Take several 3- to 5-mile walks each week, including some up- and downhill forays. Work your way up to daily walks with an occasional 10-mile walk, wearing the shoes or boots you plan to bring with you. You will be surprised at how quickly your legs and lungs get in shape and at how good you feel afterwards.

Meals included in the program are indicated next to the hotel name with the following  designations:

B = Breakfast          L = Lunch                D = Dinner[JW1]                      R = Reception

Wednesday, September 4                                                                                                

Depart U.S. ✈ Geneva, Switzerland / Zermatt

After arrival in Geneva, transfer to our hotel (approximately 3 hours) and then jump on a train into Zermatt (15 minute ride).  We will make a stop to use the restrooms and provide a simple packed lunch tailgate style to eat along the way.

Explore Zermatt independently this afternoon before dinner this evening at  the Schweizerhof Kitchen. 

6:00 p.m.          

Meet in the lobby and enjoy dinner at the hotel. 

Zermatt Hotel Schweiserhof (D)

Thursday, September 5

Zermatt

Walk Distance: ~6.4 miles

Ascent: 1221'

Descent: 2167'

Elevation: 5,315'

Enjoy breakfast, before departing the hotel to take the funicular and gondola lifts to reach the Five Lakes Trail. We will hike past beautiful alpine lakes under the backdrop of the iconic Matterhorn.'

Stop for a locally sourced lunch at the Ze Seewijinu Hutte before returning to Zermatt by funicular for some free time before dinner at a local restaurant. 

Enjoy our first lecture this evening from Faculty Leader, Scott Burns before dinner this evening at Grampi's. 

Zermatt Hotel Schweiserhof (B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Friday, September 6

Zermatt / Verbier, Switzerland / Aosta, Italy                                                      

Walk Distance: ~5.4 miles

Ascent: 1876'

Descent: 2166'

Elevation: 4,900'

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, your tour staff will let you know the start time the evening before. 

~7:00 a.m     

Depart early this morning for the train to Tasch Station (15 minute train ride). Then catch our vans and drive 1:45 minutes to Le Chable before taking a gondola to Verbier. Walk through the Verbier Village to the Savoleres Gondola and ride to the top (7,768’). Walk the balcony trail (5.4 miles) to Le Ruinettes Gondola to the upper mountain with views across the Alps range and then descend all of the lifts back through Verbier to Le Chable and drive to Aosta, Italy arriving in the evening.

Enjoy a multi course Italian dinner at the Ianua Ristornate, about a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Hotel Duca D’ Aosta  (B, L, D)

Saturday, September 7

Gran Paradiso National Park                                                                                            

Walk Distance: ~ 3.5 miles

Ascent: 938'

Descent: 938'

Elevation: 5,033'

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, your tour staff will let you know the start time the evening before. 

Begin the day with a scenic drive to the mountain village of Cogne in Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy’s oldest National Park. Ride the Cogne cable car to the top and begin our walk (3.5 miles). Descend back down the cable car and drive five-minutes to Lillaz Village and hike to the waterfalls (1 mile).

This afternoon return to Aosta and enjoy free time to explore the pedestrian streets and Ancient Roman Ruins before heading to dinner this evening at Aldente Ristourante.

Hotel Duca D’ Aosta  (B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Sunday, September 8

Aosta / Courmayeur, Italy                                                                                                  

Walk Distance: ~ 3.5 miles total

Ascent: 2101'

Descent: 2101'

Elevation: 4,016'

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, your tour staff will let you know the start time the evening before. 

Depart Aosta for the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), one of Europe’s most famous walks spanning more than 100 miles over three countries. Hike 3 miles to the Bertone Rifugio and enjoy lunch at the Bertone Hutte before descending back on the same trail.

Later this afternoon, check in to our hotel in Courmayeur and spend time exploring this picturesque Alpine village before dinner at Ancient Casino.

Hotel Royal E Golf (B, L, D)

Monday, September 9

Courmayeur, Italy                                                                                                                 

Walk Distance: ~10.7 miles

Ascent: 2602'

Descent: 2602'

Elevation: 4,016'

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, your tour staff will let you know the start time the evening before. 

Return to the TMB trailhead today and hike 4 miles to the Elizabetta Rifugio where we will enjoy lunch and then descend back down the same trail, hiking through spruce and larch conifer forests to alpine meadows brimming with fragrant myrtle, rhododendron, and Edelweiss.

Return to our hotel this afternoon to rest or explore Courmayeur before a  lecture by Faculty Leader, Scott Burns and dinner at the Monte Forte Pizzeria.

Hotel Royal E Golf(B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Tuesday, September 10

Courmayeur, Italy / Chamonix, France                                                                   

Walk Distance: ~ 2miles

Ascent: 1470’

Descent: 1470’

Elevation: 3,396'

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, your tour staff will let you know the start time the evening before. 

Depart this morning and drive one hour and 30 minutes to the Grand Saint Bernard Pass Switzerland, crossing from Italy at the pass into Switzerland, this historic pass has numerous historic sites and scenic hikes. Stop at the hospice and monastery built in the 9th century before hiking to the top of Petite Chenalette where you will enjoy spectacular views across the Alps into Switzerland, Italy and France. Enjoy a picnic lunch before driving to Chamonix, France (1 hour and 20 minutes).

Dinner this evening is at Rose Du Pont Restaurant

Chamonix Hotel Alpina (B, L, D)

Wednesday, September 11

Chamonix, France                                                                                                                   

Walk Distance: ~ 5.5 miles

Ascent: 956'

Descent: 1000'

Elevation: 3,396'

6:30 am            

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel breakfast room.

~7:15 a.m.          

Depart early this morning, equipped with a picnic lunch, to catch our cable car to Aiguille du Midi, transferring to trams for the final ride to the summit. Look out over the Mont Blanc Massif and across the entire Alps Range, catching a glimpse of the Matterhorn, our starting point of the journey. Descend to the mid-station to begin our hike (5.5 miles) over rolling terrain to the Montenvers train descending on the train back into Chamonix.

Enjoy one last lecture from Faculty Leader, Scott Burns, before gathering with fellow travelers to toast our adventure at a farewell dinner at Le Cafe Josephine.      

Chamonix Hotel Alpina (B, L, D) – Please remember to settle any bills with the hotel this evening.

Thursday, September 12                                                                                

Chamonix, France ✈ Home            

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel breakfast room.

Your tour staff will advise you of your departure time the day before. There will be an early morning and a mid morning transfer, grouped by flight times. The drive to the Geneva airport is approximately one hour depending on the time through the Swiss border.