Family Tour du Mont Blanc: 8-Day Self-Guided Alpine Adventure

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

Our 8-day family Tour du Mont Blanc itinerary is designed for active families who want the beauty and culture of the TMB—but without the extreme mileage of the classic route. This route mixes scenic gondola rides, rewarding but manageable hikes, cable-car crossings, and relaxing village time, ensuring kids stay engaged and parents enjoy a stress-free alpine adventure.

This is the perfect introduction to long-distance trekking for families with children ages 7–15, combining comfort, thoughtful pacing, and unforgettable mountain scenery.

Quick Facts

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Activity Level: Moderate (Level 2–3 family-friendly)
Group Size: Small groups
Luggage Transfers: Included
Accommodation: 3-star hotels in Chamonix, Courmayeur & Champex-Lac
Meals: Daily breakfasts & dinners included
Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland

Trip Highlights

Hike the most scenic and family-suitable sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
Ride iconic gondolas including the Aiguille du Midi, Panoramic Mont Blanc, Skyway Monte Bianco, and Le Tour
Explore the Mer de Glace glacier and its ice museum
Trek through Italy’s stunning Val Ferret and Switzerland’s quiet Champex-Lac
Stay in comfortable, family-friendly hotels (no dorms!)
Experience three cultures in one trip: French, Italian & Swiss Alps
Flexible daily hikes suitable for families with kids 7–15
Built-in rest day at Champex-Lac for paddleboarding, swimming, or easy exploring
Stunning border-crossing hike from Trient to the Col de Balme
Professional guides, luggage transfers & curated pacing for families

Dates:

June 6th - 15th - 8 spots
July 19th - 26th - 8 spots
July 26th - Aug 2nd - 8 spots

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Chamonix, France

Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Chamonix, the historic mountaineering capital at the base of Mont Blanc. Wander its charming pedestrian streets, enjoy a pastry from a local bakery, or stroll along the Arve River beneath glacier-capped peaks.

Your guide will meet the group in the evening for a welcome briefing and dinner. This relaxed start allows everyone—especially kids—to adjust to the altitude and the alpine environment.

Accommodation: Hotel Pointe Isabelle or similar
Highlights: Family-friendly town, shops & cafés, warm-up day for the trek ahead

Day 2 – Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers + Glacier Museum

Start the day with a scenic gondola ride to Plan de l’Aiguille (7,595 ft). From here, enjoy a gentle, downhill panoramic hike toward the historic Montenvers railway station. Kids love this day—there’s constant mountain scenery, fun cable-car time, and mostly downhill walking.

Along the way, take in dramatic views of the Mer de Glace, one of Europe’s largest glaciers. Visit the Glacier Museumand explore the fascinating exhibits that bring the region’s ice history to life.

Why families love this day:

Cable car + train = excitement for kids
Mostly downhill hiking keeps energy high
Glacier exhibits are interactive and educational

Return to Chamonix for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: +170 ft / –1,495 ft‍

Accommodation: Hotel Pointe Isabelle or similar

Day 3 – Aiguille du Midi → Italy by Panoramic Gondola & Skyway

Ride the famed Aiguille du Midi cable car to 12,605 ft, stepping into a world of high alpine peaks. Explore the viewing platforms, ice ridges, and tunnels before boarding the Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola, floating above the glacier on a 3-mile journey into Italy.

On the Italian side, descend via the rotating Skyway Monte Bianco, offering 360° views of the Mont Blanc massif.

Arrive in the beautiful Italian village of Courmayeur, known for its gelato, cobblestone streets, and warm alpine hospitality.

Why families love this day:

Feels like “flying over the Alps”
Zero strenuous hiking
Incredible photo opportunities
Kids love the rotating Skyway cabins

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This is a bucket-list day, and a highlight for all ages.

Accommodation: Hotel Edelweiss or similar

Day 4 – Family-Friendly Hike in the Italian Alps

Choose between two great family options depending on the group’s energy:

Option A – Lago Chécrouit Loop (easier)

Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation: +804 ft / –804 ft
A lovely hike through meadows and rolling terrain around Lago Chécrouit, with views of Mont Blanc towering above. The terrain is non-technical and ideal for younger children.

Option B – Rifugio Bonatti (moderate)

Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: +1,234 ft / –1,234 ft
One of the most stunning viewpoints on the entire TMB. Hike to the iconic Rifugio Bonatti, perched high above Val Ferret. This option is great for active families who want a bit more challenge and big mountain scenery.

Return to Courmayeur for a relaxed evening, with optional pizza night or gelato tasting.

Why families love this day: Choose your level, flexible pacing, and rewarding alpine vistas
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Accommodation: Courmayeur - Hotel Edelweiss or similar‍

‍Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Cross Into Switzerland: Arnouva → Ferret → Champex-Lac

Take a short bus ride to Arnouva, where today’s hike begins. Follow a classic section of the TMB through Val Ferret, with waterfalls, wildflower meadows, grazing cows, and views of jagged peaks.

Though this is one of the longer days, the terrain is varied and fun, with plenty of places to stop, snack, and enjoy the scenery. Once in the Swiss hamlet of Ferret, take a bus onward to the peaceful lakeside village of Champex-Lac.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation: +2,461 ft / –2,728 ft

Why families love this day:

A true alpine trekking experience
Gorgeous valley views
Switzerland’s perfectly clean and quiet mountain villages feel enchanting

Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier or similar in Champex-Lac

Day 6 – Rest Day in Champex-Lac (Optional Activities)

Enjoy a relaxing rest day in one of Switzerland’s most charming alpine lake towns. Champex-Lac sits beside a pristine emerald lake surrounded by fir forests and snow-capped peaks.

Optional fun for families:

Stand-up paddleboarding
Lakeside walks & cafés
Visit the Alpine Botanical Garden
Ride the gondola for easy panoramic views
Swimming for brave kids

This is the perfect day to recharge before the final section of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier or similar in Champex-Lac

Day 7 – Hike Trient → Col de Balme → Return to Chamonix

This is a classic TMB crossing! Start in the small Swiss village of Trient and follow a rewarding climb toward the Col de Balme (7,234 ft). This border pass offers one of the most iconic views of the entire Mont Blanc range.

From the col, descend by gondola to Le Tour and shuttle back to Chamonix for your final celebratory evening.

Why families love this day:

A sense of achievement: crossing a border by foot
Incredible views into the Chamonix Valley
Gondola descent keeps the day manageable

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

‍Distance: 3.3 miles

‍Elevation: +2,903 ft / –52 ft

Accommodation: Chamonix - Hotel Pointe Isabelle or similar

Day 8 – Departure Day

Enjoy a final slow morning in Chamonix. Sip a coffee, pick up souvenirs, or stroll through the village before your onward travels.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Additional Trip Info

7 nights in 3-star hotels (twin/double rooms with private bath)
Daily breakfasts
All cable cars, gondolas & local transport during itinerary
Luggage transfers between accommodations
24/7 on-trip support
Route notes & family-specific guidance
Emergency assistance

International flights
Airport transfers
Lunches & Dinners
Travel insurance
Drinks, snacks, and personal expenses
Tips & gratuities
Travel Insurance - We recommend Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue

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info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

France, Italy, Switzerland

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

Family Tour du Mont Blanc: 8-Day Self-Guided Alpine Adventure

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

Quick Facts

Trip Highlights

Dates:

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Chamonix, France

Day 2 – Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers + Glacier Museum

Day 3 – Aiguille du Midi → Italy by Panoramic Gondola & Skyway

Day 4 – Family-Friendly Hike in the Italian Alps

Option A – Lago Chécrouit Loop (easier)

Option B – Rifugio Bonatti (moderate)

Day 5 – Cross Into Switzerland: Arnouva → Ferret → Champex-Lac

Day 6 – Rest Day in Champex-Lac (Optional Activities)

Day 7 – Hike Trient → Col de Balme → Return to Chamonix

Day 8 – Departure Day

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

France, Italy, Switzerland

Family Tour du Mont Blanc: 8-Day Self-Guided Alpine Adventure

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

Family Tour du Mont Blanc: 8-Day Self-Guided Alpine Adventure

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

A curated, family-friendly hiking experience through France, Italy & Switzerland

Quick Facts

Trip Highlights

Dates:

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Chamonix, France

Day 2 – Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers + Glacier Museum

Day 3 – Aiguille du Midi → Italy by Panoramic Gondola & Skyway

Day 4 – Family-Friendly Hike in the Italian Alps

Option A – Lago Chécrouit Loop (easier)

Option B – Rifugio Bonatti (moderate)

Day 5 – Cross Into Switzerland: Arnouva → Ferret → Champex-Lac

Day 6 – Rest Day in Champex-Lac (Optional Activities)

Day 7 – Hike Trient → Col de Balme → Return to Chamonix

Day 8 – Departure Day

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

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Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.