3-Week Alps Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Alps tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAlps travel expert at TourRadar

• 15-day Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) Itinerary: Chamonix and Les Houches Guide

  Alpine adventure unfolds over fifteen days with 10 hiking days and three rest days in mountain towns. Daily treks average 16km with notable elevation change. The carefully planned pace ensures proper acclimatization while surrounded by mountain landscapes.

  

  View itinerary Compare 15 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Les Bossons & Chamonix

    Base yourself at Les Bossons campsite near Chamonix for great views of Mont Blanc and Glacier des Bossons. Take the cable car up to La Flégère (6,100ft) and walk the Grand Balcon trail. "The Grand Balcon Sud offered incredible views of the Mont Blanc massif - bring a good camera and expect to stop often." Make your way down to Les Frasserands when you're done.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Switzerland Trek

    Head up to Col de Balme (7,190ft) to cross into Switzerland where you'll see Aiguille d'Argentière. Go down to Trient village (4,250ft). The next day takes you up Col de Forclaz and along the historic "Bovine route" used by farmers. "Walking the Bovine trail while watching the clouds dance around Mont Blanc was absolutely magical," according to a TourRadar reviewer. Your day ends in the pretty lakeside town of Champex.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Val Ferret Valley

    Walk through Val Ferret valley and its alpine villages to La Fouly. If you're here in early summer you'll spot wildflowers including orchids. Take on Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft), the highest pass, to enter Italy. "The views of Grandes Jorasses from Grand Col Ferret were some of the most spectacular of the entire trek." Head down into Val Ferret afterward.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Italian Section

    Take a break in Courmayeur. You can ride the Skyway cable car for close mountain views or explore the town. The next day follows a beautiful balcony trail around Mont de la Saxe back to Courmayeur. It's best to start early if it's hot since there isn't much shade on exposed parts.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Les Chapieux & Les Contamines

    Cross Col de la Seigne to return to France past Glacier du Miage. Go down through La Ville des Glaciers to Les Chapieux. Your next day takes you over Col du Bonhomme (7,640ft) to Les Contamines. "The descent into Les Contamines can be slippery after rain - poles are essential here," according to an experienced hiker.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Return to Chamonix Valley

    Spend a day in Les Contamines to rest or take optional walks. Then hike past Chalets du Truc and over Col de Tricot for views of Glacier de Bionnassay before going down to Les Houches. "The Col de Tricot was challenging but offered some of the best photo opportunities of the entire circuit."

    
  • Days 13-15

    Final Stages

    Head up to Brévent (8,290ft) for panoramic Mont Blanc views before taking the cable car down to Chamonix. You'll have a free day to explore Chamonix including possible visits to Aiguille du Midi or Mer de Glace. The trip wraps up in Les Bossons after breakfast on day 15.

    

  View itinerary

• 15 Day the Alps Itinerary, incl. Chamonix and Zermatt

  This challenging 15-day itinerary features 12 days of trekking, including two rest days. Daily walks span 5-8 hours covering 100 miles total. The route highlights include 3 days of hut-to-hut hiking and a breathtaking final approach to Zermatt via the Europaweg trail.

  

  View itinerary Compare 15 days itineraries
  • Days 1-3

    Chamonix Valley, France

    Begin in Les Bossons near Chamonix with Mont Blanc views right from the start. Take it easy on day one to adjust to the altitude. You might want to ride the cable car to Aiguille du Midi for some incredible mountain views. Day 3 takes you on the Grand Balcon Sud trail to Lac Blanc at 7,715 feet. A helpful tip from a fellow hiker: "Bring shoes with solid grip - there's a short section with ladders and steep steps near Les Frasserands."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Into Switzerland

    Cross into Switzerland via Col de Balme at 7,190 feet with great views of Aiguille d'Argentière. The next day brings a major challenge: the Fenêtre d'Arpette pass at 8,740 feet. One hiker puts it well: "The climb to Fenêtre d'Arpette was immense. Hard work, but the feeling of elation was worth it."

    
  • Days 6-8

    High Alpine Section

    This section pushes you to your limits with multiple high passes. You'll stay in mountain huts where "You might end up in an eight-person mega-bunk - earplugs and an eye mask really help!" according to one reviewer. The route takes you over Col de Louvie (9,580 feet) and Col Prafleuri (9,800 feet) through boulder fields and glacial moraines.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Central Valais

    After resting in the beautiful Val d'Hérens you'll climb Col Torrent at 9,575 feet with stunning Weisshorn views. The route to Gruben includes crossing Forcletta Pass at 9,426 feet. One traveler notes: "This is like climbing Ben Nevis every day - being 'uphill fit' will greatly increase your enjoyment."

    
  • Days 12-15

    Zermatt Valley

    The final leg brings you to Zermatt Valley through Augstbord Pass (9,490 feet). The Europaweg trail offers some of the best Matterhorn views. "The amazing panorama of the Matterhorn as you round the final bend on the Europaweg was unforgettable," recalls one hiker. The trek ends in Randa near Zermatt.

    

  View itinerary

• 15 Days in French Alps, incl. Chamonix and Courmayeur

  Mountain trails of Tour du Mont Blanc stretch across 15 days, with 10 walking days and 3 rest days in Courmayeur, St. Gervais and Chamonix. Daily walks average 8 hours with significant elevation changes, ending each day in comfortable hotel accommodations.

  

  View itinerary Compare 15 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Chamonix Area

    Begin in Chamonix, the vibrant Alpine resort town. On day 2 take the cable car to La Flégère to hike the Grand Balcon trail with views of Mont Blanc. Head up to Lac Blanc (7,715ft) but get there before 10am to beat the crowds. Watch your step on the short steep section with ladders and handrails.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Into Switzerland

    Head over Col de Balme into Switzerland where you'll see Aiguille d'Argentière. Stay overnight at Col de la Forclaz then take the historic "Bovine route" (6,720ft) to Champex. A reviewer shared about this section: "The morning we were climbing Grand Col Ferret was misty and cold. Just as we sat for lunch, the mist opened up revealing the stunning eastern massif and Grand Jorasses - it was magical!"

    
  • Days 5-7

    Italian Val Ferret

    Walk through Swiss villages to La Fouly before climbing to Grand Col Ferret (8,320ft), the highest pass. Go down into Italy's Val Ferret to Courmayeur. Take a day off to explore this Italian resort or visit the QC Terme spa but book ahead.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Southern Circuit

    Follow the scenic trail around Mont de la Saxe to Bonatti refuge (6,640ft). Cross back to France via Col de la Seigne (8,250ft). The long descent to Les Chapieux is steep so bring hiking poles.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Les Contamines Valley

    Go up Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (8,130ft) then down to Les Contamines. Rest in St Gervais and maybe take the cog railway to Le Nid d'aigle for close views of Mont Blanc.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Return to Chamonix Valley

    Take on the challenging Col de Tricot (6,950ft) to Les Houches. The final big climb to Brevent (8,290ft) shows off the best French-side views of Mont Blanc. Take the cable car down to Chamonix.

    
  • Days 14-15

    Free Day in Chamonix

    Spend a free day in Chamonix trying paragliding or riding the Aiguille du Midi cable car but go early before lines form at 9am. Leave on day 15 after breakfast.

    

  View itinerary