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Mont Blanc with James Jackson
Dates
Sep 6–13, 2027
Group Size
12–22 Travelers
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Activity Level
Strenuous
About This Trip
Meet Your Host
View Full ProfileJames Jackson
Fitness enthusiast, outdoorsman, traveler.
Trip Activities
Hike to Bionnassay Glacier
Hike to the Swiss Border
Hike to Lac Blanc
Hike to "La Mer de Glace"
Planpraz and Brevent Pass
Included in Your Trip
Double occupancy in 4-star hotels (limited single rooms available)
Local Guide throughout trip
All city transfers
Arrival airport transfer (afternoon on first day, arrive by 1pm)
Departure airport transfer (morning of last day, please book your flights for after 1pm)
7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 6 Dinners
Not Included
Flights (except as noted)
Visas and travel insurance
Food and Alcohol (except as noted)
Tips and Gratuity
Itinerary
*All durations are approximate
Welcome to Chamonix
Arrival Airport Transfer
TrovaTrip will provide two transfers from Geneva Airport (GVA) to the hotel departing between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Please arrive into Geneva Airport (GVA) no later than 2:00 P.M. Exact transfer time within this window will be determined closer to your arrival based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers arriving outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own arrangements to meet the group in Chamonix.
dinner
Welcome dinner included at the hotel. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Glaciers and Alpine Villages
breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Your breakfast will typically be a rich continental buffet including a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea.
Hike to Bionnassay Glacier
It’s time to get those legs moving! First take a 5 minute transfer from the hotel to the cable car station. Then let a cable car do the climbing for you and enjoy a ride up to Bellevue. Not only does this cable car journey make the day’s walking a whole lot more pleasant, you’ll also be treated to spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, including the Chamonix Needles, the Mont Blanc massif and the Aravis Range. Hike along the path of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, in the forests below the Bionnassay glacier, before hiking up a relatively little summit of Tête de la Charme (1882m). Descend to the village of Bionnassay for a taste of typical life in the mountains. Finally, transfer 45 minutes back to your accommodation in Chamonix and put your feet up. Distance: 5 miles / Elevation Gain: 1831 feet / Duration: 4-5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
lunch
Picnic lunch included. Your lunch will typically include local breads, cheese, and charcuterie, subject to change.
dinner
Dinner included at the hotel. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Mountain Passes and Pastures
View 1+ Photo
View 1+ Photo
breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Your breakfast will typically be a rich continental buffet including a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea.
Transfer to Montroc
Take the famous valley train to reach the starting point of the hike.
Hike to the Swiss Border
Wake up and breathe in the fresh mountain air before heading out for another day of hiking. Catch a train to the village of Le Tour, then begin a hike through the Balme mountain pastures, first crossing through the untamed Posettes pass. Take some time to admire the iconic needles of the Mont Blanc massif, stretching from the Aiguille du Tour through the Drus and the famous Aiguille du Midi. You’ll also be able to see across to Switzerland and the magnificent Emosson Dam. Return to Chamonix by a shared local bus (30 mins) and enjoy and evening at leisure. Distance: 7 miles / Elevation Gain: 2297 feet / Duration: 5-6 hours / Difficulty: Difficult
lunch
Picnic lunch included. Your lunch will typically include local breads, cheese, and charcuterie, subject to change.
dinner
Dinner included at the hotel. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Explore Chamonix On Your Own!
breakfast
At Big Sky Hotel & Spa in Chamonix, breakfast is served as a rich continental buffet designed to suit all tastes. It typically includes a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea. The buffet also highlights products from local producers and typical Savoyard specialties, giving you a taste of the region to start your day energized before exploring the mountains.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Reach Alpine Lakes
breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Your breakfast will typically be a rich continental buffet including a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea.
Hike to Lac Blanc
First take a 10 minute train ride to Flégère. Then, climb in the Flégère cable car, and begin your hike to the lake on a balcony path with small passages and ladders. Here everything is calm, soft and voluptuous. You can enjoy beautiful views of Mont Blanc. Descent to the valley with Flégère cable car. Finally, take a local shared bus transfer (or train - time dependent) back to the hotel. Distance: 5.6 miles / Elevation: 860 feet / Duration: 4-5 hours / Difficulty: Moderate
lunch
Picnic lunch included. Your lunch will typically include local breads, cheese, and charcuterie, subject to change.
dinner
Dinner included at the hotel. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
La Mer de Glace
breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Your breakfast will typically be a rich continental buffet including a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea.
Hike to "La Mer de Glace"
First depart your hotel and take a shared local bus transfer to Chamonix City Center. From Chamonix City Center, you will embark on a hike up the mountain to discover La Mer de Glace, or “The Sea of Ice". Discovered in 1741 by the English, this site is one of the most beautiful in the French Alps. Like a staging, the Aiguilles Verte, the Drus, the grandes Jorasses, the Dent du Géant and Charmoz take the lead. Enjoy views of the glacier carved valley and enjoy a picnic lunch. Then descend hike back down and take a shared local bus transfer back to your hotel. Distance: 7 miles / Elevation Gain: 2788 feet / Duration: 6-7 hours / Difficulty: Difficult
lunch
Picnic lunch included. Your lunch will typically include local breads, cheese, and charcuterie, subject to change.
dinner
Dinner included at the hotel. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Plan Praz and Brevent Lake
breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Your breakfast will typically be a rich continental buffet including a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea.
Planpraz and Brevent Pass
Prepare to feast your eyes on something really special today. Take the cable car up to Plan Praz station, and be rewarded with perhaps the best view of Mont Blanc possible, plus sweeping views over the Chamonix valley. Take a peek over the Brevent pass, then continue hiking to the Bel Lachat refuge and up to Brevent Lake, the perfect spot to pause and admire the magnificent landscape. Soak in views of the Mont Blanc massif and a land of ice and rock below. In the afternoon take a scenic cable car ride, dropping from 2500 all the way to Chamonix, sitting at 1000m above sea level. Distance: 2.5 miles / Elevation Gain: 1720 feet / Duration: 5 hours / Difficulty: Difficult
lunch
Picnic lunch included. Your lunch will typically include local breads, cheese, and charcuterie, subject to change.
dinner
Farewell dinner at the hotel is included. Your meal will be a 3-course set menu with select options to choose from for each course, subject to change. Water is included with your meal, additional drinks at your own cost.
BIG SKY Hotel
(or similar)
Overnight near Chamonix.
Wave Goodbye to Your Newfound Friends!
breakfast
At Big Sky Hotel & Spa in Chamonix, breakfast is served as a rich continental buffet designed to suit all tastes. It typically includes a wide variety of sweet and savoury options, with fresh bread and pastries, cereals, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, yogurts, and hot drinks like coffee and tea. The buffet also highlights products from local producers and typical Savoyard specialties, giving you a taste of the region to start your day energized before exploring the mountains.
Departure Airport Transfer
TrovaTrip will provide two transfers from your hotel to Geneva Airport (GVA). Please book your flights out of GVA to be after 1:00 P.M. Exact transfer time within this window will be determined closer to your arrival based on provided traveler departure flight information. Travelers departing outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own arrangements to Geneva Airport (GVA).
Airports
Recommended Arrival Airport:
Geneva Airport (GVA)
Recommended Departure Airport:
Geneva Airport (GVA)
Add-Ons
Private Accommodation
Insurance Policy
Physical Activity Level:Strenuous
These trips require serious physical activity. You may need special certifications and experience to participate in these adrenaline-pumping challenges. If your idea of a good time is scaling mountains, multi-day hikes or deep-sea dives, these level 5 itineraries have your name all over them.
Essential Travel Information
Cancellation Policy
We get it—life happens. Here's how cancellations work depending on where you're at in the process:
Spot Pending
Spot Confirmed With 91 or More Days Before Your Trip
Spot Confirmed With 90 or Fewer Days Before Your Trip
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Protect Your Adventure-Invest in Peace of Mind
After booking, you'll receive a personalized recommendation for coverage tailored to your trip. For full details on our cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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FAQ
Traveling with TrovaTrip
What's it like to travel on a Trova Trip?
Trova Trips are curated group travel experiences designed to help you see the world, meet new people, and connect over shared interests. Each trip is hosted by a community leader you know and trust, and run by professional local Operators who handle the logistics. Expect meaningful experiences, authentic activities, and a like-minded group to share it all with.
How does a Trova Trip actually work? Who's involved?
Great question! Each plays a key role in bringing your trip to life:
- The Host is your community leader—the person who brings the group together, sets the vibe, and curates the overall experience. They may lead a workshop or activity during the trip, but their main focus is connection and community, not logistics.
- The Operator is the certified, independent company that runs the trip on the ground. They handle the logistics like accommodations, transportation, Guides, activities, and safety. Every Operator we partner with is licensed, insured, and vetted to ensure a high-quality travel experience.
- TrovaTrip is the platform that powers it all. We connect Hosts with trusted Operators, provide the tools to design and manage trips, and support Travelers before and during their journey to ensure everything runs smoothly.
In short: The Host shapes the experience and brings the vibe, the Operator runs the trip, and we make it all happen. Read more about who does what here.
What's the difference between the Host, the Operator, and Trova?
Great question! Each plays a key role in bringing your experience to life:
- The Host is your community leader who brings the group together, fosters connection, and perhaps leads a workshop or two. They're there to bring the vibes, not the logistics. That's the Tour Operator's job.
- The Operator is the professional travel company that runs the trip on the ground. They handle it all—accommodations, local Guides, activities, and safety. Every Operator we partner with is licensed, insured, and vetted to deliver high-quality group travel.
- TrovaTrip is the platform who connects it all. We help design the trips, partner with Hosts with Operators, and support you before and during your journey to ensure everything runs smoothly.
In short: The Host brings the vibe, the Operator runs the trip, and we make it all happen. Read more about who does what here.
I'm nervous to book. How can I feel more confident?
First, let us say—it's totally understandable, and you're not alone! Travel can feel intimidating, but we built Trova to take the guesswork out of group travel and earn your trust every step of the way:
- Every trip is run by licensed Tour Operators with vetted local Guides.
- Hosts are there to foster connection, meaning you'll arrive solo but never feel alone.
- Itineraries are clearly outlined so you know what to expect, including activity level, example accommodations, and what's included.
- Our team is available to support you pre-departure, and Operators—plus your local Guide—are on the ground to assist during the trip. And rest assured, all our Operating partners are trained in crisis management.
- We always recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind, whether you're traveling with Trova or solo. It can cover medical issues, lost luggage, or even cancellations.
We know it takes trust to book a trip with new people, and we're here to make sure you feel ready, supported, and excited!”
Can I book solo?
Absolutely! As of 2025, almost 84% of TrovaTrip Travelers go solo. (And yes, we may be a little biased, but we think group travel is one of the best ways to meet new people!) You'll have your own bed and the option to book a private room on most trips. Plus you'll be traveling with others who are just as excited to explore and connect.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that life happens. Our cancellation policy is designed to provide flexibility while balancing the logistics of group travel:
- Spot pending – 100% refundable. Not confirmed yet? No worries. You can cancel at any time for a full refund.
- Spot confirmed with 91 or more days before your trip – Partially refundable + credit towards a future trip. You'll receive a future trip credit for the amount of your down payment (minus a $100 cancellation fee per Traveler). This trip credit is valid for one year from the date it is issued. Additionally, any payments made beyond the original 25% down payment will be refunded to your original form of payment.
- Spot confirmed with 90 days or fewer before your trip – Non-refundable. At this point, all payments are non-refundable because your experience is already in motion behind the scenes. By this time, our operating partners will be working with local businesses to secure your accommodations and finalize your activities.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Protect Your Adventure–Invest in Peace of Mind
We strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage to safeguard your investment. With travel insurance, you're covered in case of unexpected events–from illness to emergencies–that could affect your plans. Life is unpredictable, but your dream trip doesn't have to be.
After booking, you'll receive a personalized recommendation for coverage tailored to your trip. For full details on our cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
What's included in the trip cost?
Most trips include accommodations, daily activities, ground transportation, some meals, and a dedicated local Guide. Because Travelers are coming from all around the world, flights to and from your destination are not included. Each trip page breaks it all down for you.
Does my Host make money from hosting?
TL;DR: Sometimes! Many Hosts earn income from leading trips, but not always.
Every trip on Trova is uniquely shaped by the Host. They choose the destination, curate the itinerary, and rally their community to come along for the adventure. It’s a big effort (and a rewarding one, or so we hear!).
A Host’s earnings depend on the trip price they set and how many Travelers join. Trova provides the tools, support, and platform—but ultimately, income isn’t guaranteed.
Will I have free time?
Yes! While we pack in incredible experiences, most itineraries include built-in free time so you can relax, wander, or check out personal must-sees.
What do the activity levels mean?
Every trip has a physical Activity Level from 1 to 5 so you can find the right fit for your travel style:
- Level 1 – Relax + Unwind: Minimal movement (spa days, beach lounging, local markets)
- Level 2 – Low-Key Movement: Light, easy-paced activity (snorkeling, boat tours, gentle hikes)
- Level 3 – Moderate Activity: Ready to move (multi-day hikes, skiing, camping)
- Level 4 – Get Your Heart Rate Up: More intense movement (long hikes, biking, active days)
- Level 5 – Extreme Adventure: High-adrenaline travel (challenging hikes, dives, technical climbs – experience may be required)
You'll find the Activity Level clearly listed on each trip page, and a more in-depth explanation of each level here.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Our support team is here to help! Visit trovatrip.com/company/contact-us to reach out. You can expect to hear back within 2 business days, but probably sooner—our Trova elves are pretty speedy!
Accommodations
What does "or similar" mean next to the accommodations?
When we say “or similar,” it means the hotel listed is an example of what you can expect—not always the exact spot you'll be staying. Sometimes Operators adjust accommodations due to seasonal availability or group size. But rest assured: the quality and comfort will match what's shown.
Why would the accommodations change from time of booking?
Flexibility allows Operators to choose the best-fit accommodations closer to your trip—based on availability, logistics, and what works best for the group (like the number of Travelers and room configurations). This ensures a smooth experience without sacrificing comfort or quality.
Finalized hotel info is typically shared about 30 days before departure in your Traveler Portal, along with your final itinerary.
Trip Operations & Compliance
Who actually runs my trip, and how does Trova keep things safe?
Your trip is operated by licensed, certified Tour Operators who manage all trip logistics and safety—from accommodations and local Guides and day-to-day logistics. All trips comply with local legal and regulatory standards. We vet each Operating partner carefully so you can travel with confidence.
Who do I talk to if I have questions about safety or compliance?
If you have any questions about safety protocols or trip compliance, reach out to us at safety@trovatrip.com. We're here to help.
General Travel Questions
Do I need any documentation to travel?
It depends on where you're headed. Though it is not a universal requirement, many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. This ensures Travelers have sufficient time to return home even if their visas are extended or if unexpected circumstances arise.
Some destinations may also require a visa. Check our visa page to consult your country's travel resources.
Do I need any vaccines?
It's always best to check with your healthcare provider or a travel doctor before your trip. You can also visit the CDC website (or your local government's travel health resource) for destination-specific vaccine guidance. Health and safety first!
Are flights included in the trip cost?
Because our Hosts and Travelers are coming from all around the world, flights to and from your destination are not included. Some trips include internal flights (like a short domestic hop), and those details will always be listed on the trip page if applicable.
Can you accommodate my dietary needs?
We’ll do our very best! Our Operators aim to accommodate dietary restrictions, though availability varies by destination. For example, some places offer plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices, while others might be quite limited. The earlier you let us know—through your trip form or by contacting our support team—the better we can prepare. Once you arrive, be sure to remind your local Guide about any allergies or restrictions so they can help you enjoy your meals safely and comfortably.