Typical meals

Breakfast: buffet breakfasts will usually consist of cereal, eggs, orange juice, croissants, fresh French bread, butter, jam, tea and coffee.

Lunch: picnic lunches will normally include bread, fresh salad, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit.

Evening meal: We endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to, and each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group, consisting of a soup, salad or similar, a main course of meat, fish or vegetarian served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates, and a dessert. The price of the evening meal does not include wine, beer, bottled water or soft drinks.

Vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free diets: Although we serve a single menu each night for the whole group, we will happily shop for and prepare alternative menus for vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free diets, but please inform us at the time of booking.

Please note: to reduce food wastage, we shop to exact quantities for the whole week in advance, so if you have requested a certain diet please remain with that diet for the whole trip.

Ride the La Flégère gondola and hike to crystalline Lac Blanc (2,352m), where the Mont Blanc massif mirrors across the water. The high path feels wonderfully wild yet family-manageable, with ibex sometimes spotted on rocky slopes.

Descend via Lac des Chéserys for glassy reflections on still days, then traverse the famed Grand Balcon Sud, a balcony trail with constant glacier and peak views. Occasional ladders are handled with care and guidance for younger walkers.

Ride the scenic local train to Montroc and hike through larch and spruce to the crest of the Aiguillette des Posettes (2,201m). From this airy ridge, trace the length of the valley and the snow and granite of the Aiguilles Rouges, with Mont Blanc glinting opposite.

Continue over the Col des Posettes toward Le Tour, skirting alpine meadows sprinkled with gentian and saxifrage. Your leader shares stories of the frontier with Switzerland, pointing out glaciers, classic peaks, and safe places to pause for family photos.

Climb steady trails to the Chalets de Chailloux (1,920m) where Mont Blanc dominates a sweeping panorama. Meadows hum with insects, cowbells carry on the breeze, and the open vantage is perfect for a snack while admiring glaciers and pinnacles across the valley.

Descend to the Merlet Animal Park for close viewing of ibex and chamois along elevated paths. Created as a sanctuary, Merlet blends conservation with education, giving children time to observe marmots and deer against vast mountain backdrops.

Cross the Mont Blanc tunnel into Italy’s Aosta Valley and climb to Rifugio Bonatti (2,025m), named for legendary alpinist Walter Bonatti. From the terrace, gaze across the tumbling ice of the Grandes Jorasses and the glaciers lining the northern wall of Val Ferret.

Follow a spectacular high balcony path contouring above larch forests and meadows before descending toward Courmayeur. Your leader weaves in mountaineering lore and local culture, making the cross-border contrasts as vivid as the scenery.

Walk gentle valley paths toward the Passerelle de Bionnassay, a swaying suspension bridge above a glacier-fed torrent. It’s a family-thrilling crossing with safe supervision, followed by woodland trails that gradually open to high-mountain views.

Gain the Col de Voza (1,653m) for far-reaching glacier views toward the Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay. Short sections with handrails and a small ladder add adventure; your leader manages pacing and support so everyone finishes smiling.

Ascend by cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) for high-mountain panoramas over Mont Blanc, serac fields, and knife-edged ridgelines. Explore tunnels and terraces before braving the glass cube to Step into the Void, a photo moment families talk about for years.

This is an optional excursion at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to availability and weather. Pre-booking is strongly advised during peak season.

Ride the historic Montenvers rack railway to a clifftop perch above the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. Stroll to viewpoints, study crevasse patterns, and, conditions permitting, descend to the ice grotto for a surreal blue-lit world.

Interpretive displays chart glacial retreat with year markers—a powerful, kid-accessible lesson in alpine change. This is an optional excursion at additional cost, bookable on tour and weather dependent.

Launch on a tandem paragliding flight with a certified pilot, gliding over forests, glaciers, and the roofs of Chamonix. Gentle take-offs and smooth sweeping turns make this an accessible thrill for adventurous families.

Typical launch sites include Planpraz or Plan de l’Aiguille, selected for conditions on the day. This is an optional experience at additional cost, weather dependent and bookable on tour, with photo or video packages often available.

Hire mountain bikes and follow the Arve River’s riverside trails or gentle forest tracks, perfect for varied ages and energy levels. Your leader or local shop will suggest family-friendly routes with snack stops and scenic viewpoints.

Bikes, helmets, and maps are provided by local partners. This is an optional activity at additional cost, flexible in duration and bookable on tour for your free day.

Unwind with an alpine spa session at QC Terme Chamonix, where indoor-outdoor pools face the Mont Blanc range. Drift between whirlpools, steam rooms, and salt rooms, letting muscles recover after big days on the trail.

Rituals and relaxation spaces are designed for serene pauses with thermal pools with Mont Blanc views. This is an optional experience at additional cost and bookable on tour; advance reservations recommended in high season.

Explore Chamonix on a relaxed guided orientation walk, taking in the car-free center, Savoyard shopfronts and the valley’s glacier-carved scenery. Pause around the St-Michel church square to get your bearings and hear tips on family-friendly cafés, playgrounds, and evening strolls.

Back at the chalet, meet your International Mountain Leader for a friendly welcome briefing before sitting down to a home-cooked dinner. It’s a warm, sociable start that sets expectations for the week and helps kids and adults feel at home right away.