We invite you to join us for a classic European vacation at a pace that allows you to savor the details.

Experience incredible views of glaciers, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Laugh with new friends while savoring an Italian meal. Stroll along the streets of the famed mountaineering town of Chamonix. Reach the top of an alpine peak. And share stories of the day while relaxing in our chalet-style mountain hotel.

Our itinerary takes us through three different countries – France, Italy and Switzerland – each with amazing cultures and cuisines, and providing superb mountain views of the Mont Blanc Massif and surrounding valleys. We’ll travel through gorgeous wildflower-strewn Alpine backcountry by day, and relax in charming mountain towns by evening. We’ll traverse high Alpine passes offering a stunning scenery of lush pastures dotted with cows, wild mountain streams, rugged peaks, and impressive glaciers.

Use the Register Now button to join us or expand the sections below for more details.

The Scenery
It’s spectacular. Walks around Mont Blanc offer some of the most amazing scenery in the world: towering mountains, forested slopes, glaciers, alpine valleys, pastures, streams, waterfalls — all of it. And we don’t have to go off the trail to regularly view it.

Encounter Three Different Countries
Just by walking, we’ll cross from one country to another and experience mountain culture, the fusion of these countries’ cultures, but also the uniqueness of each culture, reflected in the cuisine and wines.

Interacting with Locals
As we walk we’ll encounter locals who are also partaking of the moderate hiking trails we’ll be using. Mont Blanc is not just for expert climbers.

This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, Our program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicate included group meals.

Wednesday, July 12                             Depart USA
Individual departures from your home town.

Thursday, July 13                        Arrive Geneva (D)
Upon arrival in Geneva, make your way to the group hotel. We’ll have an early evening welcome session, followed by a group dinner.

Friday, July 14                           Geneva to Saint Gervais / Bellevue Walk (BLD)
Departing the city of Geneva we transfer to the town of Les Houches where we take a cable car up to Bellevue (5900 ft); the start pointing of our walk. After a lunch in the Refuge du Fioux we enjoy a gentle walk down the mountain along alpine pastures and through pine forests, whilst being offered spectacular view on the Mont Blanc massif, to the small alpine town of Bionnassay. From here we transfer by private bus to our comfortable accommodation in the nearby town of Saint Gervais. Group dinner.

Saturday, July 15                         Saint Gervais to Bourg-Saint-Maurice / La Miage Walk (BLD)
This morning we ride from Chamonix to the village of Les Contamines. Leaving town we walk up the flanks of the mountain to the Refuge de Miage, an alpine mountain hut where we will have lunch. Alongside the Torrent de Mirage and passing by the impressive and wild Gorges de la Gruvaz we descend to Le Champel. From there we transfer to our accommodation in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Once again we enjoy a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite local family restaurants in town.

Sunday, July 16                         Bourg-Saint-Marice to Courmayeur / Col de la Seigne Walk (BL)
We have a very early start to our very special day! A short transfer takes us up La Ville des Glaciers (village of the glaciers) where today’s walk commences. Today’s walk is a true alpine route where we cross the Col de la Seigne, a high mountain pass (8240 ft), into Italy. We pass the Refugio La Casermetta and traverse below impressive glaciers and morenes. Reaching the hamlet of La Visaille we will be met by our private bus to take us to our hotel in Courmayeur.

Monday, July 17                  Courmayeur / Go Get Lost in Italy Day (BD)
Enjoy your day at leisure in pleasant Courmayeur having a nice cappuccino, shopping on its main street or ride the Skyway cable car that takes you up into the high, icy world of the Mont Blanc. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional dinner at an excellent Italian restaurant.

Tuesday, July 18                       Courmayeur to Argentiere / Col Ferret Walk (BLD)
Another day where we will reach “great” heights enjoying the marvelous ambiance of the Mont Blanc massif. In the morning we ride from Courmayeur to Arp Nouvaz situated at an elevation of 5850 ft. The impressive Grand Jorasses is right next to us as we walk across the Col de Ferret into Switzerland. For lunch we stop at the Peule mountain hut, with magnificent views to enjoy while we relax and refuel. After lunch we’ll have a pleasant downhill walk to the hamlet La Fouly and transfer onward to today’s final destination of Argentiere, where we’ll relax and recharge for tomorrow’s adventure.

Wednesday, July 19                             Argentiere to Chamonix / Tête de Balme Walk (BL)
From the hotel we transfer to a mountain cable car in Le Tour, which whisks us to our trailhead. From there we begin a gentle ascent that takes us up to the Col de Balme, which forms the border between Switzerland and France. We’ll enjoy marvelous views of a high plateau as we walk down to the trail junction at Col de Posette. Our trail now begins a winding climb to reach the peak of Aguilla de Posette, and our reward will be some of the best views imaginable! We’ll relax and drink them in as we have our trail lunch atop the mountain. Retracing our steps, we then take a cable car down the mountain to the cable car. Our private vans will transfer us to Chamonix, one of the most picturesque and exciting mountain towns in the world, and our home for the next 2 nights.

Thursday, July 20                        Chamonix / Go Get Lost in France Day (BD)
Enjoy your day at leisure in the exciting alpine ambiance of Chamonix. There are lots of options to occupy your day…take the Skyway to the shoulders of Mont Blanc for some impressive glacier views, or book a paraglide trip down the valley! Maybe a more relaxing day is your speed, in that case you’ll find an endless assortment of shops, bars, and restaurants in the large pedestrian center of beautiful Chamonix. You can purchase those last-minute gifts and prepare for your departure tomorrow. Tonight we’ll meet again for a farewell dinner to conclude our unforgettable journey together.

Friday, July 21                           Departure
Group transfer to the Geneva airport for individual departures.

Our Tour du Mont Blanc doesn’t wander much above 8,000 feet, but still accesses the best of Mont Blanc’s impressive and legendary scenery. Each day’s leg covers between 4 – 10 miles, and our expert mountain guides will set a comfortable pace that gives you plenty of time to relax and take pictures.

You will sleep in beautiful accommodations (three and four-star hotels), and will dine on delectable food and wine served in quaint restaurants and mountain refuges.

On certain days you will begin and end with a private transfer from the hotel to the start/end of the walk, and also use cable cars to take you up and down the mountain. We will be led by a professional hiking guide.

You should be capable of walking up to ten miles per day over possibly uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of traveling with a group for several hours each day.

You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

COVID INFORMATION

As a condition of participation in this program all attendees must have received a COVID-19 vaccine and received a booster shot at least 2 weeks prior to attending the program. (A 2^nd booster is recommended by the CDC for individuals over 50 years of age.] Because changing conditions may result in additional or different participation restrictions, we will strive to keep you promptly informed of any changes resulting from the ongoing pandemic.

What happens if you develop symptoms or test positive for covid while traveling on the St. Olaf program?

• We will expect everyone to follow the isolation and other protocols of the host country and will provide those to you, to the best of our knowledge, closer to departure, as they may be updated frequently in the next several months
• our itinerary cannot be altered, so if it calls for the group to move to a new city/hotel, we will do so
• group leaders cannot stay back with sick or covid-positive individuals
• the injury and illness coverage provided with your program fee includes covid-related illness

Here is the language from the latest FAQs:

Is there coverage for COVID-19? (new as of 5/1/21)
Yes, participants diagnosed with COVID-19 would have the same coverage as if they had any other illness.

Is there coverage for pandemic quarantine? (new as of 5/1/21)
Yes, if the participant is required to quarantine while on a covered trip due to exposure to, or a confirmed case of a virus/illness due to epidemic/pandemic not requiring hospitalization, the policy would provide up to $5,000 of benefits for food and lodging. If the participant requires hospitalization, the basic emergency medical coverage would apply.

You can read more, including the full FAQ and a Summary document, on our Travel Insurance page.

Inclusions and exclusions vary from program to program. Please read the following information carefully.

The program fee is $5,816 per person. Based on double occupancy, it includes a St. Olaf host, full-time hiking guides, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the program, including a group departure transfer at the end of the program to Geneva airport, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas. For single occupancy, add $795.

Airfare to and from Geneva is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: Airfare between your home town and Israel • Transfers to/from your hometown airport • Any passport fees • Any recommended immunizations or vaccinations • Baggage insurance • Trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage • Beverages at most group meals • Tips to housekeeping staff • Laundry • Dry cleaning • Phone charges • Room service or other items of a personal nature • Expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities • Lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

A $500 deposit is required to guarantee your space. View the Payment and Refund Schedule below for more information.

Because of ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it is possible that a program could be postponed. In such a case, while we will strive to make full refunds when we can, there are certain expenses that may not be refunded to either St. Olaf or the participant.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program. 

Deposit due:                          $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:          Full refund ($500) until September 30, 2022. If the deposit is made after September 30, 2022, there is no refund.

Interim payment due:        $2,000 by October 1, 2022
Refund if you cancel:          $1,000 until May 12, 2023

Final payment due:             May 13, 2023
Refund if you cancel:          None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Make a Payment

Read these legal documents: Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. Department of State for instructions.

Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of July 12–21, 2023. Do NOT book your flights until we announce the program is a go. Meanwhile, you can check out some tips for Booking Your Flights.