5 days in Chamonix

Day by day

1. Day 1: Aiguille du Midi and Vallée Blanche descent

   Aiguille du Midi, Vallée Blanche descent and Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola, then Rue des Moulins in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Aiguille du Midi

      Check the summit webcams and forecast first and take the earliest cable car you can; clouds often build by late morning, and the high altitude means warm clothes even in August. (Half a day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Vallée Blanche descent

      Book through the Compagnie des Guides or another guide office, which supply the safety gear and know current snow and glacier conditions. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fondue savoyarde

      Traditional restaurants in the centre and mountain restaurants on the slopes; usually a minimum of two people.

   4. Afternoon

      Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola

      Ride it in the morning, as the line is often stopped by afternoon wind and cloud. (1–2 hours return from the Aiguille, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Rue des Moulins

      A short street in the centre with a cluster of small bars and late-night spots that fill up after dinner.

2. Day 2: Montenvers railway and Mer de Glace and Le Brévent

   Montenvers railway and Mer de Glace, Le Brévent and Place Balmat and the Saussure statue, then Chamonix centre in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Montenvers railway and Mer de Glace

      Allow time for the stairs to the ice cave and back, and look out for the signs that mark where the glacier surface stood in past decades. (Half a day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Le Brévent

      Go in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the Mont Blanc side of the valley. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tartiflette

      Almost every restaurant and mountain hut menu in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Place Balmat and the Saussure statue

      Follow the statue's pointing finger on a clear evening and you will see the summit of Mont Blanc lit pink at sunset. (15 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Chamonix centre

      Après-ski bars near Place Balmat and around the station, busy from about 4pm in winter.

3. Day 3: Lac Blanc and Lac des Gaillands

   Lac Blanc, Lac des Gaillands and Cascade du Dard and Glacier des Bossons, then Chamonix Sud in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lac Blanc

      Start early in July and August; the trail and the hut terrace fill up by midday. (Full day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Lac des Gaillands

      Come at sunset and watch climbers on the crag while the peaks turn pink above the lake. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Raclette

      Savoyard restaurants in the centre; some cheese shops rent raclette sets for apartments.

   4. Afternoon

      Cascade du Dard and Glacier des Bossons

      The waterfall path is short and shaded, a good option for a hot afternoon with children. (1–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Chamonix Sud

      Relaxed bars and a local microbrewery near the Aiguille du Midi base, popular with seasonal workers.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Courmayeur

   About 30 minutes by bus or car each way. Getting there: Bus or car through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Courmayeur

      About 30 minutes by bus or car (Bus or car through the Mont Blanc Tunnel); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Courmayeur

      On the Italian side of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur has a pedestrian centre on Via Roma with Italian cafés and restaurants and the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car to Punta Helbronner. Best for food lovers, couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Chamonix

      Dinner: try Croziflette.

5. Day 5: Parc de Merlet and Mont Blanc Tramway

   Parc de Merlet, Mont Blanc Tramway and Tandem paragliding, then Argentière in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Parc de Merlet

      Bring proper shoes; the paths through the park are steep in places. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Mont Blanc Tramway

      Combine the Bellevue cable car with the tramway to reach the Nid d'Aigle without driving round to Le Fayet. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Croziflette

      Restaurants serving Savoyard dishes; packets of crozets sell in local delis.

   4. Afternoon

      Tandem paragliding

      Book with an established school and keep a flexible day; flights are cancelled in strong wind or poor visibility. (2 hours including the lift, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Argentière

      A handful of village bars at the foot of the Grands Montets with a strong après-ski scene.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Aiguille du Midi and Vallée Blanche descent before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Chamonix centre keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Chamonix Sud ($$) suits budget, solo travellers and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 30–43 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Chamonix
• 2 days in Chamonix
• 3 days in Chamonix

Questions travellers ask