Day 1-2

We'll meet up at the airport in Geneva, Switzerland and board a train for Chamonix, France (pronounced Sham-on-ee). As we go, we'll get to know more about each other, talk about our course goals, and catch suggestive glimpses of the Alps through the train windows. Every moment will be fresh and exciting as we begin to feel at home in this new environment.

Day 3

We'll spend a relaxing day in Chamonix to rest up from our travels and prepare for the mountaineering section to come. Considered the world capital for outdoor activities, Chamonix sits at the base of the Mont Blanc massif in a spectacular valley that collects seven major glaciers as they spill from the surrounding peaks. It is, quite literally, the place where the sport of alpine climbing was born, when Jacques Balmat and Dr. Paccard made the first ascent of Mt. Blanc in 1786. We'll participate in the ambiance of this special town as we make ready for our own mountaineering exploits by getting outfitted with ice axes, crampons, and harnesses.

Day 4

Our backcountry portion of the trip will start off with a glacier trek on the icefields above Chamonix. Certified European mountain guides will teach us the fundamental technical skills for trekking and climbing on alpine ice. More importantly, a successful icefield traverse will teach us how to work together as we travel in small rope teams through dramatic, heavily crevassed terrain.

Day 5-16

The heart and soul of our adventure is one of the world’s preeminent mountain treks—the Tour du Mont Blanc. This unbelievable 10-day traverse circumnavigates the highest peak in Western Europe—Mont Blanc—which stands at a stately 4807 meters, or roughly 15,800 feet above sea level. You can expect day after day of jaw-dropping vistas as our route winds around sparkling tarns and climbs to windy passes, giving you views not only of Mont Blanc, but on a clear day, the Grand Combin and the Matterhorn as well. Taking advantage of the alpinists’ hut and hostel system, we’ll be able to travel light and fast with small packs, descending periodically through fragrant wildflower meadows and larch forests to resupply in picturesque old-world hamlets. In our cozy evening refuges, we’ll enjoy hearty old-world cuisine and share laughter and stories around the table or before the fire with other like-minded explorers from around the world.

Day 17-19

We’ll take some well-deserved rest upon our completion of the Tour Du Mont Blanc, sampling the French mountain culture in a neighboring ski villa. After picking up fresh produce and French cheeses, we will travel by train and “autobus” to Provence—a region in southern France known for it’s striking natural beauty. Upon arrival, we will stock our daypacks with lunch and climb the highest peak in the region—Mt. Ventoux. At the summit, we will have sweeping views of the French Alps, with Mont Blanc soaring gracefully along the horizon.

Day 20-21

While in Provence, we’ll spend a day rafting the Gorge du Verdon, home to some of the wildest river sections in France. We’ll navigate through rapids such as “Niagara,” “Tourniquet,” and “Cyclope” while experiencing the thrill of French whitewater in the Grand Canyon of Europe.” Later, we’ll trade our wetsuits for swimsuits to cool off in the waters of the French Riviera.