Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Trek Through France on the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour
Take in the natural beauty of the French Alps
Trek through high elevation mountain passes, serene pastures, and charming villages
Spend your evenings in a combination of hotels, gîtes, and mountain refuges
Experience the charm of traditional alpine culture
For those adventurers who want to experience the stunning beauty of the French Alps, the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour will make for an unforgettable experience. You will trek the famous GR5 route with some modifications, to avoid the popular ski areas. The first stage in a longer 3-part journey, this trek is an incredible journey in its own right, taking you from Mont Blanc through some of the most breathtaking landscapes France has to offer.
Throughout the tour you will spend the night in a combination of hotels, mountain refuges, and charming gîtes, experiencing the striking mountain scenery around every corner. Get acquainted with the alpine charm of France and witness some of Europe’s most imposing mountains on the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour!
For those adventurers who want to experience the stunning beauty of the French Alps, the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour will make for an unforgettable experience. You will trek the famous GR5 route with some modifications, to avoid the popular ski areas. The first stage in a longer 3-part journey, this trek is an incredible journey in its own right, taking you from Mont Blanc through some of the most breathtaking landscapes France has to offer.
Throughout the tour you will spend the night in a combination of hotels, mountain refuges, and charming gîtes, experiencing the striking mountain scenery around every corner. Get acquainted with the alpine charm of France and witness some of Europe’s most imposing mountains on the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour!
Read more
GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Chamonix and Start of the Trek
After arriving in Chamonix, you will meet up and transfer to the charming hamlet of Le Buet. Once there, you will begin your alpine crossing in the magnificent Bérard Valley, situated in the heart of the Aiguilles Rouges! In the evening, you will have plenty of time to get to know your guide and the other hikers better while at the refuge.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 3h, 650m ascent
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Head Towards the Fiz Massif
Day 2 of the tour will begin with a walk towards the magnificent Col de Salenton (2525 m). You will then enter the Haut Giffre mountain range for a beautiful crossing in the Passy nature reserve. Finally, you will arrive at the heart of the Fiz massif, a fantastic reward for your efforts!
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6h, 600m ascent/1150m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Trek to Beaufort
Today you will descend to Lac Vert for a transfer to Les Contamines, then make your way to Signal by gondola. Afterward, you will enjoy a magnificent trek in the Grande Pierrière Valley, before arriving at the Beaufortain Massif via the east pass of the Gittaz (2320 m). Here, you will be able to take in the beautifully scenic views of the Gittaz mountain pasture.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Beaufort
Distance: 6h + 20 min transfer, 500m ascent/900m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Views of Pierra Menta
Day 4 of the tour will see you first climb the Combe de la Neuva towards the Col du Grand Fond (2671 m). After, you will arrive at the foot of the Pierra Menta, a famous monolith of Beaufortain, where you will enjoy incredible views of the surrounding area. Finally, you will cross the Col du Bresson and descend through serene mountain pastures to arrive at your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Inn/gîte along the route
Distance: 6h + 30 min transfer, 800m ascent/1200m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Explore Vanoise National Park
Today you will explore Vanoise National Park, a paradise for marmots and other wildlife in the area! While in the park you will climb towards the Col du Plan Séry via the Lac de la Plagne, eventually arriving on the heights of Champagny-en-Vanoise at the end of the day. Here, you will be able to take in some truly breathtaking views!
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6h, 1050m ascent/1050m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Trek to the Grand Bec Refuge
Passing through the Champagny Valley discovered the day before, today’s trek will bring you to the resort of Tignes before continuing on a wild route through the mountains. Here, you will be able to traverse the Pointe de Méribel (2790 m) and sleep at the Grand Bec refuge, which is arguably one of the most beautiful sites in the Alps!
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 7h, 1350m ascent/500m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Traverse Three Mountain Passes
After taking in the pristine landscape views around the Grand Bec refuge, you will set off in the direction of another refuge: the Col de la Vanoise. To get there, you will cross not two, but three mountain passes! Do not worry though, as the reward is well worth the effort! Finally, you will arrive at the foot of the Grande Casse, the highest peak of the Vanoise Massif!
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6h, 900m ascent/700m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Final Day and Departure
This last day of your trekking tour will take place on the heights of Pralognan, as you cross two mountain passes. Here, you will be immersed in the heart of the magnificent Grand Marchet circus.
Afterward, it will be time to make your way down to the valley for a transfer to the end point of the trek: Albertville, where you will say goodbye to your guide and the group for an individual departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 7h, 1000m ascent/1800m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour Price and Dates
This tour can be run either as a private tour for your group only (with or without a guide), or a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group. In some cases, self-guided tours can be requested as well. Prices below are per person.Private Guided Tour
- Self-guided group of 4+: EUR1175 per person
Join a Scheduled Group Tour Please note that the dates and prices below are on request:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Sat, Jul 8
From Chamonix, France
Sat, Jul 15
to Albertville, France
8 Days
5+
Spaces left
EUR€935
Sat, Aug 5
From Chamonix, France
Sat, Aug 12
to Albertville, France
8 Days
5+
Spaces left
EUR€935
Accommodation on the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour
This tour is based in hotels, refuges, and inns. Please note that in some cases you can upgrade to double rooms with an extra supplement (please contact us for the pricing).
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Single Rooms are not available on this tour, as some nights take place in mountain huts, gites and/or inns, and you will be sharing rooms/dormitories.
What’s Included in the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodation before and after the tour can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included at points throughout the tour, as indicated in the itinerary. Personal transfers from Chamonix to the start of the tour, as well as from the end of the tour to Albertville are included. Luggage transfer is not possible on nights 1 and 6, as these are spent in remote mountain refuges. Transportation to and from the start/end of the tour are not included.
Also Included
- Supervision by a qualified mountain leader
- Transfers from Chamonix on day 1 and to Albertville on day 8
- Luggage transfer on the evenings of days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
- Ski lifts as indicated in the description
- Snacks during the walk in the form of dried fruit
Not included
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Food/drink not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal hiking and travel equipment
- Transportation before/after the tour
- Anything not listed in “What’s included in your trip”
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Upgrade to double rooms (where possible)
- How hard is the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to France?
- Are meals included on the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Chamonix to start this tour?
- Is the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour in English?
- Where does the GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?
- Are there any travel restrictions for France?
We rate the difficulty of this tour as a 3 / 5. You will hike 5-6 hours a day, with lots of uphill and downhill. The path might be easy, but you’ll still move your body every day!
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover trekking. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, you can take the train to Chamonix to begin the tour.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The GR5 from Chamonix to Albertville Tour ends in Albertville, France. From there, you can take the train to the Geneva Airport (GVA) for an individual departure.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
