Bold Alps

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Bold Alps

Flights and Packing
Destination

Switzerland
France

Current Grades

9th-11th

length

14 Days

view dates and prices
Airports

Arrive: Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)
Depart: Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)

Don’t forget to bring a camera for this outdoor tour through the European Alps! We’ll take in the splendor of the Mont Blanc massif by hiking the world’s most famous trail, crossing through Italy, Switzerland, and France on foot. In Chamonix, undoubtedly the outdoor adventure capital of the world, we’ll explore by whitewater rafting and canyoneering during the day and relishing local cuisine at night. This adventure offers some of the most breathtaking views and action-packed adventures of any Bold Earth trip.

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Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: WHITEWATER RAFT IN CHAMONIX

A day of whitewater alps rafting awaits in Chamonix! On these awesome first two days of our Alps trip, we’ll hop on the glacier-fed Arve River, which carves through Alpine canyons and flows under charming bridges. Continuous class II rapids provide the fun while the panoramas of Chamonix provide endless views, making it one of the best combinations in our teen adventure programs.

Accommodation: Hostel Chalet

DAYS 3-10: HIKE THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Get ready to spend eight wondrous days trekking the most famous trail in Europe: the tour du Mont Blanc (aka the TMB). The TMB circles the Mont Blanc massif itself and covers three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy. While we won’t cover the entirety of the TMB, we’ll be constantly rewarded with never-ending, panoramic Alpine views on this Alps trip: the Aiguilles Rouges, Aravis massif, Mont Dolent, Grand Combin, and more! This is a hut-to-hut tour, meaning we’ll carry light backpacks and sleep in different (and beautiful) Alpine huts every night with three nights of van-supported camping mixed in (with access to facilities). We won’t be eating freeze-dried food, either—we’ll pass through villages almost daily, getting to savor local meats, cheeses, bread, and more.

Accommodation: Mountain Hut and Camping

DAY 11: CANYONEER IN ITALY

Across the border in Italy, we’ll spend a day canyoneering—a Bold Earth favorite, that was invented as a way to navigate narrow canyons in the Alps. A combination of rock climbing, ziplining, and rappelling will take us over bridges and waterfalls; in fact, one of the best parts of this excursion through the Italian Alps is enjoying a well deserved lunch at the base of some falls!

Accommodation: Hostel Chalet

DAYS 12: VIA FERRATA IN CHAMONIX

Since we love to get outside and see beautiful scenery on all our teen adventure programs, we’ll rise above the valleys of Chamonix by way of via ferrata in Passy! This common way of traversing mountains in Europe has a history dating back to Alpine regions in the 19th century. You’ll experience long-range views of the Arve River and the Mont Blanc massif and a never-ending thrill of traversing limestone while connected to cables and wooden beams.

Accommodation: Hostel Chalet

DAYS 13: ROCK CLIMB NEAR LACS DES GAILLANDS

This is our last day of the Alps trip, so get ready to lace up your climbing shoes and tie into the sharp end! We’ll spend a day rock climbing the gneiss cliffs in the Gaillands area of Chamonix Valley, where there is something for every level. After, we’ll cool off and have a picnic on the Lac d’Emosson, an alpine body of water so blue-green it’ll take your breath away.

Accommodation: Hostel Chalet

 

*Listed above is Bold Earth’s intended itinerary for this trip. All itineraries are subject to change in order to provide the best possible program quality.

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Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/30/23
  • Return Day
    07/13/23
  • Grade
    9-11
  • Price
    $5,188
  • Availability
    Full
Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    08/01/23
  • Return Day
    08/14/23
  • Grade
    9–11
  • Price
    $5,188
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
06/30/23
07/13/23
9-11
$5,188
full
08/01/23
08/14/23
9–11
$5,188
limited

Accommodations

  • 6 nights hostel chalet. 
  • 4 nights in mountain huts with showers.
  • 3 nights of camping, Bold Earth will provide comfortable tents and technical equipment.

Activities

Canyoneering

Hut-to-hut hiking

Whitewater rafting

Rock Climbing

Via Ferrata

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Reviews

Cheryl L, parent from Glen Rock, NJ

This unique experience was amazing for my son’s social and emotional development. He was able to work with others and get to know himself a little better and apply his strengths.

This experience allowed my son to go with the flow, try new things, and open up to the unpredictable.

Susan F, parent from Charlotte, NC

Bold Earth did a great job walking us through the admission process, communicated with us during the trip, and thrilled our daughter at each mountain pass. Anna adored her trip leaders, who did a great job with creating a cohesive group. They played games, they talked, they challenged, and they cared for these teens. We couldn’t be more thrilled for the confident, strong young woman who came home to us after her trip through the Alps.

Greg, student from Los Altos, CA

I loved getting to know the people in my group and trekking around Mont Blanc. It was really exciting, and I met a lot of cool people.

Carol T, parent from Los Altos, CA

The communication was very good, and the trips were well thought out and provided challenges and excitement for kids wanting to push themselves in a reasonably safe and structured way. I felt very comfortable with Cat supervising the trip and know that my son really admired Michael.

Christine, student from Middleburg, FL

My favorite part was meeting the people in my group and becoming close friends, despite having just met for the first time.

Mia, student from Beirut

My trip was amazing! There were so many highlights, but I think my favorite part was the whitewater rafting and canyoneering. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to grow and see the world in a different way. The people I met were kind and amazing souls.

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