Mont Blanc Backpacking Tour Teens Camps - Mont Blanc, Chamonix. Switzerland
INTRODUCTION
This camp offers a teenager-friendly version of the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc, with shorter days and less steep climbs—without missing out on the incredible alpine scenery. Set in the Mont Blanc massif, the journey passes through forests, glacier viewpoints, flower-filled valleys, and high plateaus across France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Mornings are dedicated to hiking with experienced guides, while afternoons and evenings bring team games, skill-building sessions, and outdoor challenges that build confidence, teamwork, and independence—perfect for teens looking for a real adventure, time in nature, and a healthy break from screens. Participants will hike around four hours per day, sleep in tents and mountain huts, help set up camp, take part in daily activities, and learn about geology, biology, and astronomy along the way.
Supported by a team of mountain guides, sports coaches, and camp coordinators, the program is designed to be safe, fun, and genuinely inspiring. The camp also brings together an international community, with French and English spoken throughout—creating a great environment for both Francophones and Anglophones to connect and learn from each other.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is intentionally simple and outdoors-focused to match the backpacking experience.
- Mixed accommodation style: nights in tents and selected mountain huts/refuges, depending on the stage of the route.
- Camping elements: participants learn to build camp and take part in age-appropriate responsibilities that support autonomy and group cooperation.
- Setting: alpine villages, mountain campgrounds, and high-mountain refuges along the Tour du Mont Blanc route, offering an immersive experience close to nature.
Full Board Meals
Meals are healthy and homemade with a mix of Swiss and international cuisine. We gladly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive diets – just let us know in advance.
THE ACTIVITIES
Every day balances hiking, learning, and team-building, with structured moments that push personal growth in a supportive environment.
- Guided hiking (core activity): approximately 4 hours of walking per day on iconic TMB trails, adapted for teens (shorter days, less steep climbs).
- Nature learning: hands-on discovery connected to the mountains, including geology, biology, and astronomy.
- Afternoon team challenges: collaborative games designed to build creativity and problem-solving (example: raft-building competitions at a mountain lake).
- Evening missions: orientation/navigation challenges and group tasks under the stars, focused on trust, communication, and teamwork.
- Personal development outcomes: confidence-building, meaningful friendships, resilience, responsibility, and a healthy “disconnect” from technology.
ITINERARY
A typical Day
7:00 am – Wake up and have breakfast at camp.
8:00 am – Camp preparation and start the bike trip
12:00 pm – Stop for lunch (sandwich, crackers, fruit, etc.)
14:00 – Camp set up for the night
15:00 – Explore the surroundings and schedule activities.
6:00 p.m. – Cook dinner (freeze-dried meal, soup, etc.)
7:00 p.m. – Campfire and socialization, educational program (astronomy, team game).
9:00 p.m. – Lights off
Itinerary (1 week camp)
Day 1
Arrival & Alpine Warm-Up in Les Diablerets: Settle into Les Diablerets and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting. Take a gentle walk through the village or along the river to loosen your legs. If time allows, we will take the Glacier 3000 cable car for panoramic views.
Day 2
Les Houches → Les Contamines: Begin the TMB with a climb toward Col de Voza and great views of the Chamonix valley. Follow the trail past the Bionnassay glacier and into Les Contamines. We will enjoy a relaxed evening in the village.
Day 3
Les Contamines → Refuge des Mottets: Follow the Roman road through the nature reserve toward Col du Bonhomme. The climb is scenic and often peaceful. End the day at the cozy Refuge des Mottets.
Day 4
Refuge des Mottets → Courmayeur: Cross into Italy via the iconic Col de la Seigne. Descend through the dramatic landscapes of Val Veny. In Courmayeur, we will treat ourselves to Italian food or gelato.
Day 5
Courmayeur → Rifugio Bonatti: Climb toward the Mont de la Saxe ridge for some of the best views on the TMB. Follow a stunning balcony trail to Rifugio Bonatti. We will enjoy the famous sunset from the refuge.
Day 6 and 7
Bonatti → Champex-Lac – Les Diablerets: Cross the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland and descend through the peaceful Swiss Val Ferret. The trail passes chalets and open pastures. Relax by the lakeside in Champex-Lac.Celebratory dinner.
LOCATION & GETTING HERE
LOCATION
The program takes place in the Mont Blanc massif, following sections of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc route through forests, glacier views, flower-filled valleys, and high plateaus across France, Italy, and Switzerland. Along the way, teens experience a mix of iconic alpine villages and dramatic mountain landscapes—high points include areas such as Chamonix Valley view points, the crossing into Italy, and classic Swiss valley scenery with chalets and open pastures. Stops like Courmayeur add cultural flavor, while places like Champex-Lac offer a relaxed lakeside setting to recharge before the final celebration.
Getting Here
For Swiss participants, the meeting point for all the different sessions of the camps is at Lausanne Train Station. From Lausanne, transport is organized to the departure of the camp. Another meeting point will be organized from Geneva airport for international participants (included in the price). It is also possible to bring the participant directly at our camp in Les Diablerets.
PRICES & PACKAGES
Prices per week
- Swiss participant: 1300 CHF
- International participant: 1900 CHF
Participants may arrive or leave the camp on slightly different dates (depending on logistics and location), contact us for more information. Attendees can participate in one or more consecutive sessions.
And for those who want longer camps, we have other camps too (participation in multiple sessions is possible).
