The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive on the Western Front. Fought in brutal winter conditions, it stretched from Luxembourg to eastern Belgium, It involved airborne troops, Armoured spearheads, artillery duels, and desperate defensive actions.
From Bastogne and across the wider Ardennes, I offer a range of private Battle of the Bulge battlefield tours. Each focusing on a different sector or perspective of the campaign. Some tours concentrate on Bastogne and the 101st Airborne, others follow German Armoured thrusts, defensive battles on the northern shoulder, or the crucial early fighting in Luxembourg.
All tours are guided in person and based on years of research and on-the-ground experience.
All Battle of the Bulge tours are built around Bastogne or the central Ardennes region as a starting point. From there, the route moves north, east, or south depending on the focus of the day. Alternatively a pickup and dropoff at Liege railway station is also possible.
This allows time on the ground at key locations instead of spending the day driving long distances.
Battle of the Bulge tour options
Below are the main Battle of the Bulge tour variants I regularly run. These tours are all arranged by request, depending on availability and your interests.
Siege of Bastogne Tour (with Museums)
Focus: 101st Airborne and the defence of Bastogne
Includes museums and key battlefield sites
This tour focuses on Bastogne under siege in December 1944 and the role of the 101st Airborne Division.
We begin at the Mardasson Memorial, where the overall situation leading up to the siege is explained. From there, you will have time to visit the Bastogne War Museum, an excellent and immersive museum featuring three unique interactive dioramas.
After the museum visit, we move to the Easy Company sites, including the foxholes in the Bois Jacques and the battlefield at Foy, made famous by the HBO series.
In the afternoon, we visit the cemetery where René Lemaire and Augusta Chiwy are buried, At the Bastogne Barracks, we cover the German surrender demand, General McAuliffe’s NUTS reply, and visit the Bastogne War Rooms, experiencing the atmosphere inside the headquarters during the siege.
The day ends with the story of Patton’s relief of Bastogne and how the 4th Armored Division broke through German lines on 26 December 1944.
Kampfgruppe Peiper Tour
Focus: German armoured breakthrough and collapse
Perspective: German offensive operations
This tour follows the path of destruction left by Kampfgruppe Peiper on the northern side of the Ardennes.
We begin in Lanzerath, where a small I&R platoon of the 99th Infantry Division delayed the opening of the German attack by an entire day. From there, we follow Peiper’s route west.
We visit the site of the Malmedy Massacre Site, where American prisoners of war were murdered.
In the afternoon we continue to Stavelot, focusing on the vital bridge over the Amblève, then on to Trois-Ponts, where Peiper was forced to divert his attack after a bridge was destroyed just in time.
We then visit Stoumont Station, where Peiper’s final attack was stopped. The tour ends in La Gleize, where Peiper abandoned his vehicles and escaped on foot. One of his King Tiger tank still stands in the village and is included in the visit.
Kampfgruppe Peiper with Elsenborn Ridge
Focus: German offensive and American defensive battles
Perspective: Breakthrough attempts and containment
This tour combines the Kampfgruppe Peiper route with the decisive defensive battles on the Elsenborn Ridge.
We begin at Krinkelt-Rocherath, the twin villages where a costly American defence turned the area into a tank graveyard and dashed hopes of a rapid German breakthrough. This defence bought the time needed to establish positions on the Elsenborn Ridge.
After lunch, the focus shifts to Kampfgruppe Peiper. We visit the Malmedy Massacre site, then continue to Stavelot and Trois-Ponts, explaining the role of bridges and engineer demolitions in halting the advance.
The day ends in La Gleize with the abandoned King Tiger tank and the story of Peiper’s escape.
The Northern Shoulder
Focus: Defensive battles that stopped the German advance
Perspective: Infantry, armour, and artillery defense
This tour examines the northernmost sector of the Battle of the Bulge, where German SS divisions attempted to break through toward the Meuse.
We begin near the German border, where the Dragon’s Teeth of the Westwall are still visible. From there, we move to key crossroads that were meant to be seized by Kampfgruppe Peiper but were held by small American forces, forcing early detours.
The morning is spent covering the actions leading up to the battle of Krinkelt and Rocherath. After lunch, we visit the twin villages themselves, discussing the fierce fighting that stopped the German advance and enabled the defence of the Elsenborn Ridge.
We then examine the German attempt to bypass these positions at Dom Bütgenbach, the final effort to break the northern shoulder. Its failure marked the end of the German push in this sector.
The 28th Infantry Division & Luxembourg
Focus: Opening phase of the offensive
Perspective: Delay, sacrifice, and defense
This tour focuses on the early days of the Battle of the Bulge and the role of the 28th Infantry Division, whose actions bought vital time for reinforcements to reach Bastogne.
We begin in Dasburg on the German / Luxembourg border at the crossing of the Our River, this is where the battle begin with unlikely setbacks for the Germans from the get go. The we drive to Hosingen and Marnach, two town the Germans were convinced they could take in minutes but were defended for days.
The on to Clervaux, where even the medieval castle became part of the defense, It was held by elements of the 110th Infantry Regiment. From there we continue to Wiltz, where the division headquarters was located and where the remarkable story of the “American Saint Nick” took place on 6 December 1944.
Next is Schumann’s Eck, Luxembourg’s national WWII memorial, where a walking trail illustrates the battle using life-size photo displays showing soldiers and civilians during the fighting.
Our last stop of the day is Dahl to discuss the actions of Day Turner, the only Medal of Honor recipient in Luxembourg.
Booking your Battle of the Bulge tour
All Battle of the Bulge tours are arranged by request so please fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
