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"I really can't say too much more about the trip that hasn't
already been said. It was a truly magnificent experience. I am forever
indebted to you for making this trip possible. I have done a number of
trips with a number of guides, and although slow on the trail, I am fully
qualified when I say that you and Alpine Interface are quite simply the
best. A trip like this can only be done so well, and you exceeded that
standard in every way."
— Hank Holzgrefe, NY
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Hiking the Haute Route
In the shadow of the alpine giants
The Haute Route is the French name given to a traverse in the Western Alps, which was first completed
by members of the British Alpine Club in 1861 as a walking route. It
was first called the High Level Route, but is now referred to as the Haute Route.
When Chamonix guides from the famous 'Compagnie des Guides' first skied
the Haute Route to Zermatt in 1911, they could not have imagined what they had started. Skiing
and trekking the Haute Route has become an international pass time, and guiding
and ski guiding have become well-respected, full-time careers for many of the
local farmers.
Mont Blanc (4,807m - 15'771 ft), the Grand Combin (4,314m - 14'153 ft)
and the easy to recognize Matterhorn (4,478m - 14'691 ft) rise along
this trail. Cosy alpine refuges and the outstanding landscape make this
trip a real mountain experience.
Hiking the Haute Route is a challenging discovery of some of the most
impressive scenery in Europe, by using well-maintained trails and the
excellent hut systems of both France and Switzerland. We explore the
Alps without the discomfort and hardships of the early adventurers.
Small groups of no more than eight walkers allow our certified hiking guides to give each
of you a much more personal experience, taking ample time to discuss flora
and fauna, local customs and also to experience the incredible camaraderie
that exist when walking slowly under the shadow of these Alpine Giants.
With a minivan delivering our extra gear, a daypack will suffice to carry
our essential items for each day's hike. By getting progressively stronger
each day of the trek, thanks to comfortable hotels, inns and huts, good food
and plenty of exercise, you should come away with a renewed understanding
of why mountains are climbed and walked simply because they are there.
NEW for 2008: The Haute Route Express in 8 days (6 days of walking!)
Please contact us for further information!
» BOOK NOW
Dates and Prices 2008
Walker's Haute Route (13 days, 11 days of hiking)
July 06 - 18, 2008
September 09 - 21, 2008
Price: CAD $4305 (US $4100), single supplement: CAD $300
Group size: 3 - 8 guests
Haute Route Express (9 days, 7 days of hiking):
July 06 - 14, 2008
September 09 - 17, 2008
Price: CAD $3465 (US$ 3300), single supplement: CAD $250
Group size: 3-8 guests
Walker's Haute Route: Itinerary in Short (download full itinerary)
Day 01: Meet at Geneva airport, transfer to the Chamonix valley.
Day 02: Col des Montets to Trient. Transfer to Finhaut.
Day 03: Fenêtre d'Arpette or Bovine route to Champex-Le-Lac.
Day 04: Recovery: minibus to Verbier, walk to Cabane du Mont Fort.
Day 05: Strenuous day over Col de la Chaux, Col de Louvie, and the Col de Pra Fleuri.
Day 06: Over the Col des Roux to the Cabane des Dix, descend to Arolla.
Day 07: Minibus to Villaz. Climb up the Col du Torrent, descend to Lac de Moiry, then Grimentz.
Day 08: Rest day in Grimentz.
Day 09: Minibus to St. Luc, funicular, climb to the Meidpass and descend to Gruben.
Day 10: Up the Augsbord Pass, then down to Jungu. Private cable car St. Niklaus, train to Zermatt.
Day 11: Day hike in Zermatt, view North Face of the Matterhorn.
Day 12: Morning in Zermatt, Alpine museum, transfer to Chamonix.
Day 13: Departure day, all guests will be transfered back to Geneva airport.
Haute Route Express: Itinerary in Short (download full itinerary)
Day 01: Meet at Geneva airport, transfer to the Chamonix valley.
Day 02: Col des Montets to Trient. Transfer to Finhaut.
Day 03: Fenêtre d'Arpette or Bovine route to Champex-Le-Lac.
Day 04: Recovery: minibus to the Barrage des Dix, walk via the Cabane des Dix to Arolla.
Day 05: Minibus to Villaz. Climb up the Col du Torrent, descend to Lac de Moiry, then Grimentz.
Day 06: Minibus to St. Luc, funicular, climb to the Meidpass and descend to Gruben.
Day 07: Up the Augsbord Pass, then down to Jungu. Private cable car St. Niklaus, train to Zermatt.
Day 08: Day hike in Zermatt, view North Face of the Matterhorn.
Day 09: Independent departure from Zermatt
Details/Accommodation
Accommodations are mostly Hotels ***, 1 mountain inn, 2 modern mountain huts.
Dormitory accommodation in at least one of the huts, maybe both. Guests will
be picked up at Geneva airport.
Included in the price:
Airport transfer from and to Milano, trekking guide fee, all accommodation
throughout the trip (hotel****, hotel*** and mountain huts), all breakfasts,
all lunches and dinners on trekking days, all lifts and transports, private
minibus delivering all personal luggage to the hotels throughout the trip.
Mountain rescue insurance for the trip duration.
Trip Leaders:
- All our guides are internationally certified, and have an in-depth knowledge of the area they are guiding in.
For more information click here.
- Most guides working for us in the Alps live in the Chamonix valley on a permanent basis, where the mountains are both recreation and their livelihood.
- All of our guides are professionals, and are skilled at transmitting their tremendous
knowledge of the region/country to you.
- All our guides speak fluently English and at least another foreign language. Wherever you go with us, your guide will be able to communicate at ease, enabling him/her to take care of any problem / special wishes that might occur.
Can I do it? - Trip Difficulty, Haute Route
Level 4 (From 1=easy to 5=very strenuous)
Strenuous walking on mainly marked trails with some cross-country hiking.
Scree slopes, boulder-hopping, snow patches, ridge-walking with some exposure.
6-10 hours of daily walking, consecutively for 6-11 days. 1350 (4100ft) maximum
elevation gain per day. Day-pack and occasional overnight pack. Maximum altitude
in the Alps: 3000m (10000ft), in the Himalaya 5400m (16000ft).
Example: Walker's Haute Route, Annapurna Sanctuary, Annapurna Circuit
