ITINERARY - HAUTE ROUTE CLASSIC HIKING TOUR
(11 days, download full itinerary as pdf file)
Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Transfer from Geneva airport to the Chamonix valley.
Accommodation: Hotel*** in Chamonix
Day 2: COL DE FORCLAZ
A short transfer up the Chamonix valley takes us to the start of our hike.
Climbing through a forest of larch and fir trees we quickly reach the pastures of the Col de Balme and the border with Switzerland. Several possibilities are in store for us depending on the weather and the group's ability.
Walking time: 6 - 8 hours
Accommodation: Mountain inn/hotel, double rooms.
Luggage transfer
Day 3: CHAMPEX
Again, today we have several options to make our way to Champex-le-Lac.
The more challenging over the Fenetre d'Arpette, or the gentler Bovine Traverse.
Lunch en route with great views either to the Trient glacier or the Rhone Valley and its many vineyards.
Walking time: 5-8 hours
Accommodation: Hotel, double rooms
Luggage transfer
Day 4: CABANE DU MONT FORT
Transfer to Verbier in the Val de Bagnes in order to purchase snacks/lunches and begin the trek. Hike up to the Cabane du Mont Fort.
Overnight in this Swiss Alpine Club hut with incredible views out towards the Mont Blanc Range.
Walking time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Double-rooms or dormitories. Shared bathrooms with showers.
No luggage transfer.
Day 5: CABANE DE PRA FLEURI
One of our longer days of the trek as we cross three mountain passes; Col de la Chaux, Louvie and Pra Fleuri.
Walking time: 6 - 8 hours.
Overnight in the newly built Cabane de Pra Fleuri.
Dormitories, shared bathrooms with showers. No luggage transfer.
Day 6: AROLLA
The day begins with a short climb to the Col des Roux and views out towards the Dix dam and lake.
The Dix hut, our lunch destination, is an engineering marvel, perched on a rocky outcrop jutting out towards the glacier below. Weather-permitting, we will have a picnic with our first glimpse of the Matterhorn.
At the hut, we can purchase cold drinks and pastries before crossing the Cheillon glacier and up towards the Reidmatten pass. The climb to the pass is steep and requires some care, but the views at the top are well worth the effort. A steep descent takes us to Arolla.
Once a thriving summer destination a century ago, this sleepy town is still a gem built at roughly 2000 meters above sea level. Grand old hotels, hark back to the 'Golden Age of Mountaineering' when wealthy clients hired guides for months at a time and climbed the surrounding peaks.
Our night's accommodation is a majestic old hotel, with modern amenities and an excellent restaurant.
Walking time: 8 hours
Accommodation: Hotel, double rooms and luggage transfer.
Day 7: GRIMENTZ
The minibus brings us to our starting point in the little village of Villaz, above Les Haudères. We climb up the Col du Torrent and descend down to the Lac de Moiry.
Walking time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Grimentz, luggage transfer
Day 8: GRUBEN
The minibus will bring us from Grimentz to St. Luc, from where we take the funicular for an easy start. Our high point for today is the Meidpass (2,790m - 9'153 ft), then we walk down to Gruben
Walking time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Gruben. No luggage transfer
Day 9: ZERMATT
We are almost in Zermatt: Up the Augsbord Pass (2,788m - 9’147 ft), then down to Jungu by foot.
A private cable car whisks us down to St. Niklaus where we then take the train to Zermatt.
Walking time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel, double rooms. Luggage transfer
Day 10: ZERMATT
This day is reserved for a day hike in Zermatt, which will lead us on a balcony walk opposite the North Face of the Matterhorn.
We will start straight from our hotel in Zermatt,walking steeply up to the Trift hut. Hugo, the owner, makes moist apple cakes and homemade, organic ice tea.
And if we’re lucky, he will play the alphorn for us.
Then we will carry on up one of the most spectacular trails in the Alps with amazing views of the Matterhorn and the Hoernli hut, from where most mountaineers start their climb up the Matterhorn.
Walking time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel, double rooms.
Day 11: INDIVIDUAL DEPARTURE FROM ZERMATT
Guests will be departing from Zermatt depending on their private travel plans.
We are more than happy to help with post trip planning, be it train tickets, airport shuttles, or anything else.
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