ITINERARY - HAUTE ROUTE HIKING TOUR
(13 days, download full itinerary as pdf file)
Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
All clients will be met at Geneva airport. Transfer by shuttle bus or private vehicle to the Chamonix valley. Welcome drink and briefing, followed by our first dinner together.
Accommodation: Charming hotel in Chamonix
Day 2: TRIENT / FINHAUT
We start our first day at the Col des Montets.
On our way up to the Col de Balme and Switzerland we will have beautiful views of the
entire Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc Massif on one side, the Aiguilles Rouges Massif on the other. After ample time to enjoy the mountain scenery, we will make our way down to the little village of
Trient. Our private vehicle will pick us up and transfer us to Finhaut, where we will be staying for the night.
Walking time: 6 hours Accommodation: Hotel **
Day 3: CHAMPEX-LAC
This day will give us two choices depending on the weather and the ability of the group:
The longer, higher and more demanding route over the Fenêtre d’Arpette with amazing views of the Trient glacier, or the more moderate Bovine route, which brings us to Champex-Le-Lac,
for the night.
Walking time: 5-7 hours Accommodation: Hotel*** in Champex-Le-Lac
Day 4: VERBIER, MONT FORT
An easy day to recover: The minibus will bring us from Champex to Verbier, where we have ample time to go shopping and sight-seeing. Lunch is taken in a magical mountain restaurant, where you
can enjoy spectacular views of the mountain scenery while tasting local specialities.
A gentle, 4-hour walk along a 600 year old artificial water way will bring us to the Cabane du Mont Fort, where we will stay for the night.
Walking time: 4 hours Accommodation: Modern mountain hut with small double rooms
Day 5: CABANE DE PRA FLEURI
This is a strenuous day that will bring us over three different mountain passes, all between 2’900m and 3’000m high (10’000ft): First we traverse the Col de la Chaux, then the Col de Louvie and last but not
least, the Col de Pra Fleuri. We will have time to sample the views of this stunning mountain environment, will find some Edelweiss in full bloom, and might be able to see some ‘mountaineers in action’.
Walking time: 9 hours Accommodation: Modern mountain hut with small dormitories
Day 6: AROLLA
An early morning ascent will bring us over the Col des Roux, from where you have a spectacular view over the Dix Lake. A descent through alpine meadows brings you down to the lake. A hearty lunch
awaits us in the Cabane des Dix, before we carry on to the Col de Reidmatten and a steep ascent to the pass. From there, we descend to Arolla for the night.
Walking time: 9 hours Accommodation: Hotel *** in Arolla
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 stunning turquoise Lac de Moiry.
Walking time: 5 hours Accommodation: Hotel*** in Grimentz
Day 8: REST DAY IN GRIMENTZ
Rest day in Grimentz, a charming, 800 year old village that has been meticulously restored.
Accommodation: Hotel*** in Grimentz
Day 9: 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), before descending to Gruben.
Walking time: 5 hours Accommodation: Hotel in Gruben.
Day 10: ZERMATT
We are almost in Zermatt: Up the Augstbord 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: Charming Hotel** in Zermatt
Day 11: 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: Charming Hotel** in Zermatt
Day 12: CHAMONIX
In the morning we have time to go shopping in Zermatt, and visit of the Alpine museum. Later on in the morning, our private vehicle will bring us back to Chamonix. Our last dinner will be taken in very
Savoyard restaurant, famous for its original recipes and magical décor harking back to the infancy of mountaineering in the Chamonix Valley.
Day 13: DEPARTURE DAY
Departure day, all guests will be transferred back to Geneva airport.
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