Best of the Haute Route
The Matterhorn
The world classic 'Haute Route' packed into one week of the 'best of the route'! The aim is to offer one of the most famous walks in the world, but allow you to do the route in 8 days. We use short transfers to by-pass some of the sections and in the process take you all the way between the well known mountaineering towns of Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland. Along this route we pass beneath ten of the twelve highest peaks in the Alps, with stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
- A great Alpine walk in just one week
- Trekking from Chamonix to Zermatt
- From France to Switzerland
- Iconic peaks - Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
Download PDF version of this pageDepartures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMM1 | Sat 7 July 12 | Sat 14 July 12 | £895 or 1075 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| BMM2 | Sat 21 July 12 | Sat 28 July 12 | £895 or 1075 Euros | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| BMM3 | Sat 4 August 12 | Sat 11 August 12 | £895 or 1075 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| BMM4 | Sat 18 August 12 | Sat 25 August 12 | £895 or 1075 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| BMM5 | Sat 1 September 12 | Sat 8 September 12 | £895 or 1075 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
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Day 1 Arrival
We meet at the group's chalet in Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley. Your guide will join you before dinner to brief you on the week ahead.
Day 2 Col de Forclaz to Champex
From Argentiere we drive to the Col de Forclaz our first high pass. We set off across the mountain side heading for the lovely Swiss lake side village of Champex. En route we have excellent views down into the vineyards and apricot orchards of the Rhone Valley, and to the Roman town of Martigny. Beyond lie the jagged peaks of the Dents du Midi, and the Bernese mountains. At Champex we transfer by bus and cablecar to the Mont Fort Refuge above Verbier where we will spend the night. Ascent 700m. Descent 600m. 6-8 hrs.
Day 3 Mont Fort Refuge to the Cabane de Prafleuri
Today we have a superb walk when we are truly in the mountains in a wild and rugged landscape. From the Refuge we head over the first of three Cols which we will cross today. The highest is the Col de Prafleuri at 2987m. Often on the descent to our overnight stop at the Cabane de Prafleuri we pass lot of ibex grazing on the slopes above the hut. The iconic Edelweiss can also be found just below our last col! Ascent 885m. Descent 740m. 6-8 hours.
Day 4 Prafleuri to La Sage
We leave the Refuge to cross the Col de Roux to reach the Lac de Dix. We wander along the lakeside for a few kilometres before climbing up to the Col de Riedmatten. Marmots and ibex are often to be seen along the way. Excellent views today of Mont Blanc de Cheilon and the Glacier de Cheilon. We then have a descent to the village of Arolla and a transfer to La Sage. Ascent 735m. Descent 1360m. 6-7 hrs.
Day 5 La Sage to Zinal
We climb up to our first col of the day, the Col de Torrent which sits at 2912m and then traverse make our way down to the blue green waters of the Moiry Dam. A final climb to the Col de Sorebois, with spectacular views to mountains such as the Dent Blanche. A steep descent leads to our accommodation in Zinal. Ascent 2000m. Descent 1850m. 9 hrs.
Day 6 Zinal to Gruben
A steep but pleasant ascent on forest trails takes us from Zinal to the col at Meidpass at 2790m, yet another day of superb views of the alpine giants! Once over the pass we twist our way down to the lakes where if the weather is good and warm then a quick swim is very tempting! Then it's past the lakes and on down the mountain to the remote and pretty village of Gruben. Ascent 1315m. Descent 1165m. 8 hrs.
Day 7 Gruben to Zermatt
A superb trek today, as we start out through open woodland, then high pastures and rocky upland wilderness. The trek soon opens up to some of the most spectacular views in the Swiss Alps. Our final pass is the Augstbordpass at 2894m, beyond which we descend steeply to the pretty hamlet of Jungu and on again into the Mattertal and the town of St. Niklaus. Here we take the train to what has to be one of the most famous mountain towns in the world - Zermatt! Ascent 1070m. Descent 1765 m.
Day 8 Departure
Today you leave the Matterhorn behind having hiked one of the classic alpine routes from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Price
Included: Fees of Professional guide. Hotel or gite accommodation for 5 nights (based on twin and occasionally triple rooms, sometimes with a shared bathroom) and mountain refuge accommodation for 2 nights, all breakfasts and dinners, except dinner on the last night in Zermatt, and transfer of luggage between overnight accommodation (except for 2 nights spent in mountain huts). It includes the cable car between Le Chable and Verbier, and the train from St Niklaus to Zermatt.
Not included: Travel Insurance, airport transfers, snack food and miscellaneous personal expenses – drinks, souvenirs etc. Dinner on the last night in Zermatt so that you are free to eat out and enjoy the atmosphere of the town. We are happy to advise on the best options for airport transfers and flights. Lunches are not included as we find that many people prefer to eat certain foods while walking and prefer to have the flexibility of choosing their own.
Accommodation and Meals
During this trip the group will spend 5 nights in comfortable hotels, chalets or gites, with good facilities (showers, restaurant, bar etc.), with all bedding provided. Occasionally single travellers will be in triple rooms, depending on availability. There are also two nights in mountain huts, where the accommodation is on a non-segregated, dormitory style basis. This type of shared accommodation is all part of an alpine mountain experience.
Returning from Zermatt
Services end after breakfast on Day 8 of the trip. The most convenient way of returning to Geneva is by train. To make a booking with Swiss Federal Railways, log on to www.sbb.ch , or telephone on 00 41 900 300 300. There is a station in Geneva Airport and there are several connections throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 3½ hours.
Luggage
This trip is fully supported and clients are not required to carry sleeping bags or significant amounts of personal gear apart from what is required on a day's hike. On most of the trekking days, there will be vehicle support to carry your trek bags to the next overnight stop. There will be a two overnights where there will be no access to your luggage and you will have to carry a few extra items. To make things efficient during the luggage transfer process, and to prevent any losses, please keep luggage to a minimum. IE: A day sac whilst walking and one bag labeled clearly to transfer.
Spending money
The package price includes all accommodation, guiding and all meals, except lunches. You should make an allowance for drinks, including bottled water. Note: bottled water, if bought in the huts, is very expensive. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night. Please note that almost all of the route is in Switzerland and you should take most of your money in the form of Swiss Francs. You will need some Euros for the time that you spend in France. There are cash point facilities in Argentiere and in Zermatt.
Minimum numbers
This trip will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 10 clients. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run.
Insurance
Please note that you must have the appropriate insurance for walking in the alps. You must be covered for helicopter rescue, repatriation and medical costs. With regard to this please be sure you have read the Insurance section in our Terms and Conditions.
Further Information
You will meet the rest of the group at the Yeti Lodge in Argentiere on the evening of Day 1 of the trip itinerary for dinner. Details of how to reach the Lodge will follow upon booking. If you are in your own car then parking is available there. Chamonix is easily reached from other European & Worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. For suggested travel links please refer to our Booking & Information pages for further details. Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 minutes away by road, making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange. Please contact us if you need further advise on your specific travel requirements. Once you have booked we will send you a list of suggested equipment and clothing for the trek.
