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Tour des Combins – Switzerland and Italy

Price £645 or 835€

This is a stunning trip which provides a wonderful opportunity to get close to the glaciers and snow covered summits. Staying mainly in high mountain huts we travel in a circuit through the Pennine Alps of Switzerland and Italy with the beautiful peak of the Grand Combin, 4,314m as the focal point of our journey. We wander through high alpine meadows where the edelweiss grow, and climb to the Col du Grand St Bernard to the monastery which is home to the famous St Bernard dog. This is a relatively new route and therefore is less frequented than others – a true adventure!

Day 1 Arrival in Bourg-St-Pierre

On the evening before we start our walk we will meet you at your hotel in the Swiss village of Bourg-St-Pierre to brief you on the trip and answer any questions.

Day 2 Bourg-St-Pierre to Col de Mille

Starting at Bourg St Pierre we make a gradual ascent through wild flower meadows to La Coeur 2,233m. We pass over a col and traverse the mountain to reach the Cabane du Col de Mille, 2472m where we spend the first night. A fabulous viewpoint next to Mont Rogneux, an area where wolves have been know to inhabit and are being monitored by a Swiss conservation project. Ascent 860m.

Day 3 Col de Mille to Cabane de Panossiere

A descent which traverses round Mont Rogneux before heading up a gorge to the toe of the impressive Corbassière glacier, one of the largest glaciers in Europe. Then a steady climb up to the recently built Cabane de Panossiere where we spend the night. A beautiful situation for the evening, with views to the Grand Combin which was first climbed in 1857 by three local hunters. Ascent 600m.

Day 4 Cabane de Panossiere to Cabane de Chanrion

A long, but satisfying day climbing over the highest col on the trip, the Col des Otanes at 2846m. We descend this impressive rocky mountainside and begin our traverse to the Lac de Mauvoisin before making our way along its east bank to the Cabane de Chanrion for the night. A good day for spotting the iconic edelweiss flower and chamois! Ascent 700m.

Day 5 Cabane de Chanrion to Cabane de Champillon

We head down to the valley before making our way up the mountain beside the Glacier de Fenêtre to the col at 2797m. Here we can stop and enjoy the view back to the Chanrion hut with the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc de Cheilon behind it. We then cross the border into Italy and descend to lush summer grazing grounds. Following the ancient bisse , an irrigation channel, we make our way to the new Cabane de Champillon. Ascent 1000m.

Day 6 Cabane de Champillon to Etroubles

A slightly easier day as we make our way through alpine meadows to the Col de Champillon at 2709m before a descent to the Italian village of Etroubles with its ancient cobbled streets, believed to be the Roman winter garrison for the troops on the pass. This valley was crucial to the Roman armies and their control of the trade routes. Ascent 350m.

Day 7 Etroubles to Bourg-St-Pierre

We climb to begin with then traverse the mountainside following in the footsteps of Hannibal and Napoleon as we make our way to the famous Col du Grand St Bernard at 2460 m and the border back into Switzerland. The monastery, which established the world famous St Bernard mountain rescue dogs, is situated on the pass. We finish with a steady descent back to Bourg-St-Pierre. Ascent 1050m.

Day 8 Departure
Today is departure day.

Price

What’s included:- half board accommodation in a 2** hotel, or similar, in Bourg-St-Pierre on the first and last nights of the trip. Half board accommodation in the mountain refuges, the guide's fees and expenses and trip organisation fee.

What’s not included:- flights, insurance and transfers from Geneva (but we can advise on the best options), lunch and drinks.

Accommodation

Whilst in the valley accommodation is based on two people sharing. A single room supplement maybe available on request. Other accommodation during the trip will be in high mountain refuges. It's normal in the Alps to share accommodation whilst in the mountains because the refuges where we will be staying usually have dormitory style rooms. Many good friends have been made this way! The refuges themselves tend to be full of character and serve tasty local dishes. They are always situated in stunning locations and the chance to enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching the sun go down can provide a really special mountain moment. For many of our guests the refuges literally provide a highpoint of the trip.

Options

This trip can include an extra night at the famous St Bernard Hospice, home of the mountain dogs of the same name, where you can stay in the monastery. We can also include a rest day after day 5 where we can have valley hotel accommodation if you wish rather than a mountain refuge.

Further Information

We have suggested Bourg-St-Pierre as a base from which to begin the trip as it is easily reached by train, bus or private car from Geneva airport. The train and bus takes approximately 2 hrs 45 mins, where as driving is around 1 hr 45 mins. More information at www.st-bernard.ch Please do not hesitate to get in touch to chat through the details. We can also provide you with internet links in case you would like to check out the mountain accommodation for yourself.

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