Meals

All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 12 dinners are included in this trip. On eight nights, we take our evening meal in camp; on four nights, we take our evening meal in a nearby local restaurant or it is prepared for us by the hut or inn. The restaurant and hut/inn meals, which are prepared for us, are usually arranged as a ‘menu’ for the whole group and, as they are based on special negotiations made by us, represent better value than eating independently. On free days 9 and 14, dinner is not included and needs to be bought locally. Please note, should flight times change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals will not be included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated. Typical meals Breakfast: Usually consists of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunch: Picnic-style lunches will normally include bread, cold meat, cheese, sometimes boiled eggs or tinned fish, fresh salad and fresh fruit. You may wish to bring (or purchase locally) snack bars for an extra energy boost during the day. Evening meal: Whether in camp or in a nearby restaurant, we endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to. Each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group consisting of: A soup, salad or similar A main course of meat, fish or vegetarian option served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates A dessert Beer, wine, bottled water, coffee, tea or other drinks are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants. Coffee and tea are included with the evening meal when we eat in camp, and beer and wine are also available for purchase at a modest cost. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians – please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: If you adhere to a vegan diet, you may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region. The feedback we receive for the food we serve is great but please be aware that facilities and practicality forces us, and the restaurants we use, to put our efforts into making one excellent group meal with a vegetarian option. Of course, any allergies will be respected.

Transport

All transport mentioned in the itinerary and cable cars (except where these are marked as optional) are included. Transport and excursions on the three free days are not included. We normally use a private coach for the transfers from Geneva airport and trains back.

Others

All transport and listed activities

Accommodation

The accommodation on this walking trip in the Alps includes 11 nights of camping, two nights in mountain huts and one night in a village inn. Camp nights Stunning mountain settings, communal living and a chance to switch off. For many, our camp nights are a highlight of the trip − sharing an after-trek drink with newly made friends as the sun sets over a glaciated mountain is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors, after all. Most of the campsites we use are modern with hot showers and electricity. Many have a bar and wifi, plus a lounge or sitting area. We provide a large communal tent (if we do not use the campsite communal area), where we eat at tables with benches and have an unlimited tea and coffee station, plus a camp bar. Accompanying you throughout the trek is a dedicated camp support leader who takes care of the logistics and catering. Your tent is put up for you each night; in the morning, you should take it down, put your bag in the back of the van and wash your own breakfast dish. On four nights out of 14, you will also be asked to join a washing team and help with the dishes that night. A 20-minute job. Otherwise, you are free to relax and take in the beauty of the Alps. Camping equipment All our equipment is bought with comfort and practicality in mind, and we hope it represents a higher quality than most individuals would buy for themselves. Tents: Spend 11 nights camping in roomy three-person tents, but with a maximum of two people per tent. We use waterproof dome tents incorporating an 82in x 82in (210cm x 210cm) inner tent with a sewn-in ground sheet and a supplementary 90in x 27in (230cm x 70cm) covered porch that is an ideal place to leave your walking boots and poles etc. Packing them away should take no more than five minutes. Single tents are available for a small additional cost as are camping mats and sleeping bags with liner and pillow. Camp mats: Our air-and-foam camping mats are full-length, comfortable to sleep on and provide excellent insulation from the ground. Sleeping bags: These have a synthetic filling, as opposed to feathers, with a three-quarter-length zip and are rated for good warmth. Worth knowing Two remote campsites are a little more basic than average and do not have showers. Thermal mattress hire: £36 – please request in advance with your sales representative. Sleeping bag hire, pillow and liner: £73 – please request in advance with your sales representative.

Guide

We provide a qualified International Mountain Leader to escort the group on each walking day. Our walking leaders are true mountain professionals and skilled group leaders. This not only helps to assure mountain safety but also means you can learn from them about the wider mountain environment, such as flora and fauna, geology, weather and local customs. The leaders are required to prevent anyone participating in an activity if they believe the person is not capable of completing it safely or in a reasonable time. Our support leaders are also vital members of the team and ensure the camp is set up and ready when you walk off the hill (wherever practically possible) and hot, tasty and nutritious food is served.

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

— Departure transfer - this can be arranged/paid for locally, the leader will help with this - see ’Extra Expenses’ and ’Transfers’ sections for further information — Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - tent nights only) — Visas or vaccinations

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start At Les Bossons, Near Chamonix (Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start At Les Bossons, Near Chamonix (Dinner)

We begin our adventure at the campsite in Les Bossons, which has wonderful views of Mont Blanc and the Bossons Glacier, especially at sunset. In the afternoon, there is an introductory briefing by the trek crew. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 2 Day 2: Free Day In The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Free Day In The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)

This is a limbering up day and there are several good walks nearby. Alternatively, take the cable car (optional) to Aiguille du Midi for outstanding close-up views of Mont Blanc, the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding peaks. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 3 Day 3: Walk The Grand Balcon Sud From Chamonix To Les Frasserands (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Walk The Grand Balcon Sud From Chamonix To Les Frasserands (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

From Les Bossons (3,320ft/1,012m), we have a short bus journey to Chamonix where we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère (6,100ft/1,860m). The trail today is named the Grand Balcon and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. Initially, we contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (7,715ft/2,352m). The trail descends and then contours high above the valley before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands (4,500ft/1,371m), where we take a scenic valley train back to our campsite. In the afternoon, there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 4 Day 4: Cross Col De Balme To Switzerland (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Cross Col De Balme To Switzerland (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

After a scenic train ride up the valley to Les Frasserands, we begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (7,200ft/2,201m), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (7,190ft/2,191m) where we follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Enjoy excellent views all morning of Aiguille d’Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. After lunch, we descend to the small hamlet of Trient (4,250ft/1,296m) and enjoy views of the Trient Glacier. Campsite: Basic camping, near Trient
Day 5 Day 5: Over Fenêtre D’Arpette To Champex (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Over Fenêtre D’Arpette To Champex (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

In good weather, we take the trail adjacent to the Trient Glacier to cross a high, rocky pass known as Fenêtre d’Arpette (8,740ft/2,665m) before descending steeply into the Arpette Valley (5,340ft/1,627m) and down to our campsite in Champex (4,880ft/1,486m). In poor weather, we take the lower trail, which climbs first to the Col de Forclaz (5,010ft/1,527m) where we can look down into the Rhone valley. The Swiss town of Martigny is in sight far below as we follow the Bovine Route to Champex Lac. Campsite: Camping Les Rocailles, Champex Lac
Day 6 Day 6: From Champex, The Trail Leads To Verbier And To Cabane De Louvie (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: From Champex, The Trail Leads To Verbier And To Cabane De Louvie (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

From Champex, we walk down to Sembrancher (2,350ft/717m) then travel by train and cable car to the ski resort of Verbier (4,880ft/1,490m) and then to Ruinettes (7,260ft/2,200m). Our afternoon walk starts on a broad easy trail with views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc Massif in the distance. The trail than narrows and steepens and we traverse around the southern flank of the Bec des Rosses to Col Termin (8,750ft/2,652m) before descending to Lac de Louvie and our overnight stay at the Cabane de Louvie (7,300ft/2,214m). The path today is quite committing; if the weather is poor, there are problems with the cable cars, or snow on the path, we may need to take an alternative route from Sembrancher. We travel by train and bus up the valley to Fionnay (4,880ft/1,495m). From here, we ascend steeply through dramatic open hillside to reach our first mountain hut, the Cabane de Louvie (7,400ft/2,242m) on the shores of the Lac de Louvie (a very scenic spot) where we have great views of the Grand Combin. Mountain huts have shared dormitory-style accommodation with basic toilet and washing facilities only. The support vehicle is unable to reach this hut, so we need to do some light backpacking until we rejoin it in two days’ time. Mountain hut: Cabane de Louvie
Day 7 Day 7: Cross The Highest Pass Of The Route, Col Prafleuri. Views Of Rhone Valley, Mont Blanc, The Grand Combin And The Matterhorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Cross The Highest Pass Of The Route, Col Prafleuri. Views Of Rhone Valley, Mont Blanc, The Grand Combin And The Matterhorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

A dramatic day with two passes to cross. We start with a scenic traverse around the shores of Lac de Louvie before a reasonably steep accent to our first col, Col de Louvie (9,580ft/2,921m), and onwards towards the Grand Désert, a rocky and at times bouldery, section of glacial moraine. If we’re lucky, we may spot ibex herds. We pass small tarns fed by the outflows of the glacier and ascend for our second pass, the Col Prafleuri (9,800ft/2,987m) – the highest col on the route – with views of the Rosablanche and Mont Blanc de Cheilon. It is then only a short descent to the Cabane Prafleuri (8,600ft/2,624m). Again, the support vehicle is unable to reach us, so we will be doing light backpacking to this remote mountain hut. Mountain hut: Cabane Prafleuri, near Lac Dix
Day 8 Day 8: Long Walking Day With Two Passes To Cross; Overnight At Les Haudères (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Long Walking Day With Two Passes To Cross; Overnight At Les Haudères (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Our route today starts with a short climb to cross the Col de Roux (9,200ft/2,804m). We descend across large boulders to Lac Dix (7,750ft/2,364m) and walk around its shoreline before climbing again above the glacier Dix, through meadows often filled with edelweiss during summer, to make a steep ascent, with support chain, on loose scree to the Col du Reidmatten (9,570ft/2,919m). Enjoy excellent views of the Pigne d’Arolla, Mont Collon and possibly the Matterhorn in the distance. Finally, a long descent brings us to the small, charming village of Arolla (6,550ft/1,998m), where we catch a bus to Les Haudères (4,710ft/1,436m). Here we are met by the support vehicle. Campsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères
Day 9 Day 9: Rest Day (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Rest Day (Breakfast)

Enjoy a free day to relax. The twin villages of Les Haudères and Evolène lie in the most picturesque part of the Val de Hérens and there are many walks in the area if you feel the need for a little more exercise. Alternatively, the scenic town of Sion, with its medieval quarter and many cafes and restaurants, is an easy bus ride away. Campsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères
Day 10 Day 10: Past Lac Moiry To The Picture-Postcard Village Of Grimentz (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Past Lac Moiry To The Picture-Postcard Village Of Grimentz (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Today, we have a big climb to reach our col where we are rewarded with stunning views. We climb first to Villa (5,675ft/1,730m) then on to cross the Col Torrent (9,575ft/2,919m) and enjoy vast mountain views (Pigne d’Arolla, Grand Combin and the Weisshorn) and make a long descent past Lac de Moiry (7,380ft/2,249m) to the woods above the picture-postcard village of Grimentz (5,150ft/1,572m). Campsite: Wild camping, Grimentz
Day 11 Day 11: Longest Walking Day With Excellent Views Of The Weisshorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Longest Walking Day With Excellent Views Of The Weisshorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

A long day that starts with a gentle walk through woodlands to reach the valley bottom at Mottec (5,100ft/1,556m). From here, there is a short but steep climb to join the main trail with fine views of the Matterhorn and Ober Gabelhorn. The climb continues to today’s col, the Forcletta (9,426ft/2,874m), where we enter German-speaking Switzerland. We have views back to Grand Combin and possibly Mont Blanc. Descend, with views of the Weisshorn to the southeast, to the Turtman Valley and Gruben (5,975ft/1,822m). This is the longest walking day. As there is no campsite in the Gruben valley, we stay in dormitories in a local auberge and our bags are brought up by the support vehicle. Hotel: Schwarzhorn (basic hotel), Gruben
Day 12 Day 12: Join Zermatt Valley; Descend To Jungu And St Niklaus, Short Transfer To Randa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Join Zermatt Valley; Descend To Jungu And St Niklaus, Short Transfer To Randa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

We climb again to cross the Augstbord pass (9,490ft/2,894m) with good views of the Weisshorn and the ’Dom’ and join the main Zermatt Valley high on its western side. We descend to cross the Emdbach and, soon after, get our first views of the Zermatt Valley plus the Weisshorn, Kleine Matterhorn and Taschorn. Descend to Jungu (6,410ft/1,955m) and onto St Niklaus (3,700ft/1,127m), either by walking or by an optional cable car, where we travel by train or taxi to our last camp at Randa (4,720ft/1,439m). Ascent: 3,500ft (1,070m); descent: 5,870ft (1,790m) – (less 2,710ft/830m descent if taking optional Jungu cable car) Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 13 Day 13: Follow A High-Level Balcony Path That Contours Along The Valley Towards Zermatt (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Follow A High-Level Balcony Path That Contours Along The Valley Towards Zermatt (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

For our final day of trekking, we walk directly from the campsite to the village of Täsch before ascending up to the Europaweg, a wonderful contouring path with spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Rising above the treeline and into a wild, rocky landscape, we pass by Stellisee (a mountain lake and perfect spot to snap reflected views of the Matterhorn) and onwards to the mountain hut Fluhalp at 8,550ft (2,606m). From here, we have a long decent to Zermatt passing through old mountain hamlets with more stunning photo opportunities of the Matterhorn. Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 14 Day 14: Optional Trip To Zermatt (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Optional Trip To Zermatt (Breakfast)

From our camp near Randa, it is a short train or minibus trip to Zermatt, an ideal place for a free day with lots of opportunities for short or long walks or to relax in town. There are also many excursions, such as the mountain cog railway to Gornergrat for spectacular views of the Gorner Glacier and Monte Rosa or perhaps the spectacular cable car ascent to Kleine Matterhorn. Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 15 Day 15: End Randa (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: End Randa (Breakfast)

Our adventure ends at the campsite near Randa. Your tour leader will help you book a train ticket (or other transport) for your return to Geneva Airport – please see the Joining Instructions section of the Trip Notes for further information. Please note, the earliest a train could arrive at the airport is approximately 10am (although timings can change) and this would mean a very early start plus a short taxi ride to the railway station. Taxis directly to Geneva Airport are very expensive. Please ensure your return flight is late enough in the day to allow yourself time to reach the airport and check-in – we recommend a departure no earlier than 1pm.

+12

15 days tour

Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mont Blanc To The Matterhorn

Day 1: Start At Les Bossons, Near Chamonix (Dinner)

Day 2: Free Day In The Chamonix Valley (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 3: Walk The Grand Balcon Sud From Chamonix To Les Frasserands (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: Cross Col De Balme To Switzerland (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 5: Over Fenêtre D’Arpette To Champex (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 6: From Champex, The Trail Leads To Verbier And To Cabane De Louvie (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 7: Cross The Highest Pass Of The Route, Col Prafleuri. Views Of Rhone Valley, Mont Blanc, The Grand Combin And The Matterhorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 8: Long Walking Day With Two Passes To Cross; Overnight At Les Haudères (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 9: Rest Day (Breakfast)

Day 10: Past Lac Moiry To The Picture-Postcard Village Of Grimentz (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 11: Longest Walking Day With Excellent Views Of The Weisshorn (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 12: Join Zermatt Valley; Descend To Jungu And St Niklaus, Short Transfer To Randa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 13: Follow A High-Level Balcony Path That Contours Along The Valley Towards Zermatt (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 14: Optional Trip To Zermatt (Breakfast)

Day 15: End Randa (Breakfast)

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