Walker's Haute Route - Huts & Inns (9 days, 7 days of hiking) July 01 - 09, 2011 July 31 - August 08, 2011 September 02 - 10, 2011 Price: US$ 2600 (CAD$ 2700) The famous Haute Route links the two biggest alpine centers in Europe, Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland, going along glaciers, meadows, and craggy mountain passes with spectacular views. The glacial Haute Route was first attempted by Chamonix mountain guides, who were trying to find a way over the mountains from Zermatt to Chamonix. The rest is history. The Walker’s Haute Route is a trekking route, no mountaineering skills or mountaineering equipment such as ropes or ice axes are necessary. Most of the mountain passes to be crossed are up to 3’000m (9000 ft) high. Mont Blanc (4,807m - 15’771 ft), the Grand Combin (4,314m - 14’153 ft) and the easy to recognize Matterhorn (4,478m - 14’691 ft) rise along this trail. Cozy alpine refuges and the outstanding landscape make this trip a real mountain experience. Each walk during this trek is different and offers awesome views of the Alps. We now also offer a shorter version, the Haute Route Inns & Huts, from Chamonix to Zermatt for guests with less time on their hands. Itinerary: Day 1: Transfer day Meet in Chamonix. Welcome dinner to discuss details of the trip. Day 2: Verbier to 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. 4 hours of hiking. Double-rooms or dormitories. Shared bathrooms with showers. No luggage transfer. Day 3: Cabane du Mont Fort to 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. 8 hours of hiking. Overnight in the newly built Cabane de Pra Fleuri. 6-8 hours of hiking. Dormitories, shared bathrooms with showers. No luggage transfer. Day 4: Cabane de Pra Fleuri to 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. This hut is very popular and the ambience is always excellent with guides and their clients coming from all over the mountaineering world. 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. The climb to the pass is steep and requires some care, but the views at the top are well worth the effort. A steep decent 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. Double rooms and luggage transfer. Day 5: Arolla to Cabane de Moiry Taking the early morning Swiss Post bus from Arolla, we descend to the village of Les Hauderes and then on to La Forclaz. A steep hike awaits us as we wind our way up through pastures, and past small raccards or shepherds' huts. Once above tree line the pass is visible in the distance. Views from the Col du Tsate are incredible as the large Glacier de Moiry unfolds before us as we head down to the Cabane de Moiry for a much deserved rest. 8 hours of walking. Dormitory accommodation. No luggage transfer. Day 6: Cabane de Moiry to Zinal An alpine start awaits us as a long day is in store. We leave the Moiry hut and the glaciers behind as we follow a path called the 'Haut Tour du Lac' or high-level lake traverse. The Moiry lake is iridescent, changing from turquoise to green, contrasting amazingly with the snow capped mountains above. This is one of the more memorable hikes of the trip. Following a contour line above the Moiry dam, we hike towards the Col de Sorbois before descending to Zinal. Overnight in double rooms in a small inn. No luggage transfer. Day 7: Zinal to Gruben Another day is spent above tree line as we hike up to the Forcletta pass. Following well-marked paths, we spend the last few hours in French speaking Switzerland. The eastern ridgeline above the Val D'Anniviers is the border to the German part of the Valais canton. Gruben, a summer only village is typically Swiss with perfectly maintained homes, immaculate pastures and sweeping views toward the Turtmann Glacier. 8 hours of walking. Overnight in small inn, double rooms. Luggage transfer. Day 8: Gruben-St Niklaus-Zermatt Today is our last day of hiking. We climb steeply up towards the Augstbordpass and pass several small lakes where sheep are often found grazing under the watchful eye of a local shepherd. Making our way to the tiny hamlet of Jungu by mid afternoon allows us to have a drink and snack before taking an amazing, privately owned cable car, which glides down high above the valley floor to St Niklaus. A short, scenic train journey on a cog railway brings us to our final destination, Zermatt and the majestic Matterhorn. Overnight in Zermatt. Hotel, luggage transfer. Day 9: Transfer day End of trip. Notes: Price Includes: 
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Also see tour packages in: Europe France Switzerland Outdoor: Land Rambler Hiking & Trekking Cultural Journey |
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