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.
GROUP DEPARTURES:
September 09-21, 2008
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.
Staying in friendly, comfortable hotels and having your luggage waiting for you upon arrival each evening makes trekking a real pleasure without the burden and weight of too much gear. Bring some shorts or bathing suit to be able to enjoy a sauna or the Jacuzzi after a long day’s hike! We now also offer a shorter version, the Haute Route Express, from Chamonix to Zermatt for guests with less time on their hands.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer from Geneva airport to the Chamonix valley. Accommodation: Upscale Hotel**/Chalet in Chamonix
Day 2: We start our first day in Argentière, from where we walk up to the Col de Balme, then down to the little Swiss village of Trient. A quick transfer will bring us to Finhaut for the night. Walking time: 6 hours. Accommodation: Hotel **
Day 3: We start walking from Trient we have two choices, depending on the weather and the capability 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: 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. After lunch we will take the ‘Ruinette’ cable car and then walk over to the Cabane du Mont Fort, from where you have views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Walking time: 2 hours. Accommodation: Modern mountain hut with small dormitories.
Day 5: This is a strenuous day that will bring us over three different mountain passes, all between 2’900m and 3’000m high: First we traverse the Col de la Chaux, then the Col de Louvie and last but not least, the Col de Pra Fleuri. Walking time: 7 hours. Accommodation: Modern mountain hut with small dormitories
Day 6: 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 the Pas de Chèvre. From there, we descend to Arolla for the night. Walking time: 6-7 hours. Accommodation: Hotel *** in Arolla.
Day 7: 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 Lac de Moiry. Walking time: 5 hours Accommodation: Hotel*** in Grimentz.
Day 8: Rest day in Grimentz.
Day 9: 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), then we walk down to Gruben. Walking time: 5 hours. Accommodation: Hotel in Gruben.
Day 10: We are almost in Zermatt: Up the Augsbord Pass (2,788m - 9’147 ft), then down to Jungu by foot. A cable car brings us to St. Niklaus; where we take the train to Zermatt.
Day 11: This day is reserved for a day’s hike in Zermatt, which will lead us on a balcony walk along the North Face of the Matterhorn.
Day 12: Transfer by minibus back to Chamonix
Day 13: Departure day, transfers back to Geneva airport.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Certified hiking guides
- Designated minivan and driver
- All luggage transfers
- All accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners except one lunch on the rest day
- All lifts
- Any local transports
- Airport transfers from and to Geneva airport
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Switzerland
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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