Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
15 Days Starting in Les Bossons and ending in Randa
Visiting: France, Switzerland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TWH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 14
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Haute Route is one of Europe's best known long distance ski-touring routes; running roughly parallel is a spectacular summer trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. Covering approximately 100 miles, it links the valleys of the Haute Savoie in France to the Swiss Valais. Following our guide (IML), our tour passes beneath ten of the twelve highest mountains in the Alps. Walking through a landscape scattered with glistening glacial lakes and lush, undulating valleys by day whilst sleeping in remote alpine huts and under canvas by night.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start At Les Bossons, Near Chamonix
Meals Included: 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 : Free Day In The Chamonix Valley
Meals Included: 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 : Walk The Grand Balcon Sud From Chamonix To Les Frasserands
Meals Included: 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 : Cross Col De Balme To Switzerland
Meals Included: 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 : Over Fenêtre D'arpette To Champex
Meals Included: 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 : From Champex, The Trail Leads To Verbier And To Cabane De Louvie
Meals Included: 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 : Cross The Highest Pass Of The Route, Col Prafleuri. Views Of Rhone Valley, Mont Blanc, The Grand Combin And The Matterhorn
Meals Included: 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 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 : Long Walking Day With Two Passes To Cross; Overnight At Les Haudères
Meals Included: 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 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 : Rest Day
Meals Included: 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 : Past Lac Moiry To The Picture-Postcard Village Of Grimentz
Meals Included: 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 : Longest Walking Day With Excellent Views Of The Weisshorn
Meals Included: 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 : Join Zermatt Valley; Descend To Jungu And St Niklaus, Short Transfer To Randa
Meals Included: 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 : Follow A High-Level Balcony Path That Contours Along The Valley Towards Zermatt
Meals Included: 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 : Optional Trip To Zermatt
Meals Included: 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 : End Randa
Meals Included: 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.
What's Included
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Meals
14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 12 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches, 12 dinners
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Outbound Geneva airport - Les Bossons bus transfer (for flight inc
passengers only)
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request - tent nights only)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Return airport transfer - this can be arranged/paid for locally, the leader will help with this - see 'Extra Expenses' section below for further information
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Travel insurance
Food
All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 12 dinners are included in this trip.
On eight nights we take our evening meal in camp and 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 that should the times of flights 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: Will usually consist of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit,
bread, jam when in camp or in mountain huts; and coffee, tea, or hot
chocolate, bread and jam when in mountain inns.
Lunch: Will normally include bread, cold meat, cheese, sometimes boiled eggs
or tinned fish, fresh salad vegetables and fresh fruit.
Evening meal: Generally consists of a first course of soup or salad or other
savoury dish, a main course of meat or fish with one or two vegetables or
rice or pasta, a dessert course. Although tasty and nutritious the style of
menu in restaurants in this part of Europe often lack in variety or quantity
of accompanying fresh vegetables compared to menus we may be used to in the
UK. The meals are prepared as a set menu for the whole group. Unfortunately
there is limited flexibility to change the menu for individuals.
Drinks are not included in the price of evening meals.
Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians but please inform us at the
time of booking.
If you have a vegan diet we recommend that you bring supplementary food and
should expect that the variety of food may be limited whilst on this trip. As
this kind of diet is relatively uncommon in this region it is difficult for
our camping staff to get suitable produce, as well as being restricted to the
number of different dietary requirements they can cater for.
If you take a vegan diet you should expect that variety of food may be
limited whilst on this trip. As this kind of diet is relatively uncommon in
this region we cannot guarantee that the hotels and restaurants will provide
meals that have the necessary variety to be considered satisfying when on a
more restricted diet.
Accommodation
There are 11 nights’ camping, two nights in mountain huts and one night in a village inn.
The campsites are mainly comfortable and modern with hot showers and electricity. Many have a bar and wifi and 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. The campsites are in stunning settings and 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.
Accompanying you throughout the trek is a dedicated camp support leader who takes care of the logistics and catering. Your tent will be put up for you each night. In the morning, you will be asked to take your own tent down, put your bag in the back of the van and wash your own breakfast dish. On four nights out of 14, you will 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 your time is your own.
You spend 11 nights camping in roomy three-person tents, but with a maximum of two people per tent. We use modern 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. The tents are completely waterproof and packing them away should take no more than three to four minutes each morning. Single tents are available for a small additional cost as are camping mats and sleeping bags with liner and pillow. Our camping mats are the full-length, air and foam-filled variety, which are comfortable to sleep on and provide excellent insulation from the ground. Our sleeping bags have a synthetic filling, as opposed to feathers, with a three-quarter-length zip and are rated for good warmth.
All our equipment is bought with both comfort and practicality in mind and we hope represents a higher quality than most individuals would buy for themselves.
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.
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Outbound Geneva airport - Les Bossons bus transfer (for flight inc passengers only)
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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What is the maximum group size?
14
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
comfortable and modern
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
18+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.