The trip

LEVEL ****              

Elevation: +/-500 to 1700m on average per day.
Walking time: 6 to 8 hours on average per day.
Type of trek: mountain route on steep, stony paths.

The proposed mountaineering route is one of the glacier summits at an altitude of over 4000m, which presents no technical difficulty apart from the altitude. The first few days, crossing cols at around 3,000m, will allow you to acclimatise well and ensure that you are in good shape for this ascent.
Pointe Gnifetti is an ideal summit for reaching and surpassing the mythical 4000m mark. It lies at the heart of the Mont Rose massif and its ascent, which takes place in a grandiose setting, takes you up to 4554m, the fourth highest summit in Switzerland. This ascent is included in the package.

You'll need to be well-prepared physically if you want to enjoy these beautiful "high mountain" stages. 
Practise an endurance sport regularly, such as walking, running or cycling, for 6 to 8 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will make your trip easier and help you enjoy it even more!

Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: Level of difficulty

GUIDING

Group from 6 to 12 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.
High Mountain guide for the ascent of Pointe Gnifetti: 1 guide for 5 people maximum.

It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but it is very appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in mountain refuges or gite, in dormitory.
1 night in gite, in multiple bedrooms.
Hot showers are available in all accommodations. However, due to increasingly frequent periods of drought, shower facilities are not guaranteed.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics will also be ordered in each accomodation. 
Please specify any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

MAPS

Swiss maps: 1/5000: VISP 274, MISCHABEL 284, GRESSONEY 294
Italian maps: 1/25000 108 et109

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point at 9am at the cable car parking in Stalden.

BY TRAIN
Access: Gare de Lyon (Paris) - Stalden.
Return : depart from Zermatt, arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon in the evening. 
Timetables must be checked on www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the motorway from Geneva direction Lausanne, Martigny and Sierre then follow signs for Zermatt (you can purchase the Swiss motorway tax online Vignette Shop )
Meet at the cable car in Stalden next to the train station in the village centre.
You can leave your car in the large underground or the outdoor car park at payment near the Stalden station (pick up your ticket at the SBB station): parking Parkhallen Saint-Michel 10CH / day or alternatively All Stalden car parks

End of the tour on Saturday at 5pm in Zermatt.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

The guide can organise, for those who wish, a group transport to your vehicle at the Stalden cable car (approx. €10 per person).

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Stalden
Hôtel Hohlgassli: +41 (0)2 79 52 15 12
Hôtel Killerhof: +41 (0)2 79 52 13 38
Zermatt Tourist Office: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 40 to 50 litres for your personal belongings for the week and think to keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

Leave on your own for 2 or 3 days or more

In the "weight is the enemy" feature, we give you some tips on how to save a few hundred grams. For example, for your toiletries: a simple plastic zip bag or a small plastic box to avoid accidental compression.

•     Hotel-size soap is generally enough for a week
•     A tube of toothpaste 3/4 full will do the trick
•     Shaving foam: a small sample can
•     A small microfibre towel
•     A small bottle of shampoo
•     A travel toothbrush

Pharmacy: in addition to your personal medicines, bring :

•     Elastoplast or hook-and-loop tape
•     Plasters to protect against blisters, such as Compeed
•     A small pair of scissors, thread and needle
•     A small tube of sun cream and lip balm

Now all you have to do is to apply this recipe to your entire bag!

EQUIPMENT FOR THE SUMMIT

Equipment for the ascent of the Pointe Gnifetti is included in your package (crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe). An ascent to an altitude of 4000m requires warm equipment in case of inclemet weather (thermal leggings, hat, waterproof gloves, down jacket + goretex waterproof, hiking trousers or at best mountaineering trousers). Don't forget a headlamp. High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory. Poles are essential.