TOUR OF THE MATTERHORN

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6 days 6 days
Guided / with a guide Guided / with a guide
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Classic (dormitory)
Level **** Level ****
From 1150 € From 1150 €

Around the alpine sphinx

The Matterhorn, an elegant geological natural sculpture perched between Switzerland and Italy, is certainly the most mythical summit of the Alps. Its history is as complex as its structure... a little piece of Africa, at the end of the African plate, stranded in Europe. A geological model of globalization! Around this legendary giant peak, lies an incredible area of high peaks known as the 'Imperial Crown'. Mighty glaciers tumble towards lush green valleys dotted with grazing herds.
The Alps in their finest picture postcard splendour.

This adventurous circuit includes two forays into the glacial high mountain world with several passages over alpine mountain passes rising to heights of 3000m. This is where vegetative life gives way to minerals, nature in its raw state, where only cairns mark our way and reflect the passage of man.
Descending into the valleys is the time to discover the local mountain culture: warm wood toned villages and herds in their summer pastures where ancient traditional farming is kept alive...

You will like

  • The high mountain atmosphere, crossing high altitude passes
  • An exceptional yet easy route across the Arolla and Théodul Glaciers 
  • The soul of the traditional Swiss and Italian valleys
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TOUR OF THE MATTERHORN

From 1150 €

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Circuit

Hike details

See the technical facts

Dates & prices

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PRICE WITHOUT THE OPTION BREITHORN SUMMIT : 1150€ per person

OPTION TO SUMMIT THE BREITHORN ON DAY 6
220€ per person - Minimum 2 persons

THE PRICE

The price includes

  • Organisation and booking fees, guiding by a qualified and insured mountain leader;
  • All meals including picnic lunch and simple snacks during the day;
  • Accommodation in gites, refuges and small hotels;
  • Equipment rental and guiding by a high montain guide for the climb of the Breithorn;
  • Daily baggage transport between accommodation (except Day 4);
  • Bus transfers and lift pass on day 1.

The price does not include:

  • Cancellation insurance (4.2% of the price);
  • The lift of the last day (around 50€);
  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), touristic visits;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point, airport taxes and other exclusions clearly described within the corresponding technical sheet.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

Personalised tour available

Contact us !

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Meet Sunday at 9:00am at the train station in St Niklaus.

AUGSTBORDPASS - GRUBEN
Ascend in a "cosy" cable car to the village of Jungu. Climb to the Augstbordpass at 2900m and descend into the narrow valley to the picture-perfect alpine hamlet Gruben in the Turtmanntal.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1000m -1100m

Day 2

MEIDPASS - LAKE MOIRY
Climb to the Meidpass at 2790m via the Stafel pastures and the alpine lake Meidsee. Descend to St. Luc in the Anniviers valley through pastures, into the small valley of watermills and via the Prilet waterfall. Transfer to the Moiry Dam.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1150m -1400m

Day 3

COL DE TSATE - LES HAUDERES
Depart from the foot of the Moiry Glacier to reach Lake Bayenna and then climb to Col de Tsaté at 2868m. Descend to the charming traditional village of Les Haudères overlooked by the mighty summits of the Dent Blanche and Dent d’Hérens. Transfer to the Arolla valley.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +700m -1200m

Day 4

AROLLA GLACIER - PRARAYER
Depart towards Col Collon at 3074m, ascending via the Arolla Glacier accompanied by a high mountain guide. In this high mountain and glacial world reaching the mountain pass is not too challenging. Descend into Italy through the Oren valley overlooking the dam Lac des Places de Moulin. Night in Prarayer (*without luggage).
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1200m -1200m

Day 5

COL DE VALCOURNERA - VALTOURNENCHE
Beautiful climb towards Col de Valcournera at 3072m, then descend to lake Cignana with its magnificent reflections and waterfalls, followed by a short climb to reach Col de Cignana (2445m). Descend towards Valtournenche unveiling the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa summits.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1350m -1400m

Day 6

THEODULPASS - ZERMATT
Short bus transfer to Breuil Cervinia and ascension via the cable car to Plan Maison. Climb to the Theodulpass at 3349m underneath the imposing Matterhorn​. Easy roped descent with a high mountain guide to the Theodul Glacier, then continue the descent via the alpage hamlets of Biel, Zmutt, Hubel to arrive in Zermatt.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +800m -1360m

End point Friday at 5:00pm at the train station in Zermatt.

OPTION: ASCENSION OF THE BREITHORN (4164m) DAY 6

Depart from Cervinia. Ascend to Testa Grigia with the cable car with your guide for an easy roped climb to the Breithorn at 4164m. Descend the Theodul Glacier to Trockener-Steg (2939m) or cross to KIein Mattherhorn (3883m). Descend to Zermatt with the cable car. End point in Zermatt.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +870m -1230m (or -300m)

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.

Personalised tour available, contact us...

The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +600 to 1250m average per day.
Walking time: 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: mountain route for experienced hikers, on marked trails.
Both of the glacial sections are easy and do not require any special technique. Several aerial passages secured with hand cables on day 4 and day 5.

GUIDING

Group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader. At the beginning of the season, the group number may be reduced depending on snow conditions. 

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in gîtes or mountain refuges in dormitories
All accommodation offers hot showers.

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your guide, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products.
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.

FITNESS LEVEL

A good fitness level is required for this trek.
Ability to easily walk 20km (on flat trails) in a maximum of 4 hours. This trek requires a certain physical fitness level but presents no particular technical difficulty. Good advance preparation is nevertheless necessary in order to appreciate the beauty of this high altitude domaineYour physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your "high mountain" trek to the maximum.

MAPS

Federal Office of Topography: Matterhorn Michabel 5006

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet Sunday at 9:00am infront of the train station in St. Niklaus VS (Switzerland).

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before, Saturday, at 11:56am arrive in St. Niklaus at 6:10pm.
Return : depart Zermatt at 2:37pm arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm.
Or the day after : Zermatt 9h13am, arrival à Paris 4h04pm
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on
oui.sncf and cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the motorway from Geneva direction Lausanne, Martigny and Sierre then follow signs for Zermatt (swiss motorway pass = 47,95€ / www.vignetteshop.fr/vignettes-autoroutiere/suisse-2023​).
At St Niklaus, you can park in the underground carpark (15CHF/ day) or next to the train station (5CHF / day). You can buy your parking ticket at the cablecar behind the train station (cash and Swiss Francs only) or at the tourist information office in St Niklaus (closed on Sundays) or at St Niklaus train station. As a last resort, you may leave a note in your car which mentions your arrival and departure dates. You will pay at the end of your hike. Please note that this solution does not commit our agency.

End point Friday at 5:00pm at Zermatt train station.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

FROM ZERMATT TO ST. NIKLAUS: By train 20CHF (hourly train service) or a group transfer can be organised by your mountain leader for those who wish (around 10€ per person, to be paid on site).

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Saint-Niklaus: Hôtel La Réserve***: +41 27 955 22 55 la-reserve.ch/            
Tourist Office Zermatt: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00 zermatt.ch

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: + 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 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE SUMMIT

Crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe for climbing the Gran Paradiso summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, waterproof gloves, waterproof jacket and supplementary warm layers to add if necessary). High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory. Poles are essential.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 4) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.

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