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...
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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 includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
5 nights in gîtes or mountain refuges in dormitories
All accommodation offers hot showers.
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!)
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.
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 domaine. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your "high mountain" trek to the maximum.
Federal Office of Topography: Matterhorn Michabel 5006
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
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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.
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).
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
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
Clothing
Other Equipment
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.
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.
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.