The trip

LEVEL ****              

Elevation: +/-500 to 1700m average per day.
Walking time: 6 to 8 hours average per day.
Type of trek: Mountain route for experienced hikers with a good fitness level.

The proposed mountaineering route is one of the glacial peaks above 4000m, with no technical difficulty other than the altitude. The first few days with pass crossings at around 3000m allow for good acclimatisation and guarantee good form for this climb.
The Pointe Gnifetti is an ideal summit to reach, and exceed, the mythical 4000m mark. It is located in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif and its ascent, which takes place in a grandiose setting, allows you to reach the fourth highest summit in Switzerland at 4554m. This race is included in the package.

GUIDING

Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.
Mountain guide for the ascent of Pointe Gnifetti: 1 guide for 5 people maximum.

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in mountain refuges, in dormitory.
2 nights in gites, in multiple bedroom.
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 highly important for this tour.
Ability to easily walk 20km (on flat trails) in a maximum of 3.5 hours. This trek requires a certain physical fitness level but presents no particular technical difficulty for experienced hikers. 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 trek to the maximum.

MAPS

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

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet at 9am at the cable car parking in Stalden. Bus transfer to the Mattmark dam, in Saas Grund Valley.

BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart from Paris the day before at 11:56am - arrive in Stalden VS at 5:51pm.
Return : depart from Zermatt at 2:37pm arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm.
or the day after : Zermatt at 9:13am arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 4:04pm
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch

BY CAR
Take the motorway from Geneva direction Lausanne, Martigny and Sierre then follow signs for Zermatt (swiss road tax = 47,95€ / vignetteshop.fr/vignettes-autoroutiere/suisse-2023)
Meet at the cable car in Stalden next to the train station in the village centre.
You can park in the underground car park or next to the train station. Tickets available at the train station in Stalden.

End point Saturday at 3:00pm in Zermatt.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour, your mountain leader can organise a group transfer (20 mins) to the departure point, at the Stalden cable car, for those who wish (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 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 Breithorn summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and extra 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 Days 1 and 3) 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.