Day 1: Arrival and Trek to Trient
Meet your guides at your accommodation in Chamonix. Hop in the mini and make your way to Argentière, where you’ll start the ascent to the Col de Balme. Follow the trail through the forest and over Aiguillette des Possettes’ summit, which has great views of Mont Blanc and Switzerland.
Head towards the Tete de Balme that straddles the French – Swiss border, before reaching the picturesque village of Trient, where you’ll send the night.
Hiking distance: 14.6km - Elevation ascent: 672m | descent: 1142m - Duration:6 hours hiking
Day 2: Explore the Fenêtre d'Arpette’s Wild Pass
Trek from Trient to the Fenêtre d'Arpette, a wild mountain pass known for its untouched beauty, through to the Arpette Valley. Spend the night in Champex-lac, a small Swiss mountain resort with some shopping facilities.
Hiking distance: 15km - Elevation ascent: 1274m | descent: 923m - Duration: 8 hours hiking
Day 3: Easier Trek Towards Le Chable
Wake up a little later than usual, tuck into breakfast and start hiking towards Le Chable, this stage’s final stop. Pass quaint houses, old farms and quiet villages as you make your way to Orsieres. After a short climb to reach Le Chable, you’ll reach your hotel in the afternoon.
Hiking distance: 14.7km - Elevation ascent: 800m | descent: 1034m - Duration:6+1/2 hours hiking
Day 4: Snowy Trek to the Cabane de Prafleuri
Wake up bright and early. Take the cable car from Le Chable up to Verbier, a well-known Swiss ski and mountain-bike resort. From here, you’ll reach the outer edge of the Mont Fort glacier, the start of today’s trek. Walk along the Col de Louvie before traversing a high circuit surrounded by glaciers and serrated rock faces. Keep going to the Cabane de Prafleuri, a mountain hut where you’ll stay overnight.
Hiking distance: 11.3km - Elevation ascent: 500m | descent: 1283m - Duration:6 hours hiking
Day 5: Mont Blanc de Cheillon and the Pigne d'Arolla
Today you’ll pass the impressive Lac des Dix dam, before climbing up the Col de Riedmatten in between the Val d'Hermence and the Val d'Arolla. Once in Arolla, you’ll rest up and recover in a nice guest house/hotel.
Hiking distance: 16km - Elevation ascent: 1171m | descent: 612m - Duration: 7+1/2 hours hiking
Day 6: See the world from 3000m up in the Col de Torrent
One of the toughest days so far. Take the bus from Arolla to La Sage. Then, walk toward the Col de Torrent, which stands at just below 3000m above sea level. Then descend to the Val de Moiry, past the Lac the Moury, where you can stop for a rest, before continuing down the track towards Zinal. Arrive at the Corne de Sorebois then take the gondola down to Zinal, where you’ll lay your head.
Hiking distance: 13km - Elevation ascent: 600m | descent: 1005m - Duration: 6+1/2 hours hiking
Day 7: Panoramic Views of 4000m peaks
Trek from Zinal towards Anniviers, where you’ll see delightful mountain villages as you walk up the Col de la Forcletta and the famous Turtmanntal. Here you’ll see the first of the 4000m peaks, such as those in the Matterhorn Valley. You’ll make your way through meadows and farmland, before settling in for the night in Gruben.
Hiking distance: 16.6km - Elevation ascent: 617m | descent: 781m - Duration: 5 hours hiking
Day 8: Ascend Augstbord Pass
One the most exciting itineraries of the trip. Ascend the Augstbord pass before reaching the quintessential Swiss Alps village, St. Niklaus, where you’ll get cosy in a warm hotel.
Hiking distance: 13.8km - Elevation ascent: 739m | descent: 873m - Duration: 6 hours hiking
Day 9: Explore Europahütte
For the penultimate day, you’ll get a bus from St. Niklaus to Gasenried, where you’ll begin your approach of the famous Europahütte. Here you’ll have one of the greatest views of the Matterhorn Valley and the Matterhorn, as it follows you as you hike towards tonight’s accommodation: Hotel La Reserve.
Hiking distance: 13.1km - Elevation ascent: 875m | descent: 992m - Duration: 7 hours hiking
Day 10: Final Day and Trek to Zermatt
On your final day, you’ll walk a trail that hugs the Matterhorn before finishing up in the tiny, lovely mountain village of Zermatt. This is where your trip ends.
Hiking distance: 15.1km - Elevation ascent: 1041m | descent: 1357m - Duration: 7+1/2 hours hiking
Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.
