Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
We meet in the historic alpine climbing center of Chamonix, France - home of Mont Blanc. High alpine peaks with glaciers spill into the valley. We meet for a 6pm dinner at a traditional ‘Haute Savoie” restaurant to discuss the logistics of the trip and overnight at a quiet and cozy hotel right on the river. Chamonix is an easy shuttle ride from the Geneva, Switzerland, airport.
Day 2
Today we take the local small train up the Chamonix Valley to the small town of Le Tour where we board a gondola that takes us up high into the alps. From the top of the lift we begin our trek as we hike across the Col du Balme and quickly walk across the Swiss border, making our way down to the charming village of Trient with it’s views up towards the Trient glacier. We spend the night in a small inn.
Day 3
A bigger day, we hike up from Trient along the river and through the forest trails and then high up over the Fenetre d'Arpette pass. Then it’s down through the Val d'Arpette valley to the charming lakeside town of Champex. We spend the night in a comfortable hotel, just steps from the beautiful lake.
Day 4
We spend the morning hiking downhill from Champex and then take a short train ride on the Saint Bernard Express to the famed Swiss mountain resort town of Verbier. where we enjoy lunch. From Verbier, we hike up to the charming high mountain hut, Cabane de Mont Fort, just on the outskirts of the Verbier ski resort. An old style stone hut, the Mont Forte offers great food and hot showers with dorm style accommodations. Not to mention spectacular views of the backside of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Day 5
We leave the Mont Fort Hut and the Verbier area and make our way deeper into the Valais Alps towards the Prafleuri Hut deep in the Valais alps. Crossing the easy Grand Deserts Glacier we descend to the charing Praflueri hut. Today is a bigger day in which we cross three passes through stunning alpine scenery and views back towards the Mont Blanc Massif.
Day 6
Today we hike over the Col des Roux and then along the dramatic Grande Dixence lake. In the afternoon we climb exciting ladders that take us over the Pas de Chevre and are rewarded with grand views of Mont Blanc du Cheilon. We then descend to the charming small Swiss village of Arolla, with towering alpine peaks in all directions. We enjoy a charming hotel and more excellent Swiss food.
Day 7
A short bus ride takes us to the trail head we take to climb up to the Moiry Hut located in a stunning location surrounded by glaciers. Deep in the Swiss Valais alps, we are pleased to include the Moiry hut on our itinerary as it is a special place. One of the most scenic huts of the trip.
Day 8
Today is a leisurely day hiking down to the small village of Zinal where we will spend the night in a traditional Swiss chalet hotel.
Day 9
Leaving Zinal we hike over the Meidenpass. The views of the Surrounding alpine peaks (inlcuding the Matterhorn) are spectacular. We stay in a small inn in the small hamlet of Gruben.
Day 10
The final day of the Haute Route takes us from Gruben over the final pass of the trek, the Augsbordpass, and down to the tiny hamlet of Jungu. An exciting mini cable car ride from Jungu takes us down to St. Niklaus where we board the cog-wheel train to famous Swiss resort town of Zermatt under the shadow of the Matterhorn. If energy allows, we may get off the train early and walk the final couple miles into Zermatt. We will stay in a 4-star hotel with a well deserved spa (Luggage will be waiting for us at the hotel).