Hiking the Haute Route:  The Classic Chamonix to Zermatt Adventure

Guided Departure:  July 9 - 18, 2010

Self-Guided Departures Also Available July to Mid-September

Overview

The Hiker’s Haute Route is one of the world’s classic, and challenging, treks.  The Route was established almost a hundred years ago, first as a ski route.  It was later developed into a high-level hike.  The hike links the two famous birth places of mountaineering in the Alps, Chamonix and Zermatt, each with its own fascinating history.  The Route connecting these busy Alpine centers of activity contains numerous quaint and quiet villages, which you’ll pass through.  You’ll have glimpses into two countries (France and Switzerland), as well as into two linguistic areas (French and German) of the Swiss canton of Valais.  You’ll get to see an amazing array of over four thousand meter peaks on this trek, starting with Mont Blanc in the Chamonix Valley and culminating with the Matterhorn in Zermatt, that most hypnotic of mountains. This ten day public, guided departure is taking place July 9 - 18, 2010.  We also offer self-guided and private guided Haute Route departures ranging from 7 - 15 days in length.  Additionally, we provide more moderate hiking itineraries with day hikes based out of Chamonix, Verbier and Zermatt, the three primary towns connected by the Haute Route.

You will have the opportunity to experience this incredible landscape on foot under the inspired leadership of a fabulous local guide.  Your guide is a certified European Mountain Leader and a member of the prestigious Compagnie des Guides.  She stems from a family of Chamonix mountain guides and photographers.

Welcome to one of the world's great adventures!

Highlights

• Challenging classic hike linking Chamonix and Zermatt, the two birth places of mountaineering in the Alps
• Awesome views encompassing beautiful mountains, lakes, ibex, wildflowers and glaciers
• Charming hotels/guest houses and convivial high mountain huts
• Remote farming villages
• Crossing linguistic and cultural borders

Land Cost

$3200 per person double occupancy

$400 single supplement (limited availability; not available every night)

$500 USD deposit per person

Payment in full required 90 days before departure

Trip Rating

This trip is rated strenuous to very strenuous.  To participate you must be an experienced mountain hiker and be very physically fit.  You must be able to tolerate exercise at high altitudes and hike up to eight hours a day, handling daily altitude gains and losses of up to 3,000-4,000 feet.  This is not a technical trip but you must be comfortable with exposure and rugged conditions that at times can include possible snow, glacier, or stream crossings, slopes with scree, and walking on rocks or over boulders.  You will have a few nights without baggage and must carry your own belongings on these nights.  (The accommodations are full service so this will not be much more than you carry during the day.) This trip requires that you have a spirit of adventure and a good attitude.   We may also ask you provide a physician’s note and you should consult your physician with any questions about the suitability of the trip for you.  Your participation in this trip is subject to the approval of Bredeson Outdoor Adventures and its guide for this trip.  Please consult with us as to the appropriateness of this trip and how to prepare. 

Itinerary

Day 1:  Friday, July 9: Chamonix

Transfer to the hotel in Chamonix in France.  Spend time exploring this charming, internationally famous town set in a spectacular setting.  Stroll around town, visit the Alpine Museum, take a warm-up hike, or simply relax in one of the many sidewalk cafes.  We will provide information on a number of fabulous warm-up hikes.  We are also happy to help you plan a pre-trip extension in Chamonix if you wish, and to provide written information on a full array of Chamonix area hikes.   We’ll get to know each other over welcome drinks, a trip orientation, and our first dinner together this evening.    Overnight in hotel.

Day 2:  Saturday, July 10:  Col De Balme – Trient (Switzerland)

10 km; 5 – 6 hours; 751 m gain; 925 m loss

As the saying goes, let the games begin!  After a short transfer to the hamlet of Le Tour we begin our Haute Route trek with a pleasant ascent to our first pass crossing, the Col de Balme (2204 m).  The views back to Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc are a treat.  Mother Nature permitting, you’ll be able to look back through the length of the Chamonix Valley, dominated by Mont Blanc and its “aiguilles” (needles).  At the Col you will cross the border into Switzerland, where you’ll remain for the rest of the trek.  You’ll spend the night in the village of Trient, which is very French in architecture and atmosphere, despite its Swiss location.  Overnight in a convivial hiker’s hotel with shared facilities.

Day 3:  Sunday, July 11:  Trient – Fenetre d’Arpette – Champex.  (Bad Weather Alternative:   Trient – Col de la Forclaz – Alp Bovine – Champex)

14 km; 6 ½ - 7 hours; 1386 m gain; 1199 m loss; Alternative: 16 km; 5 ½ hours; 876 m gain; 657 m loss

The high mountain pass crossing of the Fenetre d’Arpette is one of the most exciting and demanding of the Haute Route.  You’ll enjoy the approach to the Fenetre with views of the Trient Glacier nearly all the way.  The contrast of wilderness and lovely meadows will delight you today.  Your descent from the Fenetre begins with scree and boulders and winds up with the streams, woods and meadows of the lovely, pastoral Arpette Valley.  We’ll descend to the village of Champex with its charming lake and will transfer to the town of Verbier, parting ways with Tour du Mont Blanc that overlaps with the beginning of the Haute Route.  The renowned ski resort of Verbier (1490 m), which lies high on a hillside, was once used exclusively as a summer pasture for the area’s famous Herens cows.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 4:   Monday, July 12:  Verbier – Cabane de Louvie

14 km; 6 hours; 1143 gain, 433 m loss

Today we’ll hike right from Verbier to the lovely Val de Bagne.  This stage has lots of variety and constantly changing views.  At first there are vast panoramas but as you approach the Col Termin the Combin massif dominates.  You are now on what is known as the Sentier des Chamois or Chamois Path.  This is in fact wildlife sanctuary and if you are quiet you have a good chance of seeing chamois (a small antelope) as well as ibex.  We’ll have a steep descent to the beautiful Lac de Louvie (Louvie Lake) where we’ll spend the night in the Cabane de Louvie (2215 m).  Note:  the Sentier des Chamois was temporarily closed in August 2008.  If the trail is still closed we will take a lovely alternate route in the beautiful Val de Bagne.  Overnight in hut.

Day 5:  Tuesday, July 13:  Cabane de Louvie – Lac des Dix

15 km; 8 hours hiking; 1047 m gain; 1000 m loss.

Today is a big day with two pass crossings.  Our first pass is Col de Louvie (2921 m) after which we’ll cross the Grand Desert of “big desert,” where we are faced with a landscape of dying glaciers and chaotic moraines. Here we may need to cross a snowfield.  We then ascend to the Prafleuri Pass (2965 m).  As we descend from the pass to our hotel next to the dam at five kilometer long Lac des Dix (2364 m) we’ll enjoy the view of the lovely Val des Dix.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 6:  Wednesday, July 14:  Lac des Dix  - Arolla 

16 km; 7 hours; 735 m gain; 1353 loss

Today’s hike is challenging and beautiful.  After breakfast we’ll walk up to the top of the dam and around the lake, savoring the views of the lake, green pastures and the impressive peaks.  You’ll hike toward these peaks, cross Col de Riedmatten/Pas de Chevres (2919 m), and then descend to Arolla.  The Col de Riedmatten, a rocky cleft in the mountain, may reward you with your first view of the distant Matterhorn.  There are two choices to cross Pas de Chevre, a steep almost 100 meter descent or two sets of vertical ladders.  Our last stretch is a pretty walk through a pine forest to the traditional Swiss village of Arolla.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 7: Thursday, July 15:  La Sage - Grimentz

16 km; 7 hours; 1252 m gain; 1347 m loss

After a transfer to La Sage we start our ascent to the Col de Torrent (2914 m), with pastureland rising almost all the way to the pass and beautiful views.  We’ll leave the Vals d’Herens behind and enjoy the relatively undemanding descent to Lac de Moiry.  You’ll likely share the path with cows as you walk down through pastures to the quaint village of Grimentz.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 8:  Friday, July 16:  Zinal - Gruben 

14 km; 6 hours; 1199 m gain; 1052 m loss

We transfer from Grimentz to the small ski town of Zinal (1675 m) for the start of today’s hike in the little known valley Turtmanntal. The Turtmann Valley is uniquely remote (even access by the legendary Swiss Post Bus is limited), and completely pastoral with farms and small hamlets.  Our hike starts with a steep ascent in a lush larch forest.  We’ll enjoy a long ridge walk with Matterhorn views before our ascent up to the Forcletta crossing (2874 m), which provides yet more wonderful views. The village of Gruben, which is also known as Meiden, is your stopping point for tonight. We cross a linquistic border today, transitioning from the French speaking part of the Canton Valais to the German speaking part. Overnight in hotel with shared facilities.

Day 9:  Saturday, July 17: Gruben – St. Niklaus – Zermatt

16 km; 7 ½ hours; 1072 m gain; 1767 loss

Today’s walk combines one of the finest hikes of the Haute Route with fascinating history.  The Augstbordpass (2894 m), which links the Turtmanntal with the Mattertal (Matter Valley), was used in the Middle Ages onward as an important trading route between the Rhone valley and Italy.  Experiencing the final pass of the Haute Route is a highlight of the trek.  The Matterhorn is hiding at this point but a number of other peaks, all over 4,000 meters high, such as the Dom, the Weisshorn and the Breithorn, are in view. The Mattertal itself appears as a deep, green cleft and on your descent, which has fairly steep exposure, you’ll enjoy views of the hills and wood houses with the classic slate roofs of the Valais (or Wallis as it is known in German).  We’ll pass through Jungen, one of the loveliest alp hamlets between Chamonix and Zermatt, at which point we’ll have the option to ride the cable car down or hike down to the village of St. Niklaus. From St. Niklaus we'll transfer to Zermatt, of Matterhorn fame, and will explore the village.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 10:  Sunday, July 18:  Depart 

After breakfast, your grand trek is over, and you’ll transfer back to the airport or on to other destinations.  Your Zermatt adventure can continue if you wish.  You might choose to stay here for summer glacier skiing or for other wonderful local hikes.  We would be happy to assist you in making plans for a post-trip Zermatt extension. 

Please bear in mind that the actual hikes may vary due to as yet unknown special events, weather, or other factors.  We may alter the itinerary to improve the tour and your experience. As always, we will be on the look-out for special events that are taking place during our stay to provide you with a pleasant surprise or two during the trip.

Trip Extensions

For those with additional time available, we heartily recommend a pre-trip extension in Chamonix (also great for warm-up hikes and acclimatization) or a post-trip extension in Zermatt.  We would be happy to set up an extension for you, including consultation and provision of written hiking cues for self-guided walks.

Your Guide Claire Thiolere

You will have the opportunity to experience this incredible landscape on foot under the enthusiastic and friendly leadership of a fabulous local guide, Claire Thiolere.  Claire is multi-lingual and is a certified European Mountain Leader with 20 years experience as a professional guide, including have led Haute Route treks many times.  She is a member of the prestigious Compagnie des Guides and stems from a family of Chamonix mountain guides and photographers. 

Group Size

The group size is limited to 12 participants.  A minimum of five participants will be required for the trip to take place.  Please do not make air travel arrangements until we have confirmed with you that the minimum number of guests has been reached for the trip to take place.

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies and is determined by the day that we receive written notification:

• >90 days prior to the trip: you will be charged $100/person
• 90-61days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 30% of the trip price
• 60-46 days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 50% of the trip price
• <46 days or less prior to the trip start: you will be charged 100% of the trip price

We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.  Please make sure that your policy includes mountain rescue.  Information on travel insurance is located at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html.  Please note:  we do not have a relationship with any insurance company.  We provide the information as a courtesy to our guests.

Included in Price

• Accommodations.  Please note:  single rooms are not available in huts and may not be available in one or two simpler hotels.  Those requesting single rooms should understand that the supplement covers single rooms where they exist, subject to availability.  We would be happy to try to locate a roommate for those wishing to share a room.
• Daily breakfast and dinner, starting with dinner on July 9 and ending with breakfast on July 18.
• Welcome drinks on July 9.
• Ground transportation during the trip for the scheduled hikes.
• Transfer to/from the Geneva Airport:  this will either be a group transfer or private transfer with a Swiss rail pass. If a rail pass, there may be a slight additional charge for the portion in France.
• Baggage shuttle.  You will have your bags most nights.  There will be a few nights when you will not have your bags but never for two nights in a row. 
• Expert guide services throughout the trip. 
• Cultural and historical information both before and during the trip.
• The outdoor adventure industry’s most thorough pre-trip packet.
• Pre-trip consultation:  we are happy to spend time with you on the telephone and by email, answering your questions and helping you to prepare for the trip.

Not Included in Price

• Air travel and airport taxes.
• Items of a personal nature (e.g., laundry, telephone charges).
• Lunches.  You’ll be having reasonably priced lunch in huts along the way. 
• Gratuities for your guide(s).  A gratuity for your guide(s) is customary and at your discretion.  The standard for a job well done is approximately $5-15 USD per person per guide per day.
• All beverages with dinner.
• Charge for transporting extra luggage.
• Items not on set dinner menu.
• Pre-trip extension in Chamonix and post-trip extension in Zermatt.
• Transfers not noted in the itinerary.
• Travel/rescue insurance.  We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance that covers mountain rescue.  While it is highly unlikely that you will require this you should know that rescue in the Alps is very expensive for those without insurance.
• Any items not listed in the “included in price” items above.

The Bredeson Outdoor Adventures Loyalty Program

• Previous guests on our multi-day trips will receive an immediate 5% savings.
• We will provide a $50 referral credit for introducing a guest to one of our trips for the first time.  This credit will be applied after they have completed their trip.  Please note that this does not apply to a spouse, partner, or family member participating in this trip with you.

Questions and How to Sign Up

Contact Deborah Lewis at (866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com for sign-up materials or if you have questions.  You can also obtain a Trip Reservation Request and a Release form on our website http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html.

You may also download the full itinerary.

After We Receive Your Reservation

After we have received your reservation, we will provide you with detailed additional information including joining instructions, a packing list, a reading list, and other trip preparation details. 

We hope that you will join us on this grand adventure!

Call us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com