The famous Haute Route from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland is a classic Alps hiking tour that cuts a swath through some of the most amazing alpine terrain on the planet. High alpine passes, quaint Swiss villages and spectacular mountain vistas await on this guided Swiss Alps Haute Route hiking tour.
This alpine trek is a true European hiking adventure with less time spent in luxury hotels and more time in the high alps along the walkers Haute Route in Switzerland. Our down-to-earth style includes the use of the amazing Swiss mountain hut system as well as hotels in Switzerland. Since the comfortable alpine huts and the hotels provide our food and bedding, we hike the Haute Route each day with a lightweight pack. Some huts even have showers as do the comfortable hotels we use in the Swiss villages we hike through. Fine Swiss food is served everynight.
The Haute Route trek starts in the French alpine village of Chamonix, France and quickly crosses into French-speaking Switzerland passing through the small Swiss villages of Trient and Champex. Passing through the resort town of Verbier, we make our way high into the Swiss alps and begin using the high mountain hut system. Making our way across an easy glacier crossing we eventually end up in the Swiss village of Arolla and then back through high mountain passes into German-speaking Switzerland and the village of Zinal. The last leg takes us through small villages and into the Visp Valley where we make our way into the car-less town of Zermatt under the Shadow of the iconic Matterhorn.
Almost all of the Haute Route hike is along alpine trails high up in Switzerland. Very little off-trail hiking is encountered, but we do make use of ladders occasionally and perhaps an easy glacier crossing. We consider this trek to be an adventurous on-trail hiking tour.
We do make use of some mechanized lifts and trams as well as a few train transfers. We include all lodging during the Haute Route trek and take care of all the logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy the spectacular alpine surroundings. A hallmark of all our treks, our itinerary remains flexible to adjust to group strengths and goals as well of weather. We keep our group sizes small, no more than 6 guests, for everyone's enjoyment.
This year's Haute Route trek is being led by IAG lead guide Lyra Pierotti. Lyra is fluent in French and has lived and attended university in the French Alps. IAG director and IFMGA/UIAGM guide Dave Miller will also join portions of the Haute Route trek.
Hiking the Haute Route is truly the Swiss Alps trek of a lifetime.
View the Haute Route Trek Itinerary
View our Chamonix Info Page
For International climbing in Switzerland and other parts of the world check
out our main International
Climbs & Expeditions page.
Level: Participants on the Haute Route trek should be in good physical condition and have some previous hiking experience. The ability to hike up to 10 miles a day with a day pack is neccessary.
Dates 2011: Aug 28 - Sep 5
Cost:
$2250
Includes:
- Professional French-speaking American mountain guides, including internationally certifed IFMGA/UIAGM guides.
- All hut and lodging fees (double occupancy) including one night in Chamonix before the trek and and one night in Zermatt, Switzerland after the trek.
- Breakfasts for the duration of the Haute Route trek. Dinners while at the huts, but not in town.
- Single lodging for supplement for hotels is $350 (not available at the huts)
- Luggage transfer from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland
- All lift and transfer fees during the Haute Route hike, does not include transport to Chamonix and from Zermatt.
- Cost based on a total of 4 or more total participants, surcharge of $400 per person applies for 3 participants and $800 for two participants
|
