Day 0
We meet in the alpine climbing center of Chamonix for a dinner meeting to discuss the logistics of the trip. Hotel in Chamonix. (breakfast)
Day 1
Today we take the local train up to the neighboring 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 into Switzerland. We make our way to the quiet Swiss village of Trient where we spend the night nearby in a small hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 2
We trek from Trient along trails over the Fenetre d'Arpette and down the Val d'Arpette to the charming lakeside town of Champex where we spend the night in a comfortble hotel steps from the beautiful lake. Overnight at the hotel in Champex (breakfast)
Day 3
We spend the morning hiking downhill from Champex and then take a short train transfer to the mountain resort town of Verbier. From Verbier we hike short distance to the charming high mountain hut of Mont Fort. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 4
We leave the Mont Fort Hut and the Verbier area and make our way to towards the Prafleuri Hut near the Grand Deserts Glacier. Today is a bigger day in which we cross three passes through stunning alpine scenery. Over night at the Prafleuri Hut (breakfast, dinner)
Day 5
Today we travel over the Col des Roux, along the Grande Dixence lake, climb ladders over the Pas de Chevre and then descend to the charming Swiss village of Arolla, where we enjoy a charming hotel and good swiss food. Overnight at a hotel in Arolla (breakfast).
Day 6
The morning begins with a short bus ride down the valley to La Sage where we make long but good climb up to the Col de Torrent. Once again, we enjoy even more amazing alpine vistas of the Moiry Glacier before hiking on down into town and transfering to St Luc where we board a funicular. From the top of the funicular, we make over to the Hotel Weisshorn, an old-English style hotel built in the 1800's. Our stay here is quite the experience. (breakfast)
Day 7
We leave the Weisshorn and hike over the Col du Forchetta or the Meidenpass depending on group strength and goals. The views of the Surrounding alpine peaks (inlcuding the Matterhorn) are spectacular. We stay in a small hotel in Gruben. (breakfast)
Day 8
The final day of the trek takes us from Gruben over the final col of the trek, the Augsbordpass, and down to the tiny hamlet of Jungu. An exciting 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 3-star hotel and enjoy a celebratory dinner (breakfast).
