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DIFFICULTY:
Haute Route

- Up to 9hrs/day
- Requires stamina!
- roped glacier
  travel
- exposed, steep
  trails
- some scree slopes

2012 DATES:
Haute Route

June 11 - 18
June 18- 25
June 27-Jul 4
July 9-16
July 23 - 30
July 30 - Aug 6
Aug 6- 13
Aug 13- 20
Aug 27 - Sep 3
Sep 3- 10
Sep 10 - 17
Sep 16 - 23


Mont Blanc:
June 20 & 21
June 27 & 28
July 13 & 14
July 25 & 26
Aug 1 & 2
Aug 8 & 9
Aug 29 & 30
Sep 5 & 6
Sep 12 & 13
Sep 19 & 20

PRICES:
Haute Route

US$ 1990
€ 1420
£ 1280

Single room sup.:
US$150, €110, £100

See Haute Route Inclusions

Mont Blanc
see our Mont Blanc page for details

GROUP SIZES
Client / Guides:
Haute Route:
Min. 3 Max. 6 Clients/Guide
12 Clients/Trip

Mont Blanc:
Max. 2/Guide

SIMILAR TRIPS
Mont Blanc Course
Dolomites Trek
Cortina Via Ferrata
Mont Blanc Ascent
Monte Rosa Peaks
Bernese Alps Trek

TRIP INFO LINKS:
Chamonix Weather
Chamonix Tourism

CUSTOMIZE TRIP

BOOK THIS TRIP

Haute Route Glacier Trek
Alps - France & Switzerland

The Haute Route Trek in Summer:
7 Day Hut to Hut Trekking on Glaciers and Trails in the Western Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt
Haute Route Highlights:
- Most classic hut trekking in the Alps
- Hike 50% trails, 50% glacier travel
- Lodging in huts around 3000 meters
- Matterhorn and Mont Blanc close-ups
- Manageable backpacks!
- Instruction in crampon/ice axe use

Click here to return to the "Haute Route Glacier Hike" Trip Description

Haute Route Trekking, Day-to-Day Itinerary:
7 Days hiking, 5040m = 16500' climb, 5220m = 17120' descent, 71 km distance

Day 2: Trient Hut in the evening sun
Day 4: Afternoon hike to the Chanrion Hut
Day 6: Dormitory at the Bertol Hut
Day 6: Bertol Hut - the highest hut on the Haute Route

Day 1:
Arrival in Argentiere (France) at the foot of the Mont Blanc - Airport pick-up from Geneva International available (1.5 hr drive). Lodging in our hotel in Argentiere. Given sufficient subscription,we usually have the group meet the guide for dinner already.
We recommend to arrive a day or two early in order to do some warm up hiking, acclimatise and get used to the different time zone. We gladly make any additional hotel reservations you may need.
Day 2:
Meeting with the guide for breakfast and briefing on itinerary and mountain conditions, equipment check and hand out of technical rental equipment. Short drive by bus and gondola ride to the Col de Balme (2000m = 7200ft). Beautiful hike with views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley to the Albert Premier Hut (2705m= 8870ft) for Lunch. In the afternoon introduction in safe glacier travel, use of crampons and ice axe. 500m=1640ft climb, 4 km, 2hrs of hiking time to the hut.
Day 3:
Early morning start (5 AM) and Via the Glacier du Tour to the Tete Blanche (3400m=11150ft), which marks the border to Switzerland. Beautiful views of the whole Mont Blanc range. Descent to the Glacier du Trient and traverse to the Cabane de Trient (3150m=10330ft). 1050m=3440ft climb, 200m = 660' descent, 8 km, 6 hrs of walking time (not including breaks).
Day 4:
First on the Glacier d'Orny, then on a beautiful panoramic trail we descend to the chair lift of La Breya, which saves our knees 2000ft of descending to Champex. Van ride up the quaint Bagne Valley to the Mauvoisin Lake for Lunch. Beautiful Hike in the afternoon with views of the Grand Combin and the Mauvoisin Lake to the Refuge Chanrion (2460m=8070ft). 1100m = 3600' descent, 640m = 2100' climb, 14 km makes for 7 hrs walking time.
Day 5:
Early start. On the long Glacier d'Otemma to the Cabane Vignettes (3160m = 10330ft) for a lunch break. Long and at times steep descent to the quaint mountain village of Arolla (1900m = 6230ft.) Lodging in a hotel.940m = 3100' climb, 1390m = 4560' descent, 17 km makes for 9 hrs of walking.
Day 6:
First on trails, then on a steep glacier and the last 300ft on ladders to the Bertol Hut (3310m = 10860ft), one of the most spectacularly located huts in the Western Alps. 1310m = 4300' climb and 7 km, 6 hrs uphill walking.
Day 7:
Early start. Ascent of the Tete Blanche (3725m = 12200ftm) with marvelous views across the hole route all the way from the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. Impressive glaciated descent right underneath the 4000ft north faces of the Matterhorn (4480m=14700ft) and the Dent d'Herens. After exiting the glacier, we reascend to the Schonbiel Hut (2700m=8856ft). 600m=1970ft climb, 1280m=4200' descent, 11 km, 6-7 hrs of walking.
Day 8:
Casual descent via the hamlet of Zmutt with plenty of opportunities for postcard shots of the Matterhorn all the way to Zermatt. 1100m = 3600' descent, 10km, 3 hrs). Arrival in Zermatt around 11 AM. Most of our guests stay in Zermatt, where we offer to arrange post trip lodging for you. Trains leave about hourly from Zermatt to return back to the Chamonix Valley, the Geneva or Zurich airport as well as Milan, all of which requires roughly 4 hrs train travel.

Given sufficient subscription for our subsequent Mont Blanc ascent in connection with the Haute Route, we will have a shuttle transport organized for luggage transfers and return trips to Chamonix on day 8.

Please note:.
Day 7 and 8 can also be connected in a long day of hiking and sometimes groups prefer to descend all the way into Zermatt right away, in which case we will cover the lodging in Zermatt with breakfast in a two star hotel.

 

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USA: 119 S. Sherwood, Fort Collins, CO 80155, USA

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