Haute Route East Arolla to Zermatt, Private guided
The Eastern part of the classic High Route from Chamonix Mont Blanc in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, with comfortable hotels and bag transfers for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Configurable to meet your specific requirements.
7 days holiday | 5 days hiking | Bag transfers | Configurable
The Eastern part of the Classic Walker's Haute Route is great for any one wishing to tackle the Haute Route, but who may not have the time to complete the full tour in one holiday, or who prefer to break this challenging trek into two smaller parts.
The Eastern tour follows the exact route of the Classic tour from Arolla to Zermatt. Our Eastern section benefits from comfortable hotels and bag transfers all the way to the arrival in historic Zermatt to the sight of the Matterhorn.
As a private guided trip it is possible to tailor-make the trip to your preferences.
-
Local Swiss specialities served with a view. The food is delicous on the trail between Chamonix and Zermatt! -
We hike through old farming settlements on the Haute Route, here above Les Hauderes near Arolla. -
The views of the Matterhorn above Zermatt after completing the hike from Chamonix to Zermatt. -
We descend the green valley below the Fenetre d'Arpette on our approach to our hotel in Champex-Lac. -
Admiring the views from the trail out of Cabane Montfort on the Haute Route. -
Cabane Montfort provides a spectacular overnight spot on our Haute Route trek. -
Hiking through the rugged glacial terrain on the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt -
Stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc when leaving Chamonix via the Aiguillettes des Posettes and entering Switzerland. -
On an interesting alpine trail above the Louvie lake on the Haute Route -
Leaving Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif on our trek across the Swiss Alps towards Zermatt
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Arolla, Switzerland
Arrive Arolla and meet with your guide in the afternoon for welcome, equipment check and a day-by-day briefing on your Haute Route trek ahead. You’ll enjoy dinner at your hotel in Arolla.
Day 2: From Arolla to the hamlet la Sage
A lazy start followed by a gentle, mostly downhill, walk through the picturesque Arolla valley to the village la Sage. There is an option to use this day as a rest-day and take the local Post Bus to the village La Sage instead of walking.
DAY 3: From la Sage to Zinal
From La Sage we have a long day ahead. We ascend through Swiss mountain pastures to the Torrent mountain pass. Descending from the pass, we keep an eye out for the rare edelweiss, which flowers in this area. The descent takes us to the beautiful Moiry lake and dam where a cafe provides refereshments before our second climb of the day. This time, our climb takes us to the Sorrebois pass and we descend to Zinal with the help of a cable car.
If necessary, it's possible to shorten this day by taking a bus from the Moiry Dam.
Day 4: From Zinal to Gruben
From our charming hotel in Zinal, we traverse upwards through pine forest to the Forcletta pass. From the pass we descend into the small Turtmann valley, which is the beginning of the German speaking part of Switzerland. We stay at the historic Schwarzhorn Hotel in the small village of Gruben.
Day 5: From Gruben to St Niklaus
The walking trail starts directly outside our hotel and takes us up to the Augstbordpass. At the pass, we can look into the large Mattertal valley where we’ll be hiking for the rest of our tour. We may even catch our first glimps of the Matterhorn today. A wonderful descend takes us through the old hamlet of Jungu before we reach St. Niklaus. It's a long descend so it's possible to take a small cable car from Jungu to St. Niklaus.
Day 6: From St Niklaus to Zermatt
We leave St Niklaus for the final leg of our journey towards our end-destination Zermatt. Today takes us on a relatively gentle walk along a gushing stream in the Mattertal valley. We pass through green meadows and small, traditional villages. If weather and conditions allow, we may take the higher route crossing the 500m large Charles Kuonen suspension bridge. All too soon, we arrive at Zermatt and the end of our journey. The night is spent in a traditional, family run hotel in historic Zermatt.
Day 7: Depart Zermatt, Switzerland
Breakfast at the hotel in Zermatt and the official end of our Haute Route trip.
TRIP DETAILS:
Grade:
Suitable for mountain walkers with a high level of fitness and stamina and an adventurous spirit.
Duration:
7 days holiday with 5 days walking
Accommodation:
6 nights in hotels.
Group size and guides:
No max size but up to 8 clients per certified English-speaking guide (UIMLA).
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and organisation by Alpine Treks
5 days guiding by English-speaking certified guide (UIMLA)
6 nights accommodation
Meals (6x breakfast and 5x dinners)
Luggage transfers
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to Arolla and return from Zermatt
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Cable cars/transportation if used