Chamonix Zermatt by the Summits

Connecting the two capitals of alpinism, paying homage to two myth-like summits, the Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, the "haute route" (High Route) finds its place in any impassioned mountaineers' notebook. This trek proposes, at times, original tracks and a slightly shifted rhythm, special receptions in the huts and sharp gaze onto the proudest summits of the Valais area: the Grand Combin, the Pigne of Arolla, the Dent Blanche.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Chamonix Mont Blanc
• Day 2/  Montroc - Balme pass - Albert 1er Refuge
• Day 3/  Albert 1er Refuge - Tour pass - Relais of Val d'Arpette
• Day 4/  Relais of Val d'Arpette - Mauvoisin Lake - Chanrion Lake
• Day 5/  Chanrion Lake - Chermotane Pass - Vignettes Refuge
• Day 6/  Vignettes Refuge - Evêque Pass - Bertol Hut
• Day 7/  Bertol Hut - Tête Blanche - Schönbiel Refuge
• Day 8/  Schönbiel Refuge - Chalets of Zmutt - Zermatt - Chamonix Mont Blanc
• Day 9/  Transfer to Geneva for flight home.

Connecting the two capitals of alpinism, paying homage to two myth-like summits, the Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, the "haute route" (High Route) finds its place in any impassioned mountaineers' notebook. This (trek) raid proposes, at times, original tracks and a slightly shifted rhythm, special receptions in the huts and sharp gaze onto the proudest summits of the Valais area: the Grand Combin, the Pigne of Arolla, the Dent Blanche and the Dent of Hérens. In the background, the Matterhorn or the Mont Blanc, always omnipresent.

Day 1/ Geneva - Chamonix Mont Blanc                                                                                                                                Reception at Geneva airport with shuttle transportation to hotel. Settle in at the "Prieure" hotel in Chamonix or the "Croix Blanche", evening meal at the restaurant in the hotel while enjoying a panoramic sight onto Chamonix and the surrounding glaciers. (guaranteed spectacle!).

Day 2/ Montroc - Balme Pass - Albert the 1st Hut
Transfer to Balme pass with shuttle from the hotel. Initially, we take the Balme gondola to catch up with the balcony path of the Albert the 1st Hut (8,865 feet), with the ice falls of the Tour glacier in sight. 2. 30 H walk. Ascent: 1,804 feet.

Day 3/ Albert the 1st Hut - Tour Pass - Relais du Val d'Arpette
The group arrives in Switzerland via the Tour pass, then to the Trient glacier to again take a hiking path to the Orny hut and the Breya chair-lift. Small ascent to the lodge in Arpette (5,538 feet): a promised shower!
6 H walk. M: 2,461 feet. Descent: 3,281 feet.

Day 4/ Relais of the Val d'Arpette - Mauvoisin Lake - Chanrion Refuge
Short transfer from the Champex village to the dam and to the large Mauvoisin lake. Ascent in the flowering mountain pastures, all the while aiming for the Chanrion refuge (8,077 feet).
4 H walk. Ascent: 1,640 feet.

Day 5/ Chanrion Refuge - Chermotane Pass- Vignettes Hut
Patient ascent of the immense Otemma glacier to the Chermotane (10,016 feet) pass. On the back side is the Vignettes Hut (10,361 feet), hanging on the edge of the mountain wall.
6 H walk. Ascent : 2,461 feet.

Day 6/ Vignettes Hut - Eveque Pass - Bertol Refuge
Broad detour between glaciers and long moraines encircling the Eveque rocks, via the pass of the same name (11,129 feet) and with Val d'Hérens beckoning us Arolla village downstream. A final steep path and "névé » (left over snow patches from winter) leads to the Bertol refuge (10,863 feet), superb eagles nest accessible by ladders.
7 H walk. Ascent: 3,773 feet. Descent: 3,281 feet.

Day 7/ Bertol Refuge - Tête Blanche - Schönbiel Refuge
Luxurious day, with the crossing of an easy glacial plateau up to the Tête Blanche (12,208 feet), exceptional headland facing the Matterhorn, with a 360 degree tour of the horizon! Spectacular descent through the labyrinth of crevasses of the Stockji glacier, then onto a steep path before going back up to the Schönbiel hut (8,839 feet), at the foot of the incredible northern face of the Matterhorn!
6 H walk. Ascent: 2,133 feet. Descent: 3,609 feet.

Day 8/ Schönbiel Refuge - Country cottages of Zmutt - Zermatt - Chamonix                                                                                                                   Pathway in the pastoral mountain pastures strewn with mazots/raccards, the alpine name for an attic; traditional real strong "safes". Return to Zermatt at the end of the morning. Transfer to Chamonix Mont Blanc. Diner and Night in the French Alps Capitale.                      3 H walk. Descent: 3,609 feet.

Day 9/ Chamonix Mont Blanc France - Geneva Switzerland
Return shuttle to the airport for flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice.

You carry all of your personal belongings plus your daily picnic and energy food.
Your bag contains the essential minimum for the circuit, and can not exceed 18 to 22 pounds.

Ground Transportation by private mini buses or taxi, cable car and chairlift.

In Chamonix (1 night), Zermatt (1 night), we book hotels, inns, or similar, of excellent standard, 3 stars, based on double occupancy and according to availability at the time of reservation. We choose these hotels, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for their cordiality and hospitality.
- 5 nights in mountain hut, shared dormitory accommodation.
- 1 night in a local hotel (auberge - lodge) in Arpette 

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Downtown: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
In the mountains, we want to be able to provide you with well balanced/hearty meals to keep you well fueled during your exertions, but at the same time keep the weight in the bags that we carry to a minimum.
- Breakfasts and dinners are prepared by our hosts in the huts.
- Lunch: picnic, in the form of sandwiches, cheese and fruits.
- Energy food (an assortment of chocolate bars to accompany you in the effort) provided by Mountain World Travel.
Drinks: mineral water provided
Save a bit of room in your bag to split carrying some of our food supply.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Geneva
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water at restaurant)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Geneva, Switzerland
-  Swiss, the national company, operates daily to Geneva in cooperation with Star Alliance
-  Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Amsterdam or Paris.
-  StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Frankfurt or Munich
-  Oneworld (American, British) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to France and Switzerland for up to 90 days.
US citizens, please check with the US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
France      Switzerland
For other nationalities, please contact the French and Swiss embassies in your country.

No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.

Health hazards
- Heat: protect your eyes and your skin against the sun, as it is more intense with altitude.
- Cold: plan on packing protective clothing against the cold (jackets, fleece, gloves, hat), especially in relevance to the activity.
- Dehydration: drink and nourish yourself sufficiently and correctly throughout the effort.
- Small wounds: blisters, tendonitis...bring along band aids, an antiseptic and another cream for muscle aches. They will take up a bit of room, but well worth the space.

Altitude sickness: can be felt at around 8,000 feet and above and can come on quickly (after just one night spent in altitude). Hard to predict and varies completely from one person to another. Good hydration is necessary, progressive altitude acclimatization and Aspirin can all help in preventing the unpleasant side effects of altitude sickness.
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 5
At least 3 months prior:  Hike 13 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days, a backpack of 18 to 22 pounds OR if you are regularly committed to another intense sports activity that develops stamina (jogging, cycling or swimming) for a cumulative duration of 3 to 4 hours per week (without excessive shortness of breath or exceptional fatigue), you should be up to speed.  

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, (short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell mountaineering jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Mountaineering long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Mountaineering shoes with rigid soles compatible for crampons.
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of gaiters
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles
- A pair of crampons with "antibottes" (rubber plates preventing snow from balling up underfoot).
- An ice axe.
- Mountaineering helmet.
- An adjustable, light and compact harness, adapted for walking.
- A locking karabiner, for rope maneuvers.

Sleeping
- A bed sheet only (blankets are provided by the huts)
For all of the night (s) in hut (s), Mountain World Travel provides a new recyclable bed sheet to each participant.

Pharmacy
- You own small "pharmacy" to have validated by your Doctor. It should contain: sun lotion, bandages, sterile strips and double skin, anti diarrhea medication, pain killers, an anti inflammatory, a muscle relaxant, eye lotion, cough drops, a broad spectrum antibiotic, disinfectant, tweezers, personal ear plugs, and personal drugs. And anything else indicated on the "Trip Details" page or in "Important Information" (including necessary items to treat altitude sickness).
- However, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness (Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 11 to 14 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
If you wish to rent mountaineering shoes, ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet, please inform us at the time of your booking. As Mountain World Travel does not itself rent out this kind of material, we will direct you to our partner store at location (you will be offered a discount).  The confirmation that you receive after booking will specify directions to the rental shop.

On the day of arrival (and depending on his/her availability), your guide will be able to help you for choosing your rental equipment.
Here is an idea of pricing for crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet:
- $   70 for a 3 to 5 day duration,
- $ 100 for a 6 to 9 day duration.
A deposit is required when renting material (credit card imprint)

During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).