| Summer > Randonnée & Trekking >> Chamonix - Verbier - Zermatt : |  |
 |
Chamonix - ZermattChamonix Zermatt, what more is there to say! These two famous names conjure up great Alpine classics. There are several different routes linking these two mythical resorts, each with their own particularities for winter ski-touring or glacier and alpine trekking in summer. The three routes are all different but each as beautiful as the other. Our alpine trek, leaving from the village of Fionnay at the foot of the famous resort of Verbier, traverses eight valleys in the Swiss Valais region on footpaths and mixed terrain trails through green and stony landscapes. Each day, the scenery is dominated by numerous summits of over 4000 meters: Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn, Weisshorn, the Matterhorn… This varied route follows the lakes, glaciers, alpine meadows and villages, and is one of the most beautiful treks in the Alps. However, the long daily hikes and the large amount of acclivity and declivity, makes this a demanding tour. Good physical preparation is therefore strongly recommended.Qualification : The VERBIER-ZERMATT is designed for fit, energic people who have a healthy dose of curiosity and enthusiasm about the world,and who like to be active.The most important prerequisites are a spirit of adventure and positive attitude. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You must be prepared and capable of walking an average of 5 to 7 hours a day on trails with steep ascents and descents.(averaging 3000 to 4000 feet up and 2000 to 3000 feet down per day). |
Around Arolla |
||||||||||||
|
ITINERARY Day 1 : FIONNAY to the LOUVIE MOUNTAIN HUT We will reach the mountain hut and its blue lake by taking the trail overhanging the Val de Bagnes. The Combins massifs and the gigantic Corbassière glacier will accompany us the length of this splendid hike up to the hut. It is in this amazing setting that we will spend the first night sleeping in a dormitory. Bring enough clothing for two days – don’t forget your equipment. Up : 400m. / Down : 398m. / Around 5 hours. Day 2 : The LOUVIE HUT to the PRAFLEURI cabin It is here in the deserted alpine meadows, where chamois and mountain ibex enjoy rich and abundant grass, that we will hike up to the first mountain pass of the day: the Louvie pass. From here, we enter into the rocky universe of the Grand Desert until we reach the Prafleuri mountain pass. Weather permitting it is from here that we can see part of the next stage of our tour. We finally descend towards Prafleuri and our mountain hut for the night.A long but exceptional day. Up : 937m. / Down : 563m. / Around 8 hours. Day 3 : The PRAFLEURI cabin to AROLLA A short hike up takes us to the Roux mountain pass and the superb view of the Lake Dix which we reach by the Barma alpine meadows. At the end of the lake, the Pas du Chat gives us access to the other bank and the glacial moraine for Cheilon, with Mont-Blanc de Cheilon as the back-drop. The moment we cross the Riedmatten mountain pass we can catch sight of the summit of the Matterhorn. Magnificent descent into Arolla. Night in a dormitory in the Hotel du Glacier. Up : 735m. / Down : 1359m. / Around 6,5 hours. Day 4 : AROLLA-ZINAL : We start the day with a short transfer. A pleasant climb up to the Col de Torrent. It is in picture postcard scenery that the trail descends towards Moiry Lake through the meadows, with the Dent Blanche as décor. In order to reach Zinal we must cross a second mountain pass, the Sorebois, which offers up an unforgettable view over the majestic 4000m summits. Night at the Hotel Trift in the charming village of Zinal. Up : 1448m. / Down : 920m. / Around 8 hours. Day 5 : ZINAL-GRUBEN : The departure from Zinal is fairly intense in a beautiful spruce and larch forest. Rising beyond the forest we will find the Dent Blanche, then the Ober Gabelhorn and finally the summit of the Matterhorn. Beautiful views of the Bishorn and its two summits as well as the Weisshorn. It is in the Turmanntal that we find the charming summer village of Grüben. Night in a dormitory in the Hotel Schwarzhorn. Up : 1224m. / Down : 1052m. / Around 7 hours. Day 6 : GRUBEN-SAINT NIKLAUS-ZERMATT : The Augsbordpass is the final grand mountain pass of this trek and is crossed more easily than it is pronounced! A long descent towards Jungu, a small village perched above the Mattervispa valley. A fabulous panoramic viewpoint over summits such as the Weissmies and the Mischabel massif, including several 4000m peaks such including the Dom. Descent into Saint Nikklaus by a long but pretty trail, then taxi to Zermatt. Night in a hotel in Zermatt. Up : 1072m. / Down : 1794m. / Around 7,5 hours. |
Day 7 : ZERMATT A final walk to the charming tiny village of Zmutt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, to admire the grandiose scenery where tradition and modernity unite. Return to Zermatt early afternoon. End of the tour. Up : 450m. / Down : 450m. / Around 3 hours. THE MOUNTAIN OR TREKKING GUIDE MAY HAVE TO MODIFY THE PROGRAMME DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS. The accommodation : 6 half-days of hiking with 2 nights dormitory accommodation in a mountain hut and 4 nights accommodation in basic hotels, dormitory or rooms for 2 or 3 people. Light backpack (the day’s clothing and equipment + picnic), except the first night as the mountain hut is not accessible by car. On all other nights taxis will transport your baggage for the . MEETING POINT : . If possible, information meeting the day before departure at 6pm at the Guides Compagnie in Chamonix. . On the morning of departure, meeting point either at the Guides Compagnie in Chamonix at 9am, or at 10.30am in Verbier in front of the Les Ruinettes cable-car station. Dates offered for summer 2010 : Saturdays July 10th & 31st, August 21st. LAND COST for SUMMER 2010 : 785 € (6 persons minimum). This price includes : - The organisation and supervision of the tour - Half-board dormitory accommodation in mountain huts or gîtes, plus the picnics - Lift passes - Transportation, from Chamonix to the final point of the tour in Zermatt - Transportation of your baggage throughout the tour This price does not include : - Drinks and personal expenses EQUIPMENT : This is a mountain trip where we cross passes above 8250 feet. Temperature can drop to freezing level and windchill factor can make it even colder. Be prepared. Layering is the best way to stay warm. Your daypack should be midsize to hold your raingear, lunch, water, and your camera. The rest of your luggage will travel in the assisting We ask the hereunder deposit payment at the reservation. The remaining has to be paid 21 days before the beginning of the course. |
||||||||||||