Level 1: You have no experience.
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Level 2: You have had at least one previous experience.
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Level 3: You practice regularly.
Body
The Haute Route is certainly the most famous glacier trip of the Alps. It connects the two historic capitals of mountaineering with passes over 3000m. The exceptional beauty of the landscapes crossed, makes it an essential objective. Despite its notoriety, the Haute Route is a serious glacier trip requiring a good physical form.
This trip will take you to some of the most spectacular places in the Alps: from the Glacier du Tour to the foot of the Matterhorn: it is a guaranteed change of scenery.
Why this trip in 7 days ?
The Haute Route, via our itinerary, is traditionally completed in six days; Groups are go down to Zermatt directly, without passing a night in the Schonbiel hut. Consequently, the last day is very long and can be particularly exhausting regarding the glacier conditions.
We propose you to make the route more consistent and enjoy the ambiance of the Haute Route longer.
Itinerary
Day 1: From Chamonix to Albert premier hut
Rendez-vous at 10.00am at the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (190, place de l’église). Your guide will check your equipment & give you food supplies. Then, with your car or by public free bus, rendez-vous at Le Tour village (1450m / 4757ft). We ride the gondola & the chair lift to Col de Balme (2180m / 7152ft). We start walking on a pleasant path and reach the moraine of Glacier du tour. After a short break to the Albert 1er hut (2702 / 8864ftm), we go down on the glacier to learn the techniques for moving across icy terrain. Night in Albert 1er hut.
Vertical ascent: 600m / 1968ft
Day 2: From Albert premier hut to Champex
Early in the morning, we start our glacier adventure on the Glacier du Tour. We go up to the Col Supérieur du Tour (3289m/10790ft) and enter in Switzerland trough the Glacier du Trient. We continue on a balcony path to take the lift of la Breya (2200m/7217ft). We arrive in Champex (1500m /4921ft) where we spend the night in hotel.
Vertical ascent: 714m/2342ft - Vertical descent: 1200m/3937ft
Day 3: From Champex to Cabane de Chanrion
Transfer to the Mauvoisin dam (1975m/6397ft), starting point of our day in the mountain pastures. Your guide will tell you about the ice breakup of Giétro, natural catastrophe that devastated the Val de Bagne in 1818. Long crossing over the lake, facing the Tournelon Blanc (3700m/12139ft) and the Combins (4313m/12140ft). We reach the Cabane de Chanrion (2461m/8074ft) where we spend the night.
Elevation gain: 485m/1591ft
Jour 4: From Cabane de Chanrion to Cabane des Vignettes
We reach the basin of the Otemma Glacier. We start walking up the gentle slope of the glacier for 8 km. The way up - a bit monotonous on its length - takes place in a stunning glacial atmosphere. At Col de Charmotane (3015m/9891ft), we turn towards the Cabane des Vignettes (3160m/10367ft), overlooking the glaciers of this sector. Night at the hut.
Elevation gain: 770m/2526ft / Elevation loss: 80m/262ft
Day 5: From Cabane des Vignettes to Cabane Bertol
We start the journey with a short downhill to the glacier of Mont Collon, which we hike up until Col de l’Evêque (3392m/11128ft). Then, we go down the Haut glacier d’Arolla until the Plan Bertol (2550m/7381ft); from which we start our climb to the Cabane Bertol (3311m/10862ft). Perched on a rocky promontory, we have to take a series of ladders to reach the Cabane Bertol.
Vertical ascent: 950m/3116ft -Vertical descent: 1050m/3444ft
Day 6: From Cabane Bertol to Cabane Schonbiel
We traverse the Grand Planteau of the glacier of Mont Miné to reach Tête Blanche summit (3710m/12171ft). It is a magnificent point of view on the Dent Blanche (4357m/14294ft), the Matterhorn (4476m/14685ft) and many 4000 meters peaks. We go down to the glacier de Stocki and the glacier du Zmutt. From there, we reach the comfortable Schönbiel hut (2694m/8838ft).
Vertical ascent: 565m/1853ft - Vertical descent: 1100m/3608ft
Day 7: From Cabane de Schönbiel to Zermatt
We continue or descent to Zermatt trough a peaceful path in the middle alpine pasture. All along the descent, we could admire the view on the Matterhorn. We arrive in Zermatt at the end of the morning. Lunch in Zermatt.
Transfer to Chamonix in OPTION at the beginning of the afternoon (120€/pers).
Vertical descent: 1086m/3562ft
GROUP BOOKING
Group session associates several people who don’t know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : Find all the dates available in the drop-down list below
Price 2023 : 1725€ per person, based on a minimum of 4 persons
Including in the package :
- mountain guiding services
- 6 Nights in mountain hut or inn with dinner and breakfast
- daily lunches : pack a little bit of space in your backpack
- 1 bootle of water in each mountain hut
- lift tickets
- transfers mentioned in the program
Not included in the package :
- personal equipment
- other drinks
- mandatory repatriation insurance
- transfer to the meeting point and transfer back from Zermatt to Chamonix
PRIVATE BOOKING
Private hiring is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date (depending on the availability of the huts) and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Prices 2023 :
2 people : 3515 € per person
3 people : 2640 € per person
4 people : 2205 € per person
5 people : 1940 € per person
6 people : 1725 € per person
Including in the package :
- mountain guiding services
- 6 Nights in mountain hut or inn with dinner and breakfast
- daily lunches
- 1 bootle of water in each mountain hut
- lift tickets
- transfers mentioned in the program
Not included in the package :
- personal equipment
- other drinks
- mandatory repatriation insurance
- transfer to the meeting point and transfer back from Zermatt to Chamonix
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. For further information, please contact our advisor (contact details above).
Meeting point : Meet at 10.00am at the Compagnie des Guides office in Chamonix. our finishes in Zermatt. Optional transfer back to Chamonix (120€/person).
Ability level : An appropriate choice of peak is essential for you to properly enjoy your holiday. To get the most out of your trip we recommend you take regular exercise throughout the year and, where necessary, undertake specific training a few months before you leave. Try to avoid last minute training that can lead to injury. Do not to overestimate your abilities, and do be aware that the weight of your pack and higher altitudes reduce your usual strength and stamina. For strong hikers: daily hike and/or climb vertical gain ranging from 1000 to 1500 meters, 8 to 10 hours per day, at high or very high altitude (4000 m and above). Little glacier-hiking experience is necessary (crampons).
Guiding policy : 4 to 6 people. The Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy is one of the strictest in the mountain guiding business. It guarantees the most balanced groups as possible as well as high-quality personalised advice. Minor, only accompagnied by a parent.
Accommodation : During the trip: 6 nights in huts; with dinner & breakfast. Water is not provided in the hut. Bring some cash (Euros and Swiss francs) for your drinks.
Before & after the trip: We have some hotel partners in Chamonix with special prices for our customers.
Documentation : Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them.
Preparing for the trip : One week before the trip, the mountain guide will be in contact to answer any questons you may have.
Equipment
We recommend you take particular care over you choice of equipment, as it plays a large role in the success of your trip. Weight is critical, and you must always evaluate the weight-to-comfort ratio to find the best compromise.
Weather conditions can be extremely variable: from 20ºC on the approach route to the hut, to -15ºC on the summit (like a cold winter’s day in a ski resort). Generally speaking, it is better to put on several thin layers than to have one bulky item of warm clothing, and it is vital that you remain dry at all times.
Equipment
- 35-litre backpack
- High-altitude mountaineering boots that are not too tight
- Gaiters, if needed for your trousers
- Telescopic trekking poles
- Crampons with anti-balling plates; helmet, harness and straight ice axe
Clothing
- Warm hat that can be worn under a helmet
- Sun hat or cap
- Neck protection such as a ‘Buff’
- ‘Micro-fibre’ style long-sleeve base layer
- Fleece
- ‘Gore Tex’ style shell jacket with hood
- Down jacket
- Base layer leggings
- A trekking trousers,
- ‘Gore Tex’ style over-trousers
- Warm specialist walking socks
- Lightweight specialist walking socks
- Ski gloves or good quality mitts
- Leather or fleece gloves
- Change of clothes at your discretion
Accessories
- Category 4 sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Headtorch plus spare batteries
- Sheet sleeping bag
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5l) and thermos bottle
- Personalised first aid kit with a minimum of: sun cream, lip balm, cotton buds, blister kit, antisickness medication
- Watertight bag to contain your ID/passport and Euros
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Carbone Calculator
The quantity of CO2 emitted is not yet specified for this activity.
The quantity of CO2 emitted is not yet specified for this activity.
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 0€ to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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For more information, contact Pôle Alpinisme : +33 (0)4 28 70 28 92
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