If you like trekking and being in the high mountains, but are not an experienced mountaineer, then this could be the trip for you.
Experience the high glaciers and passes as you trek from Chamonix to Zermatt. This high level route linking the two most famous towns in the Alps takes you through breath-taking scenery.
The trip begins in the Chamonix Valley and winds its way to Zermatt traversing high mountain cols. You will walk across stunning glaciers, often in solitude. The trip needs 7 days but we allow 8 so that we have a spare day in case of bad weather. It would be a real shame to get most of the way but not make it because of a storm ! Being able to wait out bad weather in a mountain refuge for 24hrs is a winning plan. If you arrive in Zermatt without having used your spare day there is the option to stay there for a night and climb the Breithorn the following day. If you would rather head back to Chamonix then there is the option to traverse the Vallee Blanche instead.
NB: Some companies advertise this as a moderate trek. It is not. I have personally done this trip multiple times and there are some tough days where you will be walking for around 8-9hrs. Therefore it is essential that you have good stamina and a light rucksack !
Recent climate change has caused some glaciers to become very dry when previously they would have been snowy and pleasant to walk on. Some cols have also become impossible to pass later in the season as they have been reduced to dangerous rubble slopes. As a result of these factors we only undertake this trip prior to mid July. If you want a Private trip you can request one outside of these dates but we don't recommend it and beyond mid July we insist on a maximum guiding ratio of 1:4. Even with a lower guiding ratio you may not be able to complete the journey.
The trip is run on a "Guiding Only" basis. This means that you've paid for the guides for the week, but all other costs arising are to be met by you. This means lifts and mountain refuges (for you and your guides) are covered by you, as is mileage outside the Chamonix Valley or Courmayeur. You should allow around 500euros for the week for these extras. Sometimes it's less, but sometimes it's a little more.
Dates and Prices on application.
Please contact me at info@stuartmacdonald.org for more details.
