Mont Blanc Materhorn and the Eiger
This trip makes the most of the time available hiking in the shadow of the most famous and impressive mountains in the Alps. Taking day-walks from Chamonix and Zermatt we see panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range and the towering majesty of the Matterhorn. The trip culminates with a tough 2-day trek along the quieter trails of the Bernese Oberland for wonderful views of the Eiger and Jungfrau.
CHAMONIX & MONT BLANC
Mont Blanc was first climbed in 1786 and has since attracted mountaineers and trekkers from all over the world. Soaring granite spires, great glaciers and impressive snow-clad mountains make Chamonix an exceptional place to walk. Spending three nights here we have ample opportunity to enjoy the mountains and relax at the pavement cafés and restaurants. Our day-walk takes us to Lac Blanc - a pretty Alpine lake where we should see marmots, Alpine flowers and panoramic views of the whole Mont Blanc massif. During your free day you can go walking or take optional activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking and paragliding.
ZERMATT & THE MATTERHORN
Arguably the most recognised mountain in the world, the Matterhorn towers above the bustling Alpine town of Zermatt. We trek through meadows and rugged terrain to its base at 3260m where we can admire its steep ridges and imposing North Face that have witnessed many mountaineering epics.
BERNESE OBERLAND & THE EIGER
Kandersteg is a quaint Alpine town surrounded by huge limestone cliffs giving fabulous walking along quiet trails. Here we begin a 2-day trek crossing two high passes and breaking the journey at a remote village inn. There are breathtaking views of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch before descending into the high-sided Lauterbrunnen Valley - a UNESCO world heritage site with cliffs over 600m high.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-6200-P) |
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Return Flights (london - Geneva - London) |
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Accomodation |
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8 breakfasts |
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4 lunches |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Tour Payment 200 EUR |
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Suitability / Level |
Strenous |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
16 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights on this tour, we particularly mention:
TREKKING IN THE ALPS
For spectacular views of Europe’s most iconic mountains.
CHAMONIX – ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF EUROPE
Stunning views from pavement cafés.
ZERMATT – HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF 4000M
Peaks in the Alps.
BERNESE OBERLAND
Quiet trails & picture postcard villages.
DAY 1. SATURDAY. JOIN TOUR GENEVA; TRANSFER TO CHAMONIX VALLEY
Join tour in Geneva where you will be met by the Tour Leader. Then we travel for an hour by bus to the Chamonix situated under Mont Blanc.
DAY 2. IN THE CHAMONIX VALLEY
Chamonix is the adventure capital of Europe and has been attracting climbers, walkers and adventurers for many years. Within the bustling town centre there are tourists, trekkers and world-famous mountaineers all taking in the wonderful atmosphere from intimate pavement cafés.
There are numerous things to do, such as riding the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car for spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. At 3842m you are amongst the great Alpine peaks and you can see the small specks of climbers on Mont Blanc. There are also numerous walks and bike rides in the valley and even the chance to paraglide from a mountain hillside.
DAY 3. HIKE TO LAC BLANC ON THE WORLD FAMOUS TOUR DU MONT BLANC (TMB)
The start point of today’s walk is just a short bus ride from the town centre. We make our way up through larch and fir forest until we reach the Aiguillette d’Argentiere – an impressive rock spire that seduces brave novice climbers. From here we continue up a small section of steeper ground with the help of a series of small ropes and ladders to make it easier.
As we climb, we are rewarded with increasingly better views of the whole Mont Blanc range and the great glaciers that descend towards the Chamonix valley. Enroute we will stop for lunch and maybe spot marmots or chamois which live at these higher altitudes. Our goal is Lac Blanc (2350m), justifiably regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the Alps taking 3-4 hours. The descent is via a different route and for those with sore knees there is a cable-car to the valley floor taking. Total distance 10-12km.
DAY 4. TRANSFER TO ZERMATT
We travel to Zermatt in approximately 3 hours. Situated at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, Zermatt (1600m) has drawn climbers and walkers for over 150 years. The original pioneers were Victorian climbers who came to conquer the peaks: here there is the highest concentration of peaks over 4000m in the Alps.
The mountains have evocative names such as the Obergabelhorn, Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn and many have steep sides and pyramidal summits. The afternoon is free for individual exploration which may include walking, visiting the Alpine museum and even the graveyard which offers an insight to the dangers of climbing the steep mountains.
DAY 5. TREK TO THE HÖRNLI HUT AT THE BASE OF THE MATTERHORN
The first ascent of the Matterhorn is a well documented and tragic story; of the 7 men who finally conquered the summit in 1865, only 3 survived the descent. Since then, every face and ridge has been climbed, but it still attracts adventurous climbers every year.
We trek through the pretty hamlets outside Zermatt and head up through thick larch forest until we are above the tree-line. We then follow a rocky and barren ridge which extends to the base of the Matterhorn. The final stage is up a zig-zag path to the Hörnli Hut (3260m) where the soaring Hörnli Ridge continues upwards. This is the normal route for climbers and we should be able to see them on the ridge.
The views are incredible, stretching from the Monte Rosa (2nd highest in the Alps), to the 10km long ridge from Liskamm to the Breithorn and numerous other peaks which stand high above the valley floor. We return to Zermatt via a different route, though for those with tired legs, there is a cable car descent from Schwarze (2552m). Total distance 18km.
DAY 6. TRAIN TO KANDERSTEG
We leave Zermatt and head down to the Rhone valley at 670m. The higher temperatures make this one of Switzerland’s most fertile areas where fruit and wines are cultivated. The Rhone Valley divides the country here and we leave the Alps of the Valais and cross into the Bernese Oberland via the Lotschberg tunnel.
On arrival at Kandersteg (1179m) we are greeted by a totally different mountain scenery with sheersided limestone cliffs and hanging valleys. Kandersteg is a quaint Alpine town dotted with Swiss chalets and cut by a rushing river. We spend the afternoon exploring the town or taking a walk to one of the nearby valleys.
DAY 7. IN THE BERNESE OBERLAND
The final two days of walking, though longer and more strenuous, are probably the most spectacular parts of the entire trek. From Kandersteg, a short chairlift ride brings us to the small lake ‘Oeschinensee’ – a glacial lake trapped beneath sheer rock-walls and great snow-clad peaks. We continue on a strenuous ascent crossing beneath the snout of the ‘Blumisalp’ glacier and on to the Hohturli pass at 2778m.
The views are outstanding in all directions. We descend very steeply – sometimes with the aid of chains hammered into the rocks beside the trail – to the hamlet of Gorneren where we stay in the dormitories of a small inn. The day is quite long but the walking is excellent. About 7-8 hours walk (13km). Note: Your luggage will be taken from Kandersteg to Lauterbrunnen. Therefore you need to carry what you need for tonight and during your walk today and tomorrow (toiletries, a change of clothing and sleeping sheet).
DAY 8. ON TO THE LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY
A long, steep climb brings us to yet another pass: the ‘Sefinen Furgge’ (2612m), from where we should have good views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its classic glaciated steep sides.
The descent begins steeply but soon levels off as we approach the village of Gimmelwald. From here we descend through the forest to Stechelberg and then take a bus to Lauterbrunnen (790m). The views from the valley bottom are incredible with sheer cliffs over 600m high and spectacular waterfalls. About 7-8 hours walk.
DAY 9. SUNDAY. TRANSFER TO GENEVA IN 2.5HRS WHERE TOUR ENDS |
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Accommodation
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8 nights hotels/inn |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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Included
