Chamonix – Zermatt: the other route

Details

Highlights

Price per person

Price includes

• Guiding fee
• Accommodation
• All meals during trip
• Transport during the trip
• Mountain guide's expenses

Itinerary

• Day 1: Saleina refuge

  Departure from the Grands Montets cablecar. Descent of the Argentière glacier, then ascent to the Chardonnet pass to reach the unguarded Saleina refuge (2693 m).
  D +900/-1300m

• Day 2: Fouly

  Leaving for the Planereuse pass (3030 m). Descent on the glacier and ascent to the Crête Sèche pass (3024 m), to cross to the Essettes pass (3110 m). A long descent takes us to the Fouly village.
  A beautiful mountain stage in wild and alpine corners. A small couloir ascending the Crête Sèche pass and a descent to the magnificent A Neuve refuge. The 1700 m of descent over Fouly are amazing. The village is charming and very Swiss…
  D +800/-1800m

• Day 3: Grand Saint Bernard

  Ascent to the base of Val Ferret to reach the Fenêtre lakes (2495 m) and pass (2695 m). Descent on the Italian side before going up to the Grand Saint Bernard hospice (2460 m).
  Quite easy day, and the arrival to the accommodation is superb. On top of it, a very warm welcome.
  D +1100/-700m

• Day 4: Crête Sèche refuge

  Descent of the pass on the Swiss side (2200 m), ascent through the Tcholeire pass to the Menouve south pass (2756 m). Descent to the Eternon village (1280 m). Taxi to the Bionaz village, then ascent to the charming Crête Sèche refuge (2385 m).
  A mainly Italian day. The descent of Menouve is very beautiful.
  D +1300/-1800m

• Day 5: Cabane Chanrion

  Acent to the Crête Sèche pass (2896 m). Possible ascent of the Chardonay pass (3183 m). Descent of the north face until the foot of the Ottemma glacier. Short ascent to the Cabane Chanrion (2460 m).
  Wild and calm day, with beautiful views over the Valais massif.
  D +800/-800m,

• Day 6: Pigne d'Arolla - Cabane Vignettes

  Ascent of the Pigne d’Arolla (3790 m) by the Serpentine glacier. Descent to the Cabane Vignettes (3160 m). Pigne d’Arolla is a superb belvedere over the entire Valais.
  D +1300/-650m

• Day 7: Zermatt

  Descent to the Charmontane pass (3024 m). Ascent to the Evèque pass (3370 m). Descent to the high Arolla glacier, then ascent to the Mt Brulé pass (3213 m). Traverse to the Valpeline pass (3554 m) by the Tsa de Tsan glacier, to start the long and beautiful descent to Zermatt (1690 m), at the foot of the north face of Matterhorn.
  D +1000/-2000m

Other details

About the Guide