Haute Route Trekking Expedition
Travel the famous Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt and make your dreams come true with a IFMGA-certified guide.
Private
Alps
7 Days
Jul, Aug
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Traverse the iconic Haute Route, a classic alpine journey
- Marvel at breathtaking glacial landscapes and high-mountain scenery
- Trek with confidence alongside a professional UIAGM mountain guide
Description
The Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt is probably the most famous ski tour in the world.
If you've always dreamed of doing the Haute Route, this is the perfect chance. Come enjoy panoramic hiking trails surrounded by spectacular peaks and awe-inspiring glaciers! It's a once in a lifetime experience!
Experience the ultimate glacier traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt along the Haute Route. More demanding than its Walker’s counterpart, this direct alpine crossing rewards trekkers with technical glacier sections and spectacular panoramas.
Join me on this Haute Route expedition. Contact me now and I'll answer all your questions regarding this program. We can start planning right away!
Price includes
Price details
- Services of a certified UIAGM high mountain guide (max. ratio 1:6)
- All expenses related to the high mountain guide
- 6 nights in mountain refuges with half-board accommodation
- Bus transfer from Chamonix to Le Tour
- Cable car from La Breya to Chamonix
- Private transfer from Champex to Mauvoisin
- Management and booking of refuge accommodations
- Technical advice and access to group equipment
- NOT INCLUDED
- Transport to and from Chamonix or Zermatt
- Personal technical gear (crampons, harness, ice axe, etc.)
- Travel and cancellation insurance (optional but recommended — we can arrange it for you)
- Rescue insurance (mandatory — we can assist with arrangement)
- Tips (gratuities are at your discretion)
- Any other services not explicitly mentioned in the “Included” section
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: From Chamonix to the Albert 1st Refuge
The journey begins with a transfer from Chamonix to the village of Le Tour, where the ascent to the Albert 1st Refuge commences. This stage introduces an alpine setting dominated by the striking summits of the Mont Blanc massif. If desired, the Balme cable car offers a shorter alternative. Along the way, time is set aside to practice basic glacier progression techniques. Duration: 2 to 3 hours | Ascent: 600 metres | Descent: 0 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Champex
Marking the first encounter with glacial terrain, the route ascends to the Upper Col du Tour at 3288 metres before crossing the Trient and Orny glaciers, crossing into Switzerland. The Breya cable car then provides a descent to the village of Champex, followed by a private transfer onward to Mauvoisin. Duration: 6 to 7 hours | Ascent: 650 metres | Descent: 1100 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Chanrion Refuge
Starting from the Mauvoisin dam, the trail skirts the reservoir and leads steadily to the peaceful setting of the Chanrion Refuge. Duration: 4 to 5 hours | Ascent: 800 metres | Descent: 200 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Vignettes Refuge
Following the Otemma Glacier, the path climbs to the Charmotane Pass at 3024 metres before arriving at the Vignettes Refuge, known for its spectacular panoramic views. Duration: 6 to 7 hours | Ascent: 800 metres | Descent: 200 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Bertol Refuge
This is a demanding stage across glacial terrain, concluding with a steep final ascent to the Bertol Refuge, perched in a dramatic setting. Duration: 7 to 8 hours | Ascent: 1200 metres | Descent: 800 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Schönbiel Refuge
Another lengthy day calls for an early start. The route reaches its highest point at the Tête Blanche (3707 metres), offering final sweeping views over the glaciers. The day ends with a short via ferrata section leading to the Schönbiel Refuge. Duration: 6 to 7 hours | Ascent: 600 metres | Descent: 1300 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Zermatt
The final stage descends into the iconic village of Zermatt, where there is time to wander through its charming streets and celebrate the journey with a well-earned drink. From Zermatt, a direct train connection is available to Geneva Airport, or alternatively back to Chamonix. Duration: 3 to 4 hours | Ascent: 0 metres | Descent: 800 metres Accommodation: Mountain refuge | Meals included: Breakfast
Details
Accommodation
Throughout the trip, we will stay in a selection of mountain refuges, each offering shared accommodation in a distinctive alpine setting. The Albert 1st Refuge sits above the Tour Glacier with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif. Renovated in 2014, it is one of the few in the area accessible in summer without crossing glaciers. The Chanrion Hut, located in the Swiss Valais at 2,462 metres near Lake Mauvoisin, is a quiet Swiss Alpine Club refuge ideal for hikers and mountaineers. The Vignettes Hut stands at 3,160 metres in the Pennine Alps, accessible only via glaciers and offering a true high-mountain experience near the Pigne d'Arolla.
Equipment you will need to bring
For this trip, your functional clothing should include a windproof and water-repellent softshell for normal use or a waterproof hardshell for bad weather, plus lightweight waterproof pants.
Pack a warm primaloft or down jacket, a light fleece, thermal pants and shirt for sleeping, quick-drying shorts and technical T-shirts, swimwear, and non-cotton underwear.
Bring a light running cap, a wool hat, a neck gaiter, and sunglasses for your head, along with light fleece gloves and trekking poles. For your feet, pack non-cotton socks, trail running shoes or boots, and optional trekking sandals.
Use a comfortable backpack with a rain cover. In the refuges, you will need a sleeping bag or liner and earplugs. Don’t forget a headlamp with spare batteries, sunscreen, lip balm, and after-sun.
For hydration, bring at least a one-liter system like a Camelbak, plus a thermos if desired, and plenty of snacks including energy bars, nuts, gels, and recovery supplements. Finally, pack casual clothing, your passport, visa, cash, insurance and vaccination docs, a microfiber towel, a first aid kit, a thermal blanket, and electronics like your phone, power bank, and camera.
You will also need technical gear: crampons, an ice axe, a climbing helmet, a harness with carabiners and a sling, and a ski mask.
About the guide
B4Experience
5.0
(5)
Guiding agency
B4Experience was founded in 2021 by a team of professional mountain guides and outdoor enthusiasts.
Our main director and guide is Jordi Tosas, a UIAGM guide with more than 40 years of experience in expeditions worldwide.
Our entire team will organize the best trip or expedition out of the main commercial routes to discover and enjoy the best mountain destinations.
Skiing in Nepal, Karakorum, Svalbard, or trekking the best mountains in the Alps, Pyrenees, and Africa, but also rock climbing or ice climbing, are some of our proposals.
Languages
Spanish | English | French | Catalan
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about B4Experience
Awesome week!! The place, the company, and Núria who gives off such great vibes!!!!
Brutal experience!
An incredible experience led by Nuria Picas, who was excellent in her sporting skills and also demonstrated great knowledge of Montblanc.
100% Recommended! A week-long experience with a group of 15 mountain enthusiasts, led by world-renowned expert Nuria Picas, who stands out not only for her professionalism and talent but also for her warmth and personal touch. She fostered a fantastic atmosphere within the group, making all participants feel included. This activity is highly recommended, both for exploring the Tour du Mont Blanc and for preparing for the UTMB race, as well as for disconnecting for a few days, meeting people with similar interests, and learning from others, which is always incredibly enriching. Special mention must be made of the warm and friendly service from the entire b4experience team, who ensured we had everything we needed so we could focus solely on running and enjoying each day.
The best experience of my life. Superbly organized, Núria Picas gets a 10/10, 100% recommended.
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