ITINERARY DAY 1: CHAMONIX  Arrive and transfer to Chamonix, France, located at the base of Mont Blanc (15,781 feet). DAY 2: CHAMONIX TO ARGENTIERE  Enjoy a gentle introductory hike with spectacular views over the Mont Blanc range. Our hike along the Grand Balcon Sud offers some of the best photo opportunities of Mont Blanc, the Mer de Glace, and the Aiguilles, or rock needles, of the Chamonix Valley. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain 1000 ft. DAY 3: ARGENTIÈRE TO TRIENT  Today we’ll climb to the border between Switzerland and France. Overnight in the tiny hamlet of Trient. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain 3500 ft. DAY 4:  TRIENT TO CHAMPEX   Enjoy awesome views of the Rhone Valley as we find our way through high alpine meadows. Descend through a gorgeous side valley to the lovely little resort village of Champex and our Swiss chalet. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain 2300 ft. DAY 5: CHAMPEX TO CABANE MONT FORT  Transfer to Verbier. Hike to the Cabane du Mont-Fort (8,061 feet). Distance 4 miles. Elevation gain 860 ft. DAY 6: VERBIER TO PRAFLEURI HUT  Hike through a remote alpine environment to the base of the Rosablanche (10,945 feet). Overnight at the Cabane Prafleuri (8,734 feet). Distance 6 miles. Elevation gain 3000 ft. DAY 7: PRAFLEURI HUT TO AROLLA  Hike over the mountain pass. Note: There is a section of new ladders on this hike. Overnight in Arolla. Distance 10 miles. Elevation gain 2500 ft. DAY 8: AROLLA TO LES HAUDÈRES  A spectacular hike lies ahead with views of Mont Collon, L’Eveque, the Pigne D’Arolla and the Aiguilles Rouges. Descend to the little village of Les Haudères with its blackened timber homes. Overnight in an antique hotel. Distance 10 miles. Elevation gain 2800 ft. DAY 9: LES HAUDÈRES TO LA SAGE TO ST. LUC  Descend to the head of the Val D’Anniviers and transfer to St. Luc. Overnight in a special country inn filled with antiques and old world charm. Distance 11 miles. Elevation gain 4800 ft. DAY 10: ST. LUC TO GRUBEN  Enjoy views of the Aiguilles Rouges and the Dent D’Herens, and forward to the peaks above Zermatt: the Matterhorn, OberGabelhorn, Dent Blanche and Weisshorn. Distance 11 miles. Elevation gain 3000 ft. DAY 11: GRUBEN TO ZERMATT  Follow a medieval trading route with views of the Mischabel range and the peaks of the Berner Oberland. Transfer to Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Distance 9 miles. Elevation gain 3500 ft. DAY 12: DEPART 59 "The hike was amazing, quite challenging but most rewarding too." – Susanna M. TRIP RATINGS Moderate hiking up to 11 miles with ascents up to 4,800 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 3+ / 4 COMFORT 2+ / 4 3+ / 4 TERRAIN *All ground transportation between Chamonix and Zermatt included during tour. Guided tour offers luggage transfer daily except at berghaus and huts. Self guided tours, no dinner in Chamonix. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. Chamonix Zermatt Les Haudères St. Luc Arolla Champex Trient Argentiére Lac des Dix Lac de Moiry Weisshorn Matterhorn Dom Dufourspitze Mont Blanc Mer de Glace SWITZERLAND ITALY FRANCE Verbier Cabane du Mont-Fort Cabane Prafleuri Gruben MODERATE TO CHALLENGING HIKING