Haute Route Highlights (Inn-to-inn combo hiking tour)
Meet: Chamonix
Depart: Zermatt
Length: 8 days, 7 nights
Hike Rating: Strenuous, 5-8 hours/day, 2500'-4500' elevation gain/loss
| 2008 Departure: | August 31 - September 7 |
| Tour Cost: | $2895 (sharing a double) |
| $350 (single supplement) |
The Hiker's Haute Route consists of a spectacular series of trails linking Chamonix to Zermatt, marked by high, steep passes, quiet trails, and stunning mountain scenery. We've designed this tour as a combo tour, combining luxurious hotels and village-based hiking in both Chamonix and Zermatt with a strenuous 3-day inn-to-inn hike along the most spectacular section of the Haute Route. We'll start with 2 nights in the beautiful 4-star Hameau Albert in Chamonix, taking dayhikes into the surrounding Alps. Then after a short transfer, we'll cross rugged passes for 2 nights in modest mountain inns (with private rooms), and 1 great night in a remote alpine club hut (dorms only, no showers, no luggage transport this night). The Haute Route tour continues on to Zermatt to a favorite local hotel and unforgettable hikes along the base of the Matterhorn. If you love pure mountain scenery, the Haute Route Highlights tour offers the ultimate exploration of one of Switzerland's most dramatic hiking routes.
 Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn - delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice - which gives us the energy needed for a full day of inn-to-inn hiking. Soon we'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours, where often you'll get to choose between an easier or more strenuous hike for the day. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!
We should finish our hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up and relax. You will have your own bedroom every night except for the night at the Dix hut. Each evening we'll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are multi-course feasts, often featuring local French and Swiss specialties, and will definitely be hearty, filling, well-earned and very delicious.
Day 1 Arrive in Europe and transfer by train or van to our meeting point in Chamonix. The trip is easy and incredibly scenic. If you arrive early, you might consider a daytrip up the Aiguille du Midi cablecar - undoubtedly one of Chamonix's highlights. In minutes the cablecar whisks you up to
12,600 feet, where you can enjoy an extremely close-up look at Mont Blanc and an unforgettable ride suspended above the Geant Glacier. Or just enjoy some walking or relaxing in the lively village center. Relax in the evening at our beautiful village hotel.
Day 2 One of the justifiably famous hikes in the region takes us to Lac Blanc. This high-mountain lake sits in the Aiguilles Rouges, across the valley from Mont Blanc, and commands one of the greatest mountain views anywhere. We'll make good use of local cablecars so we can enjoy more time hiking near the lake. Alternate trails can lead us to quieter, lesser-known lakes in the region.
Day 3 We'll take a morning transfer into Switzerland and up to the impressive Grand Dixence reservoir to start the inn-to-inn portion of our Haute Route tour. From here a 4-hour hike leads us to the spectacular Dix hut, perched on a lonely rock outcrop and surrounded by glaciers and mountains. There is no luggage transport possible to the hut, so we'll carry a few extra clothes with us for the night. (Cabane des Dix)
Day 4 We start the morning with a short, easy glacier traverse, cross the steep Col du Riedmatten pass, and descend to the tiny village of Arolla. We'll continue down the valley through fields and forest to the small hamlet of La Sage with a lovely family-run inn as our home for the night. (Hotel la Sage)
Day 5 Our longest, steepest climb of the tour leads to the beautiful Val d'Anniviers and more stunning mountain scenery. We'll descend to Grimentz, a postcard-perfect village of dark timbered houses bursting with colorful geraniums. (Hotel Alpina)
Day 6  Our Haute Route itinerary continues with a morning transfer by bus and train to Zermatt. Zermatt is a lively village, filled with energy and history, and dominated by the towering presence of the Matterhorn. It also retains a sense of charm, with quiet back alleys and classy shops. You'll have a chance to check out the town, take a short walk around Zermatt, or enjoy the wonderful pool and spa before settling in for dinner at the very friendly Hotel Europe. (Hotel Europe)
Day 7 It's nice to finish our Haute Route tour with the impressive hike past the Schwarzsee lake and up a ridge to the Hörnli hut, a sort of Matterhorn base camp, perched at the end of the trail on the way up the Matterhorn. An optional descent brings you past 400-year old dark-timbered hamlets and through larch forests back to Zermatt. Afterwards, we'll enjoy exquisite food and great Matterhorn views from our hotel on the outskirts of town. (Hotel Europe)
Day 8 After breakfast at our hotel, we'll say our good-byes and leave for our post-trip destinations.
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| Arrive: | Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest (flights from the US usually depart the day before). The closest airport is Geneva. Contact ATS for quick and affordable van transfer from the Geneva airport to Chamonix. |
| Depart: | Plan departure for the day after your tour ends at the earliest from either Geneva or Zurich. Plan on 1 night at a hotel in your departure city (we can help with this). The Swiss Card rail pass is only recommended if you have extra travel in Switzerland planned before or after this tour. |
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