Matterhorn Highlights

This is a long-distance trek for sporty and fit people who want to do their first multi-day hike. A typical day in the mountains can be trekking for up to 8-9 hours with a rucksack, so you need a very good level of physical fitness and endurance. We recommend a good and intensive training with any sport (endurance sport) that you enjoy (e.g. running, swimming, tennis). Training hikes will also help, ideally for a full day with a 10kg rucksack.

Includes:

• Airport transfers
• Accommodation in mountain huts
• Food and non-alcoholic drinks

Excludes:

• International flights to Geneva Airport
• Personal travel/rescue insurance

Clothing suitable for hiking in temperatures from +30C to +5C. A full kit list is sent to you when you book.

Day 1: 4.5km, 815m ascent, 80m descent, 3hrs 15 mins

Day 2: 12km, 1250m ascent, 800m descent, 7hrs

Day 3: 15.8km, 811m ascent, 1900m descent, 8hrs 30 mins

Day 4: 7.7km, 600m ascent, 600m descent, 4hrs

You'll need to carry clothing for the four days, waterproofs, sun cream and a few other items. We'll pick up food and water along the way. In total, your full bag should be no more than 8kg (we recommend aiming for 5kg).

The minimum age for this trek is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.

The pickup times on day 1 of the itinerary are; 11am from Geneva airport, Visp main train station at 1pm or Randa main train station at 2pm.

If meeting at the airport, you'll meet your guide at Jazz Cafe in the arrivals lounge. 

Absolutely! We also put you in touch with the other trekkers in the group before you go, with a Facebook group, if you want.

You stay in mountain huts on each of the nights. The huts are dormitory-style with shared bathrooms. Single or double supplement is not available on this trip. Electricity, warm showers, snacks are available. Most accommodations do not have wifi. Single supplement is only available for the night in Zermatt and is 65.00 EUR per person.

You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/europe-russia/switzerland.

The average size is 12 people and the maximum is 14.

During the summer in the Alps (June – September) you can experience usually fair and quite warm weather. It is often sunny and the temperatures can reach 30° Celsius. The weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable and weather situations can change very quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to be always prepared for such a change. On a rainy-day, temperatures can drop quite low and it is necessary to have a good rain jacket and sometimes even a hat and a pair of gloves. See the kit list for full details.

Walking poles are available for rent. The cost is 10 euro’s and these must be requested on your registration form, at least 1 week before departure.  

Additional Items for Travel during Covid-19

The following additional items must be brought by all participants, whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing:

• Thin summer sleeping bag (e.g. rated for 20C)
• Face mask for use in the huts
• Personal hand sanitizer 

Documents

• Passport  

• Travel insurance details  

• Boarding passes for flights  

• Driver’s license (if needed)  

• Cash – Euro’s and Swiss Franc  

• Credit/Debit Card  

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag liner  

Footwear

• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight  

• Light weight shoes for the evenings  

Clothing  

Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.  

• 1 x pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (Long johns or similar)  

• 3 x t-shirts for the hike  

• 1 x comfortable shirt for the evening  

• 4 x socks for hiking  

• 3 - 4 x pairs of underwear  

• 1 x fleece  

• Light down or Primaloft jacket  

• Rain and windproof jacket with hood  

• Rain and windproof trousers  

• Hiking trousers: We recommend a pair that zip off into shorts.  

• Comfortable trousers for the evening  

• Hat and gloves  

• Buff or scarf  

• Swimming shorts/Costume  

Other

• A daysack: 35 - 45 litres – All your kit should fit in this bag  

• Travel towel  

• Dry Liner or Dry Bag  

• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.  

• Sunglasses  

• Suncream  

• Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc  

• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)  

• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger  

• Lipsil  

• Book  

• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes   

Yes, whether you are vegetarian, vegan or have allergies. Just let us know before you go.

Yes. Once you book, you will have access to discount codes by logging into the Skyhook website.

Start:

On day 1 of your itinerary, you can meet at any of the following places:

11:00 at Geneva Airport (please try to arrive earlier to avoid delays)

13:00 at Visp Main Train Station (The pickup time here will be +- 15 minutes depending on traffic. You will be informed by SMS when the group leaves the airport).

14:00 at Randa Main Train Station (The pickup time here will be +- 15 minutes depending on traffic. You will be informed by SMS when the group leaves the airport).

It is important that you do not miss your start time as you will not be able to meet up with the rest of the group until the evening of Day 1 on your itinerary.

End:

You will arrive back at Geneva airport at 6 pm on day 4 of your itinerary.

Water

During the summer it can be quite warm in the Alps so it is important to carry enough water. We strongly recommend taking between two and three litres of water. The tap water at the accommodations you will stay is usually drinkable but there are limited resources along the way to fill up your bottle. Your guide can give you advice on this for each day.

Food

Whilst trekking, you will have the chance to taste a great variety of local specialities. The breakfast is continental, often with a variety of juices, tea and coffee.

The three-course dinner in the evening is hearty and the plates are quite big. During the day, a packed lunch will be freshly prepared for you.

If you have any food restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerance etc) please make us aware of this when completing your registration form, found on your Skyhook dashboard.

The valid currency on the trip is CHF (Swiss Francs) only. Credit cards not accepted (only in Zermatt). We recommend changing your money before you arrive as it will be difficult to do so once you start trekking.

It is not mandatory but often expected. In the Alps there is no fixed amount and it really depends on what you would like to give to show your satisfaction.