Enjoy a 4-day remote trek close to Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, passing incredible glaciers and mountain lakes along the way. Our most challenging hike usually for experienced or returning customers.
We'll pick you up from Aigle train station at 11:00 AM, which you can reach with regular trains from Geneva Airport.
After a short transfer, hike up to Anzeidaz before crossing the Pas de Cheville and descending to Deborance in time for dinner at the refuge. There may even be time for a swim in the lake to cool down. Listen to and look for the Marmots along the way!
Follow the river up to the pastures of Pro Flour, stopping for a crepe at Dorboron refuge. We'll pass Lake Forclaz and cross the boulder fields before our final climb to our accommodation in the remote Cabane Rambert and their herd of Bouquetin. This hut has some of the best views with the Matterhorn, Dent Blanche, Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc all visible.
The day starts with a hike past the waterfalls of Passing Le Pessot, to Ovronnaz (known for fantastic cafe!).
After stopping for a break, we continue to trek past beautiful mountains including Tita Seri (2,850m), Dent de Morcles (2,970m), and Chavalard (2,898m). In the evening, relax and enjoy the hut warden's speciality spaghetti with the rest of the team.
Today is the final day of hiking, trekking back towards Lake Geneva. It's an early start as we make our way down and then across the balcony route. We will get our final views of Bouquetin, Chamois, Marmotte, and even Bearded Vulture.
After a stop at Cabane Torche, we take in the small peak of Coix de Javerne before descending to our pick-up at the road.
From here, we'll drop you back at Aigle where you can get a train to Geneva or extend your trip to Montreux or another adventure.
Sun 6 Jul 11:00AM Wed 9 Jul 2:00PM | €800 (€99 deposit) Based on €800 EUR | Book 6 spaces |
Sun 13 Jul 11:00AM Wed 16 Jul 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Mon 14 Jul 11:00AM Thu 17 Jul 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Fri 18 Jul 11:00AM Mon 21 Jul 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Fri 25 Jul 11:00AM Mon 28 Jul 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Wed 30 Jul 11:00AM Sat 2 Aug 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Fri 15 Aug 11:00AM Mon 18 Aug 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Fri 22 Aug 11:00AM Mon 25 Aug 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
Mon 25 Aug 11:00AM Thu 28 Aug 2:00PM | €800 | Fully booked |
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You'll need to be able to hike for up to 8 hours per day, with your rucksack on your back. This trip is our most demanding trekk for those with a good level of fitness. Hikers who are experienced hillwalkers or have been on one of our other trips. You will be walking on rough paths, up and down. Therefore we recommend plenty of walking away from towns, in the country or mountains. If you have done mountain walks before you'll be fine. If you haven't, take a trip before you commit to a 4-day trip. This trip is considered more challenging than the Tour Du Mont Blanc. The Matterhorn Highlights trip is our "easiest" 4-day trip - although a challenge in the mountains. Most people on this trip will already have completed a trip with AlpsAdventures.
Documents - Passport - Boarding pass for flights - Money (CHF) - Credit/Debit Card Sleeping - Sleeping bag liner - Ear Plugs Footwear - Trekking shoes/boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight - Lightweight shoe's for the evening (or you can borrow hut slippers) Clothing Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. - 3 x t-shirts - 1 x comfortable shirt for the evening - 4 x hiking socks - 3 - 4 pairs of underwear - 1 x fleece - Light down or Primaloft jacket - Waterproof jacket and trousers - Hiking trousers: we recommend a pair that zip off into shorts. - Sun Hat, Warm Hat and gloves - Swimming shorts/costume Other - A day bag: 35 - 45 litres - all your kit should fit into this bag. this must have a hip belt. - Travel towel - Dry bag or liner - Water bottle: At least 2L - Sun protection: Sunglasses, suncream and sun hat - Personal medication - Toiletries - a very small ammount. - Electronics - headtorch, travel adapter, phone and charger - Hand sanitiser. - Hiking poles (Available to rent for 10chf - these must be requested at least 1 week before your trip). PLEASE WATCH OUR PACKING VIDEO.
Not particularly, just your normal hiking boots, backpack, clothes and waterproofs. We recommend walking poles and if we rent those at discounted rates to save you having to bring them on the aeroplane and pay for baggage! However, if you have any old, heavy, gear this is a very good excuse to upgrade to more lieghtweight gear. If there is snow on the route and we feel the need we may lend you lightweight snow spikes.
The entire trek is in Switzerland. So Swiss Francs (chf). You can collect currency at the Geneva Airport cash machines.
Yes. It is mandatory. We recommend you purchase travel insurance well before your trip departure date. If you even sprain an ankle you will need a helicopter pick up and without insurance this will be pricey. If you need to cancel your trip, or the airline cancels, then insurance is a must. Take out insurance as soon as you have confirmed your booking.
You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/europe-russia/switzerland https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/europe-russia/switzerland
Day 1: Distance 7.5km, Ascend 600m, Descend 600m. Time 5-6 hours Day 2: Distance 10km, Ascend 1300m, Descend 200m, Time 8-9 hours Day 3: Distance 14km, Ascend 900m, Descend 1100m, Time 8-9 hours Day 4: Distance 10km, Ascend 500m, Descend 1400m, Time 5-6 Hours
We stay in 3 different mountain huts. The accommodation is dormitory-style with a nice communal area for socialising in each. It is pretty basic and part of the adventure. There is no wifi. Some have warm showers, some don't. Sometimes if there is a lack of water we can't have showers but on those days we will try to swim in a lake! This is a real mountain experience. We can expect other small groups in the huts on some of the more popular dates but on many occasions we will be on our own.
You'll experience traditional Swiss food along with some high energy foods to ensure you get the most out of your days in the mountains. Here is a breakdown of the meals that are included: Day 1: Dinner. Day 2: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 3: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 4: Breakfast. Lunches are purchased form huts or on the trail.
Start: Your guide will meet you at Aigle Train Station (on Swiss national rail), at 12:30 pm, on day 1 of your itinerary. Check the meet point on your dashboard for a pinned location. End: You'll be dropped back off at Aigle Train Station, at around 3:00 pm on day 4 of your itinerary.
Ideally NO. If you have to store luggage then you can have it collected form the station and stored at our basecamp for the duration of your trip.
The trek is all on marked paths, in a remote area of the Swiss alps. You can expect rocky trails, forest trails and gravel tracks. They are uneven and require precise foot placement. For this reason, it is important to wear a suitable boot with ankle support. You should also expect to be on rough ground, sometimes slippery and be ready to deal with a little exposure. Your guide will help you though throughout. There can be snow on the route and there are sections walking on loose rocks, scree. That is why this route is graded as our most challenging and for experienced walkers or returning customers.
YES, this is a highlight of the trip. Although seeing wildlife cannot be guaranteed, some of the Fauna we will be looking out for include: - Marmot - Ibex - Deer - Bouquetin - Chamois - Lynx/ Wolf (we are in the territory of both, but this is exceedingly unlikely) - Fighting Cows - Normal Cows (and their guardian dogs) Birds are plentiful, including raptors and songbirds. Last trip, we saw a Golden Eagle and Bearded Vultures. Flowers change throughout the season with the early season the best for spotting Eidelweiss but colourful vistas throughout the summer.
Yes! It is not mandatory but often expected and always appreciated. In the Alps, there is no fixed amount and it really depends on what you would like to give to show your satisfaction. A minimum of 20chfs per person and perhaps 50chf if your guide has really helped you. You can also support them by reviewing them on your Skyhook dashboard here.
During the summer it can be quite warm in the Alps so it's important to carry enough water. We strongly recommend taking two litres of water. The tap water at the accommodations you will stay is not usually drinkable (it is collected rainwater) but you can buy bottled water there or "tea marche" (walking tea). Your leader can give you advice on this for each day. Each day we pass various mountain places where it is possible to fill up water bottles and experience local delicacies.
During the summer in the Alps (July – 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 at 2000m can have a cooling breeze. 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. It is possible to have snow at night. One of the advantages of staying in the huts is we can always dry out and get warm at the end of the day. Please do not message to ask about the weather for your trip. It changes so often that anything we say may not be valid one day later.
Wholesome. On this trip, the accommodation is off-road. So everything needs to be carried or flown in by helicopter. Therefore, evening meals are normally three-course affairs of high-energy alpine food. We sit at tables with the best views of any restaurant in the world and enjoy having earned our meals. That having been said, each hut stocks beers, local swiss wine, and soft drinks. Serves tea and coffee which you are welcome to partake of. We will also pass "Alpanages" and cafes for lunch which we will stop at and you will have your choice from the menu there. Local cheese is VERY popular (and very local). Sometimes you can meet the cow, goat or chicken that gave the milk/ eggs for your lunch 🐮. The food is part of the adventure. The huts are good with dealing with vegetarians and do their best for other dietary requirements but if you have a specific need it may not be able to be met so please plan accordingly. We will inform the huts in advance of diet requirements that are on completed
There is a train from Geneva airport to Aigle Gare that takes 1.5hrs. You can pre-book your train ticket, and view the timetable here, and expect to pay approx 35 Euros for a one-way ticket on the day. This is often less if the ticket is booked in advance. You can also drive and leave your car at the station or the beginning of the trek.
Check out this quick video from your guides
The huts can cater for most dietary requirements. Just let them know when completing your registration form before the trip. They will do their best but see the above question.
The average height is 2000m - below the altitude where altitude sickness becomes an issue.
Due to the distances and ascents covered on this trip, it is geared towards adults. Therefore the minimum age for this trek is 18 years. However, those aged 16-18 years are welcome to attend in the company of a responsible adult. Remember that this is our most demanding trip for experienced walkers though.
We believe in three things. 1) The journey is part of the experience 2) Our commitment to doing all we can to help the environment 3) making the trip as low-cost as possible for you. With trains running every hour direct from the airport to the pick-up point, it is unnecessary to drive 1.5 hours each way to pick people up. It also gives you the opportunity to experience the legendary swiss trains and to travel along the side of Lake Geneva through the vineyards and past chateaux. The train is the best way to arrive and enjoy the journey rather than a sweaty minibus. It also allows you a choice of arrival airport and keeps the cost low for you. If you want an airport pick-up, you can find private firms that will do it for you or rent a car at the airport.
Absolutely, if you want to spend more time in Switzerland you can stay on Lake Geneva and enjoy the "Swiss Riveria" or ask about other extension possibilities.
This depends on the country you are coming from. European/EU/EEA should not. Non-EU countries need an ETIA. This needs to be sorted out online well before you travel and has a small fee. (7 Euros) Please make sure you get this from the official website as there are scam websites charging more.
All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run AlpsAdventures, based in Switzerland.
By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!