One Week Haute Route - Mnt Blanc to the Matterhorn

Day 1: Arrive in Argentiere

Rendezvous at the group chalet in Argentiere (1240m / 4660ft), just outside Chamonix. Here, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. At 7.00pm we will be joined by our guide and have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear and to decide if you will need to pick up any further items of equipment before setting out in the morning. KE Land Only services begin with the evening meal, an excellent 3-course dinner. Meals included: Dinner (D)

Day 2: Cable car and hike to the Albert Premier Hut

The first stage of our trek takes us from Argentiere to the Albert Premier Hut (2702m / 8865ft.). We start out by way of a short cable car ride from Le Tour to the Col du Balme. From here, it's a comfortable 2-hour walk to the Albert Premier Hut, which we aim to reach by mid afternoon. The nearby Glacier du Tour is a great place to practice snow and ice skills. There are great views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Chardonnay on the walk to the hut. (B, D)

Day 3: Cross the Col Superior du Tour and descend to Champex

An early start from the hut allows us to make use of the best snow conditions underfoot, whilst the snow is still frozen. Today we cross over into Switzerland, by way of the Col Superior du Tour (3289m / 10,791ft..). At the col there are great views of the Mont Blanc range on one side and of the peaks of Switzerland (Valais Alps) to the other. We then cross the flat, glaciated, Trient Plateau and descend to the Cabane d’Orny (2831m. / 9288ft) for lunch. After lunch we follow a pleasant footpath, traversing the hillside to the small chairlift station of La Breya, from where we take a ride down to the idyllic village of Champex. Dormitory accommodation, showers available and small village shop. 7/8 hrs. (B, D)

Day 4: Taxi transfer to Mauvoisin and walk to the Chanrion Hut

After breakfast, we make use of a local taxi to transfer to Mauvoisin at around 1850m. / 6070ft. We then walk across the dam of the Lac de Mauvoisin, and ascend pastures on it’s eastern side – initially on a very good track. Switzerland most famous flower is locally common here - edelweiss - and often Ibex can be spotted on the scree slopes above. We pass close to the Lac Tsofeiret and on to the Col Tsofeiret 2642m. From here we start to descend and cross the torrent of the Glacier du Brennay (bridge!) and descend gently to the Chanrion Hut (2462m. / 8077ft.). This hut is located on summer pastures and occasionally cheese can be purchased from the local Bergers. 4-5 hours walking. (B, D)

Day 5: Trek to the Vignettes Hut

Our route today ascends the Otemma Glacier, which runs through the heart of the Valais Alps. To reach the glacier we first descend a short way to cross above a gorge (winter passage) to access the Otemma Glacier – stone covered initially. Now we can enjoy a long and easy-angled ascent, amongst spectacular mountain scenery, to reach the broad Col de Chermotane 3053m / 10,016ft - at the head of the valley. From here it is a steeper ascent to the Vignettes Hut.(3160m. / 10,368ft.) below the Pigne d'Arolla. The hut is in a very dramatic location surrounded by glaciers. From here we can see the next day’s route over the Col de L'Eveque and the Bertol hut on the skyline across the valley. 5-6hrs walking. (B, D)

Day 6: Cross the Haute Glacier Arolla and Bertol Glaciers to the Cabane de Bertol

Crossing the Col de L'Eveque (3392m. / 11,129ft) we enter briefly into Italy. From the pass, we make a descent across the Haute Glacier Arolla, traversing snow slopes and then bare glacier. At the snout of the glacier, we pick up a trail leading towards a bergerie on the eastern slopes of the valley. Beyond this, we are faced with a 600 metre / 2000 foot ascent to the Col de Bertol (3268m. / 10,722ft.). Our overnight halt is at the Cabane de Bertol, which is spectacularly located at the col. Access to the hut is via an exciting series of ladders. There are good views eastwards from the hut towards the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche. 7 hours walking. (B, D)

Day 7: Ascend the Tete Blanche and descend to Zermatt

This is our crux day and involves an early start. (Note: we do need good weather to climb the Tete Blanche and then make the descent down the heavily crevassed Stockji Glacier). We descend the open staircase from the hut, rope up and start the long, gentle ascent of the Mont Mine Glacier, heading for the easy snow peak of the Tete Blanche (3724m. / 12,218ft.). This takes 3 to 4 hours and our reward for the ascent is an even more impressive view of the Matterhorn. We descend by way of the complex and heavily crevassed Stockji Glacier to our exit point at the Stockji itself (a rocky island in the middle of this glaciated terrain). Here, we pick up a narrow trail which traverses steep slopes, leading to an improving alpine path on a moraine on the north side of the valley. Finally, we cross the huge rock-covered glacier below the Smutt Ridge of the Matterhorn. If time allows we can pick our way up to the Schonbiel Hut, a welcome sight set in green meadows and have celebratory lunch with fantastic views all around. After lunch we make the long, but easy 3 hour walk down to Zermatt. From the rugged high mountain scenery, we soon find ourselves amongst pleasant woodland and pretty hamlets. This is a splendid walk, with the towering north face of the Matterhorn in full view and gives us time to reflect on the journey just undertaken. Arriving in Zermatt, we check into our hotel with time to look around or relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 8: Services end with breakfast

KE Land Only package services end with breakfast. (B)