Matterhorn Goal

You are stepping over the Swiss and Italian borders whilst trekking around Matterhorn. A trek on 4000 m peaks’ doors, which will make you see the most beautiful mountains of Switzerland Valais ! Breathe in the mountain air with full lung...

You move on a glacier in the middle of a grandiose landscape with, in the horizon, the iconic silhouette of this Italian-Swiss giant... the Matterhorn... It is an elegant geological natural sculpture and certainly the most mythical summit of the Alps. 

You will navigate on desolated peaks, go through vertigo-inducing cliffs, discover quaint villages and gorgeous glaciers in this mountaineering adventure through the heart of the Alps. Sometimes in lush forests, sometimes in the alpine meadows, this trip offers you the chance to discover the valleys of Annivier, Hérens and Aosta, crossing several passages over alpine mountain passes rising to heights of 3000m. 

Throughout your journey, the peaks surrounding you are an invitation to dream, or maybe the departure of a new high-altitude adventure.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Climbing school at Gaillands, in Chamonix

    Climbing school at Gaillands, in Chamonix Briefing on the week's program. Climbing day on the school-rock of the Gaillands for climbing, insurance, relay and abseiling descent technical revision.

    Accommodation : Lodge in Chamonix

  • Day 2 Departure for Saas Almagell (1660m). Climb to the Almagellerhütte hut (2894m)

    Departure for Saas Almagell (1660m). Climb to the Almagellerhütte hut (2894m) From Chamonix, we leave in the morning for Saas Almagell (near Saas Fee), in the Swiss Valais (140km). Climb to the Almagellerhütte hut (2894m).

    Positive difference in altitude : Around 1250 | Altitude Max : 2894m | Accommodation : Almagellerhütte hut

  • Day 3 Dri Horlini rocky ascent (3209m)

    Dri Horlini rocky ascent (3209m) In front of the hut, we start rock-climbing the SW ridge of the Dri Horlini at 3209m. Nice climb on a giant rock, with in-depth revision of relays. We'll come back down to the hut in the afternoon.

    Positive difference in altitude : Around 350m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 350m | Altitude Max : 3209m | Accommodation : Almagellerhütte hut

  • Day 4 Weissmies ascent (4023m) and descent to Saas Grund

    Weissmies ascent (4023m) and descent to Saas Grund With the Weissmies ascent (4023m) by its SSE ridge, we'll do a nice run in high mountain, with rocky passages and a beautiful snowy edge before arriving to the peak. We will descend by the very chapped Triftgletscher glacier, and then by a path leading us to the Hohsaas cable car (3098m), dropping us off in the valley, at Saas Grund (1560m).

    Positive difference in altitude : Around 1120m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 925m | Altitude Max : 4023m | Accommodation : Full-board hotel in Saas Grund

  • Day 5 Transfer to Täsch, and train to Zermatt. Cable car to Schwarzsee (2583m). Climn to the Hörnli hut (3260m)

    Transfer to Täsch, and train to Zermatt. Cable car to Schwarzsee (2583m). Climn to the Hörnli hut (3260m) From Saas Grund, we walk to Täsch in the valley nearby where we'll take the train to Zermatt, and then a cable car ride to Schwarzsee, at 2583m. A nice pathway will finally lead us to the Hörnli hut (3260m), at the feet of the Matterhorn normal way ascent start.

    Positive difference in altitude : around 760m | Altitude Max : 3260m | Accommodation : Hörnli hut

  • Day 6 Matterhorn ascent (4478m)

    Matterhorn ascent (4478m) Today is the big ascent day ! We ascend Matterhorn (4478m) by the Hörnli ridge, back and forth. Departure at 3am to climb by the normal path with narrow passages with fix ropes.
    A splendid snowy edge ends the ascent. We'll stay a few moments to enjoy our victory and immortalize it.
    We climb back down on the same path until we reach the hut, and then Schwarzsee. Cable car ride descending to Zermatt, then train transfer to Täsch? Finally, return to Chamonix and saying goodbye after this wonderful week together.

    Positive difference in altitude : Around 1220m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 2000m | Altitude Max : 4478m

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: ACER

Included

L'acompte de 30% est à verser au moment de l'inscription, le solde du séjour devra être réglé à 30 jours du départ.L'hébergement en pension complète du jour 1 le midi au jour 6 le midi.Les remontées mécaniques et transferts nécessaires au déroulement normal du programme.L'encadrement par un guide de haute montagne pour 2 personnes pour la préparation, et 1 guide par personne pour l'ascension.Le matériel collectif nécessaire à la sécurité.

The 30% deposit has to be paid when registering. The balance has to be paid 30 days before departure. 

  • Accommodation full board from day 1 at lunch time to day 6 at lunch time. 
  • Cable cars and transfers necessary to the trip's program
  • A high mountain guide's supervision for 2 people when preparing, and 1 guide per person for the ascent
  • Collective equipment necessary for safety

Not included

  • Individual technical equipment 
  • Drinks & personal expenses 
  • Water in refuges (around 5 to 8€ a bottle)
  • Insurance : cancellation, research and rescue by  helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
  • Registration fees
  • Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section

International flights

If you wish, we can take care of booking your international flights to the closest airport of your destination. 

Terms and conditions

Subscription

Subscribe to one of our activities or travels means accepting general sales conditions. Each client must fill a subscription form, which will be accepted only after the payment of a deposit accounting for 30% of the travel’s price and according to the availability. If you subscribe less than 30 days before the trip, you must pay the whole price during the subscription. You can pay by bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) or with your credit card directly through our website (available soon). A booking confirmation will be sent to you be e-mail very soon. 

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is registered, we will send you an email containing the invoice. Full payment is required at least 30 days before your arrival. If the customer does not settle the payment of the travel price within the period agreed upon, Altaï Alpes has the right to cancel the booking free of charge. 

Cancellation policy

If for any reason, you decide to withdraw from a journey, the amount already paid will be refunded subject to the following exceptions:
  • More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
  • From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
  • From 20 to 14 days before departure,  you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
  • From 13 to 7 days before departure,  you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure,  you will be charged for the whole trip’s price 

Particular case :

Whatever the cancellation or contract change date, the following fees will be added to the charges above:
  • Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
  • Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
  • Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt. 

The receipt date will be taken as the cancellation date to charge cancellation fees.  

If Montagne Expeditions has no choice but to cancel a group travel due to an insufficient number of participants, the decision will be taken and the clients informed at least 31 days before departure. Altaï Alpes can also cancel a departure due to exceptional events threatening participants safety (social events, strikes, weather conditions). In that case, the trip’s price will be fully refunded but the participants will not get any compensation.

Changes to travel contract


If any change in travel contract is made at the customer’s request, the customer shall pay any fee that might arise from this change. In any case, every request for changes shall be notified in writing. In case of external events that could not be foreseen, Altaï Alpes might change some aspects of the travel contract. We will inform you of any changes as quickly as possible.

Pricing


All group travel prices on our website have been calculated for the indicated number of participants for each trip. The price list is confirmed after the booking. If the number of participants is lower than expected, an additional payment charge might be applied. For each travel and program, we mention the price per person – valid for the minimum number of participants – and we provide you with detailed explanations about the services included or not. Any change in the exchange rates or in the price of travel services in particular regarding the cost of the fuel, might entail price revision.

Contract transfer

In case of contract transfer by the customer to an assignee, modification and cancellation conditions apply. 

Insurance

We recommend you to get your personal insurance before your departure to cover the activities undertaken by Montagne Expeditions. If you have not purchased any of our insurances, we ask you to email us your insurance contract information (company, contract name, contract number, phone number) and bring those information with you on your trip. 

Practical info

Staff

Our trip is supervised by a mountain guide who will bring you the technical elements needed for trail progression. The glacier stages will be supervised by a mountain guide. The guide and the guide may have to modify the program to ensure safety in function weather conditions, mountain or the condition of the participants.

Food

  • Picnics for lunch
  • In the evening, meals are served at the accommodation
  • Bring some snacks according to your taste before departure: cereal bars, chocolate bars, dried fruit ... and do not hesitate to bring small specialties from your region for aperitifs! 

Water is expensive in the shelters. Count 5 to 8 Swiss francs per bottle following the refuges.
We advise you to take purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur type) which will allow us to consume running water.
Remember to take change in Swiss francs for coffees, juices, beers or coca during stop ... often shelters do not have a credit card machine and do not accept euros

Accommodation

The accommodation is in hostels, lodgings and refuges comfortable and warm: the rooms and dormitories will be shared and mixed, and collective sanitary facilities.

Transportation

You will leave twice for 3 days in the mountains : plan a 40 to 50L backpack in order to put all of your belonging. 
A second back with your replacement clothes will stay in the CAF du Tour Chalet from Monday morning to Wednesday night when you'll come back to sleep.
On Thursday morning, you will leave with your backpacks ready for 3 days of ascent, and the rest will stay in the car boot, unless you decide to go back to the CAF du Tour after the ascent.

Budget & exchange

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). It is better to change money before departure, however euros are widely accepted in Switzerland. 

Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances (but don’t forget to bring your PIN number!). 
ATMs are available in most of the towns you will cross during your stay, but there are no guarantees that your credit card will actually work in Switzerland. Also, refuges often don’t have EPT (Electronic Payment Terminal): it is best to bring cash.

Be aware of the fees usually applied when purchasing products or services on a credit card. Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spend your trip constantly feeling short on funds. 

As currency exchange rates can often fluctuate, we recommend to check the following website for daily exchange rates: https://www.xe.com/

Tips

Clients usually pay for the guides’ drinks : you might find it practical to make a group kitty at the beginning of your stay (no obligation). 

Supplied equipment

  • Collective equipment (ropes, compass ...)
  • Slippers while in huts

Vital equipment

Technical equipment : 
  • High Mountain shoes with rigid soles and that can be fitted with crampons (mandatory) : shoes trek type aren't sufficient 
  • A comfortable alpinism backpack (40 to 50L) : it has to have the straps for crampons, ice axe and helmet.
  • Ice axe, crampons, harness equipped with a screw-type carabineer (be careful, carabineers can't be rented, you will have to buy one if you don't have one), helmet
  • One of two telescopic ski poles (depending on your habits) : we highly recommend them, especially for descents
  • A minimum 1.5L thermos
  • A headlamp with replacement batteries and light bulbs
  • A pocket knife 
  • A bag protector, in case of rain (non mandatory)
  • A waterproof pouch with your money, identity papers (+ if you can your blood type / if you wear contact lenses, etc.), insurance/assistance contract with emergency phone numbers
  • A pair of gaiters (can't be rented)
  • A sheet 
  • A personal bed sheet (mandatory in refuges. There are blankets) : A SLEEPING BAG IS UNNECESSARY 
  • A zip locked bag with medications and toiletries (strict minimum : toothpaste, contact lenses products,  hydroalcoholic solution to wash your hands) : sometimes there isn't running water in refuges, plan to bring a few wipes if you want (be careful to the weight)
  • A small tube of sunscreen (SPF 50), face and lips + after sun

Material

Individual equipment :
  • A warm hatA sun hat and/or a scarf
  • Sun glasses for glacier, cat. 4 sun protection that are closing well on the sides + ski goggle
  • A pair of warm gloves or mittens
  • A pair of fleece or wool gloves or mittens
  • A pair of silk gloves or mittens
  • 2 or 3 breathable undershirts, preferably long sleeves (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
  • Fleece or heavy jacket
  • Down jacket (optional but highly appreciated the summit day if the weather is very cold)
  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore Tex or similar)
  • A pair of comfortable mountaineering pants
  • Wind and waterproof over pants (Gore Tex or similar)
  • Long underwear or running tights (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
  • 2 pairs of socks : a warm one and a lighter one- gaiters- light-weight sleeping bag liner, preferably silk (wool covers are provided by the hut)
  • Toiletries : only tooth-brush and tooth-paste- sun cream (face and lips)
  • A head lamp with spare batteries and bulb
  • Pocket knife
  • A rain cover for your backpack (optional)

Luggage

During the training and the climb, you will carry our own personal equipment and packed lunches in your backpack (40-45L)

Medicine

Your guide has a pharmacy of first urgency.
Plan with your doctor your personal pharmacy:
  • Personal medicine
  • Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
  • Double skin
  • Elastoplast
  • Local disinfectant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antispasmodic
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Anti-vomiting
  • Intestinal antiseptic
  • Eyewash
  • Light sleeping pills
  • Earplugs
  • Broad spectrum antibiotic
  • Vitamins C 
Non-exhaustive list.

Passport

Please make sure your passport and travel documents are valid.

Visa

  • Up to 90 days visit in Switzerland : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit Switzerland.
  • Over 90 days visit in Switzerland : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit Switzerland over 90 days.

For further information, please check the following website : https://www.swiss-visa.ch/

Identity card

For EU and EFTA citizens, you can use your identity card to travel to Switzerland. 

Mandatory vaccines

There are no mandatory vaccines needed to travel to Switzerland. 

Health information & recommendations

It is important to consult your doctor for medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. 
Please keep in mind that we are often in remote areas, away from medical facilities. Please carefully read the brochure and itinerary when selecting your trip, to make sure our style of travel suits you. 

Please note you will travel to high altitude. Most people can travel to 2 500m with minimal effects. However, everyone reacts differently to altitude and altitude sickness can occur. For details on how to best prepare your trip please consult your physician. 

Weather

The Swiss climate is moderately continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains, and more temperate in the Canton of Ticino. In the mountains, the climate varies with altitude and slope exposure, but in winter, they are located above the blanket of fog and low clouds that often covers the plateau, so they are also sunnier in this season. The cold wind, which in Switzerland and in central France is called Bise, blows from the north-east and is more frequent in winter and spring.

Late winter and early spring (February-March) are recommended for a ski holiday, since the days are longer than in December and January. 

For further information on the wether during your trip, please check the following website : https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/

Electricity

The electrical current in Switzerland is 230V, 50Hz. Swiss sockets are recessed, three-holed, hexagonally shaped and incompatible with many plugs from abroad. They usually, however, take the standard European two-pronged plug.

Most refuges have electric plugs, but some haven't. If you scared of running low on battery, bring an external battery with you. 

Local time

Switzerland is in the Central European Time Zone (CET). Central European Standard Time is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).

Sustainable tourism

We do our best to offer trips subscribed to the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism. Our aim is to allow visitors to discover the many facets of France by taking you off the beaten path and getting you in touch with its nature and residents, while ensuring that your visits do not have a negative effect on its natural environment and people.

  • Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
  • France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
  • Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
  • Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
  • Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.  
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Region
Switzerland
Activity
Alpine summits Alpinism Summer
Duration
6 days
Group
2 to 2 people
Code
ACER
Price
From €3,445
Level
4/5
Comfort
3/5
Language(s)
English

Strengths

  • A hike that brings you closer to the high peaks of 4000 m
  • Glacier passages, supervised by mountain guides

Guide's advice

This trip is one of our favorites! The Matterhorn delighted us with its presence throughout the trek, as well as a multitude of other peaks over 4000 meters. The route is varied: trails in the forest, mountain paths, alpine pastures and even glacier walking twice. It is a grandiose tour not to be missed!

Required level

This route is accessible to all confirmed hikers. The stages can have positive or negative elevations up to 1300 m and 8 hours of walking during the day. It is therefore necessary to have a physical level and endurance compatible with this stay. Technical difficulties The trails are wide and well marked. The passages on glaciers will be supervised by a guide of high mountain in addition to the accompanist. The physical difficulties. You must be able to walk for 6 consecutive days between 6 am and 8 am on average per day. Breaks are common to admire the landscape and keep your breath. Your guide will always take care to adapt the rhythm of the march to the capacities of the less rapid people, the others will take advantage of it to admire the grandiose landscapes from all angles without trying to beat records ...
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