Summer Haute Route Trek

Summer Haute Route Trek Overview

This historical eight day trek enjoys mountain lake villages amongst beautifully chiseled peaks in the heart of the European Alps, starting in the heart of the Alps, Chamonix, France and ending in the picturesque village of Zermatt, Switzerland. As we trek through the Alps we will be staying in villages and mountain huts perched on mountain sides. At these huts, three course meals are offered and you will have time to relax on the deck with a glass of wine or your choice of beverage. Hut accommodation includes comforters and pillows so our pack stay nice and lightweight. Of course this very  demanding trek is more about terrain than lodging and the alpine beauty of this trek is what the Alps are known for.

Trek Highlights

• IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide: Your trip is led by an American IFMGA certified mountain guide who is bilingual and has been guiding in the Alps for over a decade.
• World-renowned Trek: The Haute Route is one of the most famous trekking routes in the Alps, renowned for its stunning scenery and challenging terrain.
• Diverse Landscapes: Traverse a variety of breathtaking landscapes, including alpine meadows, glaciers, forests, and rugged mountain passes.
• Lightweight Trekking: Carry only a 20lb pack, as luggage transfers allow you to trek light and enjoy the journey without heavy loads.
• 100km and Eight Mountain Passes: Hike over 100km and 8 distinct mountain passes during the trek each offering unique panoramic views of the Alps and its iconic 4000m peaks.
• Luggage Transfers: Convenient luggage transfers twice during the trip, making it easier to refresh and change trekking clothes mid-trip.
• All-Inclusive Package: Enjoy a hassle-free experience with everything included, from accommodations and meals to trams and mountain huts, making our prices highly competitive.
• Iconic Destinations: Connect two legendary alpine towns—Chamonix, France, and Zermatt, Switzerland—both known for their mountaineering heritage.
• Hotel Accommodations included: Stay in three-star hotels in downtown Chamonix and Zermatt, providing a comfortable and cozy way to start and end your trek.

This trek requires no mountaineering skills and is 100% on trail. Each day you will trek though high mountain passes, while skirting through alpine meadows and wildflowers. We begin our trek form Chamonix with a series of ski lifts and quintessential views of Mont Blanc and the Le Tour glacier. On the final day of the trek, as we enter Zermatt, we will enjoy iconic views of the Matterhorn.
This is a trip not to be missed and is for any person who enjoys a physical challenge with pristine views and a historical mountain adventure.

Lodging and Mountain Huts

This trip starts in downtown Chamonix, France. You will stay at a centrally located three star hotel in the heart of the town. Once we depart Chamonix we will be staying at mountain huts and lodges in both France and Switzerland along the way. These mountain huts have toilets, bedding, electricity, and some offer a hot shower. Arriving in Zermatt, we will be staying at a three star hotel downtown with a deck that has views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.

Your luggage will moved by a private driver to meet you twice during the trek and at your hotel in Zermatt at the end of the the trek.

Difficulty

Because of the hikes’ length, trekkers should be in very good physical condition. Hikers should be prepared for 6-8 hours of travel a day with up to 3,000ft of vertical gain during a given day. The mountain hut system allows us to carry lightweight packs and lets our bodies rest and recover in the evening with a cozy setting. Trekkers who have completed the Everest Base Camp Trek will find the Haute Route to have similar length days but at a lower altitude.
Compared to other multi-day treks around the world, we get to leave some key pieces of equipment behind allowing our backpacks to be much lighter. A typical hiker’s backpack on this trip will weigh around 20lbs.