Chamonix to Zermatt Trekking Tour: Stage 1 Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Le Tour

After arriving in Le Tour, you will meet at 9am for a departure briefing and to load your personal belongings, which will follow you during your trip.

Afterward, you will begin hiking towards the Col de Balme at 2,195 m (7,200 ft), where you will cross the border into Switzerland. From there, you will follow a little-used alpine route to the village of Trient, where you will spend your first night in a very comfortable inn.
Overnight Location: Inn in Trient
Distance: 6h, 850m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Trek to the Highest Point on the Tour du Mont Blanc

Today you will climb the famous Fenêtre d’Arpette (2,665 m / 8,740 ft), the highest point on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Here, you will experience stunning views that include the Trient Glacier in the background.

You will then head back down to the Val d’Arpette where you will spend the night in an inn.
Overnight Location: Inn in Val d’Arpette
Distance: 7h, 1450m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Ascent of Col de Lâne

Day 3 of the tour will begin with an early morning transfer, before setting off on an ascent of the Col de Lâne (3,030 m / 9,940 ft) from Bourg St Pierre. Here you will pass through the wild landscape beneath the Petit Combin. The rest of the day will be spent in this superb high-altitude cirque until you arrive at the Cabane Brunet.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 8h, 1600m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Corbassière Glacier and Grand Combin

Today you will set off for the Corbassière Glacier, which you will climb via the moraine leading to the Panossière refuge beneath the famous Grand Combin. From there, you will pass through the Col des Otanes at 2,870 m (9,415 ft) before heading down to the Lac de Mauvoisin.
Overnight Location: Inn near Lac de Mauvoisin
Distance: 6h, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Views of the Massif des Combins

This morning you will cross the Val de Bagnes, making your way towards the Cabane de Louvie and the nearby lake via several mountain passes that include the Col de la Tête du Sarshlau at 2,622 m (8,600 ft) and the Col du Bec de l’Aigle at 2,567 m (8,420 ft). You will be able to enjoy some magnificent alpine views all day over the Massif des Combins.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6h, 1250m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Trek to Cabane de Prafleuri

Today you will set off through the Alpine wilderness, climbing up to the Col de Louvie at 2,921 m (9,585 ft) and the Col de Prafleuri at 2,987 m (9,800 ft), before walking back down at the end of the day to the Cabane de Prafleuri. You will spend the night in the mountain refuge.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6h, 900m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Arrival in Arolla

The final day of the tour will be a magnificent one filled with mountain pastures scattered with wild flowers amidst the rocky, glacial landscape. You will hike via the Col des Roux at 2,804 m (9,200 ft) to reach the Lac des Dix, which you will walk along before hiking up one last mountain pass to eventually arrive in the Arolla Valley at the end of the day. Here, you will either make your individual departure or continue on stage 2 of the journey.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 7h, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch