Compare Self-guided Jungfrau + Matterhorn by Alpine Hikers vs Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn by Exodus Travels
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 13 days | 15 days |
Price From | $ 4,190 | $ 4,260 |
Price Per Day | $ 322 | $ 284 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners |
All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 12 dinners are included in this trip. On eight nights, we take our evening meal in camp; on four nights, we take our evening meal in a nearby local restaurant or it is prepared for us by the hut or inn. The restaurant and hut/inn meals, which are prepared for us, are usually arranged as a ‘menu’ for the whole group and, as they are based on special negotiations made by us, represent better value than eating independently. On free days 9 and 14, dinner is not included and needs to be bought locally. Please note, should flight times change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals will not be included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated. Typical meals Breakfast: Usually consists of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunch: Picnic-style lunches will normally include bread, cold meat, cheese, sometimes boiled eggs or tinned fish, fresh salad and fresh fruit. You may wish to bring (or purchase locally) snack bars for an extra energy boost during the day. Evening meal: Whether in camp or in a nearby restaurant, we endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to. Each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group consisting of: A soup, salad or similar A main course of meat, fish or vegetarian option served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates A dessert Beer, wine, bottled water, coffee, tea or other drinks are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants. Coffee and tea are included with the evening meal when we eat in camp, and beer and wine are also available for purchase at a modest cost. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians – please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: If you adhere to a vegan diet, you may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region. The feedback we receive for the food we serve is great but please be aware that facilities and practicality forces us, and the restaurants we use, to put our efforts into making one excellent group meal with a vegetarian option. Of course, any allergies will be respected. |
Description |
The Jungfrau + Matterhorn tour provides perhaps the perfect combination of pretty villages and premier hikes in Switzerland. Start in Mürren, and continue on to Grindelwald, Saas Fee and Zermatt, on one of our signature tours. You’ll stay in comfortable and classy hotels in each village, enjoying some of the finest hiking in the Alps by day, returning to the same hotel each night, and will travel between villages on scenic train and bus rides. This tour encompasses most of the main sights that you won’t want to miss, such as the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Matterhorn mountains, and many small, off-the-beaten-path places as well, such as the dramatic scenery of relatively-unknown Saas Fee. |
The Haute Route is one of the best-known long-distance ski-touring routes in Europe; running roughly parallel is a spectacular summer trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. Covering approximately 100mi (160km), it links the valleys of the Haute-Savoie in France to the Swiss Valais. Following our guide, a qualified International Mountain Leader, we pass beneath 10 of the 12 highest mountains in the Alps. Walk through a landscape scattered with glistening glacial lakes and lush, undulating valleys by day and sleep in remote Alpine huts and under canvas by night.Hike a spectacular Alpine trail from Chamonix to Zermatt |
Day 1: Mürren
Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train Mürren. There is a train station in both the Zurich and Geneva airports, and transferring to Mürren will be an easy introduction to Swiss precision and friendliness.
The trip itself is incredibly scenic, and takes about 4 hours. Mürren is an idyllic, car-free village, perched atop a sheer 3000ft. cliff above the waterfall-filled Lauterbrunnen valley (picture Yosemite with a Swiss village on top). You’ll have a chance to breathe the fresh mountain air and listen to the tinkle of not-so-distant cowbells before dinner, and settling in to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Mürren
One of our favorite hikes starts in town, and gently meanders up the hills to the pastoral setting at Spielboden.
Here you cross the Schiltbach stream, and start a steep and invigorating ascent to the local peak of Bryndli. Take your lunch enjoying birds-eye views of Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen valley, perhaps with a soaring golden eagle for company. From here the trail levels off, and becomes a relaxing stroll through flowery meadows to a quiet alpine hut at Bogangen. The trail back leads over a small ridge for more great views, before dropping back down to Mürren.
Day 3: Mürren
The Upper Lauterbrunnen valley curls back beneath the white-capped Breithorn – considered by many to be the most perfect mountain in the region.
It’s also a nature preserve, and contains many wonderful hiking trails. One of our favorites takes you to the small farm at Obersteinberg, where the proprietors keep cows and make cheese by the same simple methods that have been used for centuries. This part of the valley also contains some of the area’s prettiest waterfalls.
Day 4: Mürren
Start with a morning stroll through the sleepy village of Gimmelwald.
From here a wooded trail leads down past impressive waterfalls to the floor of the Lauterbrunnen valley. After a relaxing picnic lunch, a flat hike leads through the center of this amazing valley. 3000′ cliffs tower on either side, bursting with some of Switzerland’s most famous waterfalls. After arriving in the town of Lauterbrunnen, transfer by cable car back to Mürren.
Day 5: Grindelwald
Leaving Mürren, a 1 hour train ride brings you to the classic resort village of Grindelwald.
Fronted by the impressive rock wall of the Bernese Alps, the ridge behind Grindelwald hosts some of the greatest panorama hiking in the Alps. The Bachalpsee, a small glacial lake, provides the perfect mirror for enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery. Follow less traveled trails through rocky fields and old pine forests to this lake and other favorite viewpoints.
Day 6: Grindelwald
Another energetic hike takes you right into the heart of the Grindelwald mountains.
It starts with a densely wooded climb to the impressive Gletscherschlucht – a steep narrow gorge gouged out by the lower Grindelwald glacier. From here, your path continues up, out of the woods, along an airy trail to Bäregg. This sunny perch sits in a cirque among the mountains, and is a wonderful place to watch birds soar as avalanches crash onto the glacier far below.
Day 7: Saas Fee
After breakfast, you’ll say good-bye to Grindelwald, and board the train and then bus for Saas Fee, a high, car-free village in Switzerland’s southern Valais region.
In Saas Fee, a beautiful balcony walk through larch forests gives a great introduction to this glacier-ringed valley. We stay in the center of town in a comfortable hotel.
Day 8: Saas Fee
In Saas Fee, quiet wooded trails lead to the remote Allmagelleralp, where we lunch at an historic hut before looping back to town.
Day 9: Zermatt
Leaving Saas Fee, transfer to Zermatt, the lively mountain village at the base of the Matterhorn.
You’ll have a chance to take a short hike, visit the alpine museum, or spend the rest of the day exploring town. Zermatt also hosts some of the best hotels in Switzerland, with luxurious pools and spas and world-class cuisine.
Day 10: Zermatt – Walking through the village takes you past 400 year-old houses and into the history of this fascinating town.
From there, one trail takes you up to the Findeln glacier, hiking through larch forests and passing numerous small lakes with the Matterhorn towering in the distance. Afterwards, enjoy exquisite food and great Matterhorn views from your hotel.
Day 11: Zermatt
Taking quiet trails through fields and forest, you have a range of choices up to the wide ridge of Gornergrat, past marmots and small glacial lakes, to what has to be one of the finest viewpoints in Europe.
Once you gain the ridge, the jumbled mass of the Gorner glacier stretches out before you, and behind that, Dom, Monte Rosa, the Breithorn, and the Matterhorn form a spectacular backdrop.
Day 12: Zermatt
There are many peaceful trails criss-crossing the larch forests outside of Zermatt. One favorite leads across a suspended wooden walkway through a narrow river gorge.
After a thrilling (but safe) walk through the gorge, you’ll emerge and continue on to the enchanting, centuries-old hamlets of Zum See and Zmutt. Perhaps you’ll make the strenuous climb to the Schwarzsee lake, or even up to the Hornli hut (a sort of Matterhorn base camp) to enjoy fabulous, close-up views of the Matterhorn and and a sweeping look back at the valley below.
Day 13: Depart
After breakfast, you’ll say adieu and leave for your post-trip destinations.
Day 1 Start at Les Bossons, near Chamonix
We begin our adventure at the campsite in Les Bossons, which has wonderful views of Mont Blanc and the Bossons Glacier, especially at sunset. In the afternoon, there is an introductory briefing by the trek crew. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 2 Free day in the Chamonix Valley
This is a limbering up day and there are several good walks nearby. Alternatively, take the cable car (optional) to Aiguille du Midi for outstanding close-up views of Mont Blanc, the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding peaks. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 3 Walk the Grand Balcon Sud from Chamonix to Les Frasserands
From Les Bossons (3,320ft/1,012m), we have a short bus journey to Chamonix where we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère (6,100ft/1,860m). The trail today is named the Grand Balcon and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. Initially, we contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (7,715ft/2,352m). The trail descends and then contours high above the valley before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands (4,500ft/1,371m), where we take a scenic valley train back to our campsite. In the afternoon, there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons
Day 4 Cross Col de Balme to Switzerland
After a scenic train ride up the valley to Les Frasserands, we begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (7,200ft/2,201m), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (7,190ft/2,191m) where we follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Enjoy excellent views all morning of Aiguille d'Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. After lunch, we descend to the small hamlet of Trient (4,250ft/1,296m) and enjoy views of the Trient Glacier. Campsite: Basic camping, near Trient
Day 5 Over Fenêtre d'Arpette to Champex
In good weather, we take the trail adjacent to the Trient Glacier to cross a high, rocky pass known as Fenêtre d'Arpette (8,740ft/2,665m) before descending steeply into the Arpette Valley (5,340ft/1,627m) and down to our campsite in Champex (4,880ft/1,486m). In poor weather, we take the lower trail, which climbs first to the Col de Forclaz (5,010ft/1,527m) where we can look down into the Rhone valley. The Swiss town of Martigny is in sight far below as we follow the Bovine Route to Champex Lac. Campsite: Camping Les Rocailles, Champex Lac
Day 6 From Champex, the trail leads to Verbier and to Cabane de Louvie
From Champex, we walk down to Sembrancher (2,350ft/717m) then travel by train and cable car to the ski resort of Verbier (4,880ft/1,490m) and then to Ruinettes (7,260ft/2,200m). Our afternoon walk starts on a broad easy trail with views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc Massif in the distance. The trail than narrows and steepens and we traverse around the southern flank of the Bec des Rosses to Col Termin (8,750ft/2,652m) before descending to Lac de Louvie and our overnight stay at the Cabane de Louvie (7,300ft/2,214m). The path today is quite committing; if the weather is poor, there are problems with the cable cars, or snow on the path, we may need to take an alternative route from Sembrancher. We travel by train and bus up the valley to Fionnay (4,880ft/1,495m). From here, we ascend steeply through dramatic open hillside to reach our first mountain hut, the Cabane de Louvie (7,400ft/2,242m) on the shores of the Lac de Louvie (a very scenic spot) where we have great views of the Grand Combin. Mountain huts have shared dormitory-style accommodation with basic toilet and washing facilities only. The support vehicle is unable to reach this hut, so we need to do some light backpacking until we rejoin it in two days’ time. Mountain hut: Cabane de Louvie
Day 7 Cross the highest pass of the route, Col Prafleuri. Views of Rhone valley, Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin and the Matterhorn
A dramatic day with two passes to cross. We start with a scenic traverse around the shores of Lac de Louvie before a reasonably steep accent to our first col, Col de Louvie (9,580ft/2,921m), and onwards towards the Grand Désert, a rocky section of glacial moraine. If we're lucky, we may spot ibex herds. We pass small tarns fed by the outflows of the glacier and ascend for our second pass, the Col Prafleuri (9,800ft/2,987m) – the highest col on the route – with views of the Rosablanche and Mont Blanc de Cheilon. It is then only a short descent to the Cabane Prafleuri (8,600ft/2,624m). Again, the support vehicle is unable to reach us, so we will be doing light backpacking to this remote mountain hut. Mountain hut: Cabane Prafleuri, near Lac Dix
Day 8 Long walking day with two passes to cross; overnight at Les Haudères
Our route today starts with a short climb to cross the Col de Roux (9,200ft/2,804m). We descend across large boulders to Lac Dix (7,750ft/2,364m) and walk around its shoreline before climbing again above the glacier Dix, through meadows often filled with edelweiss during summer, to make a steep ascent on loose scree to the Col du Reidmatten (9,570ft/2,919m). Enjoy excellent views of the Pigne d'Arolla, Mont Collon and possibly the Matterhorn in the distance. Finally, a long descent brings us to the small, charming village of Arolla (6,550ft/1,998m), where we catch a bus to Les Haudères (4,710ft/1,436m). Here we are met by the support vehicle. Campsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères
Day 9 Rest day
Enjoy a free day to relax. The twin villages of Les Haudères and Evolène lie in the most picturesque part of the Val de Hérens and there are many walks in the area if you feel the need for a little more exercise. Alternatively, the scenic town of Sion, with its medieval quarter and many cafes and restaurants, is an easy bus ride away. Campsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères
Day 10 Past Lac Moiry to the picture-postcard village of Grimentz
Today, we have a big climb to reach our col where we are rewarded with stunning views. We climb first to Villa (5,675ft/1,730m) then on to cross the Col Torrent (9,575ft/2,919m) and enjoy vast mountain views (Pigne d'Arolla, Grand Combin and the Weisshorn) and make a long descent past Lac de Moiry (7,380ft/2,249m) to the woods above the picture-postcard village of Grimentz (5,150ft/1,572m). Campsite: Wild camping, Grimentz
Day 11 Longest walking day with excellent views of the Weisshorn
A long day that starts with a gentle walk through woodlands to reach the valley bottom at Mottec (5,100ft/1,556m). From here, there is a short but steep climb to join the main trail with fine views of the Matterhorn and Ober Gabelhorn. The climb continues to today's col, the Forcletta (9,426ft/2,874m), where we enter German-speaking Switzerland. We have views back to Grand Combin and possibly Mont Blanc. Descend, with views of the Weisshorn to the southeast, to the Turtman Valley and Gruben (5,975ft/1,822m). This is the longest walking day. As there is no campsite in the Gruben valley, we stay in dormitories in a local auberge and our bags are brought up by the support vehicle. Hotel: Schwarzhorn (basic hotel), Gruben
Day 12 Join Zermatt Valley; descend to Jungu and St Niklaus, short transfer to Randa
We climb again to cross the Augstbord pass (9,490ft/2,894m) with good views of the Weisshorn and the 'Dom' and join the main Zermatt Valley high on its western side. We descend to cross the Emdbach and, soon after, get our first views of the Zermatt Valley plus the Weisshorn, Kleine Matterhorn and Taschorn. Descend to Jungu (6,410ft/1,955m) and onto St Niklaus (3,700ft/1,127m), either by walking or by an optional cable car, where we travel by train or taxi to our last camp at Randa (4,720ft/1,439m). Ascent: 3,500ft (1,070m); Descent: 5,870ft (1,790m) – (less 2,710ft/830m descent if taking optional Jungu cable car) Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 13 Follow a high-level balcony path that contours along the valley towards Zermatt
For our final day of trekking, we walk directly from the campsite to the village of Täsch before ascending up to the Europaweg, a wonderful contouring path with spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Rising above the treeline and into a wild, rocky landscape, we pass by Stellisee (a mountain lake and perfect spot to snap reflected views of the Matterhorn) and onwards to the mountain hut Fluhalp at 8,550ft (2,606m). From here, we have a long decent to Zermatt passing through old mountain hamlets with more stunning photo opportunities of the Matterhorn. Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 14 Optional trip to Zermatt
From our camp near Randa, it is a short train or minibus trip to Zermatt, an ideal place for a free day with lots of opportunities for short or long walks or to relax in town. There are also many excursions, such as the mountain cog railway to Gornergrat for spectacular views of the Gorner Glacier and Monte Rosa or perhaps the spectacular cable car ascent to Kleine Matterhorn. Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa
Day 15 End Randa
Our adventure ends at the campsite near Randa. Your tour leader will help you book a train ticket (or other transport) for your return to Geneva Airport – please see the Joining Instructions section of the Trip Notes for further information. Please note, the earliest a train could arrive at the airport is approximately 10am (although timings can change) and this would mean a very early start plus a short taxi ride to the railway station. Taxis directly to Geneva Airport are very expensive. Please ensure your return flight is late enough in the day to allow yourself time to reach the airport and check-in – we recommend a departure no earlier than 1pm.