Matterhorn Circuit

6 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
An exhilarating traverse of the high trails around Switzerland's famous peak, the Matterhorn (Cervin)

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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme

Highlights

    • Circumnavigating the Matterhorn
    • Experiencing the exhilaration of trekking in the European Alps
    • Traversing high passes and walking through typical villages
    • Enjoying the culinary specialties such as Raclette
    • Sharing your walking day with a group of like minded travellers

What's this trip about?

    An exhilarating traverse of the high trails around Switzerland's famous peak, the Matterhorn (Cervin)

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySt Niklaus
End CityZermatt

Travel Themes

  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Hiking & Walking

Activities

  • Hiking

Trip includes

    • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style - (Swiss cheese, cold cuts, vegetables and fresh fruit). Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which may include regional specialties (eg Fondu or Rösti)
    • 5 nights accommodation in mountain refuges / gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis (upgrade to 1 night dorms, 4 nights double rooms - supplement applies)
    • Luggage transfer (max 15kgs)
    • Experienced mountain guide

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive St Niklaus, walk to Grüben (6hrs)

This morning at 9:30am (time to be confirmed before departure) we rendezvous with the group at St Niklaus, and have a briefing with our guide before commencing the ‘Tour du Cervin’, the official name for our 6 day walk. The first day is tough as the route begins with ...

Day 2 Cross the Forcletaz Pass (2874m) to Zinal at the base of Dent Blanche (6hrs)

Today's walk takes us to the chalets of the high mountain pasture of Chalteberg to take advantage of a magnificent view over the glacier of Turtmann. The pass of Forcletaz (2874m/9429ft) will be the highest point of the day, having crossed the linguistic boundary betw...

Day 3 Walk to the village of Villa, transfer to Les Haudères Arolla (6hrs)

Today's walk includes the pass of Sorbois and the stunning valley of Moiry. Walking up to the pass of Tsaté (2868m/9409ft) this long hike includes numerous ascents and descents to reach Haudères in the Val d'Hérens. Descend to the village where you will have continuou...

Day 4 Ascend glacier & the Col Collon (3082m), descend to Prarayer (2000m) (7-8hrs)

Walk to the Hut Bertol then the Plans of Bertol which opens up to the Arolla Glacier. We cross the glacier which has a small slope and doesn’t require technical equipment. This is the historic road that once connected two valleys, used by caravans between Switzerland ...

Day 5 To Breuil Cervinia (6-7hrs)

Today is a wild and alpine stage, far from the modern world; it is the longest and the most technical stage of this tour. Thanks to metal ladders, we reach the pass of Valcournera (3066m/10,059ft). Having followed a magnificent waterfall and crossed the torrent of Tsi...

Day 6 Walk to the famous ski resort of Zermatt (6hrs), trip concludes

Grand Passage: the Théodule pass that brings us back into Switzerland. All day, we will follow the Matterhorn using the most famous passage of the western Alps. The arrival into Zermatt (around 4pm) with its wonderful location at the foot of the Matterhorn is a highlight of the day. (-1645m/5397ft)

meals : B,L

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,890
Price per day$982
Last Updated: 3/25/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

World Expeditions

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Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975

Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel to St Niklaus and from Zermatt
    • Drinks
    • Items of a personal nature
    • Storage of excess luggage - we can arrange to transfer your bag from St Niklaus throught to Zermatt at the end of the walk on a request basis, please contact your consultant
    • Transfers
    • Travel insurance - mandatory

Accommodation

5 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels dormitory style,
Requirements
CHALLENGING – GRADE 5 The daily guided walks are around 5-8 hours. There are many challenging stages during the walk with steep uphills, descents, and sections of the trail which require care. Daily ascents are between 768 and 1062m whilst descents range up to 1645m. There is a non technical glacier crossing and some pass crossings using ladders and cables. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need an excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep making the walk more difficult. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds. The route is subject to modification depending on the conditions. Wet weather gear, sunscreen, walking boots, warm clothes, day pack and sun hat – walking sticks are recommended. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking.,
Travel Insurance
We require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. A suggested policy is enclosed with these notes. If you take out an alternative policy, we need to be advised of the details. Please note: if you choose credit card cover, in our experience, this may not insure against high cost needs. For example; helicopter emergency evacuation. If you do decide to choose credit card coverage, please check all policy details thoroughly. You should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport and cash cards with you during your trip.
Visa requirements
Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
5 nights mountain refuges / gîte hostelsBOOK TRIP THROUGH CAIRN PRO PORTAL - ON LINE BOOKING - NAMES OF TRIPS AS PER OUR BROCHURE It is recommended that you spend the night before the trip in the Matterhorn Valley in St Niklaus or Grächen, as the first day starts in the morning and includes a full days’ walk.The tour generally starts at 9:00 at the Tourist information office in St Niklaus. It is only a small village so will be easy to locate - no meeting point map therefore provided. St. Niklaus Tourist Office (Tourismusverein) CH-3924 St. Niklaus info@st-niklaus.ch 2016 END POINT The tour ends in Zermatt at approximately 4pm. There are regular trains between Zermatt and St Niklaus if clients have stored their excess luggage at their own accomm. Clients should bring a sleeping sheet and towel - blankets are provided. Clients also need to bring cutllery, bowl, cup and lunch box for picnic lunches
Trip ID
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