Arrive in Europe and transfer by train and gondola to our meeting point in Verbier, our starting point for the Swiss Haute Route.

Verbier is pleasant and scenic.  If you arrive early, you can ask us to book a few extra days on your own here at the start of the trip. We’ll meet for dinner and talk about the trip to come. Relax in the evening at our comfortable village hotel.

Arrival: Geneva.  Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts.  There is a train station at the Geneva airport with frequent connections to Verbier.  The trip takes 3 hrs. Zürich is nearly 5 hrs from Verbier.

Our first hike is a great one.  Today, you’ll hike high above the valley, through meadows filled with mountain goats, on a gorgeous panoramic trail above Verbier.

As you hike, you’ll gaze upon the snowy white crown of the Grand Combin mountain before crossing a small pass. Descend to the lakeside Louvie hut, a small and very friendly alpine club hut high in the mountains.

This is a big day, even though the numbers don’t quite show it. A rugged route brings us across 2 passes and through a remote, wild region filled with glaciers and rocky peaks known as the Grand Desert.

Passing below the Rosablanche glacier, and over your second pass, you’ll spend the entire day in a high, rocky landscape and embodies the Haute Route experience.  Finish the day at the bustling Prafleuri hut.

Another scenic day unfolds as you hike past the Grand Dixence reservoir and then up to Dix hut, spectacularly perched on a lonely rock outcrop and surrounded by glaciers and mountains. This is a beautifully hidden corner of the Alps, with handsome mountains and huge glaciers all around.

After lunch at the hut, you’ll continue with a short, easy glacier traverse… follow the trail markers. The a rocky ascent to the ladders at the Pas du Chevres pass top the day. Finally a long descent to the tiny and welcome village of Arolla.

A long, steep climb leads to the beautiful Val d’Anniviers, one of our favorite corners of the Haute Route, and more stunning mountain scenery.  This is the heart of the Haute Route, and we like to make sure you have time to explore this region.

We’ll descend from the pass to the Moiry reservoir and then up again to the beautifully renovated Moiry hut. Moiry hut is pretty hard to believe… a beautiful, comfortable base with huge picture windows surrounded by a sea of ice.  We stay in cozy 4-person dorms here.

A slightly easier day leads us over a minor pass and gives us a chance to further explore the Val d’Anniviers, an unforgettable valley with a great blend of ancient villages, quiet trails, and breathtaking views.

Descend either on foot or by cable car to the village of Zinal, a postcard-perfect village of dark timbered houses bursting with colorful geraniums. Dinner is on your own tonight in Zinal.

The next day brings another high pass, as our Haute Route itinerary continues over the Meidpass to the Turtmann valley.

Capped by the stunning Weisshorn mountain, this is a quiet, gorgeous valley.  An underrated stop on the Haute Route itinerary, a very peaceful and quiet valley. We’ll stay at a hiker’s inn at the base of the valley.

Our final pass brings us up to more gorgeous views of the Weisshorn, Dom and more, before dropping down to the idyllic hamlet of Jungen, a small cluster of barns and summer houses clinging to the alp.  Maybe you’ll stop for a drink at the scenic restaurant before descending by cable car to the valley below, where we catch a short train ride to Zermatt.

Zermatt is a lively village, filled with energy and history, and dominated by the towering presence of the Matterhorn. It also retains its alpine charm, with quiet back alleys, scenic nearby hamlets, and classy shops. Check out the town, take a short walk around Zermatt, or enjoy the local Matterhorn museum or the spa at our hotel, before settling in at your luxurious 4-star hotel.

Zermatt is so nice, we like an extra day here to explore.  There are a ton of great options.  If you’re excited for more hiking, the hike from Täschalp to Zermatt is great way to get away from the crowds.  After an optional ascent to the Täsch hut, an absolutely stunning balcony trail leads back to Sunnegga, above Zermatt. Constant views of the Matterhorn accompany this quiet walk. Return to Zermatt by funicular train, or make the wooded walk down to the village for a longer day.

If you’d rather slow down, the train to Gornergrat is beautifully scenic, or the easy walk to Fluhalp hut passes by many beautifully reflective lakes.  Or simply spend the day in this very walkable, car-free village, book a massage, take in the sights, and feel yourself relax.  It’s been a great trip!  Enjoy a final celebratory dinner at our hotel tonight.

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll say our good-byes and leave for our post-trip destinations.

Departure: Zürich or Geneva. It is 4 hrs from Zermatt to Zürich or Geneva by train.  Trains start at 6 am if you need an early start, and leave frequently throughout the day.