Our self-guided Deluxe Haute Route Highlights is luxurious adventure, crossing numerous high passes from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Self-guided Deluxe Haute Route Highlights
Self-guided Deluxe Haute Route Highlights
Our self-guided Deluxe Haute Route Highlights is luxurious adventure, crossing numerous high passes from Chamonix to Zermatt.
- Self-Guided,
- Inn-To-Inn,
- Moderate to Challenging,
The Deluxe Haute Route is an epic adventure, with rugged trails by day, and luxury by night.
Hike from Mont Blanc in Chamonix to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, with high passes and stunning mountains the whole way. Such a once-in-a-lifetime experience deserves to be done in style, and we’ve designed our Deluxe Haute Route Highlights as a luxurious tour, skipping a couple of the more rustic stretches, and adding 5-star upgrades in Chamonix and classy 4-star hotels in Verbier and Zermatt.
You’ll have comfortable hotels each and every night, with private rooms, hot showers and luggage each night. Experience all the rugged highlights that make the Haute Route so unique and enjoy gourmet meals, a comfortable bed, and even a sauna and spa at many stops. Extra nights in Chamonix and Zermatt give you the chance to truly appreciate the beauty of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn on either end of this trip.
Itinerary At a Glance
Days 1-3
Chamonix to Champex
Start in Chamonix, France at the foot of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. Enjoy a day hike below Mont Blanc, and then transfer to Switzerland to hike to the lakeside village of Champex.
Days 4-6
Verbier to Grimentz
Louvie hut, Verbier, Arolla and Grimentz. Use your included rail pass to skip the hut nights while still enjoying great hikes in this rugged and remote stretch of Switzerland.
Days 7-10
Zinal to Zermatt
From the quiet end-of-the-road village of Zinal, transfer to the Mattertal and hike above Zermatt, for a luxurious finish to a great tour.
Included
Your tour includes 5 nights in 4-5 star luxury hotels and 4 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels. We include all breakfasts and 5 dinners. You’ll have luggage at each stop. We include private taxis between Geneva and Chamonix, selected taxis during the tour, and 1st class Swiss rail pass. You will also receive topo maps, detailed route descriptions, gps routes and sightseeing suggestions. We are always available by phone if you have questions during your tour.
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Chamonix
Arrive in Europe and transfer Chamonix. Chamonix is a sunny, active village tucked at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. Chamonix is one of the great destinations in the Alps, with gorgeous mountains and miles of hiking trails. If you arrive early, you can ask us to book a few extra days on your own in Chamonix at the start of the trip.
A private taxi from Geneva to Chamonix is included in your tour, so you can arrive relaxed and stress-free. Enjoy the comforts of your gorgeous 5-star hotel. Dinner is on your own in Chamonix.
Arrival: Geneva. Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. A private taxi from Geneva to Argentiere is included in your tour, so you can arrive relaxed and stress-free. The trip takes 1½ hrs. Please send flight arrival # and time when you have it.
Day 2
Chamonix
On your first hiking day of the tour, head to le Tour and climb high onto the Posettes ridge, with breathtaking views behind us of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley. Continue to the Col de Balme pass into Switzerland, where a scenic mountain restaurant serves as an irresistible lunch stop.
Perhaps there will be time to hike up along the Tour glacier to the Albert refuge for more memorable high mountain scenery. We’ll descend by cable car from the Balme pass and return to Chamonix for a 2nd luxurious night. Dinner is again on your own.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 7.5 miles; Elevation: 3420 ft up, 3050 ft down
- Breakfast
Day 3
Champex
After a quick morning transfer to Forclaz, you’ll have 2 hiking choices today, either crossing the high, rocky Fenetre d’Arpette pass, or a more moderate hike through woods and farms. The choice of trail will be determined by your energy and weather, but both have much to offer, and both lead to the small lakeside village of Champex.
On the moderate Bovine route, an undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone valley. Or, weather permitting, a more rigorous possibility leads up to the high pass of Fenetre d’Arpette along the Trient glacier. A steep descent through a large boulder field brings you to Champex, where you stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2260 ft up, 2460 ft down (Bovine) or 7-9 hours, 9.5 miles; Elevation: 3740 ft up, 3940 ft down (Fenetre d’Arpette)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4
Verbier
A morning taxi takes you to Verbier, where you drop your bags at your hotel, then head out on a high, scenic trail where you can almost always spot wild antelope and mountain goats. Stop at the Mont Fort hut high above town, for a hearty lunch, then return to Verbier.
Verbier is a spacious, sun-dappled village nestled in a cirque of mountains and looking out at the impressive Grand Combins. We stay in a wonderful 4-star hotel here in town with newly renovated rooms and welcome spa. Dinner is on your own in Verbier.
HIKE: 5-7 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 950 ft up, 950 ft down
- Breakfast
Day 5
Arolla
You’ll use your Swiss rail pass today, taking a series of buses and trains to Arolla. With a morning arrival, you’ll still have time for a big day hike to the Pas des Chevres pass from the Arolla side, returning to Arolla for the evening.
Arolla is a very quiet little village, and our favorite stop here has long been the elegant Hotel Kurhaus, with their beautiful terrace and garden, comfortable rooms, and good food. There is a restaurant at the hotel, although they do not offer an included dinner.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 6.5 miles; Elevation: 2580 ft up, 2580 ft down
- Breakfast
Day 6
Grimentz
After a short morning bus from Arolla across the valley to la Sage, a steady uphill trail leads to the Col de Torrent and into the Anniviers valley. Descending from the pass, you’ll cross through meadows and past tiny lakes to the Moiry reservoir, where you can walk or ride a bus to Grimentz.
Grimentz is one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland. Its centuries-old chalets are blackened by the sun, with windows filled with geraniums. You’ll stay in a cozy 3-star hotel in town.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 3880 ft up, 2540 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7
Zinal
A relatively moderate day leads us from the Moiry reservoir over a minor pass and gives you a chance to further explore the Val d’Anniviers, an unforgettable valley with a great blend of ancient villages, quiet trails, and breathtaking views.
After crossing the pass, descend to the village of Zinal, a postcard-perfect village of dark timbered houses bursting with colorful geraniums. An optional cable car can eliminate much of the descent for a more moderate day.
HIKE: 4-6 hours, 4 miles; Elevation: 2350 ft up, 560 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 8
Zermatt
Start with a morning transfer by bus and train to the Mattertal valley, to Zermatt. The mountains surrounding Zermatt are more than just the Matterhorn, of course, and hikes around town are a visual feast of rugged, white-capped peaks, wildflower-filled meadows and soft larch forest.
Once you arrive and get settled, take a short hike above Zermatt for views of the surrounding mountains, perhaps to the centuries-old hamlets of Zum See and Zmutt – beautiful, bucolic hamlets with 1st-class restaurant and unbeatable views.
Return to the wonderful spa and friendly reception of your 4-star hotel.
HIKE: 4-5 hrs, 5 miles; Elevation: 1680 ft up, 1680 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 9
Zermatt
You’ll have a full second day in Zermatt to explore the area in and around town. Perhaps one of our favorite hikes leads up the ridge of the Matterhorn itself to the historic and impressive Hornli hut.
Hornli hut serves as a sort of Matterhorn base camp and it is an unforgettable destination. There are plenty of bigger hikes, but the Schwarzhorn gondola makes the out-and-back to Hornli hut fairly moderate. The power of the mountains is inescapable here, and you’ll want plenty of time to soak it all in. Return to Zermatt for a final gourmet dinner.
HIKE: 6-8 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 2230 ft up, 2230 ft down
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 10
depart
After breakfast at our hotel, depart by train for your 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.
- Breakfast