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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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In
the summer months the famous Haute Route, from Chamonix
to Zermatt, can be made on foot as most of the deep
winter snows have melted. The traverse requires
no mountaineering experience, as all the skills
required are taught to you by the leader during
the week, and they are always on hand to assist
you on the more technical sections. The summer Haute
Route is essentially a high mountain trek between
Chamonix and Zermatt, but you should be an experienced
trekker, and fit to undertake this route. |
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Most
nights are spent in mountain refuges on a half board
basis, this course will really appeal to a hillwalker
or a climber who likes to get away from it all,
and you can pick up a lot of navigation and GPS
tips from the guide. At each end of the week, there
is a night spent in Chamonix. |
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This
is quite a physically demanding route that requires
a good level of fitness as the trek is continuous,
with six days of trekking at altitude with a pack.
Although you do not need to be super fit, good stamina
will make it easier for you. The fitter you are
the more breath you will have to enjoy the stunning
scenery along the route. |
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You
will travel with the same leader throughout the
week, allowing them to know your strengths and adapt
the itinerary to best suit your skills and previous
experience: such as, if the group members are strong,
there may be the opportunity to ascend some small
peaks along the way as part of the route. |
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When
staying in huts you are on a half board basis. This
level of comfort is important, as you really need
a good cooked meal after the efforts of each day
of trekking, and with half-board you avoid having
to carry heavy stoves, pans and food for evening
meals. The hut guardian provides blankets and pillows,
a cooked three course meal, and a simple healthy
breakfast. |
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If
you have any questions, or would like and further
information, please contact our Chamonix Office
team directly, as you can speak to an International
Mountain Leader who can answer any query that you
have about the itinerary or area. You can e-mail
them on reps@icicleUK.com or call 00 33 67 55 621
55. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live availability from our secure online
booking system. When you book online, you receive
immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice. |
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Course Dates
Haute Route Trek
- [5+] 30 Jun - 8 Jul 2012
- [5+] 28 Jul - 5 Aug 2012
- [5+] 18 - 26 Aug 2012
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feedback |
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I
wasn't prepared for how contrasting all
the valleys were on this amazing route.
It was a great holiday for us
Steve
& Briony , Haute Route Trek
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Just
a short note to thank Icicle for the excellent
Haute Route trek last week. It is an exellent
mixture of walking at high level, from easy
paths to rocky tracks over boulder fields
and steep cols, and I must admit it was
often in wilder country than I expected
(and better for it too!). Stan was also
an excellent guide - very helpful where
required but also friendly and informative.
I'm sure the others all enjoyed it as much.
I now have the pleasant task of sorting
out photos and sending some on to the others
Ian
M , Haute Route Trek
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
On this course you are led by
a International Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest
qualification for leading trekking groups in the Alps
(where it is a legal requirement) and worldwide. To
become an IML, it takes several years to train. During
the treks their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment,
education and safety, all of which are equally important.
Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You will
learn about the environment, flora, fauna, glaciology,
geology, and geography of the region. The leader will
have a vast local knowledge. In terms of safety an IML
can guide you on steep
ground, on fixed equipment (ladders, chains, etc), and
over snow patches.
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Brief
Course Itinerary
The
itinerary below is designed to give you a flavour of exactly
where you will trek to each day, but one of the great
things about the Tour du Mont Blanc, is that there are
many variations on certain sections, so you can select
more challenging routes or even some summits. These options
won't affect where you stay each night, but do mean that
you can tailor the route a little on most days to suit
how you are feeling, the weather and conditions. Your
guide will have a massive local knowledge and experience,
and will discuss the options with you en-route.
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Sat
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in
followed by and course safety and itinerary briefings.
There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment.
Briefings are over by 19:00 and the Chamonix hosts
accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Some clients
opt to travel out a day or two early to get their
hill legs back and to explore the town. Extra nights
accommodation are often possible in a local hotel
from £30pp. Night in Chamonix. |
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Sun,
day 1 of 7 trekking
Verbier - Cabane du Montfort. Short minibus transfer
to Verbier, which is situated overlooking the Val
de Bagnes. Here there is time to get a bite to eat
before you start your trek up to the Cabane du Mont
Fort, which is operated by the Swiss Alpine Club.
This is a nice warm up day, and throughout you are
rewarded with great views of the Mont Blanc massif.
Approx 4 hours trekking. The night is spent on a
half board basis in the Cabane du Montfort. |
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Mon,
day 2 of 7 trekking
Montfort
- Prafleuri. Today the trek
heads into a very wild and remote section, but the
views are stunning as you cross three major mountain
passes (cols) today on route to the Prafleuri. First
is the Col de la Chaux, then it's up to the Col
du Louvie with the pretty mountain hut nestled against
the lake shores below, and then the final section
is up over the Col Prafleuri. The hut comes in to
view far below. Approx 7 to 8 hours trekking. Half
board in Cabane Prafleuri. |
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Tue,
day 3 of 7 trekking
Prafleuri
- Arolla. After crossing the Col des Roux, you trek
past the Dix lake to the hut of the same name at
its head. Here there is the chance of your first
view of the Matterhorn. From the Dix you cross the
valley and take one of the passes that leads across
to Arolla. This is a small but pretty Alpine town,
and you stay the night in one of the hotels in the
centre of the village. Approx
7 to 8 hours trekking. Half board in Arolla Hotel
for the night. |
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Wed,
day 4 of 7 trekking
Arolla
- Moiry.
Today you start by taking the morning Swiss Post
bus to the village Les Hauderes or even to La Forclaz,
where the trek starts for the day. The objective
is the Col du Tsate, and the path leads steeply
upwards to break through the treeline, and then
heads straight for the pass. The pass marks the
entry into the Val d'Anniviers, and you trek to
the Cabane de Moiry with great views of the glacier.
Approx 7
to 8 hours trekking. Half board in Moiry Cabane. |
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Thu,
day 5 of 7 trekking
Moiry
- Zinal. It's definately an early start from the
cabanne, as you follow the amazing contour track
above the Moiry lake and dam, to traverse around
to reach the Col de Sorbois on the far side. The
lake is surrounded by snowy peaks including the
Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn. After
crossing the Col de Sorbois, there is a long steep
descent to reach Zinal, where you stay half board
in a local lodge for the night. Approx 8 to 9 hours
trekking. |
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Fri,
day 6 of 7 trekking
Zinal
- Grubben. Today the aim is to cross the Forcletta
pass to leave the Val d'Anniviers, and to enter
the Gruben valley. Here you will notice that the
Swiss language used changes from French to German.
As you descend into the Gruben valley, there are
great views of the Turtmann glacier and as you get
towards the valley, you will see how immaculate
anc chocolate box the valley is. Approx 7 to 8 hours
trekking. Stay half board in a local lodge for the
night. |
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Sat,
day 7 of 7 trekking
Gruben
- St Niklaus
- Zermatt.
It is the final day of the trek today, as you ascend
to cross the steep Augstbordpass, then descend through
the alpages to reach the small village of Jungu
at around lunchtime, before taking the cable car
down to the valley at St Niklaus. Here it is a short
but beautiful train ride on a rack and pinion train
to reach Zermatt. We explore the town and the views
of the Matterhorn before the return transfer to
Chamonix, for the night. |
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Sun
Breakfast, then course debrief, with feedback and
questions and answers session. Depart for home.
If you have an early flight, you can have the debrief
the evening before after guiding.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt.
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is our Haute Route starting near Verbier? So many of our
clients have already completed the Tour du Mont Blanc
or the Tour du Grand Combin, that the first couple of
days would be repeated. Rather than insist on this, we
offer the section of the Haute Route that will be new
to you, and the effect of this is that you can complete
this classic trek in one week, rather than it taking up
a second week of your precious holiday time. We can arrange
two extra days guiding for those who would like to undertake
the first section from Chamonix to Champex. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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7
days guiding, 9 days holiday in total |
£999 |
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Premium
course
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8
days guiding, 9 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£1098 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for seven days,
2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two
nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Up to six nights half board in mountain huts (inc.
costs for guides), 5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment
discount voucher for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 8) Evening technical instruction when in
Chamonix. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Personal
laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals in valley,
& any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
4) Cable cars and mountain uplift (only required on final day),
5) Local Swiss Post bus tickets if required and train from St
Niklaus to Zermatt, 6) Transfer Chamonix to Verbier, and Zermatt
to Chamonix, 7) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Acclimatisation
Weekend
£99
(throughout the season) |
To
get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential
so that you minimise the chances of AMS later on during
your course, details. |
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