Vues du Mont Blanc

You'll need to be able to hike for up to 8 hours per day, with your rucksack on your back. This trip is a good, first multi-day hike for those with a good level of fitness. You will be walking on rough paths, up and down. Therefore we recommend plenty of walking away from towns, in the country or mountains. If you have done mountain walks before you'll be fine. If you haven't, take a trip before you commit to a 4-day trip. This trip is considered more challenging than the Tour Du Mont Blanc. The Matterhorn Highlights trip is our easiest 4-day trip.

Day 1: Distance 7.5km, Ascend 600m, Descend 600m. Time 4-5 hours Day 2: Distance 10km, Ascend 1300m, Descend 200m, Time 7-8 hours Day 3: Distance 14km, Ascend 900m, Descend 1100m, Time 8-9 hours Day 4: Distance 10km, Ascend 500m, Descend 1400m, Time 5-6 Hours

Included - Qualified mountain guides - Accommodation - Food, Breakfast and Dinner. - Any planned transport Excluded - Flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers - Visa (If applicable) - Lunch

We stay in 3 different mountain huts. The accommodation is dormitory-style with a nice communal area for socialising in each. There is no wifi. Some have warm showers, some have warm showers after we have lit the fire! Sometimes if there is a lack of water we can't have showers but on those days we will try to swim in a lake! We can expect other small groups in the huts on some of the more popular dates but on many occasions we will be on our own.

Documents - Passport - Boarding pass for flights - Money (CHF) - Credit/Debit Card Sleeping - Sleeping bag liner - Ear Plugs Footwear - Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight - Lightweight shoe's for the evening (or you can borrow hut slippers) Clothing Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. - 1 x pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (long johns or similar) - 3 x t-shirts - 1 x comfortable shirt for the evening - 4 x hiking socks - 3 - 4 pairs of underwear - 1 x fleece - Light down or Primaloft jacket - Waterproof jacket and trousers - Hiking trousers: we recommend a pair that zip off into trousers. - Comfortable trousers for the evening - Sun Hat, Warm Hat and gloves - Buff or scarf - Swimming shorts/costume Other - A day bag: 35 - 45 litres - all your kit should fit into this bag. - Travel towel - Dry bag or liner - Water bottle: At least 2L - Sun protection: Sunglasses, suncream and sun hat - Personal medication - Toiletries - Electronics - headtorch, travel adapter, phone and charger - Hand sanitiser. - Hiking poles (Available to rent for 10chf - these must be requested at least 1 week before your trip). You do not require any specialist equipment for this trip. For the first day, your leader may need help carrying food and drink.

You'll experience traditional Swiss food along with some high energy foods to ensure you get the most out of your days in the mountains. Here is a breakdown of the meals that are included: Day 1: Dinner. Day 2: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 3: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 4: Breakfast.

Start: Your guide will meet you at Aigle Train Station (on Swiss national rail), at 13:30 pm, on day 1 of your itinerary. Check the meet point on your dashboard for a pinned location. End: You'll be dropped back off at Aigle Train Station, at 3:00 pm on day 4 of your itinerary.

Not really. Small locker storage is available at Aigle train station. Follow the link for more information. If you stay overnight locally beforehand you may be able to leave it at the hotel. Discuss this with the guide if there is an absolute necessity.

The average height is 2000m - below the altitude where altitude sickness becomes an issue.

YES, this is a highlight of the trip. Although seeing wildlife cannot be guaranteed, some of the Fauna we will be looking out for include; - Marmot - Ibex - Deer - Bouquetin - Chamois - Lynx/ Wolf (we are in the territory of both, but this is exceedingly unlikely) - Fighting Cows - Normal Cows (and their guardian dogs) Birds are plentiful including raptors and songbirds, last trip we saw a Golden Eagle and Bearded Vultures. Flowers change throughout the season with the early season the best for spotting Eidelweiss but colourful vistas throughout the summer.

The trek is all on marked paths, in a remote area of the Swiss alps. You can expect rocky trails, forest trails and gravel tracks. They are uneven and require precise foot placement. For this reason, it is important to wear a suitable boot with ankle support. You should also expect to be on rough ground, sometimes slippery and be ready to deal with a little exposure. Your guide will help you though throughout.

Yes! It is not mandatory but often expected and always appreciated. In the Alps, there is no fixed amount and it really depends on what you would like to give to show your satisfaction. A minimum of 20chfs per person and perhaps 50chf if your guide has really helped you. You can also support them by reviewing them on your Skyhook dashboard here.

During the summer it can be quite warm in the Alps so it's important to carry enough water. We strongly recommend taking between two and three litres of water. The tap water at the accommodations you will stay is not usually drinkable (it is collected rainwater) but you can buy bottled water there or "tea marche" (walking tea). Your leader can give you advice on this for each day. Each day we pass various mountain places where it is possible to fill up water bottles and experience local delicacies.

Due to the distances and ascents covered on this trip, it is geared towards adults. Therefore the minimum age for this trek is 18 years. However, those aged 16-18 years are welcome to attend in the company of a responsible adult. If you wish for someone younger to join the trip then please get in touch. We will deal with these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Not particularly, just your normal hiking boots, backpack, clothes and waterproofs. We recommend walking poles and if we rent those at discounted rates to save you having to bring them on the aeroplane and pay for baggage! However, if you have any old, heavy, gear this is a very good excuse to upgrade to more lieghtweight gear.

Yes. We would always recommend getting travel insurance well before your trip departure date. If you even sprain an ankle you will need a helicopter pick up and without insurance this will be pricey. If you need to cancel your trip, or the airline cancels, then insurance is a must. Take out insurance as soon as you have confirmed your booking.

The huts can cater for most dietary requirements. Just let them know when completing your registration form before the trip. They will do their best but see the above question.