Matterhorn Circuit

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TRIP COST TRIP NAME: MATTERHORN CIRCUIT Joining St Niklaus from : $1970 TRIP CODE: MAT Switzerland Trip Concludes: Zermatt TRIP DURATION: 6 DAYS St Niklaus All prices are per person GRADE: CHALLENGING ‑ 5 Tasch OPTIONS & Matterhorn Zermatt SUPPLEMENTS ACTIVITY: GUIDED WALK Italy double room ACCOMMODATION: 5 NIGHTS MOUNTAIN France supplement - 1 REFUGES / GÎTE HOSTELS night dorm/ 4 nights double where DATE DETAILS: 2020 | 06 JUL - 11 JUL, 13 JUL - 18 JUL, 20 JUL - 25 JUL, 27 available: $380 JUL - 01 AUG, 03 AUG - 08 AUG, 10 AUG - 15 AUG, 17 AUG - 22 AUG, 24 AUG - 29 AUG, 31 AUG - 05 SEP, 07 IMPORTANT NOTES SEP - 12 SEP DN1 - A minimum of 2 people travelling together is required when booking the room option. Contact our team for more details. highlights DN2 - Walking boots with good ankle support are a requirement for this walk. Circumnavigating the Matterhorn DN3 - Please ensure you read Experiencing the exhilaration of trekking in the European Alps the downloadable trip notes prior to booking. 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 the trip The Matterhorn, or Cervin, is one of the world’s most renowned and historical mountains. A near perfect pyramid, it stands at an altitude of 4478m above sea level, and is surrounded by some of the most spectacular alpine scenery and typical Swiss villages. The trail around the Matterhorn crosses between Italy and Switzerland, adding a cultural dimension to the journey. With high passes and steep ascents aided by steel ropes it is one of our more challenging hikes. However, with a good level of fitness and prior outdoor experience, this is an immensely rewarding traverse affording spectacular views throughout including some of the highest peaks in the Alps such as Dent Blanche (4357m) and Zinalrothorn (4221m).

© World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 12/4/2019 4:02:36 PM Page 1 matterhorn circuit itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive St Niklaus, walk to Grüben (6hrs) Day 2 Cross the Forcletaz Pass (2874m) to Zinal at the base of Dent Blanche (6hrs) Day 3 Walk to the village of Villa, transfer to Les Haudères Arolla (6hrs) Day 4 Ascend glacier & the Col Collon (3082m), descend to Prarayer (2000m) (7-8hrs) Day 5 To Breuil Cervinia (6-7hrs) Day 6 Walk to the famous ski resort of Zermatt (6hrs), trip concludes detailed itinerary Note: The heading for each days description below shows the approximate time it will take to complete the walk for someone of good fitness. At the end of the days description is the ascents and descents for the day in metres. The planned itinerary can be affected by mountain weather and trail conditions. Our partner reserves the right to make changes according to current conditions. 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 an ascent across high mountain pastures with awesome views to 4000m peaks from the village of Saas-Fee. The ascent continues to the Augsbordpass pass (2894m/9495ft) and then down into the Turtmann Valley through the forest. Overnight Grüben (+938m/3077ft, -1075m/3527ft) meals: L,D 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 between the German-speaking and French-speaking part of Switzerland, in the direction of Zinal by the High mountain pastures of Nava and Barneuza. En route visit the villages of Zinal and Grimmentz in the Zinal Valley. (+1056m/3465ft, -1239m/4065ft) meals: B,L,D 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 continuous views of the Dent d’Hérens and the Dent Blanche. During your walk through the flowered meadows today you will be surrounded by the famous peaks of Zinalrothorn (4221m/13,848ft), Obergabelhorn (4063m/13,330ft) and Dent Blanche (4357m/14,295ft). (+971m/3185ft, -1244m/4081ft) meals: B,L,D 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 and Italy by the Collon pass (3082m/10,111ft). We enter the valley of Aoste with a magical arrival into the Italian hamle of Prarayer and the emerald lake of Place Moulin. (+1034m/3392ft, -1064m/3491ft) meals: B,L,D

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 Tsignanaz we arrive at the window of Cigagnaga. The Matterhorn appears in all its beauty. (+1062m/3484ft, -1133m/3717ft) meals: B,L,D 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 inclusions 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 items not included 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 getting there BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: www.viamichelin. com BY TRAIN FROM ZURICH ‑ If you are flying into Zurich you can take a train from the airport to St Niklaus (with 1‑3 train changes) and the journey time is around 3‑3.5 hours. From Zurich central station it takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes with 1‑2 changes. There are regular trains from Zurich and other stations in Switzerland. For any information & reservations you can contact Switzerland Rail, http://www.sbb.ch/en/ or we can arrange your train tickets in advance. BY AIR Your closest airport is Zurich Airport. Refer above for details of reaching St Niklaus by train on arriving at Zurich Airport. trip grading - challenging 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, with a strong walking pace. 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. As with all our challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre‑requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‑free or allergen‑free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life‑threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‑administering these medications. about your group You will be joining a group with participants joining from different countries. Other group participants therefore may not speak English. The guide will speak in English and French to cater to all participants. This is not an English only speaking tour. accommodation PRE TOUR Pre tour you should stay in the Matterhorn Valley as the trip commences on the morning of Day 1. As you will be ending the trip in the Matterhorn Valley you should leave your main luggage in a hotel in St Niklaus / Grachen. We do not offer a left luggage service. There are numerous options in the valley including huts, hotels and apartments which you can view at http://www.matterhornvalley.ch/en/ Some hotels in St Niklaus:‑ 1. Pension Walliserkeller 00 41 27 956 11 60, [email protected] 2. Tourist St Niklaus 00 41 27 956 36 63, info@st‑niklaus.ch 3. Hotel Edelweiss ‑ http://www.edelweiss‑st‑niklaus.ch/indexc.htm You can view a selection of accommodation on the website above. Another useful website for accommodation, activities and general information on the area is: www.myswitzerland.com DURING TOUR

Accommodation is dormitory style in mountain refuges or gîte hostels. There can be up to 40 people in one room in some refuges but less on most nights (around 10‑12). Beds are often bunks but can also be one long platform with separate mattresses. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Swiss refuges tend to be surprisingly comfortable. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED Switzerland, Italy VISAS 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. CLIMATE The walking season in the European Alps is short – from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time. In winter parts of the trail are transformed into world class ski runs, evidenced by the comprehensive network of cablecars or téléfériques. Bearing in mind that much of the route is at altitudes of over 1000m and up to around 2500m, the temperatures can vary significantly. Please note at the beginning of the season you may experience snow and therefore the walking can be harder and slippery underfoot. Temperatures in summer range from around 6 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common. At the higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer. MIN GROUP SIZE 6 MAX GROUP SIZE 14 MOBILITY REQUIREMENT This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Wet weather gear, sunscreen, walking boots (must be of sturdy design with ankle support), warm clothes, day pack and sun hat – walking sticks are recommended. Sleeping sheet & towel required for dorm accommodation. (A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‑departure information provided on booking). special notes TRIP ORGANISATION Your luggage is transferred each day by minibus. There is a 15kg maximum for the bags that are to be carried and any excess will be refused so make sure you weigh it beforehand. We do not accept hard cases or frames so please use a soft duffel style bag for your main luggage. The trip begins in St Niklaus and we will confirm the meeting place with you on booking or at least 2 months before the departure date. We have suggestions for pre and post accommodation. See below for details. At the end of the tour you can take a bus or train back to St Niklaus. The tour concludes around 4pm in Zermatt. CONFIRMATION OF DEPARTURE

The operation of this trip requires a minimum number of participants. Departures can be cancelled up to 3 weeks prior to the trip start date. While the vast majority of departures operate during the season, if there are too few people the trip will be cancelled and we will do all possible to offer you an alternative trip or an alternative departure date. Should the alternatives offered not be suitable we will provide a refund of the trip price only. No further compensation shall be payable. For further details please review our conditions of contract in our brochure. how to book To book a UTRACKS trip, complete our booking form which is found at the back of our brochure or can be downloaded from our website www.utracks.com. On completion, fax or post the form to your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office along with full payment by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges apply for credit card payments). World Expeditions/UTRACKS has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Call your nearest UTRACKS/World Expeditions office or travel agent for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. follow us https://www.facebook.com/UTracks https://www.instagram.com/utrackstravel/ https://twitter.com/UTracks_Travel There’s even more tips and ideas on our blog at http://www.utracks.com/discover

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IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office.

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