This trek follows mountain trails and crosses passes rather than climbing summits. Previous mountain-walking experience and good fitness are required for stages with 800–1,300 m of ascent and descent and 6–10 hours of activity.

Prepare in the weeks before the trip with mountain walks using a similar backpack and the same footwear as on the Tour du Cervin. Aim for 800–900 m of ascent and descent. If mountain outings are not possible, aim for at least three exercise sessions a week. Read all the programme details and contact us if you are unsure about your ability.

Groups have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 participants, accompanied by a mountain guide familiar with the route. The guide briefs the group each day and adapts the pace to the least fit participant. We have the whole day to complete each stage at a relaxed pace. An assessment outing with one of our guides is available if you would like advice on your suitability.

Included

• Six days with a mountain guide.
• Two nights in hostels in St Niklaus and Zermatt, with breakfast.
• Five nights in mountain huts on a half-board basis.
• Two cable cars: Jungu and Sorebois.
• Two transfers: Les Haudères to Arolla, and Arolla to the glacier approach.
• Accident insurance.

Not included

• Dinner expenses in St Niklaus and Zermatt.
• Return travel to St Niklaus.
• Picnic lunches.
• Drinks and extra expenses in huts and hostels.
• Extra transport if you leave the activity early.

Clothing

• Gore-Tex or equivalent waterproof jacket and overtrousers.
• Technical mountain trousers in Schoeller fabric or equivalent.
• Fleece or softshell jacket.
• Thermal base layer and a spare.
• Thin and thick socks, plus spares.
• Gloves.
• Warm hat, sun cap and sunglasses.
• Headtorch.
• Sun protection for face and lips, and after-sun lotion.

Technical equipment

• Telescopic poles.
• Lightweight crampons, harness and helmet.
• 40–50 litre backpack.
• Water bottle of at least 1.5 litres and electrolyte salts.

Footwear

• Mountain hiking boots.

Personal first-aid kit

• Pain relief medication.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication.
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointment.
• Antiseptic.
• Gauze, medical tape, plasters and bandages.
• Mineral salts for drinking water.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip protection.
• If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses during the activity, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them.
• If you do not have crampons, a harness or a helmet, we can lend them to you.

Matterhorn trekking circuit

Day 1: Travel to St Niklaus (1,127 m) by car, train, or plane to Geneva. Arrive at Geneva airport early enough to connect with onward trains or buses. Overnight in St Niklaus; dinner independently.

Day 2: St Niklaus – Jungu (1,958 m) – Augstbordpass (2,894 m) – Gruben (1,818 m). Take the cable car to Jungu, walk through Alpine pastures towards the pass with views of the Dom and Mischabel range, then descend through meadows and larch woods into the Turtmanntal. Ascent 936 m; descent 1,076 m. Overnight in Gruben.

Day 3: Gruben – Meidpass (2,790 m) – Zinal (1,675 m). Cross Alpine pastures to the pass, descend to around 2,200 m, then traverse with a gentle climb before descending to Zinal. Ascent 971 m; descent 1,100 m. Overnight in Zinal.

Day 4: Zinal – Col de Sorebois (2,895 m) – Col de Torrent (2,919 m) – Les Haudères (1,450 m) – Arolla (2,100 m). Climb through the ski area, descend to Moiry dam, cross it and climb to Col de Torrent. Descend to Les Haudères and transfer to Arolla. Ascent 1,160 m; descent 1,460 m. Overnight in Arolla.

Day 5: Arolla – Col Collon (3,082 m) – Prarayer hut (2,010 m). Transfer to the glacier approach. After about 2 hours, put on glacier equipment on the upper Arolla Glacier and cross Col Collon into Italy. Descend via Nacamuli hut (2,828 m) to Prarayer beside Place Moulin lake. Ascent 973 m; descent 1,687 m. Overnight at Prarayer hut.

Day 6: Prarayer – Colle di Valcornera (3,066 m) – Cervinia. Climb the Valcornera valley to a demanding final section below the pass. A more complex passage with ropes leads to Perucca hut (2,910 m). Continue past lakes and waterfalls, with views of the Matterhorn, via Fenêtre de Cignana and Valtournenche, then climb to Cervinia. Ascent 980 m; descent 828 m. Overnight in Cervinia.

Day 7: Cervinia – Plan Maison (2,540 m) – Theodul Pass (3,310 m) – Trockener Steg (2,939 m) – Zermatt (1,600 m). Take the lift to Plan Maison and walk to the Swiss border at Theodul Pass, with views of the Matterhorn’s Lion and Hörnli ridges. Descend towards Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Ascent 1,467 m; descent 838 m. Overnight in Zermatt.

Day 8: Services end after breakfast. Free time in Zermatt and travel home.