"Monte Rosa Trekking Tour"

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

• Seven days with a mountain guide.
• Seven nights in huts or hostels, with breakfast or half board according to the accommodation.
• Transfer between Saas-Almagell and Mattmark Dam.
• Accident insurance.

Not included

• Dinners on nights not spent in a mountain hut.
• Return travel to Saas-Grund.
• 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.
• 45–60 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.

Monte Rosa trekking itinerary

Day 0: Travel to Saas-Almagell, Switzerland, by car, by plane to Geneva with a transfer, or by train and bus. Arrive around midday or early afternoon for final shopping and time in the village. Meet the guide from 18:00 for a route briefing, equipment check and backpack preparation. Overnight at Pension Waldegg; dinner at the accommodation. Included board basis: bed and breakfast.

Day 1: Saas-Almagell – Mattmark (2,200 m) – Monte Moro Pass (2,853 m) – Macugnaga (1,350 m). Take the scheduled bus to Mattmark dam, then climb to the pass, which may be snow-covered depending on the season. Descend with views of Monte Rosa. Ascent 650 m; descent 1,550 m. Overnight in a hostel or similar in Macugnaga, bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Macugnaga – Alagna Valsesia (1,190 m). Descend to Quarazza, climb the valley to Colle del Turlo and descend to Alagna, beneath Monte Rosa and its glaciers. Ascent 1,430 m; descent 1,580 m. Hostel or similar, bed and breakfast.

Day 3: Alagna – Col d’Olen (2,880 m) – Staffal (1,300 m). Cross Passo Foric (2,432 m) and Col d’Olen, then descend into the Gressoney-la-Trinité valley. Ascent 1,730 m; descent 1,050 m. Hostel or similar in Staffal, bed and breakfast.

Day 4: Staffal – Colle Bettaforca (2,672 m) – Saint-Jacques. Views of the Matterhorn, Pollux, Castor and Monte Rosa. Ascent 825 m; descent 985 m. Hostel or similar in Saint-Jacques, bed and breakfast.

Day 5: Saint-Jacques – Theodul hut (3,317 m). A demanding day via Cime Bianche and Theodul Pass. Ascent 1,630 m; descent 120 m. A lift can be used for the final section to ease the stage. Overnight at Theodul hut, half board.

Day 6: Theodul hut – Zermatt. Begin on the Theodul Glacier, with the Matterhorn on one side, Monte Rosa on the other and Zermatt below. Ascent 0 m; descent 1,690 m. Overnight at Zermatt hostel, bed and breakfast.

Day 7: Return arrangements, such as airport transfer or travel back to Saas-Almagell to collect vehicles.