Explore Valais on the 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour
Trekking the Matterhorn should be on your bucket list. With typically Swiss villages and a picturesque Alpine setting, you will find every day of this 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour to be completely enchanting.
An intense and varied adventure around one of the most beautiful and iconic mountains in the world, this tour will expose you to a pleasant combination of rugged mountain terrain and charming alpine culture.
The two extra days at the end of the trip allow you to complete a full loop of this mythical circuit, ensuring that you leave no stone unturned on your escapade through the Alps. So what are you waiting for?! Book your spot on the 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour and prepare to experience the best that Switzerland has to offer!
Highlights of the 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour
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8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in St Niklaus and trek to Gruben
After arriving in St Niklaus, a traditional cable car will take you up to the start of the walk in Jungu. Enjoy views of Monte Rosa in the background on this beautiful traverse to the foot of the first pass, the Augstbordpass at 2,900 m (9,515 ft). From here, a pleasant descent through Alpine meadows and larch forests will lead you to the charming village of Gruben, where you will spend the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6.5h, 1000m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Climb the Col de Forclettaz or Meidpass
Day 2 will present you with several options that depend on how your group feels, as well as the current weather conditions. You can choose to either climb up to the Col de Forclettaz at 2,874 m (9,430 ft) via the Chalte Berg or to the Meidpass at 2,790 m (9,155 ft). After, the beautifully scenic Nava and Barneuza Alpine pastures welcome you to Val d’Annivier, where you will make a quick transfer to your accommodations.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6.5h, 1150m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Visit the Moiry Dam and Arolla Valley
Today you will have the possibility of taking a short transfer to the Moiry dam, where you can walk along the top of the photogenic dam before climbing further up above it. The reward for your ascent is the Col du Tsaté, where you will enjoy scenic views overlooking the Arolla Valley below. You will reach the bottom of the valley by means of a short transfer.
Overnight Location: Inn in the Arolla Valley
Distance: 6.5h, 500m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Arolla Glacier to the Prarayer Refuge
Day 4 of your trekking tour will be a beautiful day in the Alps, as you will pass through an easy section of trail on the high Arolla Glacier, eventually climbing up to the Col Collon at over 3,000 m (9,845 ft).
The Prarayer refuge, which is situated ideally on the edge of the lake, awaits at the end of a long and scenic descent.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 6.5h, 1200m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Ascent of Col de Valcournera
Today will begin with a long ascent through the alpine landscape to the Col de Valcournera at over 3,000 m (9,845 ft). A few cabled – but not difficult – sections will lead you up to the final major ascent.
From the col, the cabled path will provide you with an easy route to the Perucca Vuillermoz refuge, which is perched on the rocky, glacial landscape. Another brief push is required to reach your accommodation in Valtournenche.
Overnight Location: Inn in Valtournenche
Distance: 6.5h, 1350m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Traverse the Theodul Pass to Zermatt
After a short transfer to the ski resort of Breuil Cervinia, you will hike up to the Theodul Pass at an altitude of 3,349 m (10,990 ft). Here, you will rope up in order to cross the glacier to Trockener Stegg.
Afterwards, you will make your descent to Zermatt through serene Alpine pastures and charming villages.
Overnight Location: Inn in Zermatt
Distance: 6h, 800m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Trek from Zermatt to the Topali Hut
Day 7 of the tour will begin with a short transfer to Randa, before making an ascent along a beautiful Alpine path that follows the left bank of the Matter Valley to the Topali hut. This little-used route offers beautiful views of the Täschhorn and makes for an incredibly scenic part of the journey.
Overnight Location: Mountain Refuge
Distance: 7.5h, 1520m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Return to St Niklaus and Departure
The final day of your alpine trekking tour will once again provide you with a few different options to explore. Depending on how the group feels and current conditions, you will either take a lovely Alpine path to the Wasulicke pass at 3,114 m (10,215 ft) before taking the cable car down to St Niklaus or you will walk straight down to St Niklaus via a varied path.
Either way, you will arrive back in St Niklaus by 4pm, where you will make your individual departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 6.5h, 440m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour Price and Dates
This tour is run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group. In some cases, self-guided tours can be requested as well.
Prices below are per person.
Accommodation on the 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour
This tour is based in refuges and inns. Please note that in some cases you can upgrade to double rooms with an extra supplement (please contact us for the pricing).
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Single Rooms are not available on this tour, as some nights take place in mountain huts, gites and/or inns, and you will be sharing rooms/dormitories.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Inns and Mountain Refuges Along the Matterhorn Trekking Tour
Throughout the tour you will be surrounded by incredible mountain scenery, either spending the night in mountain refuges high in the Alps or charming inns in the valleys below.
What’s Included in the 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners are included in the guided tour. Self-guided tour includes 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners in accommodations along the route.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodation before and after the tour can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, as indicated in the itinerary. Luggage transfer on all days except day 1. Transportation to and from the start/end of the tour are not included.
Also Included
- Supervision by a qualified mountain leader
- Picnics at lunchtime (guided tour only)
- Luggage transfer on the evenings of days 2, 3, and 5
- Transfers as indicated in the program
Not included
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Food/drink not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal hiking and travel equipment
- Transportation before/after the tour
- Any private transfers or cable cars not included in the program.
- Anything not listed in “What’s included in your trip”.
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Private transfer to hotel from airport
- Upgrade to full board (for self-guided travellers)
- Upgrade to double rooms (where possible)
Frequently Asked Questions about 8-Day Matterhorn Trekking Tour
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