Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

• Accommodation: 14 Simple nights (11 participatory camping, 2 mountain huts, 1 village inn)
• 10 days point-to-point walking; three days of light backpacking
• Vehicle support and dedicated camp support leader throughout
• Altitude maximum: 9,730ft (2,965m); average: 5,000ft (1,525m)
• Option to travel by train to your adventure

All breakfasts, 10 picnic lunches and 12 dinners are included in this trip. On eight nights, we take our evening meal in camp; on four nights, we take our evening meal in a nearby local restaurant or it is prepared for us by the hut or inn. The restaurant and hut/inn meals, which are prepared for us, are usually arranged as a ‘menu’ for the whole group and, as they are based on special negotiations made by us, represent better value than eating independently. On free days 9 and 14, dinner is not included and needs to be bought locally. Please note, should flight times change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals will not be included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated. Typical meals Breakfast: Usually consists of coffee, tea, cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and conserves. Lunch: Picnic-style lunches will normally include bread, cold meat, cheese, sometimes boiled eggs or tinned fish, fresh salad and fresh fruit. You may wish to bring (or purchase locally) snack bars for an extra energy boost during the day. Evening meal: Whether in camp or in a nearby restaurant, we endeavour to make dinner something to look forward to. Each day there will be a freshly prepared menu for the whole group consisting of: A soup, salad or similar A main course of meat, fish or vegetarian option served with a selection of vegetables and carbohydrates A dessert Beer, wine, bottled water, coffee, tea or other drinks are not included in the price of evening meals taken in restaurants. Coffee and tea are included with the evening meal when we eat in camp, and beer and wine are also available for purchase at a modest cost. Vegetarians: We happily cater for vegetarians – please inform us at the time of booking. Vegans: If you adhere to a vegan diet, you may find the variety of food offered to be limited, since veganism is relatively uncommon in this region. The feedback we receive for the food we serve is great but please be aware that facilities and practicality forces us, and the restaurants we use, to put our efforts into making one excellent group meal with a vegetarian option. Of course, any allergies will be respected.

Expect fair weather from late June to early October, but all mountain ranges create their own weather patterns and the Alps are no exception. It can and does rain and it can be surprisingly cold at times, especially on the high passes.

Expected daytime temperatures are:

15C-25C (59F-77F) in the valleys, although it can sometimes reach 30C (86F) in July/August

5C-15C (41F-59F) on the passes, though it will feel colder if wet and windy

5C-15C (41F-59F) in the valley at night, possibly a little lower early and late in the season.

There is always the possibility of lying snow, especially in the early season, and snowfall even in August and September when we may find new snow on the passes. Please be aware that on late-season treks (September) the days are shorter and we need to make early starts to make the most of the available daylight.

This trip is graded Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Route: Some days are challenging with up to 5,250ft (1,600m) of ascent and, on other days, similar descents. There are also some steep sections with chains that are technically simple but may not be suitable for anyone who suffers from vertigo.

Terrain: On some days, when we cross glacial moraine, the terrain is rocky, rough and loose underfoot, requiring a certain level of balance and agility. There may still be snow in some patches on early season departures.

Preparation: The cumulated fatigue of hard trekking for two weeks should not be underestimated. As this is a group trip, you need to be confident your fitness will allow you to enjoyably walk at a consistent and steady pace that matches the group average, therefore allowing the group to finish the day at a reasonable time. You will also enjoy the trek a great deal more if your fitness allows you to walk the route in relative ease.

Tour leader: There is one qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) that accompanies the group throughout and it is their decision if you accompany the group on any particular day. For safety reasons, the group leader may also change their walking style from one where everyone walks at their own pace to one where the group walks together at the speed of the slowest, depending on the conditions, weather and visibility.

Accommodation: While camping, the support leader will put up your tent; in the morning, you will be expected to pack away your own tent (these are modern pop-up tents that are very easy and quick to fold away and pack) and the whole group generally helps to load the support vehicle on the days when we move camp. After breakfast and on the nights when we eat in camp, expect to help with the washing up.

Opting out: If you are unable to walk during the itinerary and want to opt out of a day, please note, this can sometimes be a little tricky. To reach the next point, you need to take a public bus or train (which run at limited times) or taxi (which can be expensive in more remote locations). Our support vehicle is not suitable for taking passengers, so please be aware of this when deciding to book this trip. If you miss a part of the itinerary, any extra transport, hotel and food cost will be at your expense.

GPS measurements: All ascents, descents and distances listed have been measured by our local partner using satellite-based mapping software. Please note, GPS measuring devices can give differing results, especially in mountainous terrain and on winding paths. Measurements stated throughout these Trip Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.