The Tour of Monte Rosa

Monte Rosa, a giant massif comprising and surrounded by most of the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps (including the Matterhorn), lies on the border between Italy and Switzerland. Seven spectacular valleys radiate from its flanks, each one dominated by exquisite scenery. Among them are the Mattertal (the Zermatt Valley), on Swiss territory, presents a glaciated paradise; Valle Anzasca, in Italian territory, where Monte Rosa's 6,000-foot east face, the most imposing rock face of the Alps, confers upon this elegant giant the title of "Mountain of Himalayan Proportions." With one of its several peaks, Dufourspitze, standing at 15,431', Monte Rosa is the second highest mountain in Western Europe after Mont Blanc, but its dramatic beauty and overwhelming proportions stand second to none.
Some of the most magnificent hikes in the world are found in this region and the Alps and Beyond Tour of Monte Rosa is one of the greatest opportunities to appreciate and fully immerse yourself in a truly humbling, mountainous world.
Starting in Saas-Fee, surrounded by the Dom, Allalinhorn, and Alpubel, and finishing in Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, our six-day trek will take us on an almost complete circuit of this spectacular massif, which has challenged climbers since the early 1800s. Our route at times is very long and demanding, but it is always spectacular and bestows us with the most breathtaking views of Monte Rosa and its cascading glaciers, the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn, and the Dom, as well as many of the other surrounding 4,000-meter peaks. Alpine trails and historic paths lead us deep into the canton of Valais in Switzerland and the Piemonte and Valle D'Aosta regions in Italy, introducing us to fascinating cultures, cuisines, and architecture.
Our accommodations are in very comfortable three-star mountain hotels and the food is excellent throughout the trip.


DAY 1 ~ Geneva - Saas-Fee
Transfer on your own by rail and public bus to Saas-Fee (6,004 ft.), a charming alpine town surrounded by the magnificent amphitheater of the Dom, Allalinhorn, Alpubel, and their glaciers. Your trip leader will meet you in the lobby of the hotel at 6:00 pm. There will be a briefing followed by dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Saas-Fee.
D ***Hotel in Saas-Fee

Note- We highly recommend that you arrive a day or two early to allow for acclimatization. There are plenty of scenic day hikes that you can do on your own in the surrounding area. The tourist office in Saas-Fee can help you with the details.

Note-Please double-check your arrival and departure times. Many international flights leave early in the morning on Day 8. Depending on your arrangements, you may need to spend an extra night in Geneva at the end of the trip.

DAY 2 ~ Saas-Fee - Monte Moro Pass - Macugnaga
We have an early start (leave the hotel at 7:40 a.m.) to take a postal bus to Stausee Mattmark (7,206'), where we begin our hike on a level dirt path skirting the lake. After about one hour, at the end of the lake, the trail takes us on an ascent over rocky outcrops to the highest point of the day, Monte Moro Pass (9,500'). Crossing the border into the Piemonte region of Italy, we admire the 16-foot-tall golden statue of "Maria zum Schnee" (Mary of the Snow) and take in the breathtaking view of the majestic east wall of Monte Rosa, a sheer 6,000-foot rock wall at the head of Valle Anzasca. We continue for a short while to the Rifugio Oberto-Maroli (9,357'), where we enjoy a light lunch before we take the tram down into Staffa/Macugnaga (4,287'). We'll have time to meander through this characteristic town rich in culture and traditions. Our hike up to the pass today will take about 4½ hours with a maximum elevation gain of 2,294'. Overnight in Macugnaga.
B,L,D ***Hotel in Macugnaga

DAY 3 ~ Macugnaga - Passo del Turlo - Alagna Val Sesia
Today we have another early start (7:30 am) and catch a ride to our trailhead. The trail starts with a 20- to 30-minute uphill mule path and then continues for about 1½ hours on a dirt road past "Lago delle Fate" (Fairies Lake) and among marvelous woods, brooks, and waterfalls ("La Pissa"). We then start our 3½-hour uphill to Passo del Turlo (8,981 ft.) on a well maintained military mule path. Along the way we will be on the lookout for ibexes, chamois, and marmots. If the weather permits, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at the pass before we start our 3- hour descent into Alagna Valsesia (3,903 ft.). Along the way we will notice pastures with German names, testimony to early germanic settlements, and enjoy views of the spectacular summits of Corno Nero (14,392 ft.), Punta Parrot (14,772 ft.), and Punta Gnifetti (15,165 ft). On Punta Gnifetti we will be able to spot Capanna Margherita, the highest mountain hut in Europe. Today's hiking time is approximately 8½-9 hours. Elevation gain is 5,001 feet and elevation drop 5,078 feet. Overnight in Alagna Valsesia.
B,L,D ***Hotel in Alagna

DAY 4 ~ Alagna - Col d'Olen - Gressoney-La-Trinité
A comfortable gondola ride takes us to Alpe di Pianalunga (6,743'). We then start hiking on an uphill trail through fields of wildflowers. We skirt Sasso del Diavolo (the "devil's stone") where our trail becomes steeper and rockier and eventually leads us to the Colle d'Olen (9,594'), the highest pass of the tour. Sometimes groups of ibexes can be spotted grazing right below the pass. We will stop for a light lunch at Rifugio Vigevano, the mountain hut located on the Colle. After lunch we follow the dirt road/ski run down into Alpe Gabiet (7,682') next to the lake carrying the same name, where we take a gentle trail to Pizzo Jolanda (7,459'). From Pizzo Jolanda we take a gondola ride down into Gressoney-La-Trinité (5,327'). Today we leave the region of Piemonte and enter Valle D'Aosta, another Italian region extremely rich in culture, history, and cuisine. Hiking time is about 6 hours, with elevation gain of 2,851' and an elevation drop of 2,135'. Overnight in Gressoney-La-Trinité.
B,L,D ***Hotel in Gressoney-La-Trinité

DAY 5 ~ Gressoney-La-Trinité - Colle del Pinter - Champoluc
Drive to the trailhead. An hour of steep uphill on a mule path takes us from the Gressoney Valley (4,662') to the hamlet of Alpenzu Grande (5,927'). After a short break, we continue on a trail steadily climbing uphill through green pastures, wildflowers and farmhouses to Alpe Loage Superiore (8,212'). From this point the trail becomes steeper and our last efforts over scree take us to Colle del Pinter (9,247'), our highest point for the day. We enjoy our picnic lunch as we take in the glorious views of Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, and the Dent d'Hèren. As we descend into the hamlet of Cuneaz, more spectacular mountainous landscapes open up. The Italian side of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn, and the high peaks of the Monte Rosa massif, Pollux, Zwillinge and Castor, blanketed in perennial snows and glaciers, come into full view. From Crest (6,590') we descend meandering through the woods into Champoluc (5,568'). We will have dinner in St. Jacques at an old mountain restaurant. Overnight in Champoluc. Hiking time today is 8-9 hours. The elevation gain is 4,585' while the elevation drop is 2,657'.
B,L,D ***Hotel in Champoluc

DAY 6 ~ Champoluc - Col di Nana - Valtournanche
We hike up to Alpe di Nana Alta (7,306'). We then follow a dirt road for about one hour to the Rifugio Grand Tournalin, where we continue on an alpine trail and start our ascent to Col de Nana (9,241'), our highest pass for the day. On our way up and at the Col we may have a chance to observe groups of chamois or ibexes. We descend slightly from the pass and skirt the mountains to Colle di Croux where we begin our descent toward Valtournenche. Our trail takes us through idyllic alpine settings and offers us an open view on the Italian side of the Matterhorn (Cervino for the Italians) and the series of peaks to its side. We pass summer pastures and the hamlet of Cheneil, where we can stop for a refreshing drink before we embark on the final steep descent through the woods into Valtournenche (4,998'), one of the most popular winter and summer resorts in the Val d'Aosta region. Overnight in Valtournenche. Hiking time is about 8 hours, elevation gain 1,935', elevation drop 4,243'.
B,L,D ***Hotel in Valtournanche

DAY 7 ~ Valtournanche - Theodul Glacier - Zermatt
We drive for about 15 mins to Breuil-Cervinia, a popular winter and summer ski resort on the Italian side of the Matterhorn. A 45-minute gondola and tram ride takes us to Plateau Rosa (11,588'), a spectacular panoramic point in the midst of the glaciated peaks of the Monte Rosa massif. Here we meet the local licensed glacier guide who will take us on our final journey down the Theodul Glacier to Trockner Stegg. Italian and Swiss laws require that commercial groups hire a local, certified mountaineering guide for any glacier crossings. As we descend toward Zermatt, we will be able to admire the grand finale of our Tour of Monte Rosa. The giant massif, with its regal summits and cascading glaciers, graces us with one last spectacular view before we bid it farewell. Once we arrive at Trockener Steg (9,787'), we will part from the glacier guide and descend on trails to Füri (6,207') where we catch a tram into Zermatt. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore Zermatt. Overnight in Zermatt. Total time on the Theodul Glacier descent is about 1½ hours. From Trockner Stegg to Füri our hike will take about 1½ hours. Elevation drop is 5,381'.
B,D ***Hotel in Zermatt

DAY 8 ~ Departure
The trip ends in Zermatt. Transfer on your own, by rail, from Zermatt to Geneva International Airport via Montreux and the Lake of Geneva. Depart on homeward-bound flights. Please do not schedule your flight any earlier than 1:00 pm on this day. (Trains bound for Geneva depart Zermatt at 6:00 am and 7:10 am, arriving in Geneva at 9:51 am and 10:51 am.)
B


TRIP DATES
All of our trip dates are customized to suit your schedule. You tell us when you and your friends or family would like to travel and we will set up your own private departure. The best time of the year to really enjoy this trip and get the most out of the places you visit is during the months of July and August.

PRICES
€ 2490 (8-10 participants)
€ 2740 (5-7 participants)
€ 2970 (4 participants)

Our prices are quoted in Euros and per person, based on sharing double accommodations.
If you wish to have a single accommodation, we'll be happy to quote you the single supplement.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP
Expert leadership, all hotels, all meals as noted on the itinerary (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner), transportation as per the itinerary, luggage transfers, visits to museums and other points of interest as specified in the itinerary.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP
International airfare, any transfer to/from Geneva at the beginning and at the end of the trip, insurance of any kind (we highly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance and medical/evacuation insurance), any tipping to leaders, meals not noted on the itinerary, visits to museums and other points of interest other than those specified in the itinerary, personal expenses (laundry, sodas or alcoholic beverages, telephone calls etc.). Unused transportation to or during the tour will not be reimbursed.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL
This itinerary is very challenging as you will be hiking anywhere between 7 to 9 hours on most days. The hikes are not highly strenuous but you will hike on very rocky trails, and on a couple of the days we may encounter some patches of snow on the passes.
There are quite a few long ascents and descents, a couple of which are steep. These are typical characteristics of the topography in the Alps. Strong ankles and knees, good balance, stamina and good physical health are key ingredients for the enjoyment of this trip.