Monte Rosa, a giant massif comprising and surrounded by most of the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps, shares the border with Italy and Switzerland. Seven spectacular valleys radiate from its flanks, each one dominated by magnificent scenery. Among them, the Mattertal (the Zermatt Valley), a glaciated paradise in Swiss territory, and Valle Anzasca, in Italy, where Monte Rosa's 6,000-foot east face, the highest 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 Tour of Monte Rosa is one of the greatest opportunities to fully appreciate a truly humbling, mountainous environment. 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. Hiking from Saas-Fee, surrounded by the Dom, Allalinhorn and Alpubel, to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, our six-day trek takes us on an almost complete circuit of this spectacular massif, which has challenged climbers since the early 1800s. Although on some days long and demanding, our trek is always spectacular and offers some of the most majestic views in the Alps.

There will be a support vehicle to transfer participants to the next destination if it’s not safe to cross high mountain passes due to bad weather, or if one or more participants wish to skip a hike on any given day. For environmental purposes, the use of vehicles will be kept to a minimum. Please keep in mind that there is no support vehicle during the hikes.

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Itinerary Outline

Day 1 • Saas-Fee
Meet your trip leader at your hotel in Saas-Fee. Short acclimatization hike and briefing

Day 2, 3 • Saas-Fee – Macugnaga - Alagna
Two days on the East side of Monte Rosa to enjoy its “Himalayan” proportions from several perspectives. At Monte Moro Pass, reached after an uphill climb from Saas-Fee, we are face-to-face with this giant of rock and ice. From Colle del Turlo we descend into Alagna, Italy.

Day 4, 5, 6 • Alagna – Gressoney – Champoluc - Valtournanche Crossing over one pass each day, we skirt the south side of Monte Rosa, exploring Valle d’Aosta, where the locals still speak Patois, a franco-provençal dialect. Long and demanding hiking days are rewarded with exhilarating open views of the mountains, including Mont Blanc.

Day 7 • Valtournache – Zermatt
A glorious day crossing our over our final pass into Zermatt. Under the guidance of a licensed UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide, we descend the Theodul Glacier, amongst the glaciated peaks and swooping glaciers of the Monte Rosa massif.

Day 8 • Departure
After breakfast, transfer on your own to the destination of your choice.