Included:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 5 days trekking along the larger part of the Haute Route Glacier Trek
  • Accommodation for 4 nights in mountain huts (mixed dormitories with up to 20 people)
  • Breakfasts and dinners at the huts
  • Daily picnics for the duration of the tour (except on Day 1)
  • Transfer from Martigny to the Mauvoisin dam

Not included:

• • Transportation to Martigny
  • Personal glacier trekking equipment
  • Accommodations before and after the tour (in Martigny and Zermatt)
  • Any personal expenses (drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.)
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Repatriation and search & rescue insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
  • Travel insurance — highly recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To embark on the guided Haute Route Glacier Trek, it’s crucial to be in peak physical condition. The trek encompasses an average of 6 to 7 hours of daily walking for 5 days, with significant elevation gains and losses and elevations often exceeding 9,800 ft (3,000 m) over 5 days. You should expect steep and sometimes exposed trails, often on glacial terrain. Participants should anticipate carrying a daypack weighing around 11 lbs (5 kg), adding an extra layer of challenge to the journey. Expect to gain up to 4,593 ft (1,400 m) within a day.

This adventure is recommended for people with extensive hiking experience and with experience of multi-day treks. However, even though this trip includes crossing glaciers, no mountaineering experience is required. In preparation, it’s advisable to engage in regular hiking and endurance training to build stamina and leg strength. Cardio workouts and uphill hiking can be particularly beneficial.

Rest assured, you won’t be on this adventure alone. A seasoned guide will be by your side every step of the way. They will provide motivation, teach essential skills related to crampons and ice axes, ensure your safety, and adapt the route as needed, especially in the face of adverse weather conditions or if the challenge becomes too strenuous for the group.

If you’re looking for something less challenging, check out this guided Walker’s Haute Route Trek.

Here’s a list of the technical equipment you need to bring:

• • Light mountaineering boots or sturdy, waterproof hiking boots covering your ankles
  • Backpack (35-45 L) with a fitted rain cover
  • Collapsible ski poles
  • Ice axe for glacier travel (50-75 cm)
  • Crampons with anti-snowballing plates
  • Harness for glacier travel
  • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners

Here’s a list of clothes you need to bring:

• • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with a hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Wind and waterproof over-pants with side zippers (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Mountaineering pants
  • Medium-weight jacket
  • Medium-weight fleece sweater
  • Moisture-wicking top and bottom underwear
  • Moisture-wicking hiking T-shirt and shorts
  • Moisture-wicking sports bra — if applicable
  • Gloves (one pair lightweight and one pair heavier weight and waterproof)
  • Trekking socks (2-3 pairs)
  • Gaiters
  • Hat for covering your ears
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat
  • Bandana or neck gaiter

Here’s the list of items you will need during your stays at mountain huts:

• • Sleeping bag liner
  • Regular underwear and socks
  • Sandals (crocs or similar)
  • Toiletries (keep to a bare minimum)
  • Ear plugs

Here’s the list of other Items we recommend you bring:

• • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Sunscreen and SPF lip protection
  • Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
  • Feminine hygiene supplies — if applicable
  • Bug spray
  • Two water bottles (1L capacity)
  • Headlamp with a new battery
  • Personal first aid kit and other needs (e.g., blister kit, prescription medicine, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
  • Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry
  • Camera
  • Adapter for European charging system

You will get a chance to discuss your packing list with your guide prior to the adventure. Additionally, you will go through a gear check before the tour starts. Since the trek takes place at high elevations and in challenging terrain, it is necessary to be prepared for different weather scenarios and to have appropriate technical equipment.

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All the technical equipment like mountaineering boots, crampons, harness, and ice axe can be rented with the help of your guiding service. They usually rent from the Sanglard Sports gear shop and they can arrange a discount. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Group sizes and prices:

• • This is a private tour—just you and your people. It takes a minimum of 4 participants for this tour to operate. Due to wanting to avoid groups who do not match in skill or fitness level, your guides believe it’s best to have private groups only for this trip.
  • The maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.

Hiking the Haute Route Glacier Trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A single occupancy room is not available on this Haute Route glacier trek. You’ll spend 4 nights in mountain huts which feature shared, dormitory-style lodging.

Your tour starts in Martigny, Switzerland. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport. Once there, you can take a train ride to Martigny.

You will meet your Haute Route guide and fellow hiker in Martigny in the morning on Day 1. We suggest you arrive the day before, to give yourself a chance to recuperate before the trek.

Repatriation/search and rescue insurance is mandatory, while travel insurance is highly recommended to join this trip. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.