Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

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.

vegetarian, vegan, meat

All transport and listed activities

All transport mentioned in the itinerary and cable cars (except where these are marked as optional) are included. Transport and excursions on the three free days are not included. We normally use a private coach for the transfers from Geneva airport and trains back.

The accommodation on this walking trip in the Alps includes 11 nights of camping, two nights in mountain huts and one night in a village inn.

Camp nights

Stunning mountain settings, communal living and a chance to switch off. For many, our camp nights are a highlight of the trip − sharing an after-trek drink with newly made friends as the sun sets over a glaciated mountain is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors, after all.

Most of the campsites we use are modern with hot showers and electricity. Many have a bar and wifi, plus a lounge or sitting area. We provide a large communal tent (if we do not use the campsite communal area), where we eat at tables with benches and have an unlimited tea and coffee station, plus a camp bar.

Accompanying you throughout the trek is a dedicated camp support leader who takes care of the logistics and catering. Your tent is put up for you each night; in the morning, you should take it down, put your bag in the back of the van and wash your own breakfast dish. On four nights out of 14, you will also be asked to join a washing team and help with the dishes that night. A 20-minute job. Otherwise, you are free to relax and take in the beauty of the Alps.

Camping equipment

All our equipment is bought with comfort and practicality in mind, and we hope it represents a higher quality than most individuals would buy for themselves.

Tents: Spend 11 nights camping in roomy three-person tents, but with a maximum of two people per tent. We use waterproof dome tents incorporating an 82in x 82in (210cm x 210cm) inner tent with a sewn-in ground sheet and a supplementary 90in x 27in (230cm x 70cm) covered porch that is an ideal place to leave your walking boots and poles etc. Packing them away should take no more than five minutes. Single tents are available for a small additional cost as are camping mats and sleeping bags with liner and pillow.

Camp mats: Our air-and-foam camping mats are full-length, comfortable to sleep on and provide excellent insulation from the ground.

Sleeping bags: These have a synthetic filling, as opposed to feathers, with a three-quarter-length zip and are rated for good warmth.

Worth knowing

Two remote campsites are a little more basic than average and do not have showers.

Thermal mattress hire: £36 – please request in advance with your sales representative.

Sleeping bag hire, pillow and liner: £73 – please request in advance with your sales representative.

We provide a qualified International Mountain Leader to escort the group on each walking day. Our walking leaders are true mountain professionals and skilled group leaders. This not only helps to assure mountain safety but also means you can learn from them about the wider mountain environment, such as flora and fauna, geology, weather and local customs. The leaders are required to prevent anyone participating in an activity if they believe the person is not capable of completing it safely or in a reasonable time. Our support leaders are also vital members of the team and ensure the camp is set up and ready when you walk off the hill (wherever practically possible) and hot, tasty and nutritious food is served.