We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
While our intention is to adhere to the day-by-day route as printed below, a degree of flexibility is built into the itinerary. Overnight stops may vary from those suggested depending on season, weather and trail conditions.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Switzerland |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.40 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£19.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£25.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£10.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Visas not required by U.K. citizens, E.C. nationals, CAN, AUS, NZ & USA. Other nationalities should consult their travel agent or relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Walking Grades and Fitness
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual’s own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated Easy to Moderate
Easy: Short day walks at low altitudes. Walks can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life.
Moderate: Involves some longer walks at low altitudes. (4-6 hrs/day, below 3000m). Some previous hillwalking experience is beneficial, but walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. Tours may contain optional strenuous days, and we would advise that you tone up your fitness before you travel.
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All the walks take approximately 4-5 hours on well-maintained paths with no great ups or downs. The trek and overnight stay at Trift involves a climb of 700m (3 hours in total). The walk the following day is the longest of the trip, taking 6-7 hours, and has a total descent of 1000m.
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Additional Information for your Trekking Tour
We generally follow well-maintained paths although there are some sections where it will be rough under foot. The mountain hut (refuge) at Trift has a mix of twin and dormitory style sleeping arrangements. We do our best to reserve the twin rooms in advance, but this cannot be guaranteed. The hut provides the bedding - a duvet and a pillow but you may like to bring your own sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet. The huts provide slippers as you are not allowed to wear your walking boots inside. Although it may be cold outside, the hut will tend to be very warm. There is a flush toilet and you can use the cold water taps to wash your hands and face. There is no hot water. Set meals are served in the lounge at set times.
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Climate
The Alps are an ideal place to visit in the summer with generally warm to hot sunny days (reaching 20-28°C) and cool nights (7-15°C). As we trek to higher altitudes, however, the temperature will be lower and even a small breeze will feel cold. As with all mountain environments it can and does rain and so you must bring a rain coat, warm hat and gloves. Please pay special attention to the clothing list we recommend. Up-to-date information on the weather can be found at: http://www.zermatt.ch/en/ or http://www.zermatt.ch/en/index.cfm
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and a waterproof daysac (30-40 litres recommended). You will need to carry enough spare clothes and toiletries for the overnight stay at Trift. A smaller daysac would be of little use and you should expect to carry approximately 6-8kg when on the overnight trip. On all other day-walks, you just need to carry what you need for that day.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack for ‘Mountain Treks’ as listed in our ‘General Information Booklet’. The following are essential: Good quality waterproof jacket and trousers (a ‘pac-a-mac’ is useless), fleece jacket, a range of insulating tops such as T-shirts or base layers, comfortable walking trousers, shorts, warm hat and gloves, sunhat, sunglasses and high factor suncream. Although you should expect to live in T-shirts and shorts for the holiday, please be aware that temperatures can change dramatically at altitude and at night. For around-town wear in Zermatt, you should bring some slightly smarter clothes.
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Footwear
Sturdy walking boots with a strong sole – leather is recommended - but if you are confident in fabric boots then please bring them. Trekking shoes are fine as long as you are confident in walking in them and have used them before. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. We recommend that you wear/carry your walking boots as hand luggage on the international flight: should your luggage be delayed, your well broken-in boots will be irreplaceable. The mountain hut will provide slippers or clogs as you are not allowed to wear boots inside the building.
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Equipment
You may like to bring a sheet sleeping bag for the overnight stay at the mountain hut. You will need a water bottle (preferably 1-2 litres), and high factor sun cream. You may like to bring trekking poles. It is a good idea to line your daysac with a good quality plastic bag. This will go a long way in protecting your gear from any rainstorms we encounter. A small torch is needed for the hut.
Tap water: is safe to drink in Zermatt but water sources along the trail may not always be drinkable. In addition, the tap water at the huts and mountain cafés is not safe to drink and so we recommend that you sterilise water or ask the hut warden for boiled water (there is usually a charge of 2CHF per litre for this). We encourage our clients not to buy mineral water because of the negative environmental impact. Energy snacks including chocolate and sweets are recommended whilst on trek.
Personal First Aid Kit: The leader will carry a first aid kit, but you must provide your own blister kit, plasters and any pain killers (eg. Paracetamol). See the list in our General Information Booklet.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
Standing high above Zermatt, the classic view of the Matterhorn dominates the skyline. Arguably the most photographed mountain on earth, it is impressive from any angle. Its long sweeping ridges, famous mountaineering routes and imposing North Face lie in stark contrast to the relative calm of the town and surrounding villages. The Matterhorn, however, is not the only attraction. Zermatt has the highest concentration of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps: many of the fairy-tale peaks have evocative names such as the Ober Gabelhorn and Rimpfishorn. We trek by rivers and waterfalls, admire massive glaciers and high peaks and watch out for glimpses of marmot, chamois and ibex. The Alpine flowers are abundant and spectacular with Edelweiss, Gentians and Orchids often seen. There are quaint hamlets tucked under the hillsides and Zermatt has lots of good restaurants, bars and shops. All of the walks are optional and follow wellmaintained trails into the mountains. None of the walks are too tough or have any great ascents or descents and will appeal to the occasional walker or those who prefer to travel at a slower pace. The overnight 2-day trek allows us to ‘get away from civilisation’ staying at a simple mountain refuge where bedding is provided in a mix of twin and dormitory rooms. There are two ‘free’ days for further exploration of the mountains or recommended journeys on a cog railway or to local thermal baths.
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Country info
Area: 41, 290 sq km.
Population: 7.5 million.
Language: Swiss German.
Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant.
Local time: GMT +1.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 230v, 50hz.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
