THE SHADOW OF THE MATTERHORN

The start hotel is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes drive from Geneva Airport.  There are regular trains to Zermatt from the train station at Geneva airport. Timings can be found at www.sbb.ch/en
The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the station and maps of the town are given free at the tourist office.

Katarzyna Crompton - Customer Operations

Staff member David Richardson travelled on this trip with Exodus and you can read his article here to get a personal viewpoint of the holiday.

After trekking in high winds across mountaintops, they are truly welcome.  They're not as most comfortable as hotels but are better than tents!  They can be noisy at nights (people wandering in and out of the dorms, and people snoring!) so ear plugs are essential if you want a good night's sleep.  The evening meals that are served are proper winter warmers which will fuel you up ready for another hard day in the mountains!

Olly Leicester - Sales

This trek is graded C. Most of the walking will be on good trails, though you should be prepared for some rugged ground. Some of the ascents and descents are steep and some of the days are long. The ascent to the Rothorn Hut is 1600m. You should be fit and confident of your walking ability and be prepared for around 5-6 hours walking each day.
The ascent of the Breithorn is graded D due to it being strenuous, at high altitude and requiring the use of crampons. It is a great introductory climb, perfect for those looking to learn how to use crampons, practise ice skills and feel the exhilaration of conquering their first glaciated peak.
You have to carry your own gear to and between the mountain huts. This is light backpacking, so you should be prepared for this and pack appropriately. When we spend nights in the huts, any excess baggage can be left at the hotel in Zermatt.

Mark Faulkner - Exodus Operator

If you are used to walking with poles then you can take them with you. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is personal preference but do remember to pack them as part of your main luggage to be stowed in the hold.

Sharmil Goswami - Sales

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Switzerland where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

You can view the Grading System for our Walking & Trekking programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!