Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Two stand-out; the first is the spectacular vistas of the Matterhorn when it finally comes into view on the final day's walking into Zermatt, until then the mountain remains hidden except for the odd fleeting distant glance.The second was the optional ascent of the Breithorn some of us completed on the free day in Zermatt, completing my first European 4000m peak and the stunning views right across the Alps and the Bernese Oberland, with both Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn visible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike (a new leader for Exodus this year) was an excellent group leader/ mountain guide, his knowledge and experience in the mountains was very impressive. Mike always gave you confidence he was in control however demanding the situation, including when we got snowed off the mountain at the Cabane Mont Fort!Jayne & John the support crew/chefs were also excellent, the tents were always up and tea ready for us when we arrived in camp, even when we arrived at Les Hauderes a day early. The food in camp was impressive, first time I've had duck whilst camping.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn is a fantastic route with amazing scenery and the Exodus trip is very well organised, so if you are looking for a fantastic journey through the Alps with all the hassles sorted this could be the trip for you.The walking is demanding so you do need a good fitness level for the trip, the days are harder than the Tour du Mont Blanc.Remember the weather can do anything in the Alps especially at the start/end of the season so be prepared for that, we had most things from 30 degress and sunshine to heavy snow over the two weeks (that much snow is not normal for the end of August though).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike is an exceptional leader.   He clearly has a passion for the outdoors and his knowledge was impressive.    Mike did an excellent job for the 2 weeks!  :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it!  you will not regret it.   Its a good physical challenge

Most Inspirational Moment

The reward is when you get your first view of the Matterhorn as you come around the Europaweg. You know that you have arrived at your destination and all has been worthwhile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very experienced guide who has been there, done it and got the T shirt.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you have plenty of spending money. Switzerland  is not cheap and there are a lot of other expenses that you would not exspect.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to know the swiss culture, habits and countryside. There is no better way to get Switzerland to know than by trekking. Walking alongside paths in alpine meadow where cows with famous bells chew on their grass was the highlight of my best moments of the trip. No image can describe it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leaders were very helpful in helping me out as my flight was delayed and I missed their booked transport to camping site. Had to stay overnight in Geneve and take a bus trip next day to the group. That's normal by trips like this, few people lost their baggage so plenty of adventure on the beginning.They were well prepared for the journey, walked it several times before, so they knew they way round. Very cheerful, lovely talking to and friendly. Could not say more. Adjusting pace to everyone's needs and helping out as much as they could. It also includes evenings with cooking, tents putting up and so on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be well prepared! I mean, it is murderous trip for your knees hips and toes if you never hiked 15-20km a day! The mountains are steep, narrow and sometimes dangerous. You will get blisters quite for sure after 4-5 days. Shoes are not to be taken new! Always wear them at least 100km or so. Then drying your clothes is a nightmare if you experience bad weather. Always take water containers, sunscreen (30+), sunglasses, lip balm(!), walking pole (can be a simple branch), forehead torch, swiss knife, raincoat or waterproof jacket, winter cap (yes it can be 0°C up in 2800m) and more. You will get a full list once you book a ticket. They are very helpful in letting you know how to prepare.

Most Inspirational Moment

The high passes were indeed the highlights - getting to the top was a challenge on a couple of the days, but once there the views were stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Frank was a good trek leader - allowing the speedy folks to go ahead when it was safe to do so, and keeping an eye out for the backmarkers without making anyone feel like they had to hurry. He was also ok with letting the fitter walkers stride ahead when the route was clear and safe, giving us the space to walk at our own pace.You don't get too many of them to a penny... Breaks were often enough, without being too-much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some hill-walking exercise before you come and you'll enjoy it more. Climbing hills is probably the best practice, but I think an elliptical bike can also be a good alternative if you can't get to the mountains. This is a good challenging trip - challenging for the long climbs, and the stretches of bouldering on the hut-hut days. It deserves being a grade-higher than the Tour de Mont Blanc, but is still quite acheivable for any (semi-regular) walker.Bring a set of good ear-plugs for the refuge nights if you're hoping to get any sleep. Oh - and just in case you (or someone else) picks up a cough... bring plenty of cough sweets.Take plenty of memory cards + spare batteries for the camera. Power was available most nights at the camp sites with both UK and Euro plugs, although not convenient on the hut-hut section.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Matterhorn in all its splendid glory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Experienced, competent and friendly. What more could you ask for!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a tough walking trip. Make sure you are fully prepared.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were blessed with some fantastic weather, only a couple of days rain so we had fantastic views of both Mont Blanc at the beginning and the Matterhorn at the end.  As an ex geography teacher I was fascinated by the range of landscapes, geology and glaciers.   We got close up and dirty with lots of glacial features.  The walking was superb with generally good paths but a few steep rocky bits to keep you on your toes (the conversation tended to drop at these points).  The wildlife kept us amused as we tried to spot the marmots that kept squeeking to warn each other of our presance (and yes I fell for a cuddly toy one in Zermatt).  It's hard to say what was my most inspriational moment(there we so many good bits) but probably watching the sun setting over the Alps from the Cabane Mont Fort with a well deserved beer- marvellous!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul our leader looked after us and all our sprains, falls and bruises.  He did a great job encouraging us over the cols. Mark (who cooked and transported our tents) always welcomed us with a cheering smile and most importantly tea and cake!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a spectacular walk but as the grade says, it is challenging.  It's rather like going up Ben Nevis everyday from Fort William (but with no rain and lots of fab views).  I was certainly fit at the end of the two weeks and lost an impress 4 kg but if I did it again I would try and be a bit fitter at the beginning of the walk.  But hey I'm a short fat 51 year old so if I can do it so can you!

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing each day amidst amazing scenery with beautiful weather conditions and a great group of people to do it with.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was a leader you would trust to guide you  on any mountain. He gave you confidence and you could trust whatever the situation. His sense of humour will not be forgotton.Mark always provided a warm welcome after each days trekking. Kettle always on and was always approachable to ask for advice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As a single person, booking a tent supplement was well worth paying extra for. Make sure you pack warm sleeping bag as nights can get chilly in September. Pack as light as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing panorama of the Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains as you round the final bend on the Europaweg in Mattertal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders did everything possible to support the group achieving the goal of completing the Haute Route and with a relentless sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you are fit enough, particularly having recent experience of strenuous walking uphill. There are days which involve 5 hours of walking uphill!Don't underestimate the possible drop in temperatures with altitude and at night in camp when packing. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Just to have completed it switzerland had the worse summer for twenty years we got snowed off one mountain but in the end we all started and all finished .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Like all tour leaders he did an excellent job it cannot be easy to marshal and look after 15 people on a mountain and be able to engage a wide range of people and try to keep everyone happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good water proofs and an umbrella it is a lot easier to have to hand if you need a wee in the middle of the night.