Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route vs Deluxe Haute Route

The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route is a classic alpine trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. This hiking adventure follows the classic trek across the Swiss Alps starting in Chamonix at the base of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's Highest Peak, and concluding in Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn, the world's most recognizable and stunningly beautiful peak.

The Deluxe Haute Route is desiged for those that want to hike the Haute Route with a more leisurely pace, finer accommodations (no huts), daily luggage transfers, exclusive spa services, and first class rail. We've also added a well-deserved rest day at a 4-star Belle Epoque hotel in historic St Luc.

You’ll have a wonderful experience on either one. So we’ve created this side-by-side comparison to help you decide which trip you’ll find most enjoyable.

Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route		Deluxe Haute Route
Technical Difficulty	Well-marked and widely used mountain trails. Occasional boulder-hopping, scrambling, and chains in short sections where there could be exposure to falling. Optional ladders at Pas de Chèvres	Technical Difficulty	Well-marked and widely used mountain trails. No ladder section. Occasional chains in short sections where there could be exposure to falling. There is only one bouldering section as you hike down into Zermatt.
Strenuousness	High. The most strenuous tour offered by Alpenwild: higher mountain passes and some slightly more technical challenges when hiking: rocks, dirt trails, 8 mountain passes	Strenuousness	This route is still considered strenuous. However, due to the reduced arduous ascents and eliminating the most pounding descent along the classic walker's Haute Route, it is the softer route.
Elevation Gain	~23,000 ft.	Elevation Gain	~18,000 ft.

Elevation Loss	~25,000 ft.	Elevation Loss	~20,000 ft.

Miles Traveled	~90 miles	Miles Traveled	~70 miles

Highest Pass	9,728 ft	Highest Pass	9,728 ft
Accommodations	9 nights in independently owned hotels and 2 nights in huts (Louvie and Prafleuri)	Accommodations	10 nights in independently owned hotels

Luggage Transfers	Daily Luggage Transfers, except at remote huts (Louvie and Prafleuri)	Luggage Transfers	Daily Luggage Transfers

Transportation	Second Class Rail Ticket	Transportation	First Class Rail Ticket