Monte Rosa Circuit Itinerary - 6 Days

Day 1: Valsesia - Valle d'Ayas

Starting from Alagna, the heart of the valley, with its typical wooden houses that testify the ancient walser culture. We begin by taking the cablecar to Punta Indren at 3260 metres. Crossing the ski demain we'll reach the Alta Luce pass, where we'll descend to the Lys Valley along the Salza. After a while we'll arrive at the pastures of Alpe Salza and then at the fields and houses of Staffal: the highest hamlet of Gressoney with an altitude of 1825 metres. Taking the modern cablecar we'll reach the Bettaforca pass that links the Lys and Ayas valleys.

For many centuries this passage was used by peasants for their voyages across the Alps. From there we'll descend through the Forca valley arriving shortly at the refuge Ferraro, among beautiful larchs, where we'll stay for the night.

Day 2: Valle d'Ayas - Colle Teodulo

We leave the refuge at sunrise and walk across the valley Verra. The long Valley of Cortoz begins here between the Cime Bianche and the Rocca di Verra. Its a long but not too steep an ascent. The sight of the Mont Cervin is well worth the effort. Roped together we walk up the glacier Ventina to the pass Teodulo. Spending the night at the refuge Teodulo we have the chance to see the sunset in one of the most charming places in the Alps.

Day 3: Zermatt

The third day is an easier day. We descend from the refuge Teodulo to Zermatt. It is possible to catch the train that leads to the Gornergrat (optional).

Day 4: Zermatt - Saas Fee - Macugnaga

We catch the bus from Zermatt to the place where the two rivers Saaser Vispa and Matter Vispa meet. From there we walk up the valley to the Mattmark barrage. The landscape is stunning: on the right is the Mischabel and on the left the Weismiss. We reach the top of the valley on a path that runs along steep and green slopes, having Saas Fee and Saas Almagell behind us we pass tha Mattmark lake and the Moro pass. From there we take a lift on the cablecar and will be soon in Macugnaga where we stay for the night.

Day 5: Macugnaga - Alpe Pile

Now fit and enthusiastic from previous walks, we are able to reach Alagna without any lifts. From the hamlet Borca we'll follow the val Quarazza, past the Lake delle Fate, and then attack the steep and quite long path that leads to the Turlo pass which is surrounded by rocks and beautiful flowers, abandoned alpiine huts and pastures. The pass looks over the Valsesia. We then zigzag down to the refuge Pastore, where we stay overnight.

Day 6: After a look at the amazing south face of Monte Rosa at sunrise, we walk down to Alagna, where we arrive before noon, after a visit at the walser museum in the hamlet Pedemonte. The wooden houses adorned with red and blue flowers.

Accommodation and food:  Every night’s accommodation is in a traditional mountain hut, so you will sleep in big rooms with bunk bed or in smaller rooms with 4-6 bunk beds (It depends on hut).  It is not possible to have single or double rooms.  Accommodation is on half board basis and you will need to bring your own sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner.  It is possible to buy snacks for lunch at the hut.

Clothes and equipment:  Backpack (about 35 - 40lt), mountain walking boots, waterproof mountain jacket, rain-cover, sleeping bag liner, personal toiletries, towel, solar protection and sunglasses, hat, mid-layer mountain clothes, headtorch, water bottle, trekking poles, binoculars and camera.  Each person will carry his or her backpack with all the necessary equipment for the trekking – remember light is right!  So backpacks should not be packed too heavily.

Ideal time to go:  From late June to first week of September

Bookings & reservations:  Normally for these Zuba trips reservations and payments must be made at least one month before the start date of the trek.  (It may possible to add some people to your trip after the reservation, it depends on hut’s availability).

What’s included:

• Personal qualified guide
• Accommodation - 5 nights
• Breakfast and Evening meals

Whats’ not included:

• Airport Transfer - you may wish to rent a car - Zuba Ski can arrange transfers
• Drinks & Pack lunches (these can be purchased in the Mountain Huts)
• Accommodation you may wish to book with Zuba Ski for before and after the actual trek
• Personal Travel Insurance