The Matterhorn

Our 2023 price (which is based on even numbers) includes all guiding and guides expenses. It does not include:

• Flights
• Airport transfers Geneva airport to Chamonix return
• Chamonix accommodation (for 3 or 4 nights)
• Hut accommodation (allow ~€450 for 3 nights)
• Lunches (allow €10 / day)
• Mountain lifts (allow €150)
• Insurance
• Personal equipment for each person: ice axe, crampons, helmet, harness, boots. (Equipment can be hired in situ for those that need it, at additional cost, paid locally.)
• Any additional costs associated with leaving the expedition early

For 2024 we will be changing our pricing to align more with the rest of our expeditions and trips, which is one that includes almost everything!

If you have any questions about how this works please contact us on 0207 1834 360.

Please contact the 360 office for full advice on transfers, as there are many options available. However, the main company we use is Mountain Dropoffs as they are able to drop you directly to your hotel in Chamonix on arrival. On booking we will send you a discount code for use with them.

With Mountain Dropoffs, you have the option of a flexi fare, currently €50 (€5 with discount) each way, which gives you options to cancel and change times and dates of your transfer. They also have a super-save fare, currently €40 (€35 with discount), but this doesn’t allow changes.

Access to Chamonix accommodation can often not be guaranteed before 3pm so it’s best not to book a flight landing before 1pm and at the end of the trip you should try and arrange your return flight for early afternoon. This will allow you to have breakfast before you leave.

The length of days will vary when Alpine Climbing, but everyone taking part in a Matterhorn trip should expect to be moving for 8-12 hrs per day.

Yes. Acclimatisation is absolutely vital for Matterhorn. Many people spend insufficient time up high before attempting the summit, and often fail as a result. Failure to acclimatise properly can lead to sickness and even death.

We suggest that you have a minimum of 12 days of Alpine Climbing on routes at AD grade.

Ideally, this is a week on Mont Blanc/Monte Rosa with another week of more technical climbing.

Even though you might have had lots of experience on expeditions such as Kilimanjaro, Mera and Stok Kangri .. these aren’t technical peaks and we would, therefore, advise you get some more technical training in before attempting the Matterhorn.

If you are keen and feel this is you then it might be worth attending an Alpine Development week.

Guided week: ratio 1:2. Details here: http://www.stuartmacdonald.org/home/Coursedetails/21. Pls quote 360 on booking/communicating.

Guides work on a ratio of 1:2 during your training and preparation days, and during the Matterhorn climb work on a ratio of 1:1.

All Guides operating in the European Alps must be Internationally Certified. Training and Assessment takes a minimum of three years and anyone caught operating without a license will be prosecuted. Occasionally we employ trainee guides (known as Aspirants). They are in the final stages of qualifying as Guides and are allowed to operate under the tutorage of an experienced Guide.

The Chalet Hotel Le Prieuré is a great choice and is only 6 minutes walk from the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

Mountain huts are mostly owned by the Alpine Clubs. They are there to provide accommodation and food for mountaineers. They often cater for large numbers (>100), and hence can be quite busy. Meals are usually simple but plentiful, and anyone with special dietary requirements must let us know in advance so we can inform the hut guardian. Please note that while huts will usually try and accommodate vegetarians etc they do sometimes struggle with more specialised requirements such as gluten free. Showers and running water are not usually available. Meals, drinks, and snacks can be purchased for cash. As an indicative cost, a 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water typically costs 6-9 Euros and a bar of chocolate 2 Euros. The rooms are usually dormitory style, with large alpine bunks (up to 15 people in a row).

Anyone wishing to hire equipment in Chamonix rather than buy it can do so. We use a local shop for boot hire (allow €50 for the week), and other items are available as follows, payable in cash in situ:

• Ice Axe €22
• Harness €16
• Helmet €16
• Crampons €33
• Duvet Jacket €28
• Down mitts €11
• Full Package: Duvet Jacket, Mitts, Axe, Harness, Crampons, Helmet – €99

The costs above are current at the time of writing, but they may change – please check with us for the current info!

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot take you on the mountain without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip. To include medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this trip.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

It is worth having a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as this “gives card holders the right to access state-provided healthcare on temporary stays in European Economic Area (EEA) countries or Switzerland. Treatment should be provided on the same basis as it would be to a resident of that country and is provided either at reduced cost or, in many cases, for free. The GHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until the card holder returns home. This includes treatment for pre-existing medical conditions.” If you don’t already have one, you can apply for one here and it is free. Many travel insurers won’t cover ‘medical costs in the unlikely event that you need medical treatment whilst you are away’ that could have been covered by a GHIC.