Details - Hiking three countries.

• Days 1
  Switzerland

  Arrive in Geneva, where you’ll be collected and whisked by private car to Zermatt in 2.5 hours. Meet your guides, who will talk you through your route for the next week and settle in to your charming hotel: your home for the next three nights.

• Days 2, 3 & 4
  Switzerland

  Spend these three days exploring the best of the stunning Swiss alps on foot. Hike the Gornergrat route, from where you can admire the one of the most spectacular mountain settings in the world: a long, narrow valley encircled by 36 of the highest peaks in Europe, each soaring well above 4,000 meters. Take a famous train up the Matterhorn, explore cobbled mountain villages, fairytale forests and meandering streams, all with Mont Blanc in the distance. Climb steps in the Valley of Bagnes which have were cut in the 19th Century, visit the glamorous resort of Verbier, and dine with the owners of your hotel to learn about the fascinating history of the area, and how indigenous plants were harvested and used as medicine. Your guides will point out famous peaks and villages, and tell local stories on these fascinating walks.

• Day 5
  Italy

  You’ll cross the Swiss/Italian border on routes as old as the Bronze Age, with your rucksack on your back: tonight’s home is an authentic mountain refuge. Visit a monastery hidden up a secret path only accessible by foot, enjoy tea with the monks and awe at how they survive so far from modern life, before heading to your refuge to watch a stunning mountain sunset.

• Day 6
  Italy

  Head back down to civilisation using two routes at 2,524 meters and 2,435 meters, which combine to form a dramatic, rugged a six-hour walk to Courmayeur, dotted with animals and alpine plants. Back in town, rest your aching muscles in thermal springs, whirlpools, saunas and Turkish baths, and enjoy an aperitif at an 18th century bar complete with a 15th century fireplace. Dine in an atmospheric stone vaulted 14th century stable, once part of a château, now a restaurant with wonderful homemade Italian cuisine. Belissima.

  This is just a small example of what you can discover on foot in the Alps in Summer. If you can stay longer, we’ll take you into France too, to hike the foothills of the mighty Mont Blanc.