Climbing Matterhorn via Lion’s ridge

Matterhorn ascent is not suitable for beginners and requires very good physical and climbing skills. Before to confirm the trip, we ask for your mountaineering history, detailing which peaks you climbed and in what year. Please note that Kilimangiaro or Aconcagua summits are not to be considered as valid preparation for the Matterhorn. In many cases, we propose a test climb in the preceding days to check skills and establish chemistry with the client.

About your fitness, you should consider that Matterhorn is a very demanding climb, especially the second day, in which we will walk for 11/12 hours. Therefore, an excellent workout in the months leading up to the trip is recommended.

To attempt the ascent you need a solid physical and technical preparation that is achieved by training consistently over many years. In particular, your endurance level should allow you to walk at a good pace for about 12 hours a day in order to respect the program. At the same time, given the limited time, we will not have a chance to focus on technique: you should already have a good background and be familiar with the high altitude. This means that you have had recent mountaineering experiences in which to practice. Contact us, we can recommend the best option for your level and training to follow.

Yes, you need to bring the technical equipment necessary for this climb:

• helmet

• harness

• ice axes

• crampons

If you don't have them, we can rent them to you at a cost of 60€/each person for 2 days.

In addition, the guide will bring the common safety material, such as rope and carabiners.

Also, you need to bring your personal clothing, suitable to climb Matterhorn, including technical mountaineering boots. After your booking confirmation, we will provide you with a list of recommended clothing and, if you need anything, we will refer you to some rentals where you can hire the necessary.

No, no porters are expected for this type of ascent. Each participant should bring his or her personal equipment.

Carrel Hut cannot be booked in advance, but don’t worry, your Guide will take care of everything on the day of departure. Please note that you will have to pay on the day for the overnight stay, for yourself and for the Guide.

Please consider that weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and, especially in recent years due to climate change, there are not always the best conditions for a safe ascent. In such cases, because your and our safety is our priority, we will propose an alternative trip to nearby mountains with better conditions. Note that you are booking our availability for the duration of the tour, this means that it will not be possible to cancel due to poor conditions. We will be careful to arrange an experience that lives up to your expectations. We understand that this may be a frustrating outcome, however, safety is a top priority, and every mountain has a lesson to teach. Some detailed options to replace Matterhorn are listed below:

• Monviso ascent (Classic route or East Ridge one, depending on your fit and climbing experience) - 2 days

• Dent du Géant + Aiguille d'Entrèves (starting from Skyway Mont Blanc on Italian side) - 2 days

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them:

• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers mountain activities, such as a specific insurance for rescue and research; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.

• There are no specific vaccine requirements for this trip, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results.

• We finally invite all non-EU citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter Italy.

The maximum number of clients per single Guide is 1, thus giving a ratio of 1:1. This is the maximum number in order to ensure the safety during the trip and it is established by local regulations. Under any circumstances, we are not going to take more than 1 client or each guide.

If you are a group of more than 1 person, we have more Guides available to undertake the adventure: we will be happy to support your group with other professionals of our team!

The best time to realize this adventure is between July and September.

No, due to guide-to-client ratio we only accept private requests for this trip.

The meeting point is Breuil-Cervinia, in Aosta Valley. If you are not familiar with this area let us give you some more information: Aosta Valley is the smallest but highest Italian region. This is the realm of the Alps, here arise the most famous peaks of Europe: the Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa summits, the Gran Paradiso and many other lesser-known.

You can reach Aosta Valley from three countries:

• Italy: the nearest airports are Caselle in Turin, Malpensa in Milan and Orio al Serio in Bergamo. Once you land you can reach Aosta Valley by train (Trenitalia national services), bus (Flixbus and Arriva operate coach runs every day), private transfer, or by renting a car. Obviously, the last two solutions are more expensive.

• France: by car, bus or private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel.

• Switzerland: by car or private transfer, passing through the Great St. Bernard Tunnel.

To get around Aosta Valley, if you don't have a car and don't want to use private transfers, you can rely on the regional bus service, with daily runs to all municipalities of Aosta Valley. For instance, you can reach Breuil-Cervinia by bus from Aosta town or Saint-Vincent municipality.

Kilimanjaro is a great trekking mountain that will give you an experience with altitude, but the climbing conditions are completely different and non-technical. Ultimately, summiting Kilimanjaro is not sufficient training to tackle Matterhorn. If you have climbed Kilimanjaro and you would like to climb Matterhorn, then the 7-day course that includes is the right one for you: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/matterhorn-7-day-guided-climbing-tour/. In that course you will properly acclimatize and you will practice all the necessary rope work that you will need.