5 Days – 4 Nights in Mountain Huts – 1 Unforgettable Experience

Day 1: Realp – Tälligrat – Rotondo Hut (SAC)

• Elevation: +1000 m / –200 m

• Route: Start in Realp, ascent to the Rotondo Hut

• Highlight: A long, wild valley leading to a beautifully situated hut

Day 2: Rotondo Hut – Winterwassen Pass – Passo di Rotondo / Pizzo Rotondo – Piansecco Hut (SAC)

• Elevation: +1000 m / –1500 m

• Route: Gentle climb to Winterwassen Pass, short descent, ascent to Passo di Rotondo and, if conditions allow, climb to the summit of Pizzo Rotondo

• Highlight: Solitude in stunning alpine scenery and a fantastic descent to the Piansecco Hut

Day 3: Piansecco Hut – Forcella – Capanna Corno Gries (SAC)

• Elevation: +1100 m / –700 m

• Route: Long ascent to the Forcella, descent into Valle della Prosa, then climb up to the Corno Gries Hut

• Highlight: The wild and remote Valle della Prosa

Day 4: Corno Gries Hut – Corno Pass – Blinnenhorn – Rifugio Claudio e Bruno

• Elevation: +1000 m / –600 m

• Route: Meditative ascent across the vast Gries Glacier, followed by a steeper climb to the Blinnenhorn; direct descent to Rifugio Claudio e Bruno

• Highlight: A solitary ascent in a magical high-alpine environment

Day 5: Rifugio Claudio e Bruno – Ofenhorn – Binn

• Elevation: +800 m / –1800 m

• Route: Climb over the glacier to the Ofenhorn, then a long and thrilling descent into Binn

• Highlight: A grand, exciting descent to finish the tour

Technical Requirements

• You have solid ski touring experience and are confident in alpine terrain.

• Good off-piste skiing technique, also on moderately steep slopes (35–40°).

• Comfortable with ascents up to 1500 m using skins, including short steep sections where skis must be carried.

• Able to use ski crampons and ascend on firm tracks. You can handle kick turns without difficulty.

Physical & Mental Requirements

Spending several consecutive days on skis is more demanding than a single-day tour of 1500 m. While this tour involves fewer vertical meters per day, the distances can be long.

Prepare with regular training and ski tours so you can fully enjoy the experience. The Tour du Soleil is technically less demanding than the Urner Haute Route. Alpine climbing skills are an advantage but not strictly necessary.
Basic knowledge and practical experience with avalanche safety gear (transceiver, probe, shovel) and avalanche awareness are required.

Mandatory equipment: Avalanche safety set (transceiver, probe, shovel) and alpine touring kit.
If conditions do not allow for the Tour du Soleil, we will offer an alternative tour.

Can I join with a splitboard?

In principle, yes. We require that you are very fit, have excellent downhill technique, and can confidently perform kick turns with crampons in steep terrain.

When and where should I arrive?

We recommend arriving in Engelberg the day before the tour. You can leave equipment at the mountain guide office in Engelberg. On the first day, we travel by taxi to Andermatt/Realp – this is organized by us. Of course, you can also travel there on your own and meet us directly in Realp.

Am I fit enough for the tour?

Spending several consecutive days on skis is more demanding than a single-day tour with 1500 m of ascent. Even though the Tour du Soleil involves fewer vertical meters, the days can be long.
Prepare well with regular training and ski tours so you can fully enjoy the experience. For comparison: the Urner Haute Route is technically more demanding than the great classic Chamonix–Zermatt.

What happens if the tour has to be cancelled?

Our goal is always to carry out the tour. If conditions do not allow, we will organize an alternative program and possibly complete part of the tour. The final decision rests with the mountain guide.

What type of skis should I bring?

We recommend lightweight touring skis that are still fun on the descents. A waist width of 90–100 mm is a solid choice.

What is included in the price?

Included: mountain guide fees and expenses.
Not included: hut accommodation (approx. CHF 80 per night), food and drinks in the huts, and your personal travel costs.

Packing List

Gear:

• Backpack (approx. 35L)

• Avalanche transceiver (beacon)

• Avalanche shovel

• Avalanche probe

• Touring skis with touring bindings / splitboard

• Touring ski boots

• Ski poles (ideally telescopic)

• Climbing skins

• Ski crampons

• Climbing harness

• 2x HMS carabiners

• Crampons (aluminum ones are sufficient)

• 1x lightweight ice axe

• Headlamp

Miscellaneous:

• Sunglasses

• Ski goggles

• Sun hat

• Sunscreen

• Optional: camera / GoPro

• Blister plasters

• Half-fare card (Swiss “Halbtax” if available)

• Cash for cable cars, taxi, and drinks (approx. CHF 200)

• Snacks

• Drinks

• Silk sleeping liner

• Clothing suitable for ski touring

• 2 pairs of gloves

Included in the price:
Organisation, guiding, and the guide’s expenses

Not included in the price:
Rental equipment, travel to/from the meeting point, hut overnight stays, food and drinks in the huts,return from Binn

*For private groups, we’re happy to send you a custom offer.