About Me

Paul Cleves. I am 52. I first visited Zermatt in 1977 as an undergraduate glaciologist and have returned regularly ever since. During this time I have got to know the area well and, having visited (and lived in) many other parts of the world, I now understand what a truly special place Zermatt is.

I taught at and was Head of Geography at the top boys’ school in England and at one of the top girls’ schools. Over the years I have introduced many people to the delights of walking in the mountains and forests above Zermatt.

I spend as much of my year as I can in Switzerland. I know the country well and Zermatt and its surrounding mountains, paths and glaciers intimately. I find walking in Zermatt one of the most exhilarating experiences in life. I always arrive full of anticipation and leave in top physical form, refreshed, relaxed and content. And I invite you to enjoy a similar physical and mental renewal from walking along the wonderful mountain paths around Zermatt.

I run just six tours each year and I tailor tours to your interests, strengths (weaknesses) and other requirements. Please email me and I will organise and lead what I promise will be a memorable holiday.

I founded the Saigon Children’s Charity in 1992 for which I was awarded the MBE in 2004. I have written guidebooks on Cambodia and Vietnam for Footprint Handbooks. I wrote the physical geography section of the award winning Fieldwork Techniques and Projects in Geography (Lenon & Cleves, Collins) as well as articles on the Borneo rainforest and other topics.

I also take small private tours to Angkor in Cambodia and on walking tours of the Devon and Somerset coasts in England.