PANORAMA OF GRAN PARADISO self-guided

Hiking details
7 Days 7 Days
Self-guided Self-guided
With baggage transportation With baggage transportation
Accommodation Hotel ***
Level ** Level **
From 740 € From 740 €

Paradise at your own pace with comfortable accomodations

The Gran Paradiso National Park is still a reference in terms of nature conservation: chamois, ibex, marmots, foxes, bearded vultures, but also a magnificent flora such as the beautiful pulsatilla alpina...
We offer you a discovery at your own pace, with each day an accessible hike, or an other itinerary harder towards a big pass, a glacier or a remarkable mountain pasture for the volunteers. And even, as an option, the final ascent of the Grand Paradis summit (4061m) for the most athletic.
And in the evening, return to the comfortable fold, nestled in the hollow of an alpine valley... The best of Grand Paradis!

You will like

  • The alpine landscapes with large glaciers
  • The crossing of pastures full of flowers
  • The hike depends of your desires
  • The proximity of the protected animals in the heart of park
  • The charm and comfort of the italian hotels***.
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PANORAMA OF GRAN PARADISO self-guided

From 740 €

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Circuit

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Hiking details

See the technical informations

Dates & prices

DEPARTURES AND PRICES

Departure from end of June to end of september 2024

Circuit 6 days / 5 nights:                                                   
740€ per person in the hotel ***

Circuit 7 days / 6 nights:                                                      
825€ per person in the hotel *** and 1 night in a refuge

Option ascent of the Grand Paradis:
390€/ person for 2 people
270€/ person for 3/4 people 

Single departure on request

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THE PRICE

Includes: 

  • Half-board from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day ; 
  • Accommodation in hotels and gite, in rooms for 2/4 people ;
  • The road book: description and IGN maps (1 complete road book for 1 to 4 people, additional file from 5 people. Additional file: supplement of 10 to 25€) ;
  • Daily transport of luggage between the accommodations, if you have chosen this option ;
  • Organisational costs and tourist taxes.

For the ascent of Grand Paradis:

  • The qualified and insured high mountain guide
  • Half-board for the guide and pasta in the refuge on the return
  • All required lifts: crampons, ice axes and helmet.

Does not include:

  • Picnics at lunchtime;
  • Personal expenses (drinks, visits...);
  • The journey from your home to the reception area and back;
  • Cancellation assistance insurance 4.2% of the price of the stay.

The rate is all inclusive from the meeting point to the point of dispersion.

The itinerary day by day

Day 1

Departure of the trip at Valgrisenche, in the Aosta valley.

LAGO DI SAN GRATO - COL DU MONT
Start of the hike from the Beauregard dam, above Valgrisenche. Quickly, the view opens up on the surrounding peaks the path climbs through the alpine pastures to reach this beautiful lake, set at the foot of the Ruitor head, a glacial summit at 3486m. The return is done through the valley, close to the Rio del lago and its beautiful waterfalls. A more sportive variant by the wild crest of the Arp Vielle. Check-in at the hotel for 2 nights.
6h00 walk / Elevation: +/- 800m 14km
8h00 walk / Elevation: +/- 1200m 18km

Day 2

ÉPÉE REFUGE - COL FENÊTRE
Cross the dam, then climb through a beautiful larch forest until you reach the alpine pastures and the Epée refuge (a family refuge, recommended stopover) and, just above, the beautiful vallon del Bouc. The volunteers can continue to the spectacular Col Fenêtre, while the others take a nap near to the river. Descend to the lake of Beauregard and back at the hotel for the night.
4h00 walk / Elevation: +/- 600m 8km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +/- 1050m 14km

Day 3

RIFUGIO BENEVOLO - LAGO DI SANT ELENA
Transfer (1 hour drive) to the Rhême Valley. Departure from the bottom of the valley and ascent through the Gran Vaudala. We reach the Basey mountain pasture through a beautiful high meadow. Crossing to the rifugio Benevolo and descent along the Dora di Rheme stream. while going up directly to the Benevolo refuge, it is possible to make a superb hike around the Truc de San eléna, up to the turquoise lake that escapes from the glacier. A very alpine atmosphere at the foot of the first summits of Tsanteleina. Descent and check-in for 2 nights at the hotel at Bruil.
5h00 walk / Elevation: +/-600m 12km
7h30 walk / Elevation: +/-1000m 19km

OPTION BY A REFUGE : LAGO DI SANT ELENA  or BASSAC DÉRÉ PASS
If you want enjoy this great hiking area, we suggest that you spend the night at the Benevolo refuge. In this case, you leave in the morning with the necessary for the night. Climb up to the Benevolo refuge and hike around the Truc de San Elena, up to the turquoise lake that escapes from the glacier. Very alpine atmosphere at the foot of the Tsanteleina first summits, in an ancient glacier valley and finally the ascent of the Bassac Dere pass, at 3082m. Climbing through the glacial lake of the Goletta, then the high rocky valley until the pass, from where the immense glacial cirque of the Sassière is revealed. Some old snow could add spice to the route. Back to the refuge for the night.
6h00 walk / Elevation: +820m  -450m 10km
6h30 walk / Eevation: +1250m -850m 14km

Day 4

ENTRELOR VALLEY - ENTRELOR PASS
If you have slept at the hotel: Climb through the forest to reach a small alpine hamlet. The Gollien pass allows to go around the tête de l'Entrelor, for a wide view on the whole Val di Rhème. Descent through the Sort valley. For the sporty ones, we suggest to go up to the col de l'Entrelor, at 3007m, territory of the ibexes and panorama on the Grand Paradis summit. Return to the hotel for the night.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +/-840m 7km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +/-1280m 12km

OPTION REFUGE:  LAC DE LA GOLETTA ou NIVOLETTA
If you have slept in the refuge. If you have not done the tour of the Truc de Sant Elena or the lake of La Goletta the day before, this is the time to take advantage of it, so much these landscapes of altitude are aesthetic. For the more athletic, a morning climb to the Cime de Nivoletta, then a descent around the Truc of Sant Elena. A day full of colors! Night in a hotel*** in Bruil.
5h walk / Elevation: +420m - 800m 8km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +980m - 1250m 14km

Day 5

VALSAVARENCHE - PASTURES OF MEYES
Morning transfer to Valsavarenche (45mn). Departure from Pont, to go up in the suspended valley of Nivollet, with its river in cascades and the sight on the Grans Paradis. Panoramic crossing towards the alpine pastures of Meyes. Descent to Pont. Night in a hotel***, in a small hamlet of the valley. A more sportive hike extends the day from Meyes to the Djouan lake by the Col du Manteau (2795m). Direct descent to the hamlet of Eaux Rousses, where the hotel is located. 
6h walk / Elevation: +/- 720m  11km
6h30 walk / Elevation: + 920m - 1150m 14km

Day 6

GRAND COLLET - NIVOLET PLAIN 
The ascent by the pass Grand Collet takes a lot of elevation but it is a rather wild pass which is worth a small detour... Chamois or ibexes are sometimes still visible in the morning. We follow the beaconing for the itinerary, to arrive at the vast pass to 2832m. Descent on the beautiful plain of Nivolet, then along the meanders of the river. We join the Cross of Nivolet passed the day before, then finally Pont, end of the hike. 
5h30 walk / Elevation: +/- 850m 8km

If you have chosen the 7day option with one night at the refuge Vittorio Emanuele, with or without the Grand Paradiso ascent :

ASCENT TO THE VICTOR EMMANUEL II REFUGE
A leisurely ascent to the Victor Emmanuel refuge at 2710m, to enjoy the high mountain atmosphere of this base camp for the ascent of Grand Paradis.
If you have chosen the ascent : Morning rest and preparation for the ascent of Gran Paradiso. Afternoon ascent to the Victor Emmanuel II refuge. Meeting with your mountain guide and preparation of technical equipment (crampons, harness). Night in the refuge (without luggage transport).
3 hour walk / Elevation: +800 m

Day 7

If you make the climb :

GRAND PARADIS 4061m
Rope climb to the summit of Grand Paradis at 4061m. Return to the refuge and descent to Pont.
8 hour walk / Elevation : +1300 m ; -2000 m


If you don't make the climb :

REFUGE CHABOD - PONT
From the refuge, way back to the Valsavarenche valley via the wild route of the Refuge Chabod. Marmots, chamois and ibex are often to be seen, bringing a gentle end to this immersion in the world of the high mountains.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation : +350m /- 1250m / 10km

End of the hike around 16h30 in Pont.

The trip

LEVEL ** TO ***

Every day, two options are possible:

Level **: Height difference : +/- 450m to 700m, walking time : 3h to 5h per day, type of walk : mountain route with no particular technical difficulty between forest and pastures.

Level ***: variants are proposed reach passes between 2800m and 3000m. Elevation: 800m to 1300m. A few steep passages are possible, secured, as well as some aerial or technical passages mainly at the beginning of the season with the crossing of residual snow. The paths are well marked or marked by cairns at the approach of some passes.

For the ascent of Grand Paradis: hike on the glacier with crampons, without any particular technical difficulties, but a long day. The last 100m of crossing are aerials and can be impressive. There is a possibility to do not climb this last step.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running and cycling. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we will give you a travel pack containing:

  • 1 IGC map (n°102)
  • 1 road-book with all the necessary information for the hike
  • 1 map holder
  • The list of accommodation

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

This tour is organised as an auto-tour, so transfers are carried out with your personal car or with a local bus. In option, we can offer taxi transfers, with additional cost. If you have chosen the 7-day option, the last night at the Victor Emmanuel refuge is without luggage.

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights in a newly renovated hotel, lost in the mountain
2 nights in a 3-star hotel
1 night in a gite

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnic lunches are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation. You can buy food in the shops in Breuil, in the Rhêmes valley.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

MAPS

Instituto Geografico Centrale: 
n°102 VALSAVARENCHE, VAL DI RHEMES, VALGRISENCHE

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure in Valsavarenche, Italy.

BY TRAIN
TO AOSTA VIA TURIN OR
TO CHAMONIX VIA PARIS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 12:45pm arrive in Chamonix at 7:50pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf

BY BUS
VIA CHAMONIX
From Chamonix to Aosta by SAT bus.
www.sat-montblanc.com
VIA AOSTA
The Savda buses drive you 3 times a day to Pont. Departure from Aosta at 7:15am, 12:30pm and 4:50pm (1.5 hour lift).
Times given are indicative and should be verified at www.savda.it

BY CAR
VIA THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL
Take the A40 motorway towards Chamonix, follow signs for Milan and take the Mont-Blanc Tunnel to Italy (58€ return) www.atmb.net
Follow signs for Courmayeur/Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.

VIA THE COL DU PETIT ST BERNARD
From the southern regions of France take the A43 motorway to Chambéry, the A30 to Albertville and follow direction Bourg St Maurice. Follow signs for Col du Petit St Bernard and Italy (a very good mountain road) passing through La Thuile to Pré St Didier. Follow signs for Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.

If you chose the return transfer option Chamonix/Pont
Free parking: Chemin du Biolay, opposite the Montenvers train station in Chamonix.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).

End point in Pont, Valsavarenche.

Transfer to Chamonix if option chosen (1.5 hour drive).
Warning: the tunnel may be very busy on Saturday. Think of a little bit more time if you need to book a bus or train from Chamonix. 

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
Hôtel Vallée Blanche: +33 (0)4 50 53 04 50
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24
www.chamonix.com

Pont, Valsavarenche - Hôtel Gran Paradiso: +39 01 65 95 454  
Hôtel Genzianella: +39 01 65 95 393
Aosta Tourist Office: +39 01 65 23 66 27
www.aoste.ialpes.com
www.lovevda.it

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
  • Pair of gloves and a warm hat
  • Sun hat or baseball cap
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
  • 1 change of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
  • Survival blanket
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE ASCENT OF GRAND PARADIS

Equipment for the Grand Paradis ascent is included in your package (crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe). An hike at an altitude of 4,000 m requires warm equipment in case of bad weather (tights, hat, gloves, jacket, etc.) and a good pair of hard, high shoes (no low trial-type shoes). Poles are essential.

PANORAMA OF GRAN PARADISO self-guided

From 740 €
Contact us
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