On the border between the Northern Alps and the Southern Alps, stands a famous massif: the Ecrins. Classified national park more than 30 years ago, this protected area conceals valleys, each more unusual than the next. The most prestigious of these is the Valouise valley, the gateway to the Glacier Blanc, the largest of the Southern Alps. It is at the edge of this one that we invite you to settle down for a week of snowshoeing discovery. Departing from a comfortable gîte, you will set off with snowshoes to attack hamlets and isolated peaks. In the evening, in the heart of this magnificent mountain village, you will enjoy the well-being of your warm inn.
You will like
An emblematic village of the Ecrins as a base camp
SPA included once a week
A night in one of the few refuges located in the heart of the National Park
WELCOME AND INSTALLATION
Your guide will meet you at Montdauphin station and take you to your hotel in Freissinières.
Settle in for 5 nights, followed by a presentation of the tour by your guide.
Day 2
AT THE FOOT OF THE PELVOUX
On this first day, we head for the terminus of the Vallon d'Ailefroide, on the route to the Glacier Blanc. Between frozen waterfalls and scattered hamlets, we pass through a valley where silence reigns, encouraging us to approach wildlife numbed by the cold. From the hamlet of Ailefroide, take the same route back to the village of Les Claux. 4.5 hours walk / Elevation: + 550m; - 550m
Day 3
LA POUSTERLE, PLATEAU D'ORÉAC
Short transfer to the top of the resort of Puy Saint Vincent to keep the ascent to a minimum. Along a forest path, we'll reach the magnificent Col de la Pousterle and then the Plateau d'Oréac. The first panorama opens up before us! Option to climb to the Tête d'Oréac or Les Têtes (2044 m), where we can enjoy one of the finest panoramas of the week.... The Durance, Queyras and Ecrins in front of us. 5 hours walk / Elevation: +/- 550m
Day 4
TRANCOULETTE COL
From the hamlet of Le Puy, suspended over the Durance, we'll set off today for one of the wildest passes of our trip: the Col Trancoulette.
From Puy Chalvin to the hamlet of Les Combes, this will be a slightly more physical day, allowing us to appreciate another side of this massif.
We'll cross the Partias nature reserve, a suspended valley with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. 5.5 hours walk / Elevation: +/- 650m
Day 5
THE TRAMOUILLON VALLEY
In a wild valley, we climb up a torrent covered in snow. We enter a mysterious forest haunted by the songs of boreal owls and where martens chase squirrels. 5 hours walk / Elevation: +/- 500m
Day 6
THE COL D'ANON
We climb up to the Freissinières slopes, dotted with hamlets whose chimneys are still smoking. The arrival at the col is always a moving experience, such is the voluptuousness and serenity of the place. In fact, the golden eagle loves to fly over it. In good shape? Let's continue on to the Mamelon de la Séa! 5 hours walk / Elevation: +350m; - 800m
The tour ends around 4pm at Montdauphin-Guillestre station.
The programme has been prepared on the basis of the latest information available at the time of writing; unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the programme.
The trip
LEVEL **
Elevation : between 400m to 600m.
Walking time : in average 5 to 6 hours per day. Forest tracks and trails.
This trip is organised in collaboration with our local partners, who are as committed as we are to providing you with an authentic experience.
GUIDING
Group between 4 and 14 people supervised by a qualified montain leader.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Freissinières, in room for 4 people.
The hotel is equipped with a sauna, one access per person is included in the stay. More sauna time is available on site (extra charge). The rooms are all equipped with private bathroom, WC and washbasin. Double rooms and single rooms available subject to availability.
Please note: Accommodation in these remote valleys is sometimes very limited. We may be obliged, against our will, to change the accommodation, without prior notice, if the accommodation is no longer available.
INTERNAL TRANSFERS
The few trips to get to the start of the hikes will be made with the personal vehicles of each participant.
For people arriving by train, we offer a transfer option for maximum 8 participants on the group (1 minibus with 9 seats driven by the accompanying person) at 50 € per person.
MEALS
Breakfasts and dinners are served in the accommodation.
For lunch, your guide prepares a picnic usually consisting of various salads and regional products.
We do our best to take into account special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc). However, we encourage you to bring some complementary products for your own picnics.
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Meeting at the station of Montdauphine-Guillestre
BY TRAIN
If you are arriving by train, you will need to take the ‘mobility pack’ (€50 to be booked when you register) and your guide will pick you up at Montdauphin-Guillestre station at 7pm (due to delays on the line). (The mobility pack also allows you to travel to the start of the hikes during your stay). The ‘mobility pack’ must be booked when you register.
BY CAR
If you are arriving by car, you will be met at the hotel in Freissinières.
Equipment (snow tyres or chains are compulsory in winter). Please note: the Izoard, Agnel and Galibier passes are closed in winter. Some sites or GPS systems plan to take you over them, but access is completely impossible. Similarly, do not take the options via the Fréjus and Oulx tunnels, which are much longer and very expensive. For information on the state of the col road, call 04 92 24 44 44 (answering machine).
End of the stay on Friday around 16h at the station of Montdauphine-Guillestre.
INSURANCE
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability. The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.
If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
CONTACT US
If you are late please let us know as soon as possible : +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Equipment & luggage
EQUIPMENT LIST
Material for snowshoeing (snowshoes and poles) is provided. However, if you have your own and would like to use them you are free to do so. Avalanche safety equipment including (transceiver, shovel and probe) is also provided.
Clothing
Warm woollen socks. Avoid tennis socks (cotton), which take a long time to dry and carry a high risk of blisters; prefer Coolmax or wool socks.
Gaiters ;
Waterproof hiking boots;
Shoes for relaxing in the evening (tennis shoes) and after skiing;
Waterproof mountain or ski trousers or overalls;
Carline-type thermal tights;
Warm, breathable T-shirt or underwear. Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry, prefer synthetic materials such as nylon (polypropene);
Warm jumper or fleece;
Gore-tex jacket;
Warm hat and balaclava in silk or fleece;
Pair of silk or fleece mittens and gloves (to be used under the mittens);
Spare pair of mittens or gloves:
Indoor clothing;
Swimming costume.
Other Equipment
Effective sun protection (filtering sunglasses and protective cream) must be carried in the rucksack;
Earplugs to protect against snoring;
Light toiletries;
Toilet paper (for hikes) and tissues;
Bath towel;
A large plastic bag to protect the inside of your bag in case of rain;
Insulated water bottle (minimum 1.5 litres);
Torch;
Opinel-type folding knife, a 300ml waterproof plastic can such as Tuperware, spoon;
Camera;
Personal first-aid kit: A personal first-aid kit to treat muscular fatigue, digestive problems caused by cold and altitude, blisters, your usual medicines, elastic adhesive tape (elasthoplast: 5 cm x 2.5 m), sets of adhesive dressings, compresses, etc.
LUGGAGE TRANSPORT
You must pack all of your belongings in 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 travel bag.
1 - The backpack:
Hiking backpack of about 35 liters, it will be useful for transporting your personal belongings during the day (warm clothes, water bottle, picnic, sun protection, identity papers, camera, binoculars , etc.)
2 - The large flexible travel bag:
It should contain the rest of your belongings.
6 Days
Guided / with a guide
With baggage transportation
Comfort (room)
Level ** 
From 720 €
Next departure on 29/12/24
