The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/-1100 to 1300m approximately per day.
Walking time: 6 to 8 hours per day.
Type of trek: Stony paths that cross passes at altitudes of between 2800m and 3000m on a daily basis. Some pass crossings are steep, as are several aerial or technical paths, mainly at the start of the season with the crossing of residual snow. The paths are relatively well marked, except on the approach to certain passes.
Snow and névés will be present on the paths until end of june at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. Be prepared!

Climbing to the Gran Paradiso summit involves walking with crampons without any major technical difficulty, however it is a long glacial walk. The last 100m to the summit are steep and more technical and may induce vertigo in those sensitive to heights. It is always possible to not carry out this stage.

You need to be in a good overall physical condition. Regularly practise an endurance sport such as walking, running, swimming or cycling, 3 to 4 hours a week. Your fitness training will make your walk easier and make it all the more enjoyable. Click here for a description of the different levels: levels of difficulty

GUIDING

Number in a group between 6 and 12 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader and high mountain guide.
The mountain guide leader may have to modify the programme to adapt it to the level of the participants and/or the natural conditions. As a last resort, he is the sole decision-maker.
As a thank you, it is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, depending on your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very much appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in dormitories in mountain refuges and gîtes and 1 night in a cosy hotel bedroom for 2-4 people. All accommodation is equipped with hot showers. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products. 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

1/25000 Val Savarenche-Val de Rhême-Val Grisenche N102, Edition Instituto Geografico Centrale

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet Sunday at 11:45am in the carpark in Pont, in Valsavarenche, Italy.

Optional return transfer organised by Altitude Mont-Blanc in minibus, to be booked at registration, €60 per person.
Meet at 9:45am in front of Chamonix SNCF train station and transfer to Pont (1h30 journey).
If you are coming by car, there are several free car parks in the village of Les Houches, in the Prarion sector. Meeting point 9.15am in front of the Jacquier bakery at Le Prarion, Les Houches. Your driver will meet you there.
If you wish to leave your car in a secure covered car park, please contact: Chamonix Auto Park at 04 50 53 65 71.

From 1 September, as the Mont Blanc tunnel is closed, the transfer to Pont, the departure point for your hike, will be at 9.45 am in Bourg-Saint-Maurice (instead of Chamonix). Free parking next to the Bourg-Saint-Maurice funicular.

BY TRAIN
TO AOSTA VIA TURIN OR
TO CHAMONIX VIA PARIS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 12:18pm arrive in Chamonix at 7:10pm.
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 https://aosta.arriva.it/area/alta-valle/

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: several free car parks in the village of Les Houches, Prarion sector. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Jacquet bakery in Le Prarion, Les Houches. You will meet your driver there.
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 of the hike Saturday at around 4:30pm in Pont Valsavarenche. Transfer to Chamonix if you have chosen this option (90 mins transfer). Please note: the tunnel may be very busy on Saturday. Allow an extra time if you have to take 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

TO 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
• Lightweight down jacket
• 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, already broken in with a good sole stiff enough to support   crampons (no trail running shoes or flexible hiking shoes). Crampons to suit all types of hiking boots will be available, it is not necessary to have glacier mountaineering boots.
• 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 (0.40L to 0.50L)
• 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 for the climb to the summit)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of about 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 SUMMIT

Crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe for climbing the Gran Paradiso summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, waterproof gloves, waterproof jacket and supplementary warm layers to add if necessary). High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory. Poles are essential.

LUGAGGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be delivered daily, except on days 1 and 6. Access is not always easy. Baggage which is too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

For nights 1 and 6, you won't have your luggage at the accommodation (you'll find it the next day). Here's some advice on what to bring (around 2 kg is enough!):
- a small toilet bag
- your sheet-bag
- a change of clothes for the next day (just what you need!) and comfortable clothes/shoes for the evening.