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Overlooking the beautiful autonomous region of the Aosta Valley, the summit of Gran Paradiso rises proudly above 4,000 meters. In the heart of the national park of the same name, we follow a prestigious route across the region's finest glaciers, with the aim of climbing one of the most accessible "4000 meter" in the Alps: Gran Paradiso (4,061 m / 13,323 ft).
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Departure dates for the coming season are being prepared. One of our team members can reach out to you when the information is available. To make this happen, please complete your availability information Enquire about availability |
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Embark on an extraordinary journey, creating lasting memories as you adventure off the beaten path, with respect for the environment and local communities. Envision your next adventure with your family or friends. Let us help you shape your own experience ! Privatize this trip |
Meet your guide at 10:00 a.m. at the train station. After checking your equipment, transfer to the Valsavarenche Valley, continuing to Pont, a small village at 1,960 m (6,430 ft) and the usual starting point for climbing Gran Paradiso. The approach hike to the hut begins in the forest, where you may spot wild Alpine ibex in the distance. Higher up the trail, above the tree line, the surrounding peaks gradually come into view. The Victor-Emmanuel Hut, our base camp for the next two nights, is a classic Aosta Valley refuge. Enjoy the warm Italian hospitality, along with a cup of grolla, the region's legendary coffee drink. At the hut, your guide will review the two-day programme in detail and take time to explain the equipment you'll be using, as well as the basic safety and orientation techniques needed for summer mountaineering.
Get up before dawn. Start the headlamp on your way to climb the summit of Gran Paradiso Peak (4,061 m / 13,323 ft)! A line of headlamps will likely light the way up the peak's standard route, which ascends a relatively easy glacier with a few steeper sections. At one point, the route heads to the right around a series of seracs, as you make your way towards Becca di Moncorve, whose steep south face rises for several hundred meters above the talus. During the final part of the ascent, the short rocky ridgeline to the summit offers amazing views and exposure high above the east face. More than a few people have turned around when staring at the last few meters of climbing to reach the statue of the Virgin Mary on the summit proper.
While descending, at a location referred to as the "donkey's back," we will veer off the standard route towards Laveciau Glacier's striking seracs. This detour leads past the north face of Gran Paradiso Peak, beneath Piccolo ("little") Paradiso, and then towards the Chabod Hut (2,750 m / 9,022 ft). From there, the descent continues to the bottom of Valsavarenche Valley. Transfer back to Le Fayet where you'll spend your last night.
Enjoy your last breakfast before checking out. Take the time to explore surroundings before leaving.
If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, it's essential to book your accommodation in advance. We can arrange one or more extra nights at one of our partner hotels. Just ask !
Price includes:
Price does not include:
Other expenses:
Bruno G.
Stéphane C.
Nicolas M.
Gaëtan A.
The guides shown here are part of our regular team. It is possible that your trip will be accompanied by others.
These following transfers are included in the tour:
You'll stay both in hotel and mountain hut during this tour:
At Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le-Fayet (day 1 and day 4): a 2-stars-hotel, in a double or twin basis with
breakfast included.
Single room are available only on request and
depending on availability at the time of the bookings.
At the Vittorio Emanuele II Hut (day 2 and day 3): located on the shore of Lake Moncorvé at 2,735 m (8,973 ft), this hut is easy to spot thanks to its distinctive barrel-shaped design. The wardens are true masters of hospitality, and you'll enjoy their warm welcome as well as the typically Aosta Valley cuisine.
Thanks to our excellent relationship with the hut wardens, they usually reserve the small rooms (4 or 5 people) for our groups and clients. Very rarely-especially for last-minute bookings when these rooms are already full-the night will be spent in larger dormitories of 9, 13, or 15 beds.
Paid hot showers (€4 for 5 minutes). Shared bathrooms are generally located on the same floor as the rooms.
You will find a duvet (or blanket) and a pillow - Please, remember to bring your own towel, pillowcase and sleeping bag liner. Lightweight and space-saving, this accessory guarantees better hygiene, particularly in areas frequented by hikers during the summer months.
At Vittorio Emmanuel II, breakfast are often simple: bread, butter, jam, coffee, tea and orange juice. If you need extra energy for your day's hiking, remember to pack dried fruit, cereal bars or other snacks.
Dinners :
Dinners in Le Fayet are not included to give you all options in town and a dinner on your own.
At Vittorio Emmanuel II, meals are convivial moments when you share the table with other people. These meals are a real highlight of the day, providing an opportunity to savor home-cooked meals while sharing with people from all over the world. Dinner at the hut is typical of an Italian high-mountain refuge: served at a set time, simple but very filling. You'll usually have a Val d'Aoste "primo" (soup/minestrone, pasta, risotto, etc.), followed by a hearty "secondo" (polenta with melted cheese or a stew), and then a refuge-style dessert (tart, cake, strudel).
If you wish, you can add a beer or glass of wine to your meal for an additional charge.
If you have strict dietary constraints, we invite you to communicate them to us before departure, in your personal space.
Lunches :
Lunch picnics are hearty and provided by Mont Blanc Experience.
Your guide will prepare them for the first few days; they usually include bread, cured sausage, cheese, spreads, fruit, etc.
Depending on your return time from the summit, you may stop with your guide and the group at the Vittorio Emanuele hut to enjoy an omelette or a plate of pasta-a well-earned treat after the climb.
Drinks :
Beverages (excluding water) are not included. Please pay for all drinks consumed on site before your departure, to avoid any additional charges after your stay.
The best way to get to St Gervais les Bains le Fayet is Geneva international airport.
From Geneva, we can organise a transfer for you.
St Gervais is easily accessible by train or shuttle.
Visa Requirements
Passport Requirements
Travellers must hold a passport that:
It is strongly recommended to ensure a minimum of 6 months' validity prior to expiration to avoid potential boarding refusals by airlines.
The following nationalities may enter the Schengen Area for tourist stays of up to 90 days without a visa :
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong (HKSAR passport).
Entry conditions for these travellers are identical to those applicable to American or British nationals:
Travellers holding passports from China, India, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and other South and
Southeast Asian countries must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa prior to travel, including for stays of less than 30 days.
| Important Notice:
The information above is provided for guidance only
and may change according to decisions made by the French, Italian or
Swiss authorities.
Please consult official sources before travelling. |
Routine Vaccinations:
Travellers should ensure that their routine vaccinations are up to date, according to national guidelines :
These vaccinations are generally recommended for all adults.
Altitude and Physical Effort
Our tour in Italy involves sustained daily effort and includes sections at moderate altitude. Travellers are advised to :
Some tips for staying healthy:
Tap water is mostly good for drinking all other the Alps. Unless notified as not, you can consider it as drinkable. Even if they are recyclable we request you consider the waste impact of your bottles.
Your hands are perhaps your biggest enemy in terms of your health as they get very dirty during the day. Wash your hands before every meal or snack. People often think they get sick from the food, but it's far more likely they forgot to wash their hands!
If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us when booking your trek so that we can cater for you.
Note: sometimes not all dietary requirements are able to be met, but please inform us and we will certainly do our best!
Dentist and general physician
We
recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.
It is recommended that you bring a small personal medical kit including your preferred painkillers, throat lozenges, plasters, strapping tape for blisters, etc. If you are taking regular medication you MUST bring those medicines with you PLUS an extra supply in case one pack is lost. If you have any allergies and/or take any medications, you MUST advise us when booking your trek!
For the medication and pain relievers listed below, we recommend that you check with your doctor beforehand, adding what you need based on personal requirements and the specificity of your trip.
What you need to bring: Keep in mind that the weight of your day pack should not exceed 10-12kg.
Mountaineering equipment list:
Technical clothing (upper body):
Technical clothing (lower body):
Head equipment:
Gloves:
Other equipment:
Technical equipment :
If you would like to rent your technical equipment, you can ask your travel advisor to book it for you.
No region in the world is 100% safe and without danger.
Mont Blanc Experience keeps you informed and is fully transparent when it comes to the potential risks. We gather security risk information from multiple sources: in-house research, monitoring specialized websites, meetings with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "safety and security" trips in the field, constant contact with our regional specialists, local teams on the ground, and France's travel agency federation.
Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot make any decisions for you.
If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to:
Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.
