LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE self-guided

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6 days 6 days
Self-guided Self-guided
Without baggage transport Without baggage transport
Accommodation Classic (dormitory)
Level *** Level ***
From 555 € From 555 €

6 days at the heart of France's first National Park

First of its kind in France, Vanoise National Park was established in 1963. A vast territory where flora, fauna and rocky mineral world are all preserved. Between Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys, its borders meet Gran Paradiso massif in Italy, forming the largest nature reserve in Europe. At the centre of this mountain range lays the icecap of Domes de la Vanoise, extending over twenty kilometres. 
This journey, at the heart of the park, takes a path via high mountain passes which connects Aussois, Pralognan and Haute Maurienne. Trails at high altitude in a fragile mineral world, the vast mountain pastures of Vanoise and the dry-stone buildings punctuate this beautiful journey.

You will like

  • The wild and protected area of the first National Park in France
  • A route over high mountain passes along glacier of Dômes de la Vanoise
  • A great variety of landscapes between Maurienne and Tarentaise
  • Stages at Pralognan and Bonneval-sur-arc villages
  • Accommodation in gites, refuges and small friendly hotels
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LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE self-guided

From 555 €

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Dates & prices

DEPARTURE AND PRICES 

Departure from end of June to mid-september 2024

Without luggage transport 
555€ per person, classic accommodation
Single departure : +80€

With luggage transport (nights 2, 3 and 5)
2 persons : 975€ per person
3 persons : 830€ per person
4 persons : 760€ per person
5 persons : 720€ per person
6 persons : 690€ per person

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THE PRICE

Includes

  • Half board from dinner the first evening to breakfast of the last day ;
  • A road book: description and IGN maps (1 road book per registration up to 4 people. A supplementary road book for groups of 5 or more. Extra road book supplement 10-25€) ;
  • Accommodation in gites, refuges and small hotels ;
  • Tourist taxes ;
  • Organisation and booking fees.

Does not include:

  • Picnic lunches ;
  • Shower tokens ;
  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.) ;
  • Travel insurance ;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Departure of the hike at Orgere refuge.

REFUGE DE L'ORGÈRE - CHAVIERE PASS - PECLET-POLSET REFUGE
From Orgere refuge, ascent to the Chaviere pass, entrance to the heart of the Vanoise National parc. The path goes across green pastures and rocky landscapes to the gorgeous refuge of Peclet Polset. Night in refuge.
4.30 hour walk / Elevation: +950m ; -400m / 9km

Day 2

SOUFFRE PASS - PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
From the refuge, the path goes near the sumptuous "Lac Blanc" before rising towards the Souffre pass behind which is the large Gibroullaz glacier. Descent by the same path before going along the large valley of Chavière to reach Pralognan la Vanoise, capital of hiking. Possibility to shorten the stage from Les Prioux, with a bus or a taxi. Night in hotel / gite.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +500m ; -1550m / 18km

Day 3

VANOISE PASS  -  PLAN DU LAC REFUGE
Short transfer possible to "Les Fontanettes". Climb to Vanoise pass (2517m). Amazing view over the "Aiguille de la Vanoise" and the "Grande Casse" (3855m), highest point of the mountain range. Going to "Lac des Vaches" and its famous ford, and then Long lake and Rond lake. Arriving in Leisse valley and Plan du Lac refuge. View over the "Dômes de la Vanoise". Night in refuge.
7.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1550m -570m / 18km

Day 4

ROCHEURE LAKE - FOND DES FOURS REFUGE
Departure towards Rocheure valley, climb up to the lake and to the mountain pass at 2900m high. Cross the desert and wild Méan Martin high glacial plateau to reach Fond des Fours refuge, at the the foot of the north face.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m ; -780 m / 18km

Day 5

COL DES FOURS - BONNEVAL SUR ARC
Climb to Col des Fours (2976m), then descend to Pont de la Neige below Iseran mountain pass. Cross mountain pastures to arrive at the very pretty Bonneval-sur-Arc village. Option to shorten the stage by walking directly to the village (10km, +450m-1150m, 4.30 walk). Night in a gite.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +780 m ; -1500 m / 15km

Day 6

L'ÉCOT - EVETTES VALLEY
Last day in the upper Arc valley. Climb up the Vallon des Evettes to the refuge, passing through the pretty village of l'Ecot (listed village) and, conditions permitting, through the gorges of La Reculaz.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +/- 820m /14km

End of the tour around 3:30pm and bus transfer.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, unknown factors and situations beyond our control can affect this itinerary and may change the route, timings etc.

Personalised tour available, contact us...

The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain hike on marked trails including gravel paths. 

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
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 send you a travel folder containing: 
- IGN maps with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the necessary information for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC: 4 nights in dormitory, in refuge ; 1 night in a room of 2/3 poeple in hotel or gite.
Accommodation offer hot showers except Fond des Fours refuge.
However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Two options:
without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered in each accommodation in the evening (except day 1). Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops.

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

IGN maps 1:25000 : Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure of the hike from the refuge-Porte de l'Orgère.

BY TRAIN
Arrival at Modane train station and then bus or taxi transfer to Orgère.
Timetables must be checked on the SNCF website.

BY CAR
Take the A6 motorway to Lyon, then the A43 direction Chambery and Modane.
At Modane follow Aussois direction via the D215. Free parking next to the tourist office. 

CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift ! Here are some websites :  https://www.blablacar.fr/  https://www.laroueverte.com/  https://www.roulezmalin.com/

At the end of the tour, bus transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 3:30pm.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Tourist Office Aussois: +33 (0)4 79 20 30 80
www.aussois.com

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 & baggage

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 40 to 50 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.

LEAVE ON YOUR OWN FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS AND MORE

In the 'weight is the enemy' section, here are some tips on how to save a few hundred grams. For example, for your toiletries: a simple plastic bag with a zip or a small plastic box to avoid accidental crushing.

  •     Hotel-size soap is generally enough for a week.
  •     A tube of toothpaste 3/4 full will do the trick
  •     Shaving foam: a small sample can
  •     A small microfibre towel
  •     A small bottle of shampoo
  •     A travel toothbrush

Pharmacy: in addition to your personal medicines, bring:

  •     Elastoplast or hook-and-loop tape
  •    "Second skin" tape to protect against blisters, such as Compeed
  •     A small pair of scissors, thread and needle
  •     A small tube of sun cream and lip balm

Now all you have to do is apply this recipe to your entire bag!

LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE...

From 555 €
Book online
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