The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 750m approximately per day. Day 6 +1300m.
Walking time: 5 to 6 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.

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: Level of difficulty

Please note: 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!

GUIDING

Number in a group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader. At the beginning of the season group numbers may be reduced depending on snow conditions. 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 your tour, depending on your satisfaction. This 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 a 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 on Sunday at 11:45am at the car park in Pont 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.
Return train: depart Chamonix at 2.57pm arrive in Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 9.42pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf

BY BUS
Via Turin then Aosta.
From Aosta, Savda buses run 3 times a day to Pont (1h30 journey).
Two successive bus routes run to Pont from Aosta :
1 - Route 514: Villeneuve / St-Pierre / St Nicolas 
2 - Route 611: Villeneuve / Valsavarenche
Times can be verified on www.savda.it

VIA CHAMONIX
From Chamonix to Aosta with SAT bus.

BY CAR
VIA THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL
From Macon or Lyon, take the A40 motorway towards Geneva.  As you approach Chamonix, follow the signs for the Mont Blanc tunnel and Aosta (€68 return / guide price). In Italy, don't take the motorway (green signs) but follow the main road towards Aosta. Follow the signs for Introd and Valsavarenche, 3km after passing through the village of Aviez. Follow the Valsarenche road to its final destination, 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 to 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 to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.

End of the hike Saturday at around 2pm 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 - Hotel Gran Paradiso: +39 01 65 95 454
Hotel 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 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 (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)
• 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.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily, except on Day 1, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT LUGGAGE TRANSFER

For night 1, 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.