The trip

LEVEL ** TO ***

Every day, two options are possible:

Level **: Height difference : +/- 450m to 700m, walking time : 3h to 5h per day, type of walk : mountain route with no particular technical difficulty between forest and pastures.

Level ***: variants are proposed reach passes between 2800m and 3000m. Elevation: 800m to 1300m. A few steep passages are possible, secured, as well as some aerial or technical passages mainly at the beginning of the season with the crossing of residual snow. The paths are well marked or marked by cairns at the approach of some 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!

For the ascent of Grand Paradis: hike on the glacier with crampons, without any particular technical difficulties, but a long day. The last 100m of crossing are aerials and can be impressive. There is a possibility to do not climb this last step.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running and cycling. 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 will give you a travel pack containing:

• 1 IGC map (n°102)
• 1 road-book with all the necessary information for the hike
• 1 map holder
• The list of accommodation

HIKING SIGNS

The route is signposted with yellow arrows and regular markings on the ground. The paths are numbered.
The roadbook provides sufficient information on the itinerary of your hike. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding is not included in the self-guided package. You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio or the latest generation telephone with satellite connection.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

This tour is organised as an auto-tour, so transfers are carried out with your personal car or with a local bus. In option, we can offer taxi transfers, with additional cost. If you have chosen the 7-day option, the last night at the Victor Emmanuel refuge is without luggage.

ACCOMMODATION

For the 6-day version: 3 nights in a mountain hotel, 2 nights in a hotel***.
For the 7-day version: 3 nights in a mountain hotel, 2 nights in a hotel*** and 1 night in a refuge

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation. Picnic lunches are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation. You can buy food in the shops in Breuil, in the Rhêmes valley. 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

Instituto Geografico Centrale: 
n°102 VALSAVARENCHE, VAL DI RHEMES, VALGRISENCHE

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure in Valsavarenche, Italy.

BY TRAIN
TO AOSTA VIA TURIN OR
TO CHAMONIX VIA PARIS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 12:45pm arrive in Chamonix at 7:50pm.
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 www.savda.it

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: Chemin du Biolay, opposite the Montenvers train station in Chamonix.
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 point in Pont, Valsavarenche.

Transfer to Chamonix if option chosen (1.5 hour drive).
Warning: the tunnel may be very busy on Saturday. Think of a little bit more time if you need to book 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 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.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE ASCENT OF GRAND PARADIS

Equipment for the Grand Paradis ascent is included in your package (crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe). An hike at an altitude of 4,000 m requires warm equipment in case of bad weather (tights, hat, gloves, jacket, etc.) and a good pair of hard, high shoes (no low trial-type shoes). Poles are essential.