An amazing trip !
In our section "High passes", we have created several tours in Vanoise, crossings, with glacial summit at the end. But it was a shame to step on the Dômes de la Vanoise without crossing the ice cap, unique in Europe!
Here is the program for this great week: 4 days of high hiking, between "Col du Ravin Noir", "Col du Soufre", "Col Rouge", "Petit and Grand Marchet" ... and one day in the "great white", a crossing of the Glacial Domes of Vanoise with summits over than 3000m!
Small group of 8 to 9 people, with a High-Mountain guide for the alpinisme day !
Dates | Status | Prices | |
---|---|---|---|
From 13/07/25 To 18/07/25 |
Open departure | 1260 € | Book online |
From 20/07/25 To 25/07/25 |
Open departure | 1260 € | Book online |
From 03/08/25 To 08/08/25 |
Open departure | 1260 € | Book online |
From 10/08/25 To 15/08/25 |
Open departure | 1260 € | Book online |
From 14/09/25 To 19/09/25 |
Open departure | 1260 € | Book online |
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price applies from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meet at 1:30 p.m. at Aussois (or at Modane train station at 1:15pm). Make sure you have had lunch.
AUSSOIS - FOND D'AUSSOIS
After a short debrief, littlle warm-up climbing to Fond d'Aussois refuge by the lakes of Plan d'Aval and then Plan d'Amont.
2.5 hour walk / Elevation: +860m / 8 km
COLS DE LA MASSE, DU RAVIN NOIR ET DE CHAVIÈRE
1 day, 3 passes! Climb to "Col de la Masse", then cross off-trail to "Col du Ravin Noir" (2940m), wild. On the Orgère side, several routes bring you to find the path of the last pass, at 2796m, making sure not to disturb the shepherd, his sheep and his dog. From there, descend to Peclet-Polset refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1050m -930m / 11 km
COL DU SOUFRE - COL ROUGE
Here are two neighboring and yet very different passes. The "Col du Soufre" is really original, with a little Icelandic air. The crossing from one to another allows you to explore a wild area, along the Lakes of "Mont Coua". Reaching the "Col Rouge" via the "Passage des Eaux Noires"! Then descend into the large valley of Chavière, stopping at the Ritord farm to taste the best of Beauforts cheese. Night in a lodge, in a dormitory, with luggage.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +820m -1570m / 17 km
PETIT ET GRAND MARCHET - COL DE LA VANOISE
A good climb takes us to the Valette hut. Crossing two cirques, under the waterfalls of the ice cap. A final climb leads to the "Col de la Vanoise", along the spire, at the foot of the famous Grande-Casse summit. Alternatively, it is also possible to go through the "Col Noir" and the Patinoire lake, a beautiful getaway with a wide view over the "Aiguille de la Vanoise" and "Grande-Casse". In the evening, meeting with the guides for the next day's race. Night in refuge, in dormitory.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1750m -960m / 15 km
5 hour walk / Elevation: +1230m -360m / 13km by the Patinoire lake
POINTE DU DARD - COL DU PELVE - REFUGE DE L'ARPONT
The highlight of the trip! The climb up the rocky slabs soon gives way to the glaciers. This is where the traverse begins, with crampons on your feet and ice axe in hand, as you cross from one side to the other. A short diversions to the Pointe du Dard (3204m) offers a 360° panorama of the cap and the high peaks in the distance. Descend to Arpont and spend the night in a dormitory at the refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +800m -1000m / 11km through La Pointe du Dard summit
MAURIENNE BALCONY - AUSSOIS
A final, more leisurely stage, albeit a little longer, brings this tour to a close: a balcony crossing overlooking the Maurienne valley, in an area much appreciated by large birds of prey!
6.30 hour walk / Elevation: +700m -900m / 17km
End of the tour around 3pm in "Plan d'Amont" and taxi transfert to Aussois or Modane
Elevation: +/- 1100m approximately per day.
Walking time: 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain route for trained hikers, with off-trail sections. The glacial crossing requires specific equipment but does not present any technical difficulties. It is necessary to arrive well trained to be able to take full advantage of the journey. In case of bad weather, there are optional routes.
You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 6 to 8 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
Between 6 and 9 participants supervised by qualified professionals.
It is usual to tip your guide at the end of the trek, according to your satisfaction. It is not mandatory but, it is very appreciated.
The equipment (helmet, harness, crampons) is delivered on day 3 at Pralognan, with the luggage.
The High Mountain guides join the group on evening 4, at the Col de la Vanoise refuge.
The glacier hike between the Dômes de la Vanoise has no technical difficulty. Only the exit of the glacier can be a little tricky.
Guiding: 1 guide for 4 persons maximum (except at the start of the season, 1 guide for 5 persons).
CLASSIC: 5 nights in dormitory, in refuge.
All accommodation offers hot showers. However, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.
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.
The luggage transport is provided on day 3, at the refuge above Pralognan. You will be able to change your clothes, and get mountaineering equipment for the following days (see "Equipment" section).
Meet Sunday at 13:30 in Aussois (tourist point) or in front of the train station in Modane at 13:15. Plan to have lunch before.
BY TRAIN
Inbound: Depart from the Gare de Lyon train station (Paris) at 6:44am arrive in Modane at 10:52am.
Return: Depart from Modane at 7:12pm arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon train station at 11:26pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.voyages-sncf.com
BY CAR
Take the A6 motorway to Lyon, then the A43 direction Chambery and Modane.
At Modane follow direction Aussois via the D215. Free car-park at Aussois.
End of trek at 4 p.m. at Aussois.
Tourist Office Aussois: +33 (0)4 79 20 30 80 www.aussois.com
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.
If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
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
Clothing
Other Equipment
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.
Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person.
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.
Pharmacy: in addition to your personal medicines, bring:
Now all you have to do is apply this recipe to your entire bag!