The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 750m approximately per day. Day 6 +1300m.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours per day.
Type of trek: Stony trails that take daily passes located between 2800m and 3000m altitude. Some passes are steep as well as several aerial or technical paths, mainly at the start of the season with the crossing of residual snowfields. The trails are relatively well marked except when approaching certain passes.

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.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in dormitories in mountain refuges and gîtes.
1 night in a cosy hotel bedroom for 2-4 people.
All accommodation offers hot showers.

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)

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.
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 in the car park at Pont Valsavarenche, Italy.

Optional round-trip transfer organized by Altitude Mont-Blanc by minibus, supplement to be booked at registration, €50 per person.
Meet at 9:45 a.m. in front of Chamonix SNCF station and transfer (1h30 journey).
If you come by car, several free car parks in the village of Les Houches, Prarion sector. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Jacquier bakery in Le Prarion, Les Houches. You will meet your driver there.

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 CHAMONIX
From Chamonix to Aosta with SAT bus.
www.sat-montblanc.com
VIA AOSTA
Inbound: depart Aosta at 7:15am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm by bus to Pont, Valsavarenche.
Return: depart Pont at 2:00pm arrive in Aosta at 3:15pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified on 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 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 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.

If you have chosen the return transfer option from Chamonix:
Free parking: everal free car parks in the village of Les Houches, Prarion sector. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Jacquet bakery in Le Prarion, Les Houches.
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 Saturday at 2:00pm in Pont. 
Transfer to Chamonix if you have chosen this option (90 mins transfer).
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 - 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

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 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.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 1) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.