LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE

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6 days 6 days
Guided / with a guide Guided / with a guide
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Classic (dormitory)
Level *** Level ***
From 795 € From 795 €

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

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

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
  • 6 days of total immersion in the mountains
  • Accommodation in gîtes, refuges and small friendly hotels
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LAKES AND HIGH PASSES OF VANOISE

From 795 €

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Dates & prices

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THE PRICE

Includes

  • Organisation and booking fees, guiding by a qualified and insured mountain leader;
  • All meals including picnic lunches (from the dinner of day 1 to the picnic lunch of day 6) and snacks;
  • Accommodation in gîtes and refuges ;
  • Shower tokens if required;
  • Baggage transport between accommodations (except on Day 5);

Does not include:

  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.);
  • Luggage transport on Day 5 ;
  • Lunch on day 1;
  • Touristic visits;
  • Airport taxes;
  • Cancellation insurance;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

Personalised tour available

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L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Meeting point on Sunday at 2:15pm at Aussois tourist point (or in front of Modane train station at 2:00pm). Plan to have lunch before.

AUSSOIS  -  PLAN D’AMONT LAKE
Cross Aussois village, climb up to Côtes hamlet and continue to Aval and Amont lakes to Plan Sec refuge. Night in a dormitory in the refuge.
3 hour walk / Elevation: +850m

Day 2

AUSSOIS PASS - LES PRIOUX
Start from Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges. Climb to Aussois pass (2914m) with its backdrop of Dôme of Vanoise, Dent Parrachée and Mont-Blanc. From the pass, possible to continue to the Observation Point at 3015m. Descend through the Ritor valley to Prioux. Night in refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +750m -1300m

Day 3

VALLON DE CHAVIÈRE - LES BARMETTES
Smaller hike through the Chavière valley to the lovely village of Pralognan la Vanoise. Going up in the Arcelin circus, below the Aiguille de la Vanoise, before crossing the Col de Moriond and its amazing scenery. Down to the Barmettes, at the top of the Pralognan ski area. Night in a refuge.
Depending on the weather and the group, a longer hike is possible by the Petit Mont Blanc or the Mont Charvet ridges. 
4:30 hour walk / Elevation: +800m -450m

Day 4

VANOISE PASS  -  ENTRE DEUX EAUX or PLAN DU LAC
From the refuge, climb to the Vanoise pass (2517m). Amazing views over Aiguille de la Vanoise and Grande Casse (3855m), highest point of the mountain range. Passing Lac des Vaches and its famous ford, follow Long and Rond lakes to arrive in Leisse valley and Entre Deux Eaux or Plan du Lac refuges. View over the Dômes de la Vanoise. Night in a refuge.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -520m

Day 5

ROCHEURE LAKE - FOND DES FOURS
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 the foot of the north face and the Fond des Fours refuge. Night in a refuge (*No luggage transport).
6.30 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -800m

Day 6

COL DES FOURS  -  BONNEVAL SUR ARC
Climb to Col des Fours (2976m), then descend to Pont de la Neige below the Iseran mountain pass. Cross mountain pastures to arrive at the very pretty Bonneval-sur-Arc village.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1200m

At the end of the tour, taxi transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 4:30pm.

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 trail with no technical difficulty.

GUIDING

Group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC: 5 nights in refuge, in dormitory.
All accommodation offers hot showers except on day 5 at Fond des Fours refuge.

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

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are included. They are carefully and daily prepared by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a healthy salads and local products (except Day 1). We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.), but we ask you to bring extra food for your picnic lunches.

MAPS

IGN maps 1:25000 : Les Arcs 3532ET, Tignes-Val d'Isère 3633ET, Les Trois Vallées 3534OT.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet Sunday at 2:30pm in front of Aussois tourist office (or in front of Modane train station at 2:15pm). Plan to have lunch before meeting.

BY TRAIN
Timetables must be checked on www.oui.sncf

BY CAR
Take the A6 motorway to Lyon, then the A43 direction Chambery and Modane.
At Modane follow direction Aussois 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 : www.blablacar.fr  www.laroueverte.com  www.roulezmalin.com

At the end of the tour, taxi transfer to Aussois or Modane arriving at 4:30pm.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Aussois Tourist Office: +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 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 on Day 4) 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!

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