The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 900m approximately per day
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours per day
Type of trek: most of the route is on good trails with some sections in a rocky terrain.

Ascent of the Mt Viso: a rocky climb constitued by a succession of slope, little walls and dihedrals. This is a Moderate climb but it stills in high altitude where the temperature, wind and snow conditions could increase the difficulty.It is essential to have a habit of walking (off-trail) in the mountains with a backpack of several kilos. Accessible to good walkers who have walked up above 3000m and used to hiking 8 hours a day. 

GUIDING

Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in refuges in a dormitory
2 nights in gîtes in a room of 2 to 6 persons
All accommodation offers hot showers.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISME

Day 2, 3 and 4 are without baggage transport, you will need to carry with you a small toilet bag and a change of clothes for the night (max 1-2kg). We have made this choice to favour an enchanting secluded route but also to lower the cost and limit the environmental impact. Please let us know your opinion on that! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

For the nights without your baggage at the accommodation 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 daily prepared by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a healthy salads and local products.

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3530 ET - SAMOENS and Top 25 - 3630 OT - CHAMONIX (1/25 000)
MPA (yellow) Trient valley (1/25 000)

Practical information

ACCESS TO THE STARTING POINT

Meeting point in the little village of Saint Veran.

BY TRAIN

- From Paris: Night train Paris / Guillestre or day train TGV via Valence or Grenoble.
Return: day train via Valence or Grenoble then TGV to Paris.
Schedules to be checked with the SNCF: oui.sncf/

Access by train to Montdauphin-Guillestre station, then transfer to Ville Vielle by regular shuttle bus (about 12€ per person, 30 min journey). Information and booking of the Guillestre Montdauphin to Ville Vielle buses: www.zou.maregionsud.fr
At the beginning or end of the season (before 5 July and after 31 August), the shuttle service may not be operational. Two shuttles per day will then be organised by us, one at 9am and one at 5pm (cost: 10 €, booking required on 04 92 46 71 72).

BY CAR

From Grenoble, 2 possible routes to Guillestre:
- Via Gap
- Via the Col du Lautaret and Briançon. For information on the state of the road to the pass, call 04 92 24 44 44 (answering machine).

From Guillestre, go to Château-Queyras then Saint Veran.
In order to plan your journey, we advise you to get information on the itinerary from the different sites: www.viamichelin.fr / www.mappy.fr 

BY COVOITURAGE
Some websites where drivers and passengers can share rides: https://covoiturage-libre.fr/ https://www.laroueverte.com/ https://www.roulezmalin.com/ https://www.blablacar.fr/.

End of the tour around 2.30 pm at the bus station of Ville Vieille.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRIP

www.guillestre-tourisme.com
www.molinesenqueyras.com

INSURANCE

In accordance with the regulations, we are insured for Professional Civil Liability. In no case can we replace your personal liability. If you have chosen the EUROP ASSISTANCE repatriation insurance that we offer, Altitude Mont Blanc only acts as an interface between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to the strict terms and conditions of sale. You are responsible for following the procedures for reporting any claims.

Before taking any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

TO CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency: +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 45 to 55 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.

FOR THE ASCENT OF MONT VISO

All the stuff for the summit is included in the price (helmet and harness). In case of snowy conditions crampons and ice-axes could be rented (in option) in the refuge of Quintino Sella. A climb above 3000m requires warm equipment in case of weather deterioration (tights, hat, gloves, jacket...) and a good pair of rigid and high shoes (no low shoes like trail shoes). Sticks are essential.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be daily transported between accommodation by our vehicle the days 1, 5 and 6. 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 to refuges, which access is not always easy! 
Please use one bag per person; gathering together the belongings of two people usually leads to a heavy bag. Two bags of 10kg are better than one bag of 20 !

Luggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!