Trekking and climbing Monte Rosa

We hike at the foot of the Monte Rosa glaciers, where we have two options: the Vallée des Cimes Blanches or the Val de Véraz to reach the Verra glaciers, among the largest in the Alps. If we choose to head towards the Mezzalama refuge, we will pass by the legendary Lac Bleu. The refuge is located at the foot of the Pollux and Castor glaciers, two well-known twin peaks in the Alps. These magnificent summits, both over 4,000 meters high, offer a climb with some technical difficulty, ideal for gaining experience before, for example, climbing Mont Blanc.

We will then return to our magnificent refuge overlooking Champoluc, where you will be seduced by the Italian cuisine and the legendary hospitality of the Walsers, a people once established from Valais — around Zermatt and the Saas Valley in Switzerland — to the Monte Rosa region.

We leave the refuge and head towards Alpe Masognaz, an upscale hamlet renovated by a single family in an authentic and unique Walser style. After this magnificent village, we ascend a wild valley to reach the Palasina pass, where we can climb a soaring peak over 3,000 meters high and enjoy the many surrounding lakes.

In the evening, we will sleep in a large refuge located at the foot of a beautiful gneiss cliff, where ibex regularly stand guard.

This day offers us a true high-altitude journey, between peaks and ridges, at nearly 3,000 meters. The hike takes place on a magnificent trail offering breathtaking views. We pass through numerous charming villages: the Walser Valley boasts a traditional chalet style, similar to that found near Zermatt, Switzerland.

We will also have the opportunity to pass by a beautiful peak and may consider climbing it depending on the weather and your fitness level. Your guide will adapt to the group and the conditions.

We'll arrive at the refuge fairly quickly to drop off our bags, then we'll continue the day exploring beautiful Walser villages along a scenic trail near the refuge. Those who wish to rest before the next day's climb can enjoy a break in our lovely refuge.

We descend quickly from the refuge through a magnificent forest of ancient trees, alongside a beautiful waterfall, to reach the valley floor. From there, we'll take a bus back to Staffal, where we'll pick up the mountaineering equipment needed for the climb. We can also leave the rest of our belongings there so we can travel light and well-equipped.

We will then ascend to an altitude of approximately 2,300 meters, either by 4x4 or cable car. From there, we will follow a rugged trail to reach the Città di Mantova refuge, located at 3,498 meters. The ascent follows a ridge offering magnificent views of the Lys Glacier, which descends from Monte Rosa.

The Città di Mantova refuge is a superb high-mountain refuge with exceptional views. Comfort is more basic than in lower-altitude refuges: there are no showers, and the water isn't potable, so you'll need to pack only the bare essentials. We'll reach it via a hiking trail, and the mountain guides will join us in the late afternoon to show you how to put on crampons and give you a briefing on the next day's climb.

The departure time will be set by the guides based on the weather and your fitness level. They will form the rope teams according to the skill levels indicated by the trek's mountain guide, ensuring that the teams are well-matched and that everyone maximizes their enjoyment and chances of successfully completing the climb. Five people per rope team.

We set off at night with headlamps. After a few minutes' walk, we reach the glacier: this is where we put on our crampons and proceed roped up. The ascent is technically easy; the slopes are around 35° and remain gradual. Thus, by the time we reach the final slope at 4,500 meters, you will already be quite comfortable walking with crampons.

The climb along the glacier is magnificent, dominated by the Lyskamm peaks. At the summit, the view from Punta Gnifetti is exceptional. We can recharge our batteries in the refuge, the highest in Europe, renowned for its pizza—also the highest in Europe!

After this well-deserved break to enjoy the view and have a bite to eat, we'll begin the descent towards the Città di Mantova refuge, then continue along the normal route to reach the Punta Indren cable car. From there, gondolas or 4x4 vehicles will take us back to Staffal, where we'll have a drink or a meal depending on our arrival time. The final meal is not included, so everyone can choose what they prefer to conclude the adventure.

Finally, everyone will head back from the Staffal parking lot after returning all their mountaineering equipment to the guides. If you have a long journey ahead, we recommend staying overnight in Staffal or stopping fairly early along the way, as it will be a strenuous day.