Mountaineering course with a multi-day trek from Gran Paradiso to Monte Rosa
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationGrand Paradis / Aosta Valley
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions15.71 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
A week of escape in Italy's Aosta Valley , climbing majestic peaks ... What could be better? This mountaineering course aims to introduce you to the fundamental techniques of mountaineering , glacier travel, and altitude acclimatization . This program has been designed to allow you to progressively improve your skills throughout the week. You will be accompanied by your high-mountain guide in a magnificent setting, leading you each evening to quality mountain huts where you will enjoy Italian specialties ! Your adventure begins with the ascent of Gran Paradiso (4061 m). This ensures optimal acclimatization to the altitude in preparation for the next summit, Punta Gnifetti (4554 m), whose exceptional panoramic view of the entire Alps will undoubtedly take your breath away!
The highlights
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A progressive program including the ascent of 2 peaks over 4000m in 4 days
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A tour in small groups of a maximum of 4 people
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Local and passionate guides who speak fluent French
Photos
Laura - verified review - july 2025
Laura - verified review - july 2025
Laura - verified review - july 2025
Stephane - verified review - july 2024
Sport
Level
Mountaineering
In figures
Mountaineering
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average daily elevation gain: 1100 m
- Average daily descent: 408 m
Management
French
English
Experienced mountain guides Danilo and his team accompany you on all types of terrain: mountaineering, multi-pitch climbs, ski touring, and high-altitude treks. Passionate and meticulous, they prioritize safety, progress, and enjoyment on every outing. With them, every climb becomes a shared and authentic adventure in the heart of the most beautiful mountains in the Alps.
Program
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Val de Rhêmes - via ferrata - Valsaverenche - refuge (2710 m)
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in the Val de Rhêmes, opposite the Hotel Granta Parey, to begin the day with a pleasant Via Ferrata. This activity will be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other, get fit while having fun, and gain confidence in performing technical maneuvers.
After a delicious picnic, we will get back in the car to travel to Valsavarenche (approximately 40 minutes drive) and reach the starting point of the trail leading to the Grand Paradis Refuge.
The hike to the refuge will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. During this ascent, we will have the opportunity to admire the landscapes, fauna, and flora of Gran Paradiso National Park. Once we arrive at the refuge and are settled in, we will check our equipment in preparation for the ascent of Gran Paradiso planned for the following day.
Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 1 -
Chabod Refuge (2710 m) - Gran Paradiso (4061 m) - Chabod Refuge
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The departure is scheduled for sunrise. For the first hour of the hike to the glacier, the trail is not well marked. We will be proceeding below the North Face of Gran Paradiso, where crevasses and snow bridges are quite numerous, but the ascent remains relatively easy. The final meters to reach the summit require navigating between snow and rock. It takes between 4 and 5 hours to reach the top and enjoy the exceptional panorama characteristic of Gran Paradiso.
Once at the summit, the view extends to the Vanoise massif in Savoie, Mont Blanc, Mont Viso, and the Grand Combin in Switzerland. The descent follows the same route, skirting and crossing the glacier's crevasses, offering a much more dramatic landscape compared to the route from the Victor Emanuele II Refuge. Starting from the Victor Emanuele II Refuge makes the descent slightly easier.
The afternoon and night are spent at the refuge to allow for a good rest.
Day 2 -
Refuge Chabod - Gressoney - Cable car from Staffal to Punta Indren (3275 m) - Refuge Città
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After a hearty breakfast, we stroll down from the Chabod refuge (or Victor Emanuele II) to the cars in the parking lot.
By car, we head towards Gressoney (transport by your own means), then we reach Staffal, the last inhabited hamlet in the valley, the starting point of the Gabiet cable car.
In the early afternoon, we take the cable car up to Punta Indren. A 40-minute walk then leads us to the Città di Mantova refuge.
This day will be dedicated to rest, allowing us to recover energy, enjoy the view of the Monte Rosa glaciers and acclimatize to the altitude in order to be in top form for the climb the next day.
We will have dinner and spend the night in this superb refuge, located at an altitude of 3400 meters, thus offering ideal conditions for a good night's sleep.
Day 3 -
Refuge Città Di Mantova (3498 m) - Pointe Gnifetti / Capanna Margherita (4554 m) - Refuge
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1050 m
- Negative elevation 1280 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
At daybreak, after breakfast at the refuge, we will begin our day by crossing the Lys Glacier to reach the Col du Lys (4248 m). Before us, the mythical Matterhorn will be revealed, as well as other impressive peaks such as the Zumstein (4561 m), the Dufourspitze (4633 m - the highest point of Monte Rosa) and the vertiginous Lyskamm face.
In 4 to 5 hours, we will reach the Gnifetti Peak, which rises to 4554 m. We will also take the opportunity to visit the Margherita Hut (4554 m), the highest mountain hut and observatory in Europe. From the summit, the view extends over the Swiss side of Monte Rosa and the Italian Piedmont.
The descent will follow the same route, bringing us back to the Città di Mantova Refuge. We'll have time to enjoy a delicious plate of pasta before continuing our descent to Punta Indren, where we'll take the cable car back to Gressoney.
If you wish, after this intense week in the mountains, you will have the opportunity to spend the night in a hotel and enjoy the old town of Aosta, its famous Roman Theatre, the charming restaurants of the pedestrian street and the Italian Dolce Vita.
Day 4
Note
The program is provided as a guideline and may be modified depending on weather conditions or the group's physical condition. The guide may suggest alternatives, such as an ice climbing school day or the ascent of another peak in the area.
Accommodation
Overnight stay in a mountain refuge , in a room or dormitory depending on availability.
Access
The end of the stay will take place on the last day in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm in Gressoney (unless otherwise agreed with the guide on site).
Go to the starting point
You can reach the Aosta Valley by train:
- Via Bourg Saint Maurice. Then you'll need to rent a car to reach the Aosta Valley via the Little St. Bernard Pass (2-hour drive). You'll save on the toll at the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
- Via Chamonix Mont Blanc. Then you reach Courmayeur, then the Aosta Valley, via the Mont Blanc Tunnel (by bus or car). Upon exiting the Mont Blanc Tunnel, do not take the motorway towards Aosta, but stay on the road towards Courmayeur to avoid an extra 20 minutes and €20 in motorway tolls.
- Via Martigny from Geneva airport. Then you reach the city centre of Aosta via the Great St Bernard tunnel by bus or car.
Price details
The price includes
- The supervision of the UIAGM High Mountain Guide
- Personal technical equipment: crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet
- The equipment for group activities (ropes, carabiners, etc.)
- Half-board accommodation in mountain huts
- Return tickets for the Staffal cable car to Punta Indren
The price does not include
- Mountaineering boots
- Lunch, drinks and personal expenses
- Transfers during the internship
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Personal technical equipment: harness, crampons, ice axe and helmet
- The equipment for group climbing (ropes, carabiners, harnesses, etc.)
- The refuge provides the duvets.
Equipment to bring
- Waterproof and very good quality mountaineering boots, compatible with crampons (Scarpa Triolet GTX type, rental possible at Le Sport Du Pilier, at Gal Sport in Aosta or at Ravanel or Snell in Chamonix )
- 40-liter backpack
- Walking sticks
- Mountaineering helmet
- A sleeping bag liner (sleeping bag)
- Warm ski gloves
- Headlamp
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle and thermos
- Sunglasses
- Mobile phone
Clothing to bring
First layer against the skin: underwear
- Thermal and breathable T-shirt (merino wool recommended)
- Thermal and breathable tights (merino wool recommended)
- Warm socks.
Second layer:
- Warm and breathable technical fleece;
- Windproof and waterproof mountaineering trousers
Third layer:
- Thin but warm down or fleece
Final layer:
- High-quality Gore-Tex jacket or similar, waterproof and windproof
Don't forget:
- Warm winter hat
- Neck warmer
