This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
This program takes you to some of the most beautiful trails and lookouts in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Created in 1920, the Park straddles the Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. Here, the wild and unspoiled nature offers contrasting landscapes, from the larch trees at the bottom of the valley to the glacial peaks. We see peaks passing through the alpine pastures where the herds of ibex graze peacefully.
During this program, your luggage is transported for you except nights 1, 3 & 5. You are expected to hike with only your daypack.
We start our hike in the hamlet of Usellières in the Valgrisenche. The path follows the Dora di Valgrisenche to the Mario Bezzi refuge. This first day we walk at a measured speed and adjust the pace to get to know each other better. The marmots will not fail to whistle our presence and satisfy their curiosity, hidden behind the clods of earth in their countless galleries. We are sleeping at the Bezzi refuge this evening. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 550m
The trail of the high glacial route. Our goal is the Lake of St Martin, above Mont Vaudet. We are on a huge flat that chamois (a type of antelope) particularly like at their breakfast time. Our path continues until the passage of the Refreita. The Grande Rousse glacier marks the landscape with its imposing morraines, and its deep waters with the many beaches below. On our descent, we cross a very beautiful pine forest and we find the hamlet of Surrier. A 45-minute transfer allows us to get to our hotel in Rhêmes Notre Dame.
Elevation gain: 500m | Elevation Loss: 1050m
At the end of the road, in Thumel (1880m), at the edge of the National Park, our hike starts on the path on the right bank of the Dora, in the valley of Gran Vaudala. We can leave our things at the refuge and consider an excursion to the Pointe de Lavassey. Night at the Benevolo refuge. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 900m | Elevation Loss: 500m
We go around the trick of S. Elena and the vertical walls of Granta Parei (3386m) stand in front of us. Peaks and peaks close the landscape while the nearby glaciers pour their cold, crystalline waters into the canyon gorges. Our descent brings us back to the refuge, then continues to Thumel. 45 minute transfer. We sleep in Pont, at the Refuge / Auberge du Tétras-Lyre.
Elevation gain: 400m | Elevation Loss: 780m
From Pont, the climb is regular and sustained up to the Nivolé plateau. Behind us, we can see all tyhe main peaks of the Gran Paradiso. The path follows the meanders of a very peaceful Dora river. The herds of chamois under Pointe Violette will arouse our curiosity to the point of inviting us to follow them under the rocks of Nivolets. We sleep at the Chivasso refuge. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 650m | Elevation Loss: 100m
We reach the plateaus of the great Rosset lakes, then those of the Tre Becci, and onward continue to Lac Noir. A path leads us into the hidden valley of Plan Borgnoz and we take advantage here of the calm and tranquility of these forgotten, lost and kept secret places. The descent brings us back to Pont and we find our bus. We are back in Chamonix at the end of the afternoon. Trip Ends!
Pack:
– Backpack 40 – 50 Lts with rain cover.This you will need in case you choose to offload your larger pack onto a horse/porter
– Day Pack 15 – 20 lts – You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Footwear:
-Trekking Shoes: Please do not wear sports shoes as on most treks as we go higher it gets harder to use the sports shoes. We recommend shoes with a good hard sole and also ankle support preferable water proof.
Socks:
– 2 -3 pairs of cotton socks.
– 2 pairs of woollen socks ( these are ideal to sleep in and best to use when in camp. We do not recommend them while trekking).
Clothing:
– Pants: 3 pairs (including the ones you wear) – Ideal are the quick dry light weight synthetic pants. Alternatively track pants are also comfortable to trek in. We do not recommend you get Denims or Jeans as they get hard to trek in.
– Tshirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) – Preferable cotton t-shirts that are full sleeves. You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sun burns.
– Synthetic Fleece Jacket – 1 pair.
– Wind proof/ Water proof Jacket – 1 pair.
– Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket – 1 -pair ( optional – get this if you want to stay extra warm at camps.)
– Thermal liners – 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
– Raincoat/ Poncho – what ever you get make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.
– Warm Beanie – make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.
– Gloves – Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woollen gloves.
– Sun Cap- 1 no
– Sun Glasses with good UV protection.
Other necessary things that we recommend you get:
– Toiletries – Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.
– Repair Kit (needle and thread).
– Headlamp/ Torch.
– Camera.
– Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 litre each.
– Trekking Pole – Optional.
– Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)
This program takes you to some of the most beautiful trails and lookouts in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Created in 1920, the Park straddles the Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. Here, the wild and unspoiled nature offers contrasting landscapes, from the larch trees at the bottom of the valley to the glacial peaks. We see peaks passing through the alpine pastures where the herds of ibex graze peacefully.
During this program, your luggage is transported for you except nights 1, 3 & 5. You are expected to hike with only your daypack.
We start our hike in the hamlet of Usellières in the Valgrisenche. The path follows the Dora di Valgrisenche to the Mario Bezzi refuge. This first day we walk at a measured speed and adjust the pace to get to know each other better. The marmots will not fail to whistle our presence and satisfy their curiosity, hidden behind the clods of earth in their countless galleries. We are sleeping at the Bezzi refuge this evening. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 550m
The trail of the high glacial route. Our goal is the Lake of St Martin, above Mont Vaudet. We are on a huge flat that chamois (a type of antelope) particularly like at their breakfast time. Our path continues until the passage of the Refreita. The Grande Rousse glacier marks the landscape with its imposing morraines, and its deep waters with the many beaches below. On our descent, we cross a very beautiful pine forest and we find the hamlet of Surrier. A 45-minute transfer allows us to get to our hotel in Rhêmes Notre Dame.
Elevation gain: 500m | Elevation Loss: 1050m
At the end of the road, in Thumel (1880m), at the edge of the National Park, our hike starts on the path on the right bank of the Dora, in the valley of Gran Vaudala. We can leave our things at the refuge and consider an excursion to the Pointe de Lavassey. Night at the Benevolo refuge. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 900m | Elevation Loss: 500m
We go around the trick of S. Elena and the vertical walls of Granta Parei (3386m) stand in front of us. Peaks and peaks close the landscape while the nearby glaciers pour their cold, crystalline waters into the canyon gorges. Our descent brings us back to the refuge, then continues to Thumel. 45 minute transfer. We sleep in Pont, at the Refuge / Auberge du Tétras-Lyre.
Elevation gain: 400m | Elevation Loss: 780m
From Pont, the climb is regular and sustained up to the Nivolé plateau. Behind us, we can see all tyhe main peaks of the Gran Paradiso. The path follows the meanders of a very peaceful Dora river. The herds of chamois under Pointe Violette will arouse our curiosity to the point of inviting us to follow them under the rocks of Nivolets. We sleep at the Chivasso refuge. No access to luggage.
Elevation gain: 650m | Elevation Loss: 100m
We reach the plateaus of the great Rosset lakes, then those of the Tre Becci, and onward continue to Lac Noir. A path leads us into the hidden valley of Plan Borgnoz and we take advantage here of the calm and tranquility of these forgotten, lost and kept secret places. The descent brings us back to Pont and we find our bus. We are back in Chamonix at the end of the afternoon. Trip Ends!
Pack:
– Backpack 40 – 50 Lts with rain cover.This you will need in case you choose to offload your larger pack onto a horse/porter
– Day Pack 15 – 20 lts – You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Footwear:
-Trekking Shoes: Please do not wear sports shoes as on most treks as we go higher it gets harder to use the sports shoes. We recommend shoes with a good hard sole and also ankle support preferable water proof.
Socks:
– 2 -3 pairs of cotton socks.
– 2 pairs of woollen socks ( these are ideal to sleep in and best to use when in camp. We do not recommend them while trekking).
Clothing:
– Pants: 3 pairs (including the ones you wear) – Ideal are the quick dry light weight synthetic pants. Alternatively track pants are also comfortable to trek in. We do not recommend you get Denims or Jeans as they get hard to trek in.
– Tshirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) – Preferable cotton t-shirts that are full sleeves. You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sun burns.
– Synthetic Fleece Jacket – 1 pair.
– Wind proof/ Water proof Jacket – 1 pair.
– Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket – 1 -pair ( optional – get this if you want to stay extra warm at camps.)
– Thermal liners – 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
– Raincoat/ Poncho – what ever you get make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.
– Warm Beanie – make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.
– Gloves – Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woollen gloves.
– Sun Cap- 1 no
– Sun Glasses with good UV protection.
Other necessary things that we recommend you get:
– Toiletries – Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.
– Repair Kit (needle and thread).
– Headlamp/ Torch.
– Camera.
– Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 litre each.
– Trekking Pole – Optional.
– Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)
With 25+ years of expertise, we offer diverse expeditions like Trekking, Mountaineering, Ski Touring, Cycling, Paragliding and Snow Leopard encounters.
Our adventures prioritise safety and follow Leave No Trace principles. Certified guides trained in Wilderness First Aid provide care throughout your journey.