• Combine stunning scenery and trekking with Italy’s highest peak,
• 4061m Warm up with 2 little-known 3000m summits
• A hidden gem, off the beaten path with abundant wildlife
• Perfect acclimatisation for Mont Blanc

The Gran Paradiso is the highest mountain entirely within Italy, and at 4061m it is undeniably one of the easiest 4000m peaks in the Alps. It is accessible to strong hill walkers, and is ideal for a first Alpine 4000er as no mountaineering experience is required. The Gran Paradiso National Park is host to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps. It is off the beaten track – there is little in the way of tourist development and as a result there is an abundance of wildlife: you are very likely to encounter ibex, chamois and marmots, as well as a wealth of flora. To top it all off, the Italian mountain huts really are the best in the business: family-run rifugios with delicious home-cooking and plenty of wine!

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive in Chamonix
We meet at our chalet in Chamonix in the late afternoon for a group briefing about the trip. You will have the chance to explore the valley a little, and there is time for last minute shopping if anyone still needs to buy or hire kit. We stay overnight in a chalet/hotel. Dinner is included.

Day 2 – Drive to Valgrisenche & trek to Rifugio Bezzi
To ease us in gently we have a leisurely start this morning, and drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel into the Aosta valley in Italy. It’s a scenic journey from Valgrisenche (where we have a picnic lunch) to Usellieres (where we start walking). A gentle 2 hour uphill takes us past cascading torrents until we reach the magnificently located Bezzi hut. At 2248m, the hut lies at the foot of the glaciers of the Grande Sassière, the Grande Traversière and the Plattes des Chamois. Oh, and did we mention the Rifugio Bezzi is reknowned for its 5 course meals!

Day 3 – Over the Col Bassac Dere, up the Becca della Traversière, then descend to the Rifugio Benevolo
This morning we are treated to our first views of the Gran Paradiso as we head up towards the Col Bassac Dere (3082m), via the moraine of the glacier di Glairettaz. If weather permits then we can make an ascent of the stunning Becca della Traversière (3334m) from the col – this is a 2 hour return trip. We then descend past the Lago di Golettaz to reach the Rifugio Benevolo (2287m), which is situated at the head of an open valley where ibex often graze.

Day 4 – Over the col Nivolettaz and climb the Punta Basei
From the rifugio to the Col Nivolettaz (3120m) takes around 3 hours. From here we can scramble up the Punta Basei (3398m), another fantastic viewpoint, and then descend to the Rifugio Chivasso, overlooking the beautiful Nivolet lakes. Please note that in the height of summer the Chivasso refuge is often overbooked, in which case we may have to stay in the Rifugio Savoie or even descend to Pont in the valley (a further 2 hours).

Day 5 – trek to the Victor Emmanuele hut
Continuing our high level traverse, we cross the Col di Punta Foura (3124m) before descending to the hamlet of Pont where we stop for lunch and a shower.
In the afternoon we trek up to the Victor Emmanuele hut (approx. 3 hours) – the starting point for our summit.

Day 6 – Ascent of Gran Paradiso and down to the Chabod hut
It’s an early start this morning for the big day ahead. First we cross over boulders to reach the glacier du Mont Gran Paradiso, which we follow all the way to the rocky summit ridge. We’ll be roped up for this short but dramatic scramble, as the ridge is quite exposed! The summit affords phenomenal views of the Mont Blanc range, along with the Matterhorn in Switzerland and the Grande Casse in France. We then descend via a different route, across the crevassed Laveciau glacier to the Chabod Hut, where we can bask in the sun, sip a well-earned beer and gaze up at the Gran Paradiso north face. Expect a 7 - 9 hour day.

Day 7 - A little surprise to finish
From the Chabod hut we cross over a col and descend a via ferrata into the Timorion valley. We end the trek in the village of Tignet, where we stop for lunch before our return journey to Chamonix. We sometimes have to descend slightly further to Degioz, depending on conditions. In the evening, we will have a celebratory dinner in the Chamonix valley.

Day 8 – transfer back to Geneva airport…….or a Mont Blanc climb!
Having spent the last week trekking at altitude, you’re in the perfect position to tackle Mont Blanc –your acclimatisation on the Gran Paradiso will stand you in good stead for the highest peak in Western Europe. Today we take the cable car from Les Houches followed by a mountain railway to reach the Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) at 2372m, from where we make the climb up the rocky path to either the Tête Rousse hut (3167m) or sometimes we continue the rocky scramble up to the Gouter hut (3817m).

Day 9 – Ascent of Mont Blanc
From the Gouter hut it is a steady 1000m of ascent on snow to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. It is a non-technical climb, but the final ridge is relatively exposed. It should take around 6-8 hours from the Tête Rousse hut, or 4-6 hours from the Gouter hut to the summit – one of the most magnificent viewpoints in Europe. We usually stay in the Gouter or Tête Rousse hut tonight.

Day 10 – Contingency day in case of bad weather
If we summitted yesterday then we have a gentle start this morning and make our way back down to the Nid d’Aigle, and take the train then the cable car