Mont Blanc Goal
Itinerary
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Day 1 Welcoming time and departure towards Valsavarenche, climb to the refuge Victor Emmanuel II (2732 m)
Meeting point at 9am in Chamonix and quick check on the individual material (renting is possible). You guide will brief you on the following days, and you you will drive in your personal war towards the village of Pont in the Valsavarenche valley. We cross the famous Mont Blanc tunnel and descend in the Aosta Valley before going back up to the Gran Paradiso national parc. From the village of Pont (1960m), the climb to refuge Victor Emmanuel II is fabulous and is a great way to get our legs started under the eyes of ibexes, plentiful in the massif. This refuge is one of the most hearty and warm in the Alps, we will spend 2 nights there.
Positive difference in altitude : Around 800 | Altitude Max : 2732m | Accommodation : Diner & night at the Victor Emmanuel II refuge
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Day 2 Gran Paradiso Ascent (4061m)
Early morning start for the Gran Paradiso ascent by its normal path, back and forth. It is one of the most beautiful belvederes in the Alps with an incredible view on the Mont Viso, Mont Rose, Mont Blanc massif and many other peaks ! Varied glacial slopes, with a final rocky and aerial hill before reaching the statue of the Virgin Mary at the peak. The 4000m altitude has been reached, which means you will be perfectly acclimatized for the Mont Blanc. We slowly descend to the refuge.
Positive difference in altitude : Around 1350m | Negative difference in altitude : Environ 1350m | Altitude Max : 4061m | Accommodation : Diner & night at the Victor Emmanuel II refuge
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Day 3 Technical day
Today will be chosen by the guide depending on the group's level and the mountain conditions : ice school, rock school, crampon techniques... We will train just above the refuge.
Then we'll get back to the refuge and to the village of Pont. Return to Chamonix and rest ! Once at the lodge, your guide will inform you on the following days program depending on the weather conditions forecasted and the mountain conditions. He will form rope teams for the Mont Blanc ascent.Positive difference in altitude : Around 880m | Negative difference in altitude : Environ 880m | Altitude Max : 3609m | Accommodation : Diner and night in a lodge.
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Day 4 Climb to the Goûter refuge (3817 m)
We start the day by taking the cable car in the valley to join Bellevue. From there, the Mont Blanc Tramway will take us to the Nid d'AIgle. The first step of the day will take us to the Tête Rousse refuge at 3167m. Then starts the west side ascent of the Aiguille du Goûter. It starts crossing a corridor very exposed to rockfalls. It is mandatory to follow scrupulously the guides instructions. We then join a rocky spur which we'll follow until we reach the Goûter refuge, at 3817m. A few passages requires to use your hands : cables enables to secure ourselves in the stiffest parts. from the Goûter refuge, the view on the surrounding mountains is exceptional.
Positive difference in altitude : around 1800m | Altitude Max : 3817m | Accommodation : Diner & night at the Goûter refuge.
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Day 5 Mont Blanc Ascent (4810 m)
Very early morning around 2am, quick breakfast and fast start towards the Goûter dome. We progress with our headlights, slopes are gentle and we have to have an easy and regular pace. With the night, the notion of time disappears and we will soon reach the Goûter dome at 4304m. The daylight is coming and we will almost join the Vallot refuge which isn't guarded and theoretically acts as a shelter for mountaineers in difficulty. It is often the moment where the sun rises.
We continue climbing up for a few hours, finding ourselves between sky and ground walking on a magnificent, sometimes aerial, slope. Finally, the peak appears. Here we are, standing stock-still at an altitude of 4 810 meter, open-mouthed and agog.
After absorbing the breath taking view of the 360° panorama, it’s time to come back down to the Refuge du Goûter following our tracks. We spend the night celebrating our victory.Positive difference in altitude : Around 1000m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 2400m | Altitude Max : 4810m
Dates & prices
Departures for French-speaking groups:
From | To | Price per person | Guaranteed | Booking |
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€2,090 | No | Book now! | ||
€2,090 | No | Book now! | ||
€2,090 | No | Book now! | ||
€2,090 | No | Book now! | ||
€2,090 | No | Book now! | ||
€2,090 | No | Book now! |
Trip code: AOMB
Included
- The technical organisation of the trip
- A high mountain guide's supervision : 1 guide for the group during training and 1 guide for 2 people during the ascent
- Cable cars and movements necessary to the normal progress of the program
- Accommodation in refuges half-board
- Lunch picnics
- The tunnel cards to join Grand Paradiso
Not included
- Individual transportation assured by your personal vehicle
- Individual technical equipment
- Registration fees
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc.) according to your own convenience
- Insurance : cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Travel expenses to the meeting point and dispersion point
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
International flights
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
- Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained
- Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
- Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
- Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…). You can buy some in Champex village if you need.
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring some Swiss francs for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
Transportation
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes, compass ...)
- Slippers while in huts
Material
- Mountaineering boots that you can fit crampons onto (with rigid soles)
- A comfortable mountaineering backpack (40/45L)
- Ice axe, crampons, harness with locking carabiner, helmet
- One or two collapsible walking poles (depending on what you are used to)
- A water bottle (1.5L )
- A warm hat
- A sun hat and/or a scarf
- Sun glasses for glacier, cat. 4 sun protection that are closing well on the sides + ski goggle
- A pair of warm gloves or mittens
- A pair of fleece or wool gloves or mittens
- A pair of silk gloves or mittens
- 2 or 3 breathable undershirts, preferably long sleeves (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- Fleece or heavy jacket
- Down jacket (optional but highly appreciated the summit day if the weather is very cold)
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore Tex or similar)
- A pair of comfortable mountaineering pants
- Wind and waterproof over pants (Gore Tex or similar)
- Long underwear or running tights (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- 2 pairs of socks : a warm one and a lighter one- gaiters- light-weight sleeping bag liner, preferably silk (wool covers are provided by the hut)
- Toiletries : only tooth-brush and tooth-paste- sun cream (face and lips)
- A head lamp with spare batteries and bulb
- Pocket knife
- A rain cover for your backpack (optional)
Luggage
- During the training and the climb, you will carry our own personal equipment and packed lunches in your backpack (40-45L)
- The rest of your luggage will stay in Chamonix and can be kept in another bag (travel bag)
Medicine
- Personal medication
- Pain killers (preferably Paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast (excellent to prevent blisters)
- Bandages
- Disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eye drops
- Light sleeping pills
- Ear plugs
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
Identity card
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.