Breithorn, Pennine Alps, Guided Ascent

The Breithorn ascent doesn’t require any particular previous mountaineering experience; on the contrary, this is the perfect choice for those seeking a first 4,000-meter experience. Of course, some previous knowledge of the mountains is a plus.

About your fitness, you should consider an effort of 5/6 hours in a day. Therefore, a good workout in the months leading up to the trip is recommended so that you can experience the adventure to the fullest and not get too fatigued.

In the months leading up to the trip, we recommend some training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness. When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training routine you should follow.

The technical equipment is included in this trip. We will provide it to you on the day of departure during the initial briefing. The equipment consists of the helmet, harness, ice axes and crampons crampons. In addition, the guide will bring the common safety material, such as rope and carabiners.

All you need to bring is your personal clothing, which has to be suitable for glacier and high mountain environments, including technical mountaineering boots and trekking poles. After your booking confirmation, we will provide you with a list of recommended clothing. If you need anything, we will refer you to some rentals where you can hire the necessary equipment, such as mountaineering boots and trekking poles.

No porters will come on this ascent. Each participant should bring a personal backpack and technical equipment, including a thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.

Please consider that weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and, especially in recent years due to climate change, the conditions are not always the best for a safe ascent. In such cases, because safety is our priority, we will propose an alternative trip to nearby mountains with better conditions. Note that you are booking our availability for the duration of the tour; this means that it will not be possible to cancel due to poor conditions. We will be careful to arrange an experience that lives up to your expectations. We understand that this may be a frustrating outcome, however, safety is a top priority, and every mountain has a lesson to teach.

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them:

• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers mountain activities, such as specific insurance for rescue and research; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.

• There are no specific vaccine requirements for this trip, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer a need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative test results.

• We finally invite all non-EU citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter Italy.

The maximum number of clients per single guide is five, thus giving a ratio of 1:5. This is the maximum number in order to ensure your safety and that of the guide. If you are in a group of more than five people, we have more guides available to undertake the adventure.

The best time to do this adventure is between June and October.

Yes, you can choose to book a private tour or decide to join a group, to reduce the costs.

We have already confirmed and planned group trips, departing in 2024, on the following dates:

May: 5-19-26

June: 9-23

July: 7-21

August: 4-15-18

September: 1-8

Before confirming a group tour, please remember that you will share the ascent with other climbers, that could have a different fitness level and previous experience than you. The guide will be responsible for the entire team and may decide not to attempt the summit if only 1 participant has physical problems or isn’t fit enough to respect the timetable for ascent and descent. The decision to share a trip with others to reduce the total costs requires accepting being part of a team, in which adaptation and capacity for mutual support are essential requirements for all participants.

If you evaluate that your fitness level and your technical skills are too low or inadequate for the abilities and efforts that this ascent requires, you probably should choose a PRIVATE trip, as this will be the best option for you.

The meeting point is Breuil-Cervinia, in the Aosta Valley (Italy). If you are not familiar with this area let us give you some more information: Aosta Valley is the smallest but highest region in Italy.

You can reach Aosta Valley from three countries:

• Italy: the nearest airports are Caselle in Turin, Malpensa in Milan, and Orio al Serio in Bergamo. Once you land you can reach Aosta Valley by train (Trenitalia national services), bus (Flixbus and Arriva operate coach run every day), private transfer, or by renting a car.

• France: by car, bus, or private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel.

• Switzerland: by car or private transfer, passing through the Great St. Bernard Tunnel.

To get around the Aosta Valley, if you don't have a car and don't want to use private transfers, you can rely on the regional bus service, with daily runs to all municipalities of the Aosta Valley. For instance, you can reach Breuil-Cervinia by bus from Aosta or Saint Vincent.

The meeting with the guide on the first day will be at around 7.00-7.30 am at the ticket office of the cable car. The trip will take 6-7 hours in total. We will be back at the parking area at around 3.00-3.30 pm.

Renting of the boots (around 20-22€/day). If needed, the renting has to be done by the customers the day before the trip in one of the shops in Cervinia. We will send you more details if necessary.

After the ascent, we generally have a break (light lunch) at del Cervino hut, to have something to eat together and celebrate the day with a beer with the guide. The costs for the lunch and beverages are NOT included and have to be covered on the spot, sharing the guide’s fee between all the participants.

Yes, the ascent could be done even by young people (the minimum age is 12-14 years, depending on fit and skills). They must be accompanied by at least 1 parent. We ask both parents to fill and sign a release form for their children, with the privacy consent and self-declaration of responsibility.

The transfer to the starting point (Cervinia) is NOT included. The lift ticket to reach Plateau Rosa is included in the price.

Yes, you can reach Breuil-Cervinia by bus from Aosta or Saint Vincent.