Gran Paradiso Guided Ascent- All Inclusive

The Gran Paradiso doesn’t require you to have particular technical mountaineering skills. Of course, some previous knowledge and hiking of the mountains are a must. During the ascent on the glacier, you need to use crampons and an ice axe, be roped in progression with the guide, have confidence with the technical equipment, and have done some practice.

Because of recent conditions on the glacier (due to climate changes of the last 3 years), a good physical level and some previous experience in mountaineering activities are basic skills that are better to have. In particular, it could be useful to have some confidence in progression with crampons on glaciers and some previous hiking ability, even on snow and ice, to be safe on steep and have no fear on the crampons, even on rock passages.

This is why we suggest having a 1-day introduction to mountaineering on a glacier if you are a beginner or have never been on a mountain over 3,500m. See the following link: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/1-day-glacier-travel-on-mont-blanc-beginner-program/

Regarding your fitness, you should consider that Gran Paradiso is a quite demanding adventure, especially on the second day, in which we will walk for 8/9 hours. 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 consistent training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness (running, hiking, biking). When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training.

The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff; the guide provides it on the day of departure, after the starting briefing. The gear for rental includes a mountaineering helmet, mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, crampons, and trekking poles (only if you don’t have yours).

In addition, the guide will bring the common safety gear, such as rope, ice screws, daisy chains, and carabiners.

All you need to check and bring is your personal mountaineering clothing, including technical mountaineering boots, waterproof, and rigid soles (please avoid bringing new ones you have never used before the ascent!). After your booking confirmation, we will send a complete and detailed list of recommended equipment and clothing and if you need anything for rent, we will recommend some shops where you can hire the necessary gear. Boots renting is around 20-22€/day, and trekking poles are 8-10€/day.

Absolutely no porters are expected for 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.

We will take care of the accommodation booking that includes the overnight stay at the Federico Chabod Hut with half-board formula, which includes breakfast and dinner, but not the beverages/drinks or the extra meals.

A packed lunch is provided for the summit day.

Any other extra meals and all the beverages (water, beer, sparkling beverages, etc.) are NOT included and have to be covered by the customers directly on the spot for them and for the guide too.

Please consider that weather and conditions can change unexpectedly, especially in recent years due to climate change. There are not always the best conditions for a safe ascent. In such cases, because your and our safety is our priority, we will propose an alternative trip to nearby mountains with better conditions. Note that you are booking the guide’s availability for the duration of the tour, which 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; please read them carefully before confirming the booking.

• It is strongly recommended to have rescue and research insurance; 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 for each guide is 4 (ratio 1:4). This is the maximum number in order to ensure safety during the trip and it is established by local regulations. We are not going to take more than 4 people for each guide.

If you are a group of more than 4 people, we have more guides available to undertake the adventure. We will be happy to support your group with other professionals on our team!

The best time to do this ascent is from the end of May to the end of September. If conditions are good, the ascent could be done even till the end of October, by overnight staying at the winter hut; in this case, you have to plan to bring extra food with you (the winter hut has a wood stove, blankets, and crockery for the cook).

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 2023, on the following dates:

• September 23rd

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

If you evaluate your fitness level and your technical skills as too low or inadequate to the abilities and efforts that this demanding ascent requires, you probably should take the PRIVATE trip, as the best option for you.

The meeting point is at Pravieux village (Valsavarenche Valley - Italy), in the hearth of Gran Paradiso National Park. If you are not familiar with this area, let us give you some more information.

Depending on your country of origin, you can decide to reach Aosta Valley arriving from:

• Italy; the nearest airports are Turin Caselle or Milan (Malpensa or Orio al Serio). Once you arrive at the airport, you can move to Aosta Valley by train (Trenitalia national services), by bus (Flixbus and Arriva operate coach run every day), by private transfer, or (better choice) by renting a car.

• France; Geneva Airport (Switzerland) is the closest to Chamonix (around 90km), so it only takes about 2hr to drive; you can move to Aosta Valley by car, by bus, or by private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel.

• Switzerland; Geneva Airport is the closest to Chamonix (around 90km), so it only takes about 1hr 20 mins to drive. You can move to Aosta Valley by car, bus, or private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel. Also, Lausanne Airport is the closest to Aosta (around 150km), so it only takes about 2hr 10 mins to drive by car or private transfer, passing through the Great St. Bernard Tunnel.

To get around 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 Aosta Valley.

The meeting with the guide on the first day will be around 2.30-3.00 pm at the parking area in Pravieux village (Valsavarenche Valley - Italy); please remember to check the bus timetable, in case you need to reach the meeting point by public transport starting from Aosta bus station. If you need a private transfer, please check it in advance; we can support you, but we need to know in advance of your time arrival in Aosta. This extra service is NOT included and has to be covered on the spot by the customers.

Time back to the parking area on the second day is around 4.00-4.30 pm.

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

The renting of the boots (around 20-22€/day) is NOT included. If needed, the renting has to be done by the customers before the trip in one of the shops in Aosta. We will send you more details in case of need.

After the ascent, we generally have a break (light lunch) out back to the refuge, to have something to eat together and a beer to celebrate the experience with the guide. The costs for the lunch and beverages are NOT included and have to be covered on the spots, sharing the guide’s fee between all the participants.

The ideal place to stay the night before and after of the tour is in Aosta or somewhere in Aosta Valley. But since the meeting time on day 1 is at 2.30 pm in Valsavarenche, and on the last day we go back there at 4pm, it's also possible to stay before and after in Turin, Milan, Chamonix or Geneva (as long as you can secure transportation to get on time to the meeting point).

All transfers are included on the trip price. However, transportation to the meeting point at the parking area in Pravieux village (Valsavarenche Valley - Italy) is NOT included.

Depending on your country of origin, you can decide to reach Aosta Valley arriving from:

• Italy; the nearest airports are Turin Caselle or Milan (Malpensa or Orio al Serio). Once you arrive at the airport, you can move to Aosta Valley by train (Trenitalia national services), by bus (Flixbus and Arriva operate coach run every day), by private transfer, or (better choice) by renting a car.

• France; Geneva Airport (Switzerland) is the closest to Chamonix (around 90km), so it only takes about 2hr to drive; you can move to Aosta Valley by car, by bus, or by private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel.

• Switzerland; Geneva Airport is the closest to Chamonix (around 90km), so it only takes about 1hr 20 mins to drive. You can move to Aosta Valley by car, bus, or private transfer from Chamonix, passing through the Mont Blanc tunnel. Also, Lausanne Airport is the closest to Aosta (around 150km), so it only takes about 2hr 10 mins to drive by car or private transfer, passing through the Great St. Bernard Tunnel.

To get around 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 Aosta Valley.