| Summer > Randonnée & Trekking >> Between Mont-Blanc and Mont Rose : |  |
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Between MONT BLANC and MONTE ROSABetween the Aosta valley and the Swiss Valais, there is a multitude of different itineraries some of which straddle the Italian/Swiss border, such as the Tour of the Matterhorn or the Tour of Monte Rosa. Our trek covers the mountainous region of the southern Swiss Valais from the Monte Rosa valleys to the foot of Mont-Blanc. It is therefore in Italy, but with a typically Swiss décor, that our six day trek takes place. The route, to the north of the Aosta valley, follows in parts the same roads as these three grand Alpine tours. We will firstly follow the route of the Alta Via, then the Tour of the Matterhorn then the Tour of Monte Rosa. The first part of the trek takes place in the heart of the little frequented Luseney massif, between Valpelline and Valtourneche. The following days, we will traverse the valleys perpendicular to the Aosta valley, separated by high cretes requiring us to cross high mountain passes: the Valtourneche, Val d’Ayas and Val de Gressoney (or Val du Lys) valleys. These last two are well known for having been colonised by the “Walsers”, an ethnic group of Germanic origins, who maintained strong ties with its community in the Valais valleys to the north, thanks to the mule trails which crossed the massif. The architecture, for example, similar to that of the Swiss Valais region, is also a noticeable feature.TECHNICAL ABILITY : This six day trek counts daily hikes of between 6-8 hours, on footpaths and trails of varied terrain, with an average daily acclivity/declivity of 1000 meters. COMFORT : 5 nights in mountain huts (of which 4 in dormitories) plus 1 night in rooms of 3-4 people.Light backpack (personal belongings for the day + the picnic). Minivan transportation of your baggage for the week (change of clothing, toiletries, etc…) between each mountain hut, except the first and third nights as the huts are not accessible by vehicle. |
Between Mont-Blanc & Mont-Rose |
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ITINERARY : THE LUSENEY MASSIF Day 1: Oyace to the Cuney hut Found between Valpelline and Valtournenche, the first stage of our trek takes us into this scarcely frequented area. After a long hike up the beautiful Vessona coomb, a succession of mountain passes takes us to the heart of a natural circus where the Cuney oratory was erected. Just next to this we find our mountain hut where we pass the night with only the baggage that we have carried. A long but beautiful first day and a charming mountain refuge in pretty surroundings. Up : 1720 m. / Down : 560 m. / Around : 8 hours. Day 2 : Cuney hut to the Prarayer hut The Cuney mountain hut looks down onto the St Barthelemy valley, which we will hike up until we reach Lake Luseney. It is here that we leave behind Alta Via and return into upper Valpelline via the Livournea pass. Opposite the high Alps of the Valais massif, we descend to the lake at Place Moulin where we find the comfortable mountain hut of Prarayer. Dominating the mountain hut is Mont Brûlé and the Dent d’Hérens which give this location its Alpine character. A day far from everything. Up : 857 m. / Down : 1500 m. / Around : 8 hours. Day 3 : Prarayer hut to the Barmasse hut The deep Valcornera coomb gently leads us to the foot of its mountain pass. Here, the path climbs very steeply to the Valcornera pass, the highest part of the trek. With the Vuillermoz mountain hut and some lakes below us, we discover the heights of Valtournenche and the beauty of its surroundings, which reward us after our efforts. Descent to the Tzingnana lake and the Barmasse mountain hut where we will spend the night. A tough day’s trek! Up : 1059 m. / Down : 897 m. / Around : 7 hours. THE TRANSVERSALS VALLEYS Day 4 : Barmasse hut to the Grand Tournalin hut A day spent under the gaze of the Matterhorn. After an enjoyable descent to the village of Valtournenche, where many mountain guides who have made part of alpine history have been born, we reach the opposite side of the valley in order to find Alta Via. In crossing the Fontaines and Nana mountain passes, we can admire much of the Alps from Mont-Blanc to Monte Rosa. Short descent to the Grand Tournalin mountain hut. Beauty all the way! Up : 854 m. / Down : 1285 m. / Around : 7 hours. Day 5 : Grand Tournalin hut to Crest The Val d’Ayes, still called the “the German canton” due to its colonisation by the Walsers in the Middle Ages, will be the setting for this penultimate stage of our trek. A much appreciated easy day will allow us to discover this particular civilisation. We are now following the route taken during the Tour of Monte Rosa. After St Jacques, a pleasant mule trail in the forest, we hike up to the alpine village of Souzoun, then to Crest where we will find our “refuge”. Up : 911 m. / Down : 650 m. / Around : 4,5 hours. |
Day 6 : Crest to Gressoney Saint-Jean Above Crest, we will pass by the village of Cuneaz which was still inhabited by the Walsers right up to the beginning of the 20th century. Faced with these wooden houses, we could easily be led to believe that we were in the Swiss Valais. The trail then leads us through meadows and by cliff faces in a high valley which takes us, via a steep path, to the Pinter mountain pass. The descent continues through rich meadows, by the famous path which joined the Walsers villages, as far as Gressonay Saint-Jean, the main location of the Lys valley, dominated by Monte Rosa. End of the trek. Up : 911 m. / Down : 246 m. / Around : 5,5 hours. "NB" : THE MOUNTAIN OR TREKKING GUIDE MAY HAVE TO MODIFY THE PROGRAMME DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS THE SUPERVISION : The group will made up of a maximum of 10 participants per trekking guide. From the 11th participant we will provide a second trekking guide, also State qualified, in order to guarantee maximum security and comfort, as well as better dialogue and transmission of information. RENDEZVOUS : Day 1, 7am in Chamonix. An optional meeting with your trekking guide is arranged for 6pm the evening before departure at the guide company DEPARTURE DATES FOR SUMMER 2010 : 18th July PRICE 2010 : 695€ per person. This price includes: - The supervision and organisation of the trek - Half-board dormitory accommodation in mountain huts, plus the picnics - Transportation of your baggage to the mountain huts when possible - The transfers to and from Chamonix This price does not include: - Drinks and personal expenditure (souvenirs) FORMALITIES : Valid passport or Identity card MISCELLANEOUS : Plan for personal expenses in Swiss francs and Euros INSURANCE : Each supervising professional is self-employed and possesses professional Civil Liability (SNAM). La Compagnie des Guides Voyages is covered by Organisational Civil Liability (APRIAM Mutuelles du Mans): As such, we are able to offer - Repatriation insurance - Cancellation insurance In addition, you are strongly advised to take out personal insurance e.g. Carte Neige (ask for details). We ask the hereunder deposit payment at the reservation. The remaining has to be paid 21 days before the beginning of the course. |
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