Mont Blanc 6-day climbing course
5.0
(3)
Join a certified guide, on this 6-day Mont Blanc climbing course and raise your chances to summit the highest peak in the Alps!
Alps
6 Days
Jun - Sep
High
Intermediate
Description
This 6-day Mont Blanc climbing course will help you reach the summit of the highest peak in the Alps!
The Mont Blanc (4810 m) is located in the border between Italy and France. It’s the highest mountain in the Alps and in western Europe, and it’s one of the most famous peaks to summit on Earth!
But although it may seem like an easy hike from above, it’s in fact a very hard high-altitude mountaineering experience, that requires a very good fitness level and some technical mountaineering skills. Plus, you’ll need to have previous acclimatization.
So, in this 6-day course we will show you how to build your “Mont Blanc project”. You will learn roping, crampons and glacier walking techniques. We will sleep in high altitude mountain hut to get your body used to the lack of oxygen. We’ll also guide you through acclimatization climbs to prepare your body and mind.
It will be a great experience, where you’ll be learning and exchanging mountaineering knowledge and at the end of the week, we’ll attempt the Mont Blanc ascent.
There are two routes that we can follow:
- The Dôme du Goûter and the Arête des Bosses,
- The Trois Monts (Mont Tacul, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc) leaving from the Aiguille du Midi.
Sounds like an amazing weekend? It is! Send us a request and we’ll make this 6-day Mont Blanc climbing course a memorable experience!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Mountain guide expenses
- Rope
- Harness
- Helmet
- Lifts tickets
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Trekking poles
Price details
- We take care of the huts reservation and of the ticket facilities booking.
- We can offer extra services to support you for the planning of accommodations and logistics before and after the trip: these extra fees are not included and have to be paid on the spot.
- PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Mountaineering boots (to be rented, paid and collected by customer at rental shops in the area one day before the trip)
- Extra meals, water and beverages/drinks for the clients and the Guide
- Transportation to the starting point
- Transport during the trip
- Luggage transfer and storage during the trip
- Research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days
- Personal Insurance- Anything that is not mentioned under "Price Includes"
- Anything that is not mentioned under "Price Includes"
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1:
Difference in altitude: 900 m Ascent time: 2/3 h Meeting point: meet in Pravieux (Valsavarenche, AO) at 2.30 pm for an equipment check and a short briefing.
From the parking lot we start our 6-day adventure following the forest trail that leads to the Chabod refuge (2,710 m): the hike to the refuge is on an easy trail and will take about 2.30 hours. Before dinner, the Guide will give a quick briefing on the necessary equipment, its use on the route and check the backpacks for the climb. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 2:
Difference in altitude: 1300 m Ascent/descent time: 10/11 h
At 3.00 we wake up for breakfast, to immediately attack the Normal Route to the summit of Gran Paradiso. After a short break on the “Schiena d'Asino”, we will tackle the last part of the excursion, which requires good confidence in the use of crampons on steep and icy slopes; after a short section of climbing on rocks, we finally reach the statue of the Madonna on the summit of Gran Paradiso, at 4,061 m. In the early afternoon we return to the Chabod refuge, where we allow ourselves a well-deserved rest. We will spend a second night at over 2,500 m, to increase the acclimatization to the altitude and recover after the efforts of the summit.
Day 3:
Difference in altitude: -900 m Ascent/descent time: 2 h
On the third day, after breakfast at the refuge, we will descend slowly to Pravieux. For this day we keep flexible options, depending on the level of tiredness of the client after the experience at the summit. Among the various possibilities, we can do an easy hike to the Vittorio Emanuele Refuge (3 hours of walking more at about the same altitude), or descend to tackle some climbing passages on the cliff in Valsavarenche. Finally, we can choose to dedicate the day to complete rest. Night in a B&B (Pont Valsavarenche, Introd village, Saint Pierre or Aosta city).
Day 4:
Difference in altitude: 1,450 m Ascent time: 2/3 h Meeting point: meet in Courmayeur for equipment check and short briefing.
Transfer by car to Les Houches and ascent with the Bellevue cable car. Walk to the Tête Rousse Refuge (3,167 m), reachable in about 3 hours. Dinner and overnight stay in the refuge.
Day 5:
Difference in altitude: 1660 m Ascent time: 11/12 h
We leave from the Tête Rousse refuge at around 3:00 in the morning, so as to cross the “Grand Couloir” in the coldest hours, with the least risk of falling rocks. We arrive at the Goûter refuge (3,817 m) for a short break before tackling the decisive climb to the summit of Mont Blanc, which we will reach by passing through the Dôme du Goûter, the Vallot hut and, finally, along the splendid Cresta des Bosses.
We will return to the Goûter refuge for a well-deserved dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6:
Difference in altitude: -2050 m Ascent/descent time: 5 h
Wake up at the Goûter refuge: we leave early in time to cross the “Grand Couloir” in the best conditions and reach the Tête Rousse for breakfast, before returning to Les Houches, descending along the same itinerary as the first day.
Once we reach the parking lot, we will have time for a good lunch and a beer to celebrate the summit with the Guide.
We recommend that clients stay overnight in Chamonix, to avoid the risk of missing transportation (train or flight) in case of late arrival at the end of the excursion.
Details
More info
The indicated price is the starting price for a 6-day trip.
For a 2-day trip the price is 1200€ and for a 3-day trip the price is 1500€.
Please note that I can only take one client on the Trois Monts route.
Not included in the price: The lift passes, accommodation in the valley, transfers, overnight at the refuge, drinks and meals at the refuges and during outings, and costs of the guide at the responsibility of the client(s).
You can rent climbing equipment in Chamonix.
We can arrange to do a crampon-walking practice if you feel you lack the experience.
FAQs
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
In the months leading up to the Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso trip, we recommend consistent training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness. When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff: the Guide provides it on the day of departure. The gear for rental includes a mountaineering helmet, mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, and crampons ( 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, with rigid soles, warm and comfortable (please avoid bringing new ones, if you have never used them 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.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Absolutely no porters are expected for the ascent to either Mont Blanc or Gran Paradiso. Each participant should bring a personal backpack and technical equipment, including thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.
Can I join a group?
No, due to the guide-to-client ratio, we only accept private requests for this trip. If you are a group of more than 2 people, we have more Guides available to undertake the adventure. We will be happy to support your group with other professionals on our team!
How experience do I need to be to do this program? What are your requirements for me to join this adventure?
Our Mont Blanc program is designed to give you the highest chances to reach the Mont Blanc summit. If you don't have any particular mountaineering experience, during the first few days, we will focus on the main techniques needed to reach Mont Blanc. Please note that physical effort will be intense, so it requires a good fitness level and serious preparation during the months leading up to the trip. Cardiovascular training is very important, with at least 2 to 3 sessions per week of running, biking, or swimming.
Who is taking care of booking the huts?
Our team will take care of every detail of the trip, including huts and lift ticket reservations.
What gear do I need to have with me? Will you provide part of it? Where do you recommend me to rent the equipment I don't have and that you don't provide?
We will provide you with:
- a helmet
- harness
- crampons
- ice axe
You shall have only your personal clothing, suitable for the ascent of Mont Blanc, including technical mountaineering boots.
What happens if we are 2 for the ascent and the 2nd climber can't make it to the summit? Will we turn back?
If a climber can't make it to the summit, the whole group will go back. For safety reasons, no clients will be abandoned or left alone on the glacier.
I feel that I'm not ready yet for this challenge. Do you offer an easier program where I can prepare myself?
Yes sure. We recommend you this 4-day mountaineering tour designed for beginners - https://www.explore-share.com/trip/beginner-mountain-climbing-around-Mont-Blanc/ - It takes place in the Mt Blanc range, on the Italian side. It's a great tour to learn the basics of mountaineering and to have a first experience on a glacier, sleeping in a mountain hut above 2,500 m, etc.
What additional costs should I consider?
The hiring of the trek poles and the renting of the boots are NOT included. If needed, the renting of the boots has to be done by the customers before the trip to one of the shops in Gressoney. We will send you more details in case of need.
The costs for beverages and extra meals for the clients and the Guide are NOT included and have to be covered on the spots, sharing the guide’s fee between all the participants.
Transfer to the meeting point and during the trip are NOT included.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
-PeaksHunter
4.7
(368)
Mountain Guide
Giving and receiving smiles, seeing the satisfaction on the faces of our customers, seeking opportunities for growth, stimulating authenticity in personal and group relationships, in sharing mountaineering disciplines, fears, efforts, and moments of difficulty, which are part of the integrated with experiences, essential ingredients of every summit climb: these are our focus, our beliefs, and our most important results, as outdoor Professionals and as people who love the mountains and their work as Alpine Guides!
Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides is a team of IFMGA-certified Mountain Professionals and outdoor activities experts, based in the town of Aosta, not far from Courmayeur-Chamonix, on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif.
We live and work in the beautiful Aosta Valley region, very close to French and Swiss borders near to Geneva, Milan, and Turin international airports.
Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Dufourspitze, Pyramide Vincent and Regina Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Lyskamm, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits you can climb with us: most of our team of Guides were born and grew up close to these mountains and they have explored the ascent routes several times during different seasons, with skis or crampons!
- We love our work: we plan all our trips with great commitment and deep respect for the Alpine environment, for its inhabitants, and its territories. Including local traditions in different valleys and Alpine areas.
- We love Mountain, Nature, and Outdoor activities, that we like to share with people from all around the world. We are enthusiastic to meet like-minded adventurers and share new experiences and memorable emotions with the support of our Mountain Guides.
- Safety and Risk Management are essential for us, as elements of fundamental importance during every single trip we plan and carry out with our customers: for this reason, we offer introductory courses to the different alpine disciplines (Mountaineering, Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Ski mountaineering, Freeride, Rescue Crevasse, and Avalanche) to convey awareness and responsibility to our customers.
- We offer solid Experience, with several years organizing outdoor disciplines around mountain and wild areas, in many different countries of Italy and Europe, for individuals or groups, including 7-day customer support for booking, logistics, and personal assistance for planning and reservations.
- As certified Mountain Guides, we offer training courses, to improve technical skills and to learn basic knowledge about mountaineering in the Alps, which is essential to explore and climb the Mountains safely in any situation or conditions.
- We are happy to provide customized programs for every customer's demand: our Experience is synonymous with Professionalism and Customer Care to guarantee unforgettable emotions and beautiful smiles!
Fulfill your dreams, discover breathtaking views or simply enjoy an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will carry out your trip as you desire to live it!
Let’s plan your next mountain project together!
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about this trip
Rob
Our guides Elis and Paulo were Stupefacente! (amazing!). Thanks again to Peaks Hunter, Elis & Paulo (who came over straight from Mont Blanc the same day!) for moving our climb day (due to weather changing), and leading our group on a fantastic experience! We will be back!
Robbie
Michele was an amazing guide & was so professional in our successful summit of Mont Blanc His knowledge of the mountains was incredible & the 3 days we spent was so enjoyable. He was calm & understood my pace, I learned some technical stuff also. Summiting Mont Blsnc was everything I imagined & more & summiting on my bday made the experience 100 times more memorable Really looking forward to doing more with you guys soon, Matterhorn next I think thank you.
Mario
Very demanding climb to the peaks of Italy and France, circuit well designed to prepare for the altitude and physical demands. Guide dedicated to security, not so much to managing individual expectations and capabilities. Stunning scenery, well-equipped and located mountain shelters.
weiwei
ça vaut beaucoup plus ce que je pensais Cette excusions Mon guide Montagne jacopo C'est un entraîneur d'alpinisme supérieur et invincible. C'est un homme avec des ailes. Sur ses ailes, il m'a emmené faire l'expérience de la perspective d'un immense sommet de montagne. Que normalement je peux jamais moi-même l'expérience ultime de survoler les avant-toits... Plusieurs dimensions d'amélioration cognitive... Cette expérience de pointe restera dans mon esprit et apportera au point de départ motivationdans le futur. Et après tu retourner dans le sens de bons techniques et bon chemin Tu repartez avec l’expérience conseil de expector Avec petits pas à pas, rentré de réaliste déplacé de tout imaginer de impossible , de venir visible Il m'a aussi donné une inspiration psychologique. Enfin il m'a dit : La vie est pour l'expérience, pas pour la perfection. Les deux les deux troisième choix flexible Ce n'est que le début d'un plateau supérieur du nouveau monde, juste à partir de là ; le point le plus élevé du monde pour... commencer. Le plus important c'est de sortir et de s'essayer. Si tu ne sors pas, comment vas-tu faire le trapèze... Comment apprendre à nager si tu n'entres pas dans l'eau ? Freestyle…
Wei
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