Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome and pick from Lyon, drive to Vanoise

Day 2

Tour of the Aiguille de la Vanoise
This is an ideal warm-up to the week and introduction to the region. You'll catch the cable car upto the Mont Bocher (2023m) before trekking around the base of the stunning rock spire aiguille de la Vanoise sculpted and polished by ice. At the Col de la Vanoise (2517m), you'll come face to face with the Grande Casse with its gleaming tongue of ice lapping at the crystal lake at its base. Our return walk passes beneath gleaming limestone cliffs decorated with amazing waterfalls

Day 3

Petit Mont Blanc (2677m)
This walk leaves Pralognan on the opposite side of the valley to day 2 and rises sharply through rich alpine meadows before climbing onto the Petit Mont Blanc where the views of the surrounding peaks are outstanding. The peak is a real geological lesson with curious sink-holes giving the impression of a lunar landscape, whilst our return path flirts with deep ravines sculpted in the gypsum rocks.

Day 4

2 day tour between ice and rock
Our trek starts from near the pretty village of Champagny le Haut. (1670m) We continue along the valley in the shadow of the austere north face of the Grande Casse before climbing to the Col de la Grassaz (2637m). We'll descend to stay at the Refuge d'Entre-le-Lac. (2160m) under the watchful eye of Mont Pourri.

Day 5

2 day tour between ice and rock
The next day is an easier day as we return to our departure point by the Col du Plan Sery (2609m) surrounded by beautiful alpine peaks rising on all sides.

Day 6

Roc de la Valette (2629m)
Our objective for the day lies opposite the Petit Mont Blanc and allows us to walk along underneath and within touching distance of the ice plateau of the Vanoise Glacier. The walk starts and finishes at Pralognan.

Day 7

Eastern Vanoise
We'll take a tour to the eastern side of the National Park, where we have a choice of walks (depending on weather and snow conditions), including a tour leading from Le Manchet (1946m). We'll climb gradually to the Col de la Rocheure (2911m) at the base of amazing glaciated peaks. A wild and beautifully desolate landscape.

Day 8

Departure and return to Lyon

Extra Information

Inclusions -

7 nights accommodation

Exclusions -

Cable car on day 2

Extras -

This holiday is a real alpine week with stunning walks, which, despite their moderate altitudes, provide a high mountain feel. Less frequented than the Mont Blanc range, this stunning alpine region offers a quieter but no less spectacular alternative. Designated a National Park, it offers an ideal natural, unspoilt wilderness for walking where souring alpine peaks with pristine glaciers rise majestically above wild, remote valleys.
The park is home to a great many high alpine peaks including a few that rise above the Vanoise glacier, the largest glacial plateau in western Europe. The highest point of the park is the resplendent Grande Casse which sits at the head of the valley from Pralognan, our base for part of the week. It’s an amazing location surrounded by immense rock walls which glow pink in the evening sun.
Don’t forget your binoculars, as there are a host of protected species including ibex, chamois, the famous alpine bouquetin and the golden eagle. Among the nationally protected plants, there are about ten species of androsace and the last French stronghold of the twinflower.
Walking
The holiday is ideal for those with some mountain walking experience looking for a first alpine holiday. Most of our walks will be one day circuits, exploring different parts of the park. You’ll also do a 2-day trek staying overnight in a mountain refuge. The holiday is graded moderate/challenging. The paths are generally good although they are mountainous in nature and often exposed. You should have a moderate to good level of fitness. You could have to cross small patches of snow at this time of year. 6 days multi-centre-based, guided walking. Altitude maximum 3015m, average 1500m - 2600m. Average: length 6-7 hrs, altitude gain 850m.

Accommodation
You’ll be staying in one or two small guest houses in Pralognan and/or Champagny in the western Vanoise. They are traditional alpine style hostelries providing a warm welcome and serving great local specialities. Our 2 day walk will involve a night at a mountain refuge, where the standard is more basic with dormitories of more than two persons. However, the warm welcome and the unique experience of hut life more than helps to compensate: the mix of people, the high mountain air, the clear night sky, the wholesome cuisine etc