Holidays
Gran Paradiso Short Break

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Holidays

Gran Paradiso Short Break

France, Italy

Available Departures: Aug, Sep

4 days from

US$1,370

without flights

View Dates & Prices

Mountaineer

Guided Group

CHALLENGING

Climb Gran Paradiso, the highest peak in Italy, in just a four day holiday

Trip Code: GPW

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

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View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

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View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

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10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

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Section:

Gran Paradiso Short Break

Highlights

Climb Gran Paradiso, the only 4000m peak entirely in Italy
Guiding ratio of 1:4 for the whole weekend
FREE Equipment hire worth £100 is available for this holiday

At a Glance

Group Size 3 to 4
4 days trekking and climbing
Max altitude - 4061 metres
Join In Aosta Valley

Accommodation & Meals

3 Breakfasts
2 Dinners
1 nights Hotel
2 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge

Overview

Our 4 day adventure holiday begins in the Aosta Valley. From here it is a short transfer to the beginning of our trek up to the Rifugio Chabod, where there is the opportunity to do some crampon skills training after lunch. A true alpine start is a rude but amazing awakening the following morning as we make our way to the top of Italy. From the Rifugio Chabod, we make the classic, easy ascent across the snow face and via an exciting rocky ridge to the summit of Gran Paradiso (4061m). Here the views extend over the Alps to the prominent peaks of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Are you short on time, but still want a big adventure? Then look no further...

Is this holiday for you?

This is real mountain travel, following good trails to the snowline and also involving sections of scrambling, snow slope climbing and glacier travel, where ropes, crampons and an ice-axe will be used. Given the non-technical nature of this mountaineering holiday and the fact that the group will be led by IFMGA guides, this trip should be feasible for novice alpinists, providing they …

You will have to carry all of your own equipment whilst trekking, however you can leave any excess luggage at the mountain hut while you summit Gran Paradiso. In practice, especially considering that neither sleeping bag nor camping mattress are needed for this trip, you should be able to keep the packed weight of your rucksack to as little as 10kg. The first and third nights are spent at a hotel in the Aosta Valley, where you can leave any travel clothes etc that you don't want to take up the mountain with you.

Please be aware that routes in the high glaciated mountain regions are subject to changing conditions and difficulties. The Alpine Guides may need to make changes to your planned route at very short notice.

Why KE?

It is very easy for us to arrange private groups on your preferred dates for this holiday (from 2 people upwards) - contact the KE office for a quote.

Or this can also be a fantastic addition to many of our alpine trekking holidays.

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

Day 1

Meet at the group's accommodation in the Aosta.

Show Details

Meet the group at our hotel in Aosta.

Accommodation

Hotel

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Day 2

Walk to Rifugio Chabod (2750m). Skills briefing / practice.

Show Details

Taxi to the parking area, Praviou Desot 1836m, from where we start the hike into the refuge. A well maintained 'zig zag' trail leads us steeply up through the forest. At Lavassey, the trees start to thin and the angle eases, as we walk on open slopes to the refuge. After checking in, the guide will do a practical outdoor skills session. The terrace gives great views of the route of ascent for the following day. A hot lunch may be purchased at hut. Showers are available.

Note: If the refuge is particularly busy, or mountain conditions dictate, the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele may be used as an alternative overnight stop.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

915 M

Time

3 - 4 hours walking

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Day 3

Climb Gran Paradiso (4061m) and descend to the Rifugio Chabod (2750m).

Show Details

A pre dawn start is required to climb this isolated peak. A good trail leads out from the refuge, soon becoming steeper as it approaches the remains of the glacier. Initially, the glacier is bare ice, becoming snow covered as altitude is gained.
Crampons, ice axes and rope will be needed to negotiate the crevassed terrain of the Lavaciau glacier. A snow-covered ridge is reached at 3700m, this makes a good resting place and is where the other route, from Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele joins.
Both routes now go up the Glacier du Mont Gran Paradiso.
The return journey is made via the same route. Once arriving back at the refuge there is time to take refreshments and gather any extra belongings, before descending to the valley. Here we meet our taxi and return to the hotel.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1320 M

Descent

2235 M

Time

10 - 11 hours walking

Distance

15 KM

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Day 4

Departure day.

Show Details

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast.

Meals

Hide Details

Download Trip Notes

The Route

Point

Direction

Walk/Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

Professional qualified IFMGA guide(s)
Accommodation as described
All land transport involved in the itinerary (not including airport transfers)
Meals as detailed in the meal plan

What's not Included

Travel Insurance
Airport transfers
Meals as described in the meal plan
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive than low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

You should arrange to meet at the group in the Aosta Valley, on Day 1 of the itinerary. Check in is from 16.00 but should you arrive early you can leave bags at reception.

The guide will meet the group after breakfast on the morning of Day 2.

Travelling by air:

There are public transport options from Geneva, Turin and Milan airports.

This includes reasonably prices options with Flix Bus.

Travelling by land:

It is possible to travel via train and bus from the UK to the Aosta Valley.

A great resource for all of the above - the website 'Rome2Rio'

www.rome2rio.com

Meal Plan

All meals except lunches are included in the trip price. Packed lunches or hill-food can be bought in the hut, or of course for a short trip such as this snack food can also be brought with you from home. On day 2 there might also be the possibility of having a hot lunch at the hut. You should allow €20 - 30 per lunch.

Food & Water

When in the towns and villages all tap water is drinkable. In mountain huts there is usually not a sustainable drinking water supply. Water in plastic bottles is brought in to the hut. All huts have a recycling point. If you have to purchase water in plastic bottles please buy the largest bottle you can so as to use less plastic. Please take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water if you can fill from a local stream. Bottled water is not provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Local authorities are working to find solutions to using plastic water bottles in huts. We monitor the situation carefully for updates.

At the hut the evening meal is 3 course and breakfasts will consist of cereal, bread, jam and tea or coffee. Packed lunches or hill-food can be bought in the huts. You should allow €20 - 30 per lunch.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Accommodation

During this trip, the group will spend 2 nights in a hotel in the Aosta Valley.. Accommodation here is in either twin or 3-person rooms, if you are travelling on your own you will be paired up with someone of the same sex. Whilst in the mountains, there is 1 night spent in mountain hut, where the accommodation is on a non-segregated, dormitory-style basis.

Group Leader & Support Staff

There will be one IFMGA guide. Guiding is at a ratio of 1:4.

Spending Money

A total of €150 should be sufficient to cover all personal expenses, including your hill-food and lunches, drinks and other incidental expenditure. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night.

Baggage Allowance

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Since group members will carry all personal equipment during the trek, it is important to keep the overall weight of this equipment to a minimum. Neither a sleeping bag nor a camping mattress is needed and it should be possible to keep the weight of your pack to under 10kg.

At the start of the holiday you will leave your main bag and travel clothes in the group accommodation.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel.

Health & Vaccinations

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Currency

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

Preparing for your Holiday

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking or climbing trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Running, cycling and swimming are good for developing better stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country.

Climate

The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, ranging from 10°C / 50°F to 25°C/ 77°F. It can be cool in the evenings at our highest overnight stopping places, falling close to freezing point at night. The weather is usually stable during June, July, August and early September, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out. You should be prepared for all eventualities!

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Books

The Alpine 4000 Metre Peaks, Classic Routes, Richard Goedeke, Diadem

Maps

Kompass Maps - Gran Paradiso and Val d'Aosta. 1:50,000

Private Groups Information

Make this KE Adventure holiday your own!

Do our normal group departure dates not fit?
Would you prefer to travel with just friends and/or family?
Are you looking to organise a trip for your local walking, biking or mountaineering club?

It's really easy to make a trip your own. Simply select from our full range of adventure holidays and choose the dates that work for you and your group.

We are experts in creating holidays for groups of friends, families, charities and clubs. Our personal service means you’ll be fully involved as we make the arrangements for your perfect adventure holiday.

Independence with Security

Travelling as a KE Private Group allows you more flexibility and choice, but still with the peace of mind that everything is pre-planned and arranged for your group by a reputable adventure travel company.

To take your first step to an amazing adventure with your friends and family complete the private group enquiry form, or call our Sales Experts on: 017687 73966

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your pack to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

Mountain Boots (see notes below)
Crampons – MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates*
Crampon bag* (when hiring crampons a bag is automatically included / can not be hired separately)
Ice Axe*
Mountaineering harness*
Screw gate karabiner x 1*
Helmet*
Trekking poles x 2 (with baskets)
Gaiters
Socks – walking socks are best (2 pairs)
Trekking Trousers (i.e. not cotton)
Waterproof overtrousers (with full leg zips)
Underwear
Thermal Base Layer x 2 (one long sleeved for glacier travel)
Fleece jacket or pullover
Waterproof jacket (with hood)
Extra warm layer – (lightweight ‘primaloft’ or down jacket)
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses – category 3 or 4
Thin gloves – leather or thermal
Warm and waterproof gloves gloves or mittens
Sleeping bag liner/sheet sleeping bag (silk is lightest)
Rucksack (30 - 40 litres should be sufficient)
Rain cover for Rucksack
Head torch with new battery in it
Sun Protection (high factor for skin)
Lip salve – with sunscreen
Water bottle - minimum 1 litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets
Small, lightweight wash kit and pack towel
Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)
Basic First Aid Kit including: Painkillers for headaches and blister treatment (zinc oxide tape and 'Compeed'). Plus an personal medication.

The following items are optional:

Thermal baselayer - leggings
Shorts (for non-glacial travel)
Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring!)
Camera
Travel Clothes (can be left at your hotel)
Travel Shoes (can be left at your hotel)
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

Mountaineering Boots - Recommended boots for this trip are comfortable, warm and sufficiently stiff to take a crampon securely (a sturdy B1 or a ‘worn in’ B2 boot is ideal). Rigid B3 boots are not neccessary for this trek - however if you already have B3 boots and are comfortable in them, they can be used on this trek (GPW).

Crampons: Modern strap on crampons (often referred to as 'New-Matic') are perfectly acceptable for this trek and will fit any boot. All crampons MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates. Grivel Crampons - G10 or G12 with a strap system are excellent and they come fitted with anti-balling plates. We do not recommend semi-automatic crampons for use with softer boots since with this system, the pull on the heel can lead to blisters. Aluminium crampons are not suitable for this trip (they are not strong enough over mixed terrain).

Equipment Hire: Equipment marked with a *can be hired from KE. This can be reserved when you book your trip or closer to your departure but we advise booking hire equipment as soon as possible to ensure availability - equipment hire must be booked through the KE office prior to your departure. Any hired equipment will be collected on arrival from your guide, we do not hire mountaineering boots, but there are several shops in Chamonix renting boots that are suitable for this trip.

Sleeping Bags are NOT required as bedding and hut shoes/slippers are provided at mountain refuges. However, you must bring a sheet sleeping bag.

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop)

Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. View >>http://www.needlesports.com/

Recommended Outdoor Retailers

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

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Where to go for a walking or cycling holiday in November

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Get in Touch

2025

Thu 14 Aug Sun 17 Aug

US$1,370 per Adult per Adult

US$425

Available

Book Now

More Information

Gran Paradiso Short Break
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: GPW /01/25/
This trip departs the UK on Thu 14 Aug returning to the UK on Sun 17 Aug

This trip begins on Thu 14 Aug and ends on Sun 17 Aug
Download Trip Notes

Tue 9 Sep Fri 12 Sep

US$1,370 per Adult per Adult

US$425

Available

Book Now

More Information

Gran Paradiso Short Break
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: GPW /02/25/
This trip departs the UK on Tue 9 Sep returning to the UK on Fri 12 Sep

This trip begins on Tue 9 Sep and ends on Fri 12 Sep
Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

Please refer to the 'Joining Arrangements & Transfers' within Holiday Information for further details.

Flights and other transport to your destination should not be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Geneva Airport which is approximately an hour's drive from Chamonix and three hours by train from Zermatt. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements and transfers' for further details.

Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Geneva. These include Easyjet who have flights from London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh & Glasgow. Other airports may be available.

If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection.

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK, low cost airlines are available to convenient airports to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Gran Paradiso Short Break

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Gran Paradiso Short Break

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

Vaccinations

GHIC / Medical cover

Make this KE Adventure holiday your own!

Independence with Security

You must bring the following items:

The following items are optional:

Notes

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop)

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DATES & PRICES

2025

More Information

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

Download Trip Notes

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