overview
The Alps contain 82 mountains rising above 4000m and the monumental Monte Rosa Massif includes 22 of these peaks! On this trip we will learn from the Alps! We will have the chance to reach the top of Pyramide Vincent 4350m as a warm up and to get more confident with using our crampons and Ice Axes while roped together. On the second day, in the early hours, we will start climbing, slowly but surely, to reach the fourth highest mountain of the massif, Punta Gnifetti 4554m (aka Signalkuppe). Our third day will be set aside for some rest, fun and rock climbing in the Aosta Valley. After some rest and getting our equipment ready, we will be off to start our expedition for two days to the Top of Alps, Mont Blanc 4808m!
Day 1 | 21 July
Transfer from Geneva or Milan airport to Aosta village 583m
Check in to Mille Luce Hotel in Aosta then Welcome dinner in one of the famous pizzeria in town
Day 2| 22 July
Reaching the Top of PYRAMIDE VINCENT 4350m
We will start climbing up from Indren Glacier 3275m to Mantova Hut 3498m to drop part of our equipment. Continue climbing up to the top of Pyramide Vincent 4350m
Return to sleep at Mantova Hut | Total Altitude Gain: 1075m
Day 3 | 23 July
Reaching the Top of PUNTA GNIFETTI 4554m
Early morning, we climb up to Punta Gnifetti (approx. 5.5 hours)
Back to Aosta – Sleep at hotel* in Aosta | Total Altitude Gain: 1056m
Day 4| 24 July
Rest, Fun and Rock Climbing in Aosta area
Active rest day in the Valley d’Aosta area coupled with some fun rock climbing and mouthwatering Italian food – Sleep at hotel* in Aosta
Day 5 | 25 July
Ascent to Goûter Hut 3835m
Early morning departure from Aosta to Chamonix – 1h by car. Then transfer by skyway & train.
Start climbing from Nid d’Aigle 2362m to Goûter Hut. Overnight sleep or stay (as we don’t really sleep but relax our eyes)! **Ratio 1 Guide per 2 climbers | Total Altitude Gain: 1473m
Day 6 | 26 July
Reach the Top of the Alps, Mont Blanc 4808m
Wake up at 2am (or 1am) depending on the conditions of weather & glacier.
Ascend to the Top of Mont Blanc – Descend to Chamonix **Ratio 1 Guide per 2 climbers
Sleep at hotel*or hostel in Chamonix | Total Altitude Gain: 973m
Day 7| July 27
Back to Geneva
Transfer via Taxi or Bus
- July 21 – 27, 2023 (Group of 4 pers, 2 spots available)
July 29 – August 4 (Group of 4 pers, 4 spots available)
Cost: £ 3,350 (2023 Summer Discount) / AED 15,281 per person
Deposit: £ 1,000 / AED 4560 per personCosts Include:
- Welcome dinner in Aosta
- All transfers between Aosta and Chamonix to reach the trailheads
- Rock Climbing activity
- All lodging while trekking: Gouter Hut 1 night & Mantova Hut 1 night
- Accommodations at the hotel for 3 nights in Aosta and 1 night in Chamonix
- All meals while trekking
- Skyway Mont Blanc & Ski lifts Monte Rosa
- Certified mountain guide
Costs Do Not Include:
- Accommodations at the hotel for 3 nights in Aosta and 1 night in Chamonix
- Airport pick up upon arrival from Geneva or Milan to Aosta
- Airport Drop off from Chamonix to Geneva or Milan airport
- Personal items (see Equipment list)
- Wire transfer fee
- Meals in Chamonix
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bottled or canned beverages
- Trip cancelation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
- Any costs as the result of an early departure from the program
- Tips for guide & staff
Cancellation/Refund Policy
- There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of MounTurtle.
- Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
- Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
- MounTurtle operated by JOYCE AZZAM Project Management Services, LLC highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
- Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, MounTurtle must adhere to a stringent refund policy
- Deposit due with registration materials
- All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified
- Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition
Note: JOYCE AZZAM Project Management Services, LLC reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer personalized service, we will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Deposits paid by participants acknowledge the above cancellation terms
Please note that MounTurtle provide all technical equipment during the expedition such as harness, crampons, ice Axe and ropes.
Base Layers
- Synthetic Short Underwear (2-3 pair): non-cotton style underwear
- Lightweight Long Underwear (1-2 pair): long sleeve shirt and long pants
- Heavyweight Long Underwear (1 pair)
- Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt (1-2)
Mid Layer
- Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
- Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
- Lightweight Nylon Pants (1-2 pair)
Waterproof/Rain Layers
- Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
- Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants
Insulation Layers
- Insulated Down Jacket with hood
- Insulated Pants (optional)
Headwear
- Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
- Balaclava: to protect your neck and face in high winds
- Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
- Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun
Eyewear
- Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around
- Ski Goggles (optional): to be worn in the event of high winds
Gloves
- Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer Gloves: for wearing on a hot day
- Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
- Shell Glove with Insulated Liner: to wear for severe cold/strong wind
Footwear
- Liner Socks (3 pairs)
- Wool or Synthetic Socks (3 pairs)
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: comfortable boots for approach
- Mountaineering boots
Sleeping Equipment
- Sleeping Bag liner silk or cotton
- Earplugs
Trekking Gear
- Trekking Backpack
- Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
- Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
- Trekking Poles with optional Snow Baskets: adjustable poles
- Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries
Travel Items
- Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
- Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen
- Euros cash: for currency exchange to purchase SIM cards or merchandise in cities and villages
Additional Food Items
- Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc.
variety of salty and sweet is good
Other Equipment
- Water Bottles (2): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
- Sunscreen: SPF 50 or better
- Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
- Toiletry Bag: include small towel, toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
- Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, cough drops, etc.
- Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone
- Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)
Optional Electronics
- Country-appropriate power plug adapters and power transformers
- Personal Power System and/or Solar Power System
- Digital Entertainment: movies, tv shows, music, books loaded on to smartphone, iPad, Kindle
- Camera: bring extra batteries, charger, and memory cards
MounTurtle stands out by offering delicious balanced meals, Medical Check & oximeter, weather forecast, GPS-tracking online.
MOUNTURTLE is recognized for well thought out strategy in leading high altitude climbing expeditions, as well as high-quality service throughout. We have two decades of experience in the planning and coordination of mountaineering expeditions, our reputation is excellent. We strive to make each expedition the best possible experience for our climbers and focus on our 3 primary goals of success in reaching the summit, returning safely, and having fun! Safety is always our number one priority.
Our guides are some of the best and most experienced in the industry, having a strong grasp of technical climbing, expedition, and high altitude experience, along with strong interpersonal skills. Our teams are small and equipped with the best support available to ensure the highest chance of success. We are renowned for our comfortable base camps, high-quality food, first-rate communications, and medical support services, all of which are overseen by a professional member of our team.
Most of our climbers have either climbed with us before, been referred by a friend who has climbed with us, or met one of our teams while attempting another peak and decided to join us for their next expedi