Alpinism

This incredible mountaineering adventure on the Verra Glacier takes place over the course of 2 days, first reaching the Ayas Guides hut and then reaching the peak of the Pollux the next day. The Pollux offers a mixed-terrain ascent, where not only your feet will be doing the work. Its twin the Castor, named for its identical appearance from the Swiss side, is separated by the Verra Pass.

First day: Meeting point at St Jacques in the morning, Jeep ride up to the Verra Plain and hike up to the refuge, stay overnight.

Second Day: Departure from refuge, ascent to the 4000 meter summit and re-entry to St Jacques.

Price: 1 person: €600                2 people: €330               3 people: €240

Price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance.

Price does not include: Price of sleeping and eating in the refuge for participants and guide, taxi up to Verra (€60 for 4 people)

Option 1: Normal route 

The Castor is an exciting and beautiful itinerary of the Monte Rosa, with a long, snowy ridge and incredible views. The normal route is the easiest way to climb it in 1.5 days. The first day you will meet your Mountain Guide in the late morning at the Frachey parking lot in the Ayas valley. Here he will check your equipment, and you will begin the ascent to the Quintino Sella hut. The first part will be with a Jeep or chairlift, and from the Bettaforca Pass at 2727m you will begin to hike for roughly 3.5 hours on a high-mountain trail with beautiful views and a fun final rocky ridge. The Quintino Sella hut will prepare a tasty dinner, and then it will be time to sleep. Wake up call for breakfast will be between 5 and 6 am, depending on the weather and time of year. After only a few steps outside of the hut the glacier hike will begin. The Castor ascent will last roughly 2,5 hours. From the summit after a few photos you will turn back and begin the descent to the hut once again for a warm tea or a snack before hiking down to get the chairlift or taxi from the Bettaforca Pass. Day two will end in the late afternoon.

1 person: €600           2 people: €330

3 people: €240           4 people:€195

Option 2: Western Face and Traverse of the Castor

First day: Meeting point with your Guide at St Jacques in the late morning for a Jeep ride up to the Pian di Verra at 2350m. From there begins the hike up to the Guide di Ayas hut. There you will have a nice dinner and sleep. The wake-up call will be between 5 and 6, depending on the conditions. After a nice breakfast and preparation, the glacier hike will begin to the Verra Pass. From there you will begin to climb the steep Western face of the Castor. From there you will reach the incredible Castor ridge and summit. You will continue to traverse the snowy ridge, then continue down on the glacier to the beautiful Quintino Sella hut on the other side. There you might enjoy a warm tea or snack before hiking down on the rocky ridge and trail to the Colle Bettaforca, where a Jeep or chairlift will take you back down to the valley.

1 person: €650           2 people: €380

3 people: €250

Option 3: Ascent of the South Face of Castor

This very challenging rocky route is for alpinists and climbers. The long and beautiful southern face of the Castor begins above the Pian di Verra and ends with the snowy summit of the Castor.

Cost: 1 person €1,100    2 people €650,00

Option 4: Double Ascent of Pollux and Castor

This exciting route covers a lot of ground. For someone who is in good shape it is an amazing way to see the beautiful Verra glacier from two summits. The climbs are very different from one another. The Pollux is a mixed rock and snow route, while the Castor is a steep snow ascent and ridge traverse. The glacier hike begins at the Guide di Ayas hut and ends at the Quintino Sella hut. The meeting point on day 1 will be at St Jacques, followed by a Jeep ride up to the Pian di Verra at 2350m. From there begins the hike up to the Ayas Guides Hut for a nice dinner and stay overnight. The wake-up call will be between 4 and 5am, and after breakfast you will depart for the ascent of the Pollux summit. From there you’ll descend to the Verra Pass, then ascend and traverse the Castor from the Western face. From the Castor you will go down to the Quintino Sella hut and hike down to the Colle Bettaforca where a Jeep or chairlift will take you back to the valley.

1 person: €750              2 people: €400           3 people: €285

Price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

Price does not include: Price of sleeping and eating in the refuge for participants and guide, taxi (€60 for 4 people)

La Roccia Nera with its characteristic snowy slope borders the Porta Nera pass on one side and the beginning of the Breithorn chain on the other. From the top one can see the immense Gornergrat glacier and the 4000m peaks of Switzerland, as well as the entirety of the Monte Rosa.

Option 1 Traditional Route:

Meeting point with your Guide at St Jacques in the late morning for a Jeep ride up to the Pian di Verra at 2350m. From there begins the hike up to the Guide di Ayas hut. There you will have a pleasant dinner and sleep. The wake-up call will be between 5 and 6am, depending on the conditions and temperatures. After a nice breakfast and some preparation, the glacier hike will begin to the base of the Roccia Nera. From there you will go for the summit. After a few photos you will descend on the same route, and you might enjoy a warm tea or snack back at the hut before hiking down to the Jeep or the valley.

Cost: 1 person €600        2 people €330

Option 2 Lo Spigolo (Mountain Ridge): 

This route is also done in 1,5 days with the Guide di Ayas hut as the base for the climb. The rocky route of the Spigolo is a challenging but beautiful climb.

Cost: 1 person  €1000

Price includes: Professional UIAGM Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

Price does not include: Price of sleeping and eating in the refuge for participants and guide, taxi up to Verra (€60 for 4 people)

A five-day alpine adventure exploring up to nine of the amazing summits of  Monte Rosa

PROGRAMME
Day 0–Arrival in Champoluc (Optional)
Afternoon meeting at the Mountain Guide office to check equipment
and go over the week’s plan with a welcome refreshment.
Accomodation in a hotel/b&b in the town or at 2000 meters in a rustic
moutain hut.

Day 1–Resy – Rifugio Guide Ayas
The group will depart from Frachey with their Mountain Guide. Option to take an
offroad vehicle until the Pian di Verra (2000m). The hike to the Rifugio
Guide di Ayas will be nice and slow, with time to stop and admire the
glacial lake and the Mezzalama hut at 3000m and to acclimatize. Arrival at the Guide di
Ayas hut at 3450m for dinner.

Day 2–First 4000m peak on the Verra Glacier
From the Guide di Ayas hut, we will depart after a nice breakfast for a
4000m peak: the Pollux at 4090m or the Breithorn 4165m. Return to the
Guide di Ayas hut for an afternoon rest and then dinner.

Day 3– The Castor Traverse
From the Guide di Ayas hut, we will depart after a nice breakfast for the
second summit, the Castor at 4226m. We will traverse the long and
beatiful ridge from West to East. Arrival at the Quintino Sella hut at
3550m for a rest and a nice dinner.

Day 4 – Over to the Lys Glacier and the highest hut in Europe
We will depart from the Quintino Sella hut and head for the Naso del
Lyskamm, another 4000m peak. This traverse will take us from the Ayas
side to the Gressoney side of the Monte Rosa and the views will
completely change. We will descend to the Lys glacier, then hike up to
the famous Regina Margherita hut. This will be the highest point of the
tour. A sunset or a sunrise from its balcony is truly breathtaking.

Day 4 – Option 2: The Lys Glacier and the Gnifetti hut
As an alternative to hiking up to 4554m at the Margherita Hut, there is
the option to hike down towards the Gnifetti Hut at 3600m for an easier
and more relaxing afternoon. This option entails hiking to the
Margherita hut early the next morning.

Day 5 – Descent towards Punta Indren
After the night spent in the historical and unique Margherita Hut at 4554
meters, we will begin the descent towards the valley. Here there is the
possibility to climb several peaks over 4000 meters, such as the
Ludwigshohe, Punta Parrot, the Zumstein, the Vincent Piramid and the
Balmenhorn. With so many possible summits this day will no doubt be
very satisfying and beautiful. We will then take the lifts back to
Champoluc and stop at a nice restaurant or mountain hut on the way
home for a lunch and a well-deserved CHEERS!

Price: €1375 per person. Max 3 people per Guide.

The price includes: Mountain Guide accompaniment, insurance and half pension in the mountain huts.

The price does not include: Lift tickets on the last day, possible Jeep ride on the first day, mountaineering equipment.

When: From June to September

Difficulty: This experience is made for people in good physical condition with some mountaineering experience on mixed terrain (snow, ice, rock).

Organization in collaboration with Monterosa Booking agency.

Itinerary: Meeting point at Champoluc Church. Bus ride to Cervinia using the Trek Bus service. Ascent to the Plateau Rosa using the lifts if desired. Dinner and sleeping at the Cervino Guides Refuge. The next day: Ascent and descent of the Breithorn, Glacier traverse and re-entry to Champoluc by foot.

First day: Ascent to the Ayas Guides Refuge, dinner and sleep.

Second day: Depart from the refuge, Breithorn Traverse from the East peak to the West peak, return to the Ayas Guides Refuge, eat and sleep.

Third day: Depart from the refuge, ascent of the Castor, Lyskamm traverse, ascent of Gnifetti Point and the Margherita hut to eat and sleep.

Fourth day:  Departure from the Margherita Hut, ascent to the Zumstein Point (4561m), Dufour Point (4636m), descent to the Mantova Hut to eat and sleep.

Fifth day: Departure from the Mantova Hut, re-entry to Champoluc with the lift system

Price: €1590 per person.

The price includes: Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

The price does not include: The refuge costs of the clients and the guide and the lift tickets.

When: From the end of June to September

Difficulty: This experience is designed for alpinists in good physical condition and with experience in mountainous terrain.

The Breithorn are actually three mountains, called the Western, the  Central and the Eastern. It is possible to traverse all three, to go from the Central to the Western or simply to climb up one of the peaks, all of which reach over 4000 meters. The ascent can be done in one day from Cervinia or over 2 days for a traverse, staying overnight at the Ayas Guides Refuge or at a hut at Pleteau Rosà at the base of the glacier.

The Breithorn half-traverse:

1 person: €700         2 people: €740

The Breithorn full traverse:

1 person: €900         2 people: €1100

Western or Central Summit over 2 days:

1 person: €550         2 people: €560         3 people: €600

4 people: €680         5 people: €750

Western or Central Summit in one day:

1 person: €385       2 people €400          3 people €450

4 people: €480       5 people €500

The price includes: Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance.

The price does not include: Refuge costs of clients and of the guide, the taxi Jeep from St Jacques to the Verra plain (€60 euros for 4 people).

Come with us up to the highest mountain hut in Europe! The Regina Margherita Hut is a true feat of engineering, resting on a mountain top at 4554 meters above sea level. The hike although long, presents no technical difficulties. Completely on snow from start to finish, the glacier ascent lasts roughly 3,5 hours from the lower Gnifetti hut. The route passes numerous other 4000 meter peaks and the view from the Margherita hut’s balcony is unforgettable.

First day: Meeting point at Gressoney La Tinité at Staffal, equipment check and ascent with the lift system to Punta Indren. Hike to Gnifetti or Mantova hut, dinner and sleep.

Second day: Departure from the Gnifetti hut, hike up to the Margherita hut. Descent back to Gressoney.

1 person: €600         2 people: €330         3 people: €240

4 people: €190         5 people: €150

The price includes: Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

The price does not include: The refuge costs of each client and of the guide, the cost of the lifts for the clients.

Ascent to the Vlou Peak from the Northern ridge. The difficulty level is intermediate as there are some bits of 4th grade climbing. You will be traversing the ridge roped to the guide and there are 1800 meters of vertical ascent. The departure is from Champoluc by vehicle and the hiking begins at Tollegnaz. After the traverse, the re-entry is to Alpe Dondeuil and there is a ride back to Champoluc.

Price: 

1 person €490                  2 people €520

The price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance.

Contrary to the name, this ridge is a lot of fun and of a low difficulty level. There are bits of 4^th grade climbing and 700 meters of vertical ascent. Starting off in St Jacques, we will be approaching the ridge from the beautiful Nana valley, hiking to the Nana pass which looks out on the Chamoix valley and then beginning the climb. There is also a possibility of taking a Jeep part of the way up as there is a road which leads to the Tournalin mountain hut. The ridge will be traversed roped to the guide, ending with the descent back to St Jacques.

Price:

1  person €370          2 people €420

The price includes: Mountain guide accompaniment and insurance.

Departure from Champoluc and ascent to the Tournalin Refuge with a Jeep. Ascent to the summit from the Southeast peak and then descent on the traditional route.

Cost:               1 person €370           2 people €420

The price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

When: From June to November

Difficulty: Good physical condition is required.

A two-day adventure allowing you to stand on top of Voghel, Vlou and Torchè peaks

The Dames of Challant are peaks which can be seen from a great distance, even past the border of the Aosta Valley region. They often remain snowy through late spring and early summer, catching the eye of many. We would like you to live the experience of climbing the twin peaks of Torchè and Vlou, an adventure many have thought about but few have done.

First day (Saturday, 9am): Jeep taxi to Graines from Champoluc. Easy ascent from Graines in the Frudière valley to Mount Nery, stay overnight in a bivouac.

Second day: Depart from the Chasten Pass, ascent to the Voghel Point and traverse the Vlou and the Torchè peaks. Descent to Dondeuil, Jeep taxi back to Champoluc (Sunday afternoon).

Price:

1 person €600

2 people €700

The price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance

The price does not include: The cost of the Jeep taxi.

From almost every angle of the Ayas Valley the Zerbion mountain is a focal point. Its two enormous statues of the Virgin Mary and of Jesus are popular hiking goals in the summer. A much more challenging and unique way to reach the summit is along its South East rocky ridge. The ascent is a mix between hiking and rock climbing, with some small parts of 4th level climbing and with 850 meters of vertical ascent. The ridge is quite exposed, giving a great view of the rest of Aosta Valley on one side and Ayas on the other. Once summited, the descent is along the classic hiking trail. The ridge will be done roped to the guide.

Price:           1 person €350          2 people   €200     3 people €150

The price includes: Mountain guide accompaniment and insurance, helmet and harness rental.

A three day approach to your first 4000 meter summit

First day: Meeting with the Guide at 9 am, hike to the Verra plain. Climbing day with knots and safety instructions. Lunch must be packed as we will not be going to the Mezzalama hut until dinner time.

Second day: Hike from Mezzalama hut to Ayas Guides Refuge, introduction to mountaineering techniques and safety on the glacier. Stay overnight at the Ayas Guides Refuge.

Third day: Glacier hike to the Central Breithorn summit and descent to the Verra Plain, most likely taking a taxi back down to St Jacques.

Price: €330 euros per person.

The price includes: Professional Mountain Guide accompaniment and insurance, equipment rental.

The price does not include: The mountain hut costs of the clients and of the guide, the cost of the Jeep taxi.