Book with confidence - Covid-19 Expand Cancellation flexibility For any bookings made between now and 31 March 2021 on an overseas adventure departing before 31 December 2021, we’re offering you the right to cancel and get a full refund of your deposit up to 90 days before the challenge is due to depart. We want anyone considering booking a trip now to have complete confidence that their deposit is protected and that they can cancel without any penalty for whatever reason. What happens if my trip cannot run due to Covid-19? Your safety is our top priority. Please rest assured that if your trip cannot operate in the host country due to Covid-19, we will offer you a number of options including the chance to: postpone your trip to a later departure of the same event (this year or next) join any other overseas trip in our portfolio (this year or next) transfer your place to another person receive a full refund of monies paid for the challenge Please note that in most cases, where trips can be rescheduled in the same financial year, we are waiving our standard admin fees. What if I postpone the trip and then the later revised trip is also affected and cannot run due to Covid-19? Even if you move on to another trip later in the year or next year, if we still find ourselves unable to safely operate the trip in the host country due to Covid-19, we’ll offer you the same options as above, to postpone, to change trips, to transfer your place to someone else or to receive a refund. What if there is no official advice against travel, but I want to cancel within 90 days of departure? We respect that you may feel more comfortable staying at home, and not travelling regardless of the destination or official advice. If you choose to cancel, we’ll action your request but where there is no FCDO advice against travel to that country at the time of cancellation, our standard cancellation terms will apply.
Gran Paradiso - Detailed Itinerary Expand Route Day 1 Fly into Geneva, make your own way to Chamonix and be greeted by your guides at our accommodation at 17:00. Meet your fellow adventurers and get briefed for the week ahead. We’ll have dinner, kit checks and an inspirational talk from Everest summiteer Ricky Munday. Day 2 Depart for the Rifugio Chabod in Gran Paradiso (1hr30mins drive). The altitude of the hut is 2750m and it takes 2 ½ – 3 hours walk from the road (900 m altitude gain). In the morning we will sort out any last-minute gear rentals / purchases in Chamonix before driving through the tunnel into Italy. Once at the refuge we will rest, have lunch then we have an outdoor session covering crampon techniques, being roped up, using all gear correctly and essential scrambling techniques. Day 3 A big day involving an early start and 1,300m of ascent (and descent) to reach the summit of Gran Paradiso, the highest peak entirely in Italy (4061m). The route from the Rifugio Chabod climbs easily up the glaciers under the northwest side of the peak, then joins the route coming in from the Vittorio Emanuele hut at about 3,500 meters. More easy glacier climbing follows, followed by a bergschrund crossing and a short steeper snow slope to the final rocky summit ridge. The last section is quite fun, airy climbing on good rock to the distinct summit blocks (5-7hours). It’s a spectacular summit and the final traverse requires a good head for heights, and this is great training for Mont Blanc because similar techniques are required on both peaks. The climb will put you in good stead for the main summit attempt later in the week. After the summit we descend back to Rifugio Chabod. This means we can leave unnecessary clothing/equipment there to make our ascent as light as possible. Additionally, staying up at altitude instead of heading all the way down to the valley today helps with your acclimatisation process. Day 4 Wake up at around 07:00 and by 8.30 after breakfast we descend at a gentle pace (2hours) to the valley. On our drive back we can have a stop for an Italian coffee and snack and by 12-13h arrive back to Chamonix (1hr30mins drive). Day 5 Transfer from Chamonix to airport & fly home
How To Book Gran Paradiso Expand Participation Agreement and Terms & Conditions You'll need to read and agree to both our Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions and our Participation Agreement (see below) - you'll be asked to confirm this during the booking process below. Overseas Trips Booking Terms & Conditions Participation Agreement How to book Choose your event date below In the event, you can choose to pay your deposit online (with a 1.5% processing charge to cover our fees), by bank transfer (free), or pay your full balance - you'll receive an email acknowledging receipt of your payment/booking. Once you've booked and/or paid your deposit you'll receive a second email requiring you to complete our online Client Information & Medical Declaration Form, which must be completed before we can confirm your booking August 2020
Gran Paradiso Entry & Health Requirements Expand You can view the British Government's latest advice here. We suggest clients discuss their vaccination requirements with their GP and refer to the TravelHealthPro website, which comprises the travel health resources of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), which was set up by the Department of Health with the broad aim of Protecting the Health of British Travellers. The UK is leaving the European Union. The rules for passports, entry requirements and more may change after Brexit.
Gran Paradiso Insurance Expand You are required to have an insurance policy that covers alpine mountaineering to 4,061m. You're advised to take out insurance to cover potential events that might cause you to cancel your trip. We advise you to consider the British Mountaineering Council insurance, but many other insurance companies offer policies suitable for Gran Paradiso, such as truetraveller, DOGTAG & others.
Your Gran Paradiso Leader Expand Your guide will be a UIAGM internationally qualified high mountain guide, who speaks both French and English. This is the highest qualification for mountain guides, and only they are qualified to take you on high altitude glaciated terrain. Your safety is your guide's primary concern. We have been working with our guides for many years, and they all have a profound knowledge of the Mont Blanc region. You may also be accompanied by our founder & Everest summiteer Ricky Munday. Book a call with Ricky Join our Club on
Gran Paradiso Fitness & Experience Expand Previous mountaineering experience is useful but not essential for the steady ascent of the Gran Paradiso. Crampons are worn on summit day, but prior instruction will be given in their use. A good level of fitness is required for the 1300m+ ascent on summit day. Whille the ascent involves no technical climbing, we cross a snow-covered glacier and the summit ridge is narrow & exposed, which provides a real mountaineering flavour to the ascent. You need to concentrate fully and require a reasonable head for heights with good movement skills.
Gran Paradiso Included/Excluded Expand Included: Professional organisation of the trip by Inspire Alpine® UIAGM certified high mountain guide for every day of the course. The ratio is 1 guide: 4 clients All accommodation, including the first night in Chamonix All meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners) except for dinner on the first night in Chamonix, and dinner in Chamonix on day 4 of the trip Group mountaineering safety equipment provided by your guide Excluded: Transport to and from Chamonix at the start and end of your course Dinner in Chamonix on day 4 of the trip Personal expenses (drinks in the refuges, additional snacks, toiletries etc) Personal mountaineering equipment and clothing (some equipment can be hired, please ask) Single room supplement Mountaineering insurance Any extra expenses due to trip curtailment caused by bad weather, injury, lack of fitness etc.
Gran Paradiso Client Benefits Expand a complimentary The Alpine 4000m Peaks guidebook (worth £18.99) a complimentary branded Inspire Alpine BUFF® (worth £15.95) a complimentary BMC Safety on Mountains booklet (worth £6.99) We also offer an unbeatable range of generous discounts from outdoor retailers & manufacturers: Cotswold Outdoor and Snow+Rock: 15% discount online or in-store Montane: a 15% discount online Open Air: a 15% online or in-store summitfit: a 20% discount online
Gran Paradiso Clothing & Equipment Expand As a guide, you’ll need to bring at least the following technical equipment for Gran Paradiso: Mountaineering harness Ice axe, straight handle, max 60 cm long Insulated mountaineering boots with rigid soles (B2 or B3) Crampons with anti-balling plates Telescopic trekking poles (advised) Climbing helmet We’ll send you a detailed kit list when you book. Some of this equipment can be rented locally to reduce costs. We also offer a fantastic selection of discounts (15-20%) from a range of outdoor manufacturers & retailers.
Gran Paradiso Acclimatisation Expand One of the main problems faced by climbers is trying to climb too quickly. From a medical perspective, we are climbing in very high altitude (up to 4,061m). At sea level, the standard barometric pressure is 101 kPa. At 4,061m on the summit of Gran Paradiso, the standard barometric pressure is 65 kPa. This lower oxygen pressure means that there are fewer oxygen molecules in the same volume of air - there is only 64% of the oxygen available compared to sea level. Your body reacts to this lower oxygen level in a variety of ways - for example, your respiration (breathing) rate increases, and your body starts to generate more red blood cells. The respiration increase begins immediately, but the production of extra red blood cells takes longer. We recommend that you discuss with your GP the option of using diamox (acetazolamide) to help prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Gran Paradiso Safety Expand Your safety is our top priority. On the mountain, your guide will carry an expedition first aid kit and a satellite phone. In the event of an emergency, helicopter rescue is available and - if your travel insurance covers medical evacuations up to 4,061 meters above sea level - your insurance company should cover your costs.
Gran Paradiso Accommodation Expand Accommodation is on a shared twin-bed basis in the hotel and shared bunkhouse-style accommodation on the mountains. Single supplements are available in the hotel.
Gran Paradiso Logistics Expand Your guide will be a UIAGM internationally qualified high mountain guide, who speaks both French and English. This is the highest qualification for mountain guides, and only they are qualified to take you on high altitude glaciated terrain. Your safety is your guide's primary concern. We have been working with our guides for many years, and they all have a profound knowledge of the region. You may also be accompanied by our founder & Everest summiteer Ricky Munday. We'll have a guide-to-client ratio of 1:4 on Gran Paradiso. You'll carry all your own clothing & equipment in a daypack (35L). All food on the mountain is provided. Breakfasts in the mountain huts usually consist of European-style bread with jam and cheese etc. A typical evening menu would include a hearty soup followed by a pasta dish or stew and then dessert. If you feel like a glass of wine or beer with your meal, please bring cash or a credit card.