The Gran Paradiso (4061m) Alpine Introduction Course provides a great induction to Alpine Mountaineering and your first 4000m peak. The ascent is an easy snow climb in the stunning Italian Alps. You will be introduced to Alpine Refuges, ice axe and crampons and ascend two lower 3000m summits during the acclimatisation period. From Chamonix, the traditional home of Alpine climbing, we also offer the chance to extend your stay to attempt Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4810m.

Previous Experience & Fitness

You should have a good level of fitness as Alpine Mountaineering can be very tiring. Normally we would expect you to be able to enjoy consecutive 7-8 hours days in the British mountains with a medium pack. You should also have previous experience with crampons and ice axe and a basic understanding of glacial travel and crevasse rescue. Our Alpine Intro courses, such as Gran Paradiso Alpine Introduction, provide sufficient training to meet this prerequisite.   Please note this is a suggested itinerary and the actual programme may change as a result of weather, conditions on the mountain, availability of mountain huts and individual levels of fitness. If due to any of these reasons a summit attempt is not possible then we usually switch are attentions to the Gran Paradiso or another similar objective. If any extra costs for accommodation, transport or food are incurred beyond the suggested itinerary then you will need to pay these directly.

Mont Blanc Extension

This 4 day extension to the highest peak in Western Europe may be added on to any of our Alpine Introductory or Swiss 4000m courses. These previous courses are essential to gain the acclimatisation required to climb Mt Blanc. To add this extension go to the Dates and Prices Tab and select the extension.

Saturday: Arrive in Chamonix and check into your hotel. Evening meeting with your Guide. (H, B)
Sunday: Go up to Cosmiques (3613m) or Goutier Hut using a variety of cable cars and trains
Monday: Ascent of Mont Blanc (4810m) and return to the hut or valley hotel
Tuesday: Reserve summit day or Cosmiques Arête etc
Wednesday: Breakfast and departure

Valley accommodation is booked from the night of your arrival, with guiding starting the following morning. Check out is normally the morning after your course finishes. This is booked on a twin or double room basis: however single rooms will be provided where there is not a member of the same sex to share with. additional nights in valley hotels can be booked through Adventure Peaks at preferential rates. When in the mountains we use Alpine huts where rooms are normally on a dormitory style basis.

It is vitally important that you have adequate travel insurance for your trip with Adventure Peaks. We recognise the complexity and variety of choice in the insurance market and know that many of you either have your own preferred insurer or have annual multi trip cover in place already. If this is the case, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your Adventure Peaks itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken.

Adventure Peaks do not provide any advice on travel insurance, although it is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have travel insurance which covers the activities which you are likely to be undertaking on your holiday. Cover must include emergency medical, helicopter evacuation, repatriation and rescue expenses.

It is strongly recommended that suitable cancellation insurance is purchased at the time of booking as all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Suggested insurance companies include:

Expeditions or Treks

• HCC Medical Insurance Services LLC  Tel: +1-800 605 2282
• Travelex Insurance Services  Tel: +1-800 228 9792
• True Traveller Insurance Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
• Austrian Alpine Club (UK) Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870 (up to 6000m)
• Snowcard  Tel: +44 (0)1295 660836
• The B.M.C.  Tel: +44 (0)161 445 6111 (please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
• Dogtag  Tel: 0800 036 4824 (UK residents only)
• World Nomads  (up to 6000m)
• Insure for Less  (Australians only)

Treks only:

• Campbell Irvine  Tel: +44 (0)207 938 1737
• Rothwell & Towler  Tel: +44 (0)845 908 0161
• J S Insurance  Tel: +44 (0)844 848 1500