Aiguille du Tour ascent

For a first experience at high altitude, you will evolve at the heart of the Mont-Blanc massif!

mountaineering with a guide for beginners||

Duration

Destination

Season

Difficulty

The Aiguille du tour Ascent is one of the easiest mountaineering climbs in the Mont-Blanc massif. Discover the high mountains, progress off the classic trails and enjoy a diversity of majestic landscapes. For a first experience at high altitude, you will evolve at the heart of the Mont-Blanc massif.

Program

Detailed program for the Aiguille du Tour ascent.

The day before
Appointment at 6.30 pm at the guides' office where you will meet your guide.

Day 1
Climb to Albert 1er

Departure from le Tour (village near Chamonix) in the morning, ascent to Albert 1er refuge (2,702 m) with the ski-lifts (total duration 1h30). Lunch in the hut and introduction to crampon techniques in the afternoon.
Overnight stay at Albert 1er refuge.
Difference in altitude + 520m. Duration : 2 hours.

Day 2
Aiguille du Tour 3540m

Ascent of the summit of Aiguille du Tour. Hiking on the glaciers and the rocky summit. You will discover a magnificent panorama on the slope of Trient and Saleinaz. Back to the hut for lunch.
Difference in altitude + 900m / - 1360m. Duration : 5 hours.

The guides could be led to change the program depending on the weather conditions, the mountains and the level of the participants.

Download the information file

Registration

You can register from October 9th either directly online below, or by returning the completed 2024 registration form by e-mail, dated and signed.

For further information, please contact us by e-mail or telephone on +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 (Saint-Gervais) or +33 (0)4 50 47 10 08 (Les Contamines). We’ll be happy to guide you in the realization of your project.

Details

All the practical details for the Aiguille du Tour ascent.

2024 dates

Group sessions: Every Monday from mid-June to mid-September depending on the conditions.
Private sessions: Every day from mid-June to mid-September depending on the conditions.

2024 rates

Price of the group formula:
€560/ person (guaranteed departure from 3 participants)

Private sessions:
1 participant: €1280 par personne
2 participants: €760 per person
3 participants: €580 per person
4 participants: €490 per person
5 participants: €650 per person
6 participants: €580 per person

The price includes

  • Supervision by a mountain guide
  • Half-board in the Albert 1er hut
  • 2 lunches
  • Water in the hut
  • Tea for the climb
  • Lift passes

 

The price does not include

  • Beverages, cereal bars and other personal expenses
  • Transportation from Saint-Gervais to Le Tour (it is customary for the clients to transport their guide)
  • Your personal insurance
  • Rental of technical equipment
  • Everything not mentioned in "the price includes"

Requirements

This climb requires good physical preparation; it is intended for sporty people. On the second day, you will have to walk for about 6 hours, so you should prepare by practicing "cardio" during workouts. Endurance sports such as cycling, running or long walks are an ideal preparation.
Endurance sports such as cycling, running or long walks are an ideal preparation.
Also remember that you will be hiking for 2 days with an 8-kilo backpack, which significantly increases the effort required, so if you do go out, exercise with that extra weight.

You will evolve on an unmarked mountain route, you must be aware of the dangers associated with this activity (glacier crevasses, serac falls, rock falls, avalanches, very low temperatures).

Guiding

Max. 4 people per guide.
Guaranteed departure in group sessions from 3 subscriptions.
You will be supervised by a mountain guide or a mountain guide in training.

Insurance

To be covered by an insurance «assistance-repatriation» is mandatory to participate in our stays. If you do not have «assistance-repatriation» insurance, we can offer you one at the price of €10 (€5/day). We also offer optional «cancellation» insurance at the price of €24 (€12/day). This insurance does not take into account the sporting character of our stays. More information in the cancellation and assistance repatriation insurance booklets.

Rendezvous

Appointment at 6.30 pm at the Saint-Gervais guides' office (in the tourist office of the village) where you will meet your guide. If you cannot be present, the briefing can be done by phone. More details about how to travel by public transportation can be found on our "contact" page.

Equipment list

Technical equipment

  • Helmet
  • 35/40-liter rucksack
  • Two telescopic walking sticks with washers
  • Harness
  • Ice axe
  • Gaiters
  • Mountain boots with stiff soles to put crampons
  • Semi-automatic crampons equipped with anti-boots

 

You can rent the technical equipment at:
For Saint Gervais : Blanc Sports or Sports Unlimited
For les Contamines : Intersport

Clothing

  • Hat and headscarf or buff®
  • Thermal underwear, long and short sleeves No cotton
  • Fleece jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Gore-Tex® jacket or similar (an insulated ski jacket is not suitable)
  • Thermal underwear tights
  • Technical hiking trousers
  • Gore-Tex® trousers or similar (water- and windproof)
  • Warm socks

 

Essential equipment

  • Glacier sunglasses (cat. 4)
  • A pair of light walking shoes
  • Ski goggles (in case of snow or strong winds)
  • Cap
  • Headlight and batteries
  • Drinking bottle that can hold at least 1L of water. Camelbak bags are not recommended
  • 2 pairs of gloves : a thin pair (fleece or leather) and a warm pair like waterproof mittens
  • Sleeping bag liner (blankets are available in the hut)
  • Sunscreen for body, face and lips
  • Thermos flask (0.5 L minimum)
  • Energy bars or dried fruits
  • Small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, compeed®, earplugs)
  • Small toiletry bag (small toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes)
  • Identity papers, insurance papers, health insurance card

Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like advice on your physical preparation, the choice of your equipment or the organization of your stay.

Summary