Monte-Rosa – glacier trek

Essential glacier trek with more than ten 4000m summits and the charm of Italy.

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Duration

Destination

Season

Difficulty

The beauty of the landscapes and the impressive summits make 4,000-metre Monte Rosa glacier trek in the Italian Alps the best of the glacier treks in summer.

A breathtaking chain of ridges! For climbers who already have some experience it is a key journey with more than ten “4,000-metre summits” and the charm of Italy on top of everything.

Program

Detailed day-by-day program for the Monte Rosa glacier trek.

The day before

Appointment at 6.30 pm at the guides' office in Saint-Gervais for a briefing


Day 1
Climb to Guide D’ayas

Departure from Saint-Gervais by car to Saint-Jacques en Val d'Ayas, starting point for the trek. Taxi to Pian di Verra (2,394 m) from where you will leave on foot to go to Guide d'Ayas refuge (3,425 m) via Mezzalama refuge (3,002 m). Difference in altitude of + 1,031 m.


Day 2
Pollux (4091m) ascent

Return trip of the ascent of Pollux (4,091 m) via the top of di Verra glacier, then descent to Guide d'Ayas refuge for the second night. It is not a difficult ascent with some mixed terrain and a nice last snow ridge. Difference in altitude of + 668 m/ - 670 m.


Day 3
Castor (4228m)

You will then climb Castor northern face (4,228 m) to end by a beautiful snow ridge. You will go down towards Quintino Sella refuge (3,584 m) where you will spend the night. Difference in altitude of + 803 m/ - 644 m.


Day 4
Crossing of Naso del Lyskamm (4,200 m)

The most technical way of that trek (depending on the conditions). You will start from Quintino Sella refuge to cross under the southern face of Lyskamm on a beautiful glacial plateau. You will climb Naso to discover the great stretches of Mont-Rose. A very beautiful panorama. From there you will go down to cross Lys glacier and spend the night at Cità di Mantova refuge (3,498 m). Difference in altitude of + 616 m / - 702 m.


Day 5
Margherita or Zumstein

You will return where you were the day before to visit the highest refuge of Europe : Cabane Margherita (4,556 m) or Zumstein (4,563 m) depending on the conditions and your energy. It is a long but technically easy stage. Then you will go down to spend the last night at Gabiet refuge (,2375 m) among ibexes. Difference in altitude of + 1,060 m/ - 1,660 m.


Day 6
Down to Gressonney

The last stage is much easier, right in the middle of the high mountain pastures. After going down to Gressonney, you will climb to Bettaforca (2,971 m) by cable-cars and via a path and then you will walk along a nice path on Saint Jacques where you will take your car.


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 Monte Rosa glacier trek.

Our assets

  • Groups of maximum 3 participants
  • Meeting with your guide and the group, the day before departure, for the briefing.
  • Water in the huts included
  • More secluded route with beautiful summits

2023 dates

Group sessions: every Sunday from June 25 to September 10
Private sessions: every day subject to availability in the refuges.

participants

1 guide for 3 people max.
Departure at 3 participants for group sessions.
Possible departure at 2 participants with an additional cost.
You will be supervised by a mountain guide.

Requirements

It’s recommended you already have some mountaineering experience (walking with crampons, roping up). Some rock climbing experience is reccomennded but not required.
The climb requires a good training and is addressed to sports people. You will have to walk for 6 to 9 hours per day, so you should prepare by practicing "cardio" during workouts. Endurance sports such as cycling, running or long walks are an ideal preparation.

Don’t forget that you’ll be walking with a 8 kilograms backpack, this increases the amount of effort needed to walk, be sure to be training with this 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).

2023 rates

Price of the group formula:
€1810 / person

Prices for private formulas:
1 participant: €3990
2 participants: €2390 per person
3 participants: €1810 per person
4 participants: €2380 par person
5 participants: €2040 per person
6 participants: €1810 per person
7 participants: €2140 per person
8 participants: €1950 per person

The price includes

  • Supervision by a mountain guide
  • Picnics and lunches
  • half-board in the huts
  • Water in the huts
  • Mont-Blanc tunnel fee
  • Lift passes

The price does not include

  • Water outside of the meals, and other drinks
  • Transportation from Saint Gervais to Saint Jacques in Italy
  • Everything that isn’t mentioned in "the price includes"

Registration

You can register either in the "registration" section on this page, or by sending us the completed, dated and signed registration form accompanied by a 30% deposit and the amount of optional insurance.

For any information, contact us by email or by phone at +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 (Saint-Gervais) or at +33 (0)4 50 47 10 08 (Les Contamines). We will be able to help you in with the realization of your project.

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 €5/day. We also offer optional «cancellation» insurance at the price of €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 with locking carabiner
  • 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

  • Cap and scarf or buff®
  • Thermal underwear, long sleeves and short sleeves
  • Fleece jacket or thick down jacket to have in the bag
  • Lighter fleece jacket or down jacket
  • Gore Tex® jacket (ski jacket is not suitable) water- and windproof
  • Thermal underwear tights
  • Gore Tex® water- and windproof pants
  • Warm socks

Accessories

  • Glacier sunglasses (cat. 4)
  • Ski goggles
  • Cap
  • Headlight and batteries
  • 2 pairs of gloves: a thin pair and a warm pair like mittens
  • A sleeping bag liner and slippers for in the hut
  • Sunscreen for body, face and lips
  • Thermos flask of tea (0.5 L minimum) and energy bars
  • Small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, compeed®, earplugs)
  • Passport, insurance papers
  • Swiss francs for drinks and extras.

Summary