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Travel to the heart of the Alps, with majestic glaciers and breathtaking mountain scenery.
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Glacier du Ruitor, an adventurer on snow under an azure sky, surrounded by the majestic Alps.
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A mountaineer contemplating a vast glacier under a blue sky, facing the majestic Alpine peaks.
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Stone chalet in the heart of the Alps, surrounded by wild and colourful nature, an invitation to adventure.
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Cosy wooden cabin with bunk beds and views of the majestic Alps.
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Majestic views of the glacier, towering mountains and blue skies, an invitation to alpine adventure.
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A hut perched at 3,357 m, facing the majestic Alps and Mont Blanc, a haven of adventure.
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A majestic statue stands on a snow-capped Alpine peak, with breathtaking scenery.
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Climb craggy rocks on the edge of a glacier, with a rushing river below.
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Climb the glacier, surrounded by majestic peaks, for an unforgettable alpine adventure.
A modern hut perched on a glacier, with breathtaking views of the snow-covered Alps.
Breathtaking views of majestic peaks and a glacier sparkling under the blue sky.
A green alpine landscape with mountains, a stream and flowers, inviting you to take part in an adventure.
Travel to the heart of the Alps, with majestic glaciers and breathtaking mountain scenery.
A peaceful lake surrounded by lush green mountains, ideal for an Alpine getaway.
A green lake surrounded by majestic mountains, with a peaceful chalet in the background.
Stone hut perched in the Alps, facing the mountains, surrounded by grass and flowers.
A panoramic view of a majestic glacier, flanked by mountains under a sunny sky. An invitation to alpine adventure!
Glacier du Ruitor, an adventurer on snow under an azure sky, surrounded by the majestic Alps.
A mountaineer contemplating a vast glacier under a blue sky, facing the majestic Alpine peaks.
Stone chalet in the heart of the Alps, surrounded by wild and colourful nature, an invitation to adventure.
Cosy wooden cabin with bunk beds and views of the majestic Alps.
Majestic views of the glacier, towering mountains and blue skies, an invitation to alpine adventure.
A hut perched at 3,357 m, facing the majestic Alps and Mont Blanc, a haven of adventure.
Breathtaking mountain views from an alpine mountain hut, an invitation to adventure and escape.
A majestic statue stands on a snow-capped Alpine peak, with breathtaking scenery.
Climb craggy rocks on the edge of a glacier, with a rushing river below.
View 8 departures
Alpine mountaineering trips and courses in Europe

Step onto your first glacier and bivouac facing Mont Blanc

June to August
3 days| 2 nights
Level 3
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Experience mountaineering for the first time in front of the rocky south face of Mont Blanc - the roof of Europe.
Put on your crampons and harness to cross the Ruitor glacier, one of the largest in the Tarentaise.
Sleep in an unguarded hut at 3,357 m, facing Mont Blanc with your back to the Matterhorn - a night between two summits.
Climb 150 m from the hut at sunrise and enjoy a 360° panorama of the Alps.

Itinerary

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  1. DAY1/ 3
    • Accommodation - Guarded Mountain hutAccommodation·Guarded Mountain hut
    • D+ - 1000D+·1000m
    • Distance - 6Distance·6km

    We'll meet at La Joux (Val d'Aoste) at 10am to meet the guide and receive our technical equipment (except for the mountaineering boots, which you'll need to take with you). We'll then climb up a wide valley to the small Italian Mountain hut on the shores of Lac d'En Bas, where we'll spend our first night.


    From the Mountain hut you can see the Ruitor glacier and the path that leads to the Testa del Rutor (3486m), our goal for the last day.


    As we make our way up to the Mountain hut, we can enjoy panoramic views of the La Thuile valley and Mont Blanc, and on a clear day we can also see the Grandes Jorasses and the Grand Combin.

    We spend the night at the Mountain hut in a dormitory and have a meal together, before debriefing and preparing for the next day.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide August - IFMGA Mountain Guide

August

IFMGA Mountain Guide
FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

Hi, I'm August, and I've been guiding in the far north of Norway for over 8 years. Skiing in front of the sea, under the northern lights, or simply enjoying nature, that's what makes me tick. Guiding is above all about sharing my passion and helping you discover places that are close to my heart, in a safe environment. Experiencing exceptional moments in the great outdoors is my raison d'être, and that's what I promise you when I accompany you.

⚠️ For this expedition, August may be replaced by another equally experienced guide, depending on availability. All our guides speak English, and many of them also speak French, to ensure you have an equally rewarding experience.

Find out more about August

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be guided by a UIAGM guide for 3 days.
Accommodation: You will sleep one night in a guarded Mountain hut and one night in an unguarded hut [shared rooms].
Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on day 1 to the picnic on day 3.
Mountaineering equipment: harness, helmet, ice axe and crampons are included and provided by your guide.

Not included

Transport to and from the meeting point.
Picnic lunch on Day 1.
Any personal expenses.
To ensure optimum comfort, mountaineering boots are not supplied. We strongly recommend that you try them on before setting off.

What level should you expect

Level 3
You should be at least 18 years old to participate
The course requires the required level to ensure the safety of the group and the quality of the experience, with possible verification by the guide. In the event of insufficient level, access may be refused without alternative or reimbursement.

  • You can walk for 4 to 6 hours a day, with a vertical drop of around 900m and a final descent of 1,850m.
  • You want to learn how to climb a glacier at over 3,300m with crampons and ropes.
  • You're ready to spend a night in an unguarded hut at 3,357m in partial autonomy.
  • You carry your own rucksack with food and some of the collective equipment (medium to heavy rucksack).
  • You are a trained hiker, ready for an accessible mountaineering experience.
  • You want to experience your first course and learn the basics of mountaineering.

Getting there

Start: La Joux, Aosta Valley (10h00)
End: La Joux, Aosta Valley (16h00)

Transport

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Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally. You can easily reach the Aosta Valley from your departure town:

  • Departure station > Aosta
  • Aosta > Pré-Saint-Didier (bus, ~30 min)
  • Pré-Saint-Didier > La Thuile (bus, local line)

From La Thuile, you'll need to get to La Joux, the starting point for the expedition. Your guide will be able to help you organise a car pool or recommend a taxi.

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Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

From France, you can easily reach La Thuile via the Mont Blanc tunnel or the Aosta Valley. You can leave your car at La Joux, where the expedition starts.

Don't forget to carpool: a WhatsApp group is open 7 to 10 days before departure to organise your journey with other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

Who is this holiday for?

This course is aimed at people who want to discover mountaineering and glacier climbing in an educational setting. It's ideal if you're already comfortable hiking in the mountains and want to take your mountaineering skills to the next level.

Quel est le confort du logement?

The first night is spent in a guarded mountain hut, accessible on foot. The comfort is simple but warm: shared dormitories, hot meals and a friendly atmosphere among climbers. The second night is spent in an unguarded bivacco at altitude of over 3300m. It's a unique, more committed experience, where the emphasis is on immersion, spectacular views and the feeling of being alone in the high mountains, facing Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Is it possible to hire mountaineering boots?

No, we do not offer mountaineering boots for hire, as we strongly recommend that you try them out before your expedition.

How heavy will my bag be?

You carry your personal rucksack with some of your equipment and food, particularly for the night in the bivacco. The weight is optimised and shared with the guide to keep it reasonable. This is part of the experience of self-sufficiency in the mountains. You should therefore expect to carry a bag weighing between 6 and 9kg maximum.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).


In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.


What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.


Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.


They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.


If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

  • 30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
  • 35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
  • 10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
  • 25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
  • 1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.



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Selected from 8 departures

From € 600 /pers.

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Select Alma to pay in 2, 3, or 4 installments.

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available

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