Climb Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc in 5 days

We set off early to climb Gran Paradiso via the standard route, which alternates between glacial slopes and rocky sections. The altitude rises gradually until we reach the summit of Gran Paradiso at 4,061 m, an ideal first experience for beginning to observe the effects of altitude and adjusting our pace.

Along the way, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of Monte Viso, the Monte Rosa massif and the Mont Blanc massif. The ascent also gives us the chance to put into practice the basics of high-altitude mountaineering, before making a leisurely descent back to the mountain hut around midday.

Following the previous day’s climb, the guide adapts the programme to the group’s ability and each individual’s condition. Around the mountain hut, we spend the morning practising mountaineering techniques: rock skills, moving on ice, crampon use and handling equipment. The aim is to consolidate the necessary skills before the ascent of Mont Blanc and to become more independent when moving roped together.

We then head back down to Pont, where we pick up our cars and drive to Chamonix through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (around 2 hours). The cars stay in Chamonix until the end of the trip, and we spend the night in our mountain lodge. The day ends with another weather update, a detailed briefing and the formation of rope teams for the next two days.

We make our way to the Bellevue cable car and then board the Mont Blanc Tramway to the Nid d’Aigle. We then begin our ascent to the Tête Rousse mountain hut (3,167 m), before tackling the west face of the Aiguille du Goûter and its couloir, which is prone to rockfalls. The climb requires concentration and careful attention to the guide’s instructions, particularly on the most exposed sections.

We then continue over rockier terrain to the Goûter mountain hut (3,815 m), with several sections equipped with cables. This ascent gradually acclimatises us to the high-altitude environment, before a night at the mountain hut to rest and prepare for the early morning departure for the summit.

We set off at 2 am after a quick breakfast: we leave the Goûter mountain hut by headtorch to begin the final ascent of Mont Blanc. We make our way up the slopes of the Dôme du Goûter before reaching the Vallot bivouac hut, then the Arête des Bosses, where the exposure and altitude require strict roped progression, with the rope kept taut between each member of the rope team.

As we cover the final few metres, day breaks over the surrounding mountain ranges and the summit of Mont Blanc finally comes into view at the end of the ridge. At 4,810 m, we reach the highest point of the trip: on a clear day, the panorama stretches across the great Alpine massifs, including Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, the Grandes Jorasses and the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif.

After taking the time to savour the moment and catch our breath, we begin the long descent via the same route, stopping at the Goûter mountain hut before continuing on to the Nid d’Aigle. The Mont Blanc Tramway and the Bellevue cable car take us back down to the valley, then we head to Chamonix to pick up our cars. End of the trip.