 
GRAN PARADISO TREK
 Our
exploration of the Val D'Aosta, Italy's Gran Paradiso National
Park and the Val di Cogne offers some of the Italian Alps'
most spectacular and undiscovered hiking. We hike between intriguing
small villages under glaciated peaks to remote, high passes
that link valleys filled with local charm and the cultural mix
left by alpine settlers from the Romans, to the French speaking
Dukes of Aosta to modern day Italians.
From La Thuile, under the southern flanks Mt. Blanc, we traverse
the side of the historic Val D'Aosta with its Roman ruins
and numerous castles and fortresses. We then climb high into
the mountains of the Gran Paradiso National Park, created as
a hunting preserve for the Dukes of Aosta and today a preserve
teeming with alpine wildlife. We cross numerous high passes,
some exceeding 3300 meters. Views to the Pennine Aps and of
the Gran Paradiso range are unsurpassed.
 Itinerary
Day 1 Travel independently
by rail to Aosta. Transfer by van to La Thuile. Alternate: Independent
arrival from Aosta by regional bus. Overnight in a charming
three star inn nestled beneath a mountain wall.
Day 2 We meander gently alongside a river toward
the tiny village, La Joux, then climb beneath three cascading
waterfalls. We'll overnight in a mountain refuge located at
the base of the Rutor Glacier, surrounded by numerous glacial
lakes of emerald green.
Day 3 Climbing out of the
refuge, we'll pass glaciated lakes toward the glacier itself
and today's highpoint, the Col di Planaval. A local guide will
lead us across the glacier as we ascend the col before making
our descent beneath the Becca Blanche and Becca Noire. Overnight
in the small hamlet of Planaval and our comfortable family-run
inn.
Day 4 We'll climb atop rims,
through trees and out to a moonlike landscape before descending
to the valley of Piano di Champigny en route to the town of
Bonne and our hillside hotel with its spectacular views of the
Grande Sassiere and Grande Traversiere.
Day 5 Switchbacks will start
the day as we climb the mountainside toward a very narrow trail
across the Col Fenetre di Tei, before descending to Val di Rhemes
along very narrow, airy switchbacks. We'll have a wonderful
opportunity to glimpse the big-horned Steinbock before we overnight
in a quiet three star inn.
Day 6 We'll climb through
alpages to the Passo di Entrelor with expansive views of the
Gran Paradiso Massif and tomorrow's highpoint, the Col Loson.
We'll enjoy a gentle descent before dropping to the porch of
our traditional three star inn.
Day 7 Today we'll travel
through a region know for its solitude and an inhabitation of
over 4000 Steinbocks. Climbing ever more steeply we arrive at
the Alp Dien Bas and continue to our mountain refuge, astride
a small river that lies peacefully at the bottom of an alpine
meadow.
Day 8 Today we'll enjoy
ever increasing views of an imposing glacier before we descend
to the Vallone di Valleille and then further to Val di Cogne
and our splendid four star hotel.
Day 9 Depart.
 
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8
nights/ 9 days
$2700
$3000
pecializing
in treks and inn-to-inn hiking adventures throughout the Alps
