Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek

Day 1: Distance: 8km Ascent: 600m Descent: 150m Max altitude: 2,350m Day 2: Distance: 12km Ascent: 1200m Descent: 1200m Max altitude: 3,330m Day 3: Distance: 13km Ascent: 600m Descent: 600m Max altitude: 2,700m Day 4: Distance: 9km Ascent: 450m Descent: 1192m Max altitude: 2,700m

This is a great first multi day trek, but you do need a good base level of fitness. A typical day in the mountains can be trekking for 4-7 hours with a rucksack, at a gentle pace with lots of breaks. We recommend training regularly with any sport that you enjoy (e.g. running, swimming, tennis).

You need to carry clothes for the trip as well as a few things for the specific day such as a bottle of water. Your full bag should be around 5kg. Pack as light as possible but do bring all the items on the packing list. It is very important that you follow this advice. If you need to have other luggage for after the trip you can ask the guide with 30 days in advance and he will organize the storage.

Included: - Qualified mountain guides - Airport transfers - Accommodation in mountain huts/ hotels in dormitories / shared bedrooms - Food (Day 1: Dinner, Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Day 4: Breakfast) Excluded: - International flights - Any visa fees - Personal travel and rescue insurance

Additional Items for Travel during Covid-19 The following additional items must be brought by all participants, whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing: - Face mask for use in the huts - Personal hand sanitizer Documents • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Cash – Euro’s • Credit/Debit Card Sleeping • Sleeping bag liner Footwear • Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight • Light weight shoes for the evenings (such as house shoes, flip flops, sandals etc.) Clothing Please make sure that you have non-cotton fast-drying clothing for trekking. • 1 x pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (Long johns or similar) • 2 x t-shirts for the hike • 1 x comfortable shirt for the evening • 4 x socks for hiking • 3 - 4 x pairs of underwear • 1 x fleece • Light down or Primaloft jacket • Rain and windproof jacket with hood • Rain and windproof trousers • 1 x pair of hiking trousers: We recommend a pair that zip off into shorts. • Comfortable trousers for the evening • Hat and gloves • Buff or scarf • Swimming shorts/Costume Other • A daysack: 35 - 45 litres – All your kit should fit in this bag • Travel towel • Dry Liner or Dry Bag • Water bottle: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream and additional sun protection such as baseball cap or similar • Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc • General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed) • Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger • Lipsil • Hand sanitizer, wet wipes

We stay in mountain refuges (huts) which are quite basic/dormitory-style with shared bathrooms. Electricity, warm showers, snacks are available. Most accommodations do not generally have wifi, but some are in 4G areas. Bedding will be provided for you in each hut - you just need to bring a sleeping bag liner. Night 1: Gian Federico Benevolo mountain hut - awesome views, showers, dorm room. Night 2: Mario Bezzi hut - gorgeous flat in the middle of the valley, showers, dorm room. Night 3: Chalet de l'Epee - set in between stunning mountain pastures, showers, dorm room.

Due to the distances and ascents covered on this trip, it is geared towards adults. Therefore the minimum age for this trek is 18 years. However, those aged 16-18 years are welcome to attend in the company of a responsible adult. 

Absolutely! We get lots of solo travellers - it's a great way to meet like-minded people. If you want, we can also put you in touch with some of the other trekkers in a Facebook group.

It depends.  From May to early June there will be more snow - which often means we may need to adapt the route slightly. From late June to August the flowers are at their best but there is a slightly higher chance of rain. It's also warmest during these months. In September it's cooler again - this can be a very peacful time to come.

The trek involves a fair bit of ascent and descent on a mix of trails. This includes – rocky terrain, forest trails and sometimes gravel tracks. It is important that you are steady on your feet and have experienced walking on mountain paths. Do try and get some practice in before you come. We go at a slow steady pace that everyone can keep up with. 

Your transfers are included to Rhemes Notre Dames on the first day of your trip only, and back on the final day only. The pick up time on the first day is 11AM at Torino Caselle Airport. The drop off time on the last day is 4.30PM at Torino Caselle Airport. Please update your Dashboard so we know if you will be on the provided shuttle or making your own way to the Rhemes Notre Dames. 

Water During the summer it can be quite warm so it is important to carry enough water. We strongly recommend taking two litres of water. The tap water at the accommodations you will stay is usually drinkable but there are limited resources along the way to fill up your bottle. Your guide can give you advice on this for each day. If this is a concern for you then pack iodine tablets or other water purification methods. Food Whilst trekking, you will have the chance to taste a great variety of local specialities. The breakfast is continental, often with a variety of juices, tea and coffee. The three-course dinner in the evening is hearty and the plates are quite big. Packed lunch will be prepared by the huts we stay at. If you have any food allergies (vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerance etc) please make us aware of this when completing your registration form, found on your Skyhook dashboard.

If you spend the night before in Torino it is better for you to leave it in your hotel. In case you can't do it or you arrive directly at the airport we will figure it out.

It is not mandatory to tip in the Alps, but always appreciated by the hard-working guides.

We normally organize the pick Up at Fermi metro Station. It is a very convenient location to reach from Torino City center via Metro. From Torino Porta Nuova you will need 20 minutes. Please inform your guide via your Skyhook dashboard at least 30 days prior the start of the trip.  

During the summer in the Alps (June – September) you can experience usually fair and quite warm weather. It is often sunny and the temperatures can reach 30° Celsius. The weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable and weather situations can change very quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to be always prepared for such a change. On a rainy-day, temperatures can drop quite low and it is necessary to have a good rain jacket and sometimes even a hat and a pair of gloves. See the kit list for full details.

We recommend you check on your government travel website - for the UK this is the NHS Fit for Travel website.

There is a certain degree of flexibility in terms of starting time. In case you arrive really late you can take a Jeep Taxi to Benevolo Hut.

Start: On day 1 of your itinerary, pickup details are as follows: - 11 at Turino Caselle Airport (the group cannot wait for delayed flights so please fly in with enough time spare) we recommend your scheduled flight arrival is 10AM at the latest. - 10 at Fermi Metro Station in Turin. It is very convenient to reach from any hotel in the city center as the very new underground will bring you to Fermi in 20 minutes. It is important that you do not miss your start time. Please note that you would have to cover any costs resulting from a delayed arrival. End: You will be dropped off in Fermi at around 5PM, or Turino Caselle Airport at 4.30PM on day 4 of your itinerary. Feel free to take any flight leaving the airport at 6PM or later.

Yes - you must have travel insurance including search and rescue. Unfortunately we can't legally offer advice on travel insurance, but popular providers for clients in the past have included the British Mountaineering Council, Snowcard (UK residents) and the Austrian Alpine Club (All nationalities, an annual policy comes with other benefits).

The currency used in Italy is Euro’s. We recommend changing your money before you arrive as it is not possible once you've left the airport. Credit cards are not accepted in most locations along the trek.

Yes, whether you are vegetarian, vegan or have allergies. You must inform your guide via your Skyhook dashboard about your dietary requirements at least 30 days prior the trip. We will inform the accommodation to prepare for you.