Berner Oberland Traverse, Guided

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Meeting in Aosta
You meet with your guide for welcome and briefing on the Gran Paradiso tour ahead in the afternoon. There may be time for a tour of the beautiful old roman town. The evening is free to explore the many bars and restaurants at your leisure.

Day 2 (Sunday): From Aosta to Cogne and Vittorio Sella hut
We transfer by local bus to the village of Cogne, where we have time to look around the beautiful old village and have lunch before we start the walking. We walk through meadows to the hamlet Valnontey before we ascend to the Vittorio Sella hut. (B+D)

Day 3 (Monday): From Vittorio Sella hut to Eaux Rousses
From the hut it's a fairly easy ascent to our first high pass. Over 3200 meters high, the wild and rugged Col Lausonne is a spectacular spot and we have an option to go even further by climbing to the Punta del Tuf, which is nearly 3400 meters. It's now all downhill, via a stunning valley where Ibex roam, to the small hamlet of Eaux Rousses . (B+D)

Day 4 (Tuesday): From Eaux Rousses to Rifugio Chivasso
After a good nights sleep in the charming Hostellerie du Paradiso, we have a long day ahead of us. We climb through the idyllic Djouan pastures, and pass the Djouan lake, on the trail to the Colle di Manteau. Here, we are greeted by spectacular views of the Gran Paradiso mountain. A long traversing descend takes us to the characterful Rifugio Chivasso. (B+D)

Day 5 (Wednesday): From Rifugio Chivasso to Rifugio Benevolo
Another high pass awaits us today - the Col Bassei at nearly 3200 meters. At the pass, there's an option to climb to the summit of the 3338 meter high Punta Basei. The descend to Rifugio Benevole is steep and rocky to start with, but soon changes to lush, green pastures. (B+D)

Day 6 (Thursday): From Rifugio Benevolo to Rifugio Bezzi
We leave the friendly Benevolo hut behind and climb via the Comba di Goletta to the Col Bassac Dere. This cwm was recently occupied by glacier and is akin to a lunar landscape, surrounded by the remains of the Goletta glacier and rocky ridge lines. At the pass, we have the option to climb the Becca della Traversierre before commencing our interesting descend, edging the impressive Gliairetta glacier, to the Bezzi hut. (B+D)

Day 7 (Friday): From Rifugio Bezzi to Valsaverenche and Aosta
Our last walking day offers a very pleasant descending traverse above the Valsaverenche valley into the historic village of Valsaverenche, where we transfer back to our hotel in Aosta. The evening is free in Aosta to explore the bars and restaurants at your leisure, but a group dinner is normally arranged. (B)

Day 8 (Saturday): Depart Aosta
After breakfast you check out of your hotel. This is the end of the tour. (B)

Trip details

Grade:
Suitable for walkers with good fitness and an adventurous spirit.

Duration:
8 days holiday with 6 days walking

Accommodation:
Hotels and mountain huts

Group size and guides:
From 4 to 8 clients with 1 certified English-speaking guide (UIMLA).