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Ke Classic
Ke Classic
Holidays

Italian Summit Climber

Italy
10 reviews
Available Departures: Jun, Jul, Aug

7 days from

US$2,695

without flights
View Dates & Prices
Mountaineer
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

A week of mountaineering based in the Monte Rosa group of the Italian Alps. Stay in mountain huts and climb up to six 4000m summits.

Trip Code: ISC
Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

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View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

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View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

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View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

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View Tough holidays

Italian Summit Climber

Highlights
  • Take on 4000m summits including, Signalkuppe, Pyramid Vincent and Zumsteinspitze
  • Stay in the highest refuge in the Alps, the stunningly located Margherita Hut
  • Great for Alpine beginners with expert mountaineering skills tuition and IFMGA guide
  • Enjoy the great food, hospitality and atmosphere in Italian mountain huts
  • FREE Equipment hire worth £100 is available for this holiday
At a Glance
  • Group Size 3 to 4
  • 5 days trekking and climbing
  • Max altitude - 4562m
  • Join In Stafal
Accommodation & Meals
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 6 Dinners
  • 4 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge
  • 2 nights Hotel
Overview

There is nowhere in the Alps which has such a high concentration of 4000m peaks than the Monte Rosa group. On our list of objectives this week we have Pyramid Vincent (4215m), Balmenhorn (4167m), Ludswighohe (4341m), Parrotspitze (4432m), Signalkuppe (4556m), and the Zumsteinspitze (4563m). This region of lofty summits, once very remote, is now easily accessible from the Italian side by a comprehensive lift and hut system; it offers many straight-forward glaciated peaks that can be within the grasp of any fit and acclimatised trekker. It also hosts the highest mountain refuge in the Alps; on the summit of the Signalkuppe, stands the impressive Rifugio Margherita (4554m). From the balcony you can stare down one of the biggest faces found in the Alps - 2500m of space below you. To the south stretches the huge plain of the River Po of northern Italy, as for the rest, it is all mountains as far as you can see…

Is this holiday for you?

This trek is designed for experienced trekkers with a good head for altitude. The huts are high and the peaks are even higher. The technical difficulties are low – involving glacier travel and snow slope climbing, with some shorter rocky sections – ropes, axes and crampons will be used. Due to the high altitude, this trek will be physically strenuous. No previous crampon experience is requi …

This trek is designed for experienced trekkers with a good head for altitude. The huts are high and the peaks are even higher. The technical difficulties are low – involving glacier travel and snow slope climbing, with some shorter rocky sections – ropes, axes and crampons will be used. Due to the high altitude, this trek will be physically strenuous. No previous crampon experience is required, however a high level of fitness is required and a good ability to deal with altitude. The guide to client ratio for duration of the trip is 1:4. Due to the height of the Margherita Hut this holiday is not suitable for anyone who has suffered severe symptoms of altitude in the past.

Note: Although we have a plan of summits for each day, the itinerary is subject to change and during the week the guide will use their expertise and local knowledge to determine the best objective for each day.  Routes in the high glaciated mountain regions are subject to changing conditions and difficulties. The Alpine Guides may need to make changes to your planned route at very short notice.

 

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Why KE?

A fantastic guide to client ratio of 1:4, and all uplifts included in the price. Take advantage of free equipment hire when you book more than 4 weeks prior to departure, and make sure you book early to guarantee your place - spaces at the Margherita Hut are very limited and very sought after!

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Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

We meet at the group hotel in Stafal. Here, you will meet your guides and be made to feel at home. In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for our guide to check out your clothing and equipment. We have our evening meal in the Hotel. Please note: Although we have a plan of summits for each day, the itinerary is subject to change and during the week your guide will use their expertise and local knowledge to determine the best objective for each day.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

D
Hide Details

After a short journey in a cable car to gain a little height, we will start our acclimatisation process with a gentle walk up the Endre valley to the Orestes Hut. Once at the hut we will leave our climbing kit and ascend with a lighter pack to the Colle Di Salza 3000m and up to the summit of Alta Luce. This 3185m peak, as well being a good warm up, offers stunning views of the huge glaciers descending from the South face of Liskamm and Pyramid Vincent. We will then descend back down to the hut. The Orestes hut is no ordinary hut; this recently built refuge is made from local larch wood in a traditional ' Walser' style and boasts a five star service - a sun terrace, a yoga room, library and modern shower facilities.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

900 M

Descent

600 M

Time

6 hours walking

Distance

10 KM
Hide Details

After a relaxed breakfast, we leave the comfortable Orestes hut and head into the higher world. A good path leads us up to the Rifugio Mantova at 3500m. The glacier starts from here so in the afternoon we will practice crampons skills and rope work in preparation for the days of glacier travel ahead of us. Taking afternoon tea at the Gnifetti Hut we will then return to sleep, just that little bit lower at the Mantova for this night.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

800 M

Time

3 - 4 hours walking/climbing

Distance

5 KM
Hide Details

Today we tackle 2 objectives. It will be crampons on from the hut, and we ascend the glacier towards the Lisjoch. Pyramid Vincent is a straight-forward snow climb. The Balmenhorn (despite its mighty name) is a minor lump of rock in a sea of ice - however, on its not so lofty summit is a huge statue of Christ and an emergency bivouac hut. We gain this summit by a series of metal staples placed in the rock. After all this fun we head to the Rifugio Gnifetti. The Gnifetti hut is perched on a rocky buttress, and is a huge hut with 176 beds, shower facilities are available. It's a lively Italian fortress and the food is excellent.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

950 M

Descent

800 M

Time

5 - 7 hours walking

Distance

8 KM
Hide Details

These summits are all snow and ice. We retrace our steps of the previous day this time heading for the Lisjoch 4200m. These peaks are all straight-forward snow climbs but on account of the high altitude they will be physically demanding and it is frequently very cold. We spend the night on the summit of the Signalkuppe, in the Margherita Hut. The first building was placed here in 1893, it was replaced in 1980 with a much bigger structure. This is the highest building in Europe and there is no refuge in the Alps that can compete with the views from this hut - the huge expanse of the Po river plains of Italy, lie below us to the South, whilst West, North and East you can see the curve of The Alps stretching away - you are looking down on summits not up!

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

100 M

Time

7 - 8 hours walking

Distance

7 KM
Hide Details

This will be our final and highest peak. A short descent from the hut leads us to the Colle Gnifetti 4452m - from here it's a short ascent to this summit of the Zumsteinspitze. This is yet another stunning view point particularly of the Matterhorn, Liskamm, Castor, Pollux, Breithorn, Dufoursptitze and many more! We make our journey back crossing the Lisjoch and descend, past the Rifugio Gnifetti to the Rifugio Mantova. After refreshments/ lunch, we head down to the lift and return to our comfortable valley base.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Ascent

130 M

Descent

1600 M

Time

4 - 5 hours walking

Distance

9 KM
Hide Details

KE group package services end after breakfast.

Meals

B
Hide Details
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Peaks Peaks
Cable_car
Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • Professional IFMGA Guide(s)
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
  • All cable cars and uplift required by the itinerary

  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers
  • Lunches (as detailed in the Meal Plan)
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive than low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

You must join the group at the hotel in Stafal in the evening of day 1 of the trip itinerary. The guide will hold a trek briefing at the hotel before the evening meal, you should aim to be at the hotel for 6pm.

The most convenient international airport is Milan Malpensa Airport and the easiest way to get to Stafal from Milan is by train and bus. From the airport there is a bus to Novara (Line 407) which runs hourly. From here there is a train to Ivrea - Pont St Martin and change one last time to get a V.I.T.A bus to Stafal. Stafal is the last town in this valley.
Another option from Milan is to contact the group hotel and book a transfer - this will be about €250 (this should be booked in advance, directly with the hotel).

Please make sure timings of public transport are looked into before booking flights, as this journey does have several changes. We also suggest arriving into Milan a day early to give yourself a full day to reach Stafal.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All breakfasts and dinners are included in the trip price. Packed lunches and snacks can be bought in the huts. On some days there may be the possibility of having a hot lunch either at a hut encountered on route or a late lunch taken at our overnight halt. You should allow around 10 Euros for a packed lunch from the hut or 15 - 20 Euros for a hot lunch.

When in the towns and villages all tap water is drinkable. In mountain huts there is usually not a sustainable drinking water supply. Water in plastic bottles is brought in to the hut. All huts have a recycling point. If you have to purchase water in plastic bottles please buy the largest bottle you can so as to use less plastic. Please take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water if you can fill from a local stream. Bottled water is not provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Local authorities are working to find solutions to using plastic water bottles in huts. We monitor the situation carefully for updates.

The food provided in huts is of a high standard considering the difficulties of supply inherent in their locations. Evening meals tend to be simple but wholesome and there will usually be a limited menu choice including a vegetarian option. Beer and wine as well as soft drinks and bottled water is available to purchase at most huts. Hut breakfasts in Italy consist of bread and jam, which is sometimes supplemented with cereals, yoghurt and fruit.

During this trip the group will spend 2 nights in hotel accommodation where the rooms will either be twin or triple share. Whilst in the mountains, there are 4 nights spent in mountain huts, where the accommodation provided is on a non-segregated, dormitory-style basis. In some high mountain huts, washing facilities are limited. Single rooms are not available.

The group will be led by English-speaking IFMGA guides and guiding is at a ratio of 1:4.

This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.

www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack (of around 30 - 40 litres). For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Since group members will carry all personal equipment during the trek, it is important to keep the overall weight of this equipment to a minimum. Neither a sleeping bag nor a camping mattress is needed and it should be possible to keep the weight of your pack to under 10 kg.

Whilst in the mountains you will leave your main bag and travel clothes in the group’s hotel in Stafal. Luggage with wheels can be useful for this holiday.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking or climbing trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Jogging, squash and swimming are good for developing better stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country. Whilst it would be useful to have some previous experience of using crampons and an ice-axe, no previous winter climbing experience is required.

The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, ranging from 10°C / 50°F to 25°C / 77°F. It can be cool in the evenings at our highest overnight stopping places, falling close to freezing point at night. The weather is usually stable during July and August, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out. You should be prepared for all eventualities!

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your pack to a minimum.

You must bring the following items:

  • Mountain Boots (see notes below)
  • Crampons – MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates*
  • Crampon bag* (when hiring crampons a bag is automatically included / can not be hired separately)
  • Ice Axe*
  • Mountaineering harness*
  • Screw gate karabiner x 1*
  • Helmet*
  • Trekking poles x 2 (with baskets)
  • Gaiters
  • Socks – walking socks are best (2/3 pairs)
  • Trekking Trousers (i.e. not cotton)
  • Waterproof over trousers (with leg zips)
  • Underwear
  • Thermal Base Layer x 2 (one long sleeved for glacier travel)
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Waterproof jacket (with hood)
  • Extra warm layer – (primaloft or lightweight down)
  • Sunhat
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses – category 3 or 4.
  • Thin gloves - thermal or leather
  • Very warm winter type gloves or mittens
  • Sleeping bag liner/sheet sleeping bag (silk is lightest)
  • Rucksack (30 - 40 litres should be sufficient)
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Sun Protection (high factor for skin)
  • Lip salve – with sunscreen
  • Water bottle - 1 litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
  • Water purification tablets
  • Small, lightweight wash kit and pack towel
  • Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)
  • Small hand sanitizer gel
  • Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters, blister treatment (zinc oxide tape and ‘Compeed’) and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL:

  • Change of shirt and trousers
  • Thermal baselayer - leggings
  • Shorts (for non-glacial travel)
  • Rain cover for Rucksack
  • Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring!)
  • Repair kit – (eg. Pocket knife, needle, thread, duct tape etc.)
  • Camera
  • Travel Clothes (can be left at your hotel)
  • Travel Shoes (can be left at your hotel)
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

Mountaineering Boots: Recommended boots for this trip are comfortable, warm and sufficiently stiff to take a crampon securely (a sturdy B1 or a ‘worn in’ B2 boot is ideal). Rigid B3 boots are NOT suitable for this trek.

Crampons: Modern strap on crampons are perfectly acceptable for this trek and will fit any boot. All crampons MUST be fitted with anti-balling plates. Grivel Crampons - G10 or G12 with a strap system are excellent and they come fitted with anti-balling plates. We do not recommend semi-automatic crampons for use with softer boots since with this system, the pull on the heel can lead to blisters.  Aluminium crampons are not suitable for this trip (they are not strong enough over mixed terrain).

Equipment hire: Equipment marked with a *can be hired from KE. This can be reserved when you book your trip or closer to your departure but we advise booking hire equipment as soon as possible to ensure availability - equipment hire must be booked through the KE office prior to your departure. Any hired equipment will be collected on arrival from your guide.

We do not hire mountaineering boots, but there are a couple of shops in Stafal that do offer this. Boots will cost about €15 per day to hire and you will of course need to make sure you have time to do this. The website for one of these shops is below:

http://www.ambaradanspitz.it/default.asp?lang

Sleeping Bags are NOT required as bedding and hut shoes/slippers are provided at mountain refuges. However, you should bring a sheet sleeping bag.

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop)

Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. View >>http://www.needlesports.com/

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 from 10 reviews

Good trip, but some bad luck ★★★★

The Aosta valley is absolutely beautiful, and all the huts were great with amazing food and amazing views. I loved the small group size on this trip. The itinerary does give you an opportunity to summit a number of 4000ers, but we had bad luck with very challenging weather, so we only climbed 2 of the 5 peaks, and weren't able to make it to the Margherita hut, which would have been the primary highlight of the trip. And this meant we returned to the valley sooner than planned, so it felt li ke the trip was cut short, unfortunately. I think some decisions were made that reduced our chances to make it, but I suppose hindsight is always 20/20. I'm hoping to return one day so I can get up there under better conditions!
By Leslie from Telluride | 01 October 2023

Fantastic trek in the Italian Alps ★★★★★

We were very lucky with the weather and had a fantastic week trekking in Monte Rosa area. The guide was fantastic and knowledgeable and safety was paramount at all times. We managed to do 5 of the 7 summits. The huts were good and the food was excellent. "Sleeping "in Margerita hut is an experience it will be difficult to forget! You definitely feel the altitude! Ibuprofen and paracetamol helps a lot! and drinking plenty of fluids at that altitude! Early starts for the glacier days mak e sense. Completing the last summit Zumsteinspitze in the dark when the sun was rising was just magical! The trekking days are not too long in hours but you definitely need to be fit as you feel the altitude. I would suggest for KE not to include the peak Como Nero in the plan as that peak is difficult to achieve when the guide ratio is 1:4. Rappelling down by the guide is needed and no guide will be keen to leave the clients at the bottom in a long wait for all of the clients to achieve it at 4000 mtrs. Apart from that the trip was well organised and we had a wonderful time. Be aware you need to buy water and lunches up in the huts, and if you also fancy a coffee or a beer and cake with it it will be around 20-30 euros per lunch per day! Turin airport is much closer than Milan airport and from there you can take a train ( some of them are direct) to Pont Saint Martin where you can get a bus up the valley to Staffal. From Turin Airport get the shuttle bus to Turin centre ( Porta SuSa station for 8 euros and then the train to Pont Saint Martin for around 7 euros) Alternative, check renting a car for the trip, as it looks like is not that expensive and much more comfortable! one of the group members did that and worked well for him!
By Irene from Aviemore | 03 September 2022

Excellent introduction to glacier mountaineering in the high Alps ★★★★★

This was my first time to wear harness and crampons and to be roped up crossing glaciers. Excellent tuition in these aspects was provided by our guide Kathy. The trip took us well above 4,000 metres in the Monte Rosa range. Two days at the start were set aside for steady acclimatisation. While this enabled me to complete most of the objectives, I wasn't able to take part in the final push to the highest level (over 4,600 metres). I could have done with a bit more time for acclimatisation, b ut then I am 68 years of age and probably not in peak physical condition. The two (much younger and fitter) members of the party had no problem and they achieved all they set out to do Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone who loves being in the mountains and would like to extend their experience to include the use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes on glaciers plus the chance to reach new heights. Just don't underestimate the need to be in good physical condition.
By Andrew from New Malden | 07 August 2019

A great adventure with stunning views ★★★★★

A great trip experiencing the summits and traversing the glaciers in the Italian Alps. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and had stunning views with great visibility. Safety was of paramount concern to our guide Kathy, and she was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She also instilled a sense of self-belief and calm in the whole group whilst we were ascending (and descending) some of the more exposed summits. We were most impressed with the food - we weren't expecting the variety o r four courses at each of the huts and it was all very tasty. The Orestes Hut is vegetarian/vegan and organic. The equipment hired was all in excellent condition and on the first night during the evening meal Kathy was really helpful in talking through exactly what was in her rucksack. If in doubt over packing something take it to Stafal and the guide will advise before you set off. One extra item I found useful that isn't on the trip notes is a buff. Note there is no cash machine in Stafal and only a small deli/shop to buy snacks. On all days we did all the walking after breakfast before heading to the next hut for a late lunch (relative to the very early start/breakfast) - so I recommend taking some hill snacks with you. On Day 2 we only had time for a quick snack at the Orestes Hut before heading out to Alta Luce so there was no opportunity for lunch on this day due to the weather forecast - be prepared for this. Take enough cash to allow for spending up 4-6 euros per litre on water in the huts (Gnifetti and Margherita) in addition to the lunch allowance in the trip notes. Marsh tea (fruit tea) was available free each morning at breakfast. If you want a 1:25000 hiking map of the area you can buy one for 8 euros in Stafal.
By Helen from Peterborough | 04 August 2019

Amazing Mountaineering Experience ★★★★

This is a very suitable trip for myself since I have limited mountaineering experience before. Each summit also have its own crux to keep me challenged throughout the trip. However, people who want to join this trip or similar should be aware that it requires a bit of discipline for mountaineering, e.g. the need to wake up early regularly (like 4am), mountaineering is also a team work. Two things I would suggest: (1) Instead of staying in Mantova Hut on the second night, it is possible go straig ht to Gnifetti Hut to avoid trekking up and down on the same path. (2) KE should provide more information on how to get to Staffal by public transport. KE gives some rough idea of how to get there, but it would be more helpful to provide websites of train company, bus company etc. (I spent hours looking for the right websites and the fact that a lot of websites are in Italian does not help!)
By Ka from Birmingham | 24 July 2019
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Traveller Reviews
4.8 out of 5 from 20 reviews
Leave a Review
Good trip, but some bad luck
★ ★ ★ ★
The Aosta valley is absolutely beautiful, and all the huts were great with amazing food and amazing views. I loved the small group size on this trip. The itinerary does give you an opportunity to summit a number of 4000ers, but we had bad luck with very challenging weather, so we only climbed 2 of the 5 peaks, and weren't able to make it to the Margherita hut, which would have been the primary highlight of the trip. And this meant we returned to the valley sooner than planned, so it felt li ke the trip was cut short, unfortunately. I think some decisions were made that reduced our chances to make it, but I suppose hindsight is always 20/20. I'm hoping to return one day so I can get up there under better conditions!
By Leslie from Telluride | 01 October 2023
Fantastic trek in the Italian Alps
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We were very lucky with the weather and had a fantastic week trekking in Monte Rosa area. The guide was fantastic and knowledgeable and safety was paramount at all times. We managed to do 5 of the 7 summits. The huts were good and the food was excellent. "Sleeping "in Margerita hut is an experience it will be difficult to forget! You definitely feel the altitude! Ibuprofen and paracetamol helps a lot! and drinking plenty of fluids at that altitude! Early starts for the glacier days mak e sense. Completing the last summit Zumsteinspitze in the dark when the sun was rising was just magical! The trekking days are not too long in hours but you definitely need to be fit as you feel the altitude. I would suggest for KE not to include the peak Como Nero in the plan as that peak is difficult to achieve when the guide ratio is 1:4. Rappelling down by the guide is needed and no guide will be keen to leave the clients at the bottom in a long wait for all of the clients to achieve it at 4000 mtrs. Apart from that the trip was well organised and we had a wonderful time. Be aware you need to buy water and lunches up in the huts, and if you also fancy a coffee or a beer and cake with it it will be around 20-30 euros per lunch per day! Turin airport is much closer than Milan airport and from there you can take a train ( some of them are direct) to Pont Saint Martin where you can get a bus up the valley to Staffal. From Turin Airport get the shuttle bus to Turin centre ( Porta SuSa station for 8 euros and then the train to Pont Saint Martin for around 7 euros) Alternative, check renting a car for the trip, as it looks like is not that expensive and much more comfortable! one of the group members did that and worked well for him!
By Irene from Aviemore | 03 September 2022
Excellent introduction to glacier mountaineering in the high Alps
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was my first time to wear harness and crampons and to be roped up crossing glaciers. Excellent tuition in these aspects was provided by our guide Kathy. The trip took us well above 4,000 metres in the Monte Rosa range. Two days at the start were set aside for steady acclimatisation. While this enabled me to complete most of the objectives, I wasn't able to take part in the final push to the highest level (over 4,600 metres). I could have done with a bit more time for acclimatisation, b ut then I am 68 years of age and probably not in peak physical condition. The two (much younger and fitter) members of the party had no problem and they achieved all they set out to do Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone who loves being in the mountains and would like to extend their experience to include the use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes on glaciers plus the chance to reach new heights. Just don't underestimate the need to be in good physical condition.
By Andrew from New Malden | 07 August 2019
A great adventure with stunning views
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A great trip experiencing the summits and traversing the glaciers in the Italian Alps. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and had stunning views with great visibility. Safety was of paramount concern to our guide Kathy, and she was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She also instilled a sense of self-belief and calm in the whole group whilst we were ascending (and descending) some of the more exposed summits. We were most impressed with the food - we weren't expecting the variety o r four courses at each of the huts and it was all very tasty. The Orestes Hut is vegetarian/vegan and organic. The equipment hired was all in excellent condition and on the first night during the evening meal Kathy was really helpful in talking through exactly what was in her rucksack. If in doubt over packing something take it to Stafal and the guide will advise before you set off. One extra item I found useful that isn't on the trip notes is a buff. Note there is no cash machine in Stafal and only a small deli/shop to buy snacks. On all days we did all the walking after breakfast before heading to the next hut for a late lunch (relative to the very early start/breakfast) - so I recommend taking some hill snacks with you. On Day 2 we only had time for a quick snack at the Orestes Hut before heading out to Alta Luce so there was no opportunity for lunch on this day due to the weather forecast - be prepared for this. Take enough cash to allow for spending up 4-6 euros per litre on water in the huts (Gnifetti and Margherita) in addition to the lunch allowance in the trip notes. Marsh tea (fruit tea) was available free each morning at breakfast. If you want a 1:25000 hiking map of the area you can buy one for 8 euros in Stafal.
By Helen from Peterborough | 04 August 2019
Amazing Mountaineering Experience
★ ★ ★ ★
This is a very suitable trip for myself since I have limited mountaineering experience before. Each summit also have its own crux to keep me challenged throughout the trip. However, people who want to join this trip or similar should be aware that it requires a bit of discipline for mountaineering, e.g. the need to wake up early regularly (like 4am), mountaineering is also a team work. Two things I would suggest: (1) Instead of staying in Mantova Hut on the second night, it is possible go straig ht to Gnifetti Hut to avoid trekking up and down on the same path. (2) KE should provide more information on how to get to Staffal by public transport. KE gives some rough idea of how to get there, but it would be more helpful to provide websites of train company, bus company etc. (I spent hours looking for the right websites and the fact that a lot of websites are in Italian does not help!)
By Ka from Birmingham | 24 July 2019
Italian alps

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By David from London | 25 August 2018
Italian alps

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By David from London | 25 August 2018
Italian Summit Climber August 2018

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By Jean-Pierre from Haywards Heath | 21 August 2018
Italian Summit Climber August 2018

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By Jean-Pierre from Haywards Heath | 21 August 2018
italian alps

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By Simon from Altrincham | 17 August 2018
italian alps

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By Simon from Altrincham | 17 August 2018
An exciting week of trekking/climbing in a stunning region of the Alps.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The trek began from the relatively quiet Staffal (but which lies in an epic setting) at the end of the valley. After making our way to the glacier dome over a couple of days we put on our kit for the ascents of the peaks, completing five of the seven. The conditions were good most days with excellent views and a good deal of sunny weather as hoped; the guides were more than helpful with advice and taking a real interest in our kit and previous experience, giving a sense of security. All the refu ges were a delight to stay at - not to mention the excitement felt given their incredible situation! - with warm hospitality and great food. At the end we were left wishing that the adventure could continue for a few more days!
By Stephen from CORSHAM | 01 October 2017
Tough but exhilarating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Delighted that we were able to do all seven 4000m. summits. I cannot praise Steve, the guide, highly enough. He was so professional in all respects - very concerned for safety but also wanting to get an old buffer like me to the tops.

By Anthony from Leamington Spa | 07 August 2017
Incredible week on the big Italian Summits
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An incredible trip for the novice (but fit) mountaineer. Our guide Kathy had a vast amount of experience and was able to give us countless tips and information throughout our expedition. Sleeping and walking at altitudes in excess of 4000m is tough, take plenty of paracetamol and ibuprofen for headaches. I found this helped massively. In terms of food - you won't go hungry! Most rifugios (or huts) serve up a classic Italian 4 course meal every night and the quality was incredible given the remoteness and number of mouths to feed. They also do good lunches so budget around €10-15 for these. As the packing lists suggest take a mixture of clothes suitable for hot and snowy conditions. We had all sorts of weather for blistering sunshine to blizzards, so I ended up wearing everything! Getting to Staffal is definitely a mission. Allow for around 6 hours at least. Busses only leave Malpensa to Novara every hour and then it's 2 or 3 trains to Pont-Saint-Martin and then the last bus up the valley to Staffal only leaves approx every 3 hours. The other option is to fly into Turin which we discovered was much closer and is also well connected, something not mentioned in the KE Trip Notes. Overall this was a truly memorable week, spent in fantastic company, in wonderful alpine settings and sleeping in the highest mountain huts of Europe!
By Rocco from Glasgow | 26 July 2017
The Sunny Pictures from our ISC Trip Jul'17

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By Rocco from Glasgow | 26 July 2017
Amazing experience and incredible views!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Italian Summit Climber is a new holiday and I joined the first trip. We were very lucky with the weather - only one day of rain/clouds/fog which happened to be the day we approached the glacier. However, once on the glacier we had sun, blue skies and no wind. The views were some of the best I have ever seen. There were 4000 meter peaks everywhere you looked. The climbing was slow and steady and there were some challenging ascents. My guide, Kathy Murphy is "wonder woman"!    She took great care of us, making sure we were all safe and set a great pace. And let's not forget about the food in the Italian Huts - the best in all of Europe! The service and hospitality in the huts we also first rate. I have been on over 20 KE trips and this ranks as one of my best.
By Albert from FRANCONIA | 11 September 2016
Italian peaks week with stunning weather

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By Paul from READING | 05 September 2016
Italian peaks week with stunning weather

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By Paul from READING | 05 September 2016
Italian peaks week with stunning weather

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By Paul from READING | 05 September 2016
Stunning views and mountain enviroment from sunrise to sunset
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Climbing seven 4,000m Alpine peaks in a week plus all the preparation is a great experience. Each mountain has its own character. Some are open snowy peaks, others have narrow ridges or easy rocky sections. The quality of the food in the Italian mountain huts is excellent. This is an impressive achievement given their remote location. To successfully climb all 7 peaks requires a good level of fitness. Any prior training work on your endurance will help greatly. Keeping your trekking pack as ligh t as possible is also highly recommended, (light + light = heavy). The public transport in Italy is very cheap, if a little slow compared to other countries. The combinations of bus and train will ultimately get you to Staffel. The final bus stop is very close to the Nordend hotel. If you can share a taxi with your fellow travellers you can get from either of the Milan airports to the hotel in 2 to 3 hours. Booking the taxi via the Nordend Hotel is the cheapest method costing just over 200 euros in total. Remember your camera for the views of snowy mountains as far as the eye can see and sunsets seen from above the clouds.
By Paul from READING | 04 September 2016
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  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 22 Jun and ends on Sat 28 Jun
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 29 Jun and ends on Sat 5 Jul
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

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  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 13 Jul and ends on Sat 19 Jul
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

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  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 27 Jul and ends on Sat 2 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 3 Aug and ends on Sat 9 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

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  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /06/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 17 Aug and ends on Sat 23 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

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  • Italian Summit Climber
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: ISC /07/25/
  • This trip begins on Sun 24 Aug and ends on Sat 30 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$425
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis, joining in Milan. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements & transfers' for further details.

Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Milan Malpensa. These include Easyjet who have flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh & Glasgow. Other airports may be available.

If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection.

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BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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