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Stay: Geneva to Alpe d'Huez
Opening period
All year round daily between 9 am and 6 pm.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th.
Language(s) spoken: English, French
CouplesSingle peopleCyclistsFor experts / practicedGroupsWelcome for business/incentive groupsFor LGBTCash dispensers
We'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Yvoire on Lake Geneva. You'll then meet our local representative, who will provide you with all the equipment you need for the next few days' adventure. Our kit includes marked maps, tourist information, road book and GPS on mobile app. If you are renting a bike, he/she will also make the final adjustments to the bikes before you leave.
Means of payment accepted
Bank/credit card
Credit transfer
Rates
Adult: 1,115 € (per person sharing a room. Single supplement is 350 euros.).
Pricing: From 1115 euros per person sharing a double room
This tour comes in two options:
SELF-GUIDED: From 1115 euros per person sharing a double room (double occupancy on a self-guided basis). Single supplement is 350 euros. Offered on the following dates:
• for groups of 6 people and more, any day from June through September.
WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE: From 1,445 euros per person sharing a double room (double occupancy on a guided basis). Single supplement is 410 euros. Offered on the following date:
• any day from June through September for groups of 8 or more
• on a specific date, on request, for groups of less than 8 people.
Needless to say, it is an extraordinary trip that will take you from the shore of Lake Geneva to the world-famous alpine resort of Alpe d'Huez. In between, you'll climb some of France's most famous cols: Colombiere, Aravis, Saisies, Madeleine, Telegraphe, Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez.
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva - Transfer to Yvoire
Arrival at Geneva International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Anthy on the shores of Lake Geneva. Dinner will also be served on the lakefront.
Day 2: Yvoire - Le Grand Bornand
Mileage: 108 km / 67 miles
Total climb: 2570 m / 8430 ft
Your destination: Le Grand Bornand (in the heart of the Aravis mountain range). This small, family-friendly ski resort is the home of Reblochon (the energetic local bar!). You'll dine here and spend the night. On the way, you'll pass through the picturesque Chablais region. The route includes a major climb: Col de la Colombière (1613 m / 5290 ft). Dinner and overnight in Le Grand Bornand.
Day 3: Le Grand Bornand - Albertville
Mileage: 75 km / 47 miles
Total ascent: 1660 m / 5445 ft
Leaving the village of Le Grand Bornand, you'll concentrate on the Route des Grande Alpes, a mountain road linking Lake Geneva (Thonon-les-Bains) to the Mediterranean Sea (Menton). After climbing the Col des Aravis (1486 m), you'll plunge down into the valley before tackling the second climb of the day: the Col des Saisies (1657 m). Gravity will take you down to Albertville, where you'll dine and spend the night.
Day 4: Albertville - Valloire
Mileage: 106 km / 66 miles
Total ascent: 3280 m / 10760 ft
Another classic day! You'll set out to conquer the Col de la Madeleine, one of the Tour de France's most legendary passes. The summit rises to 2000 m, the highest on your tour... yet! The north side is a very pleasant, long and steady climb that will reward you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Once at the top, make sure you enjoy it... it could be the last thing on your mind as you hurtle down the winding 20 km descent into the Maurienne valley. After a short flat section, when you reach the valley floor, you'll climb the Col du Télégraphe (easy!) (1566 m / 4700 ft) and finally reach the beautiful resort of Valloire.
Day 5: Valloire - Alpe d'Huez or Oz-en-Oisans
Mileage: 78 km / 48 miles
Total ascent: 2630 m / 8630 ft
Valloire lies at the foot of the Col du Galibier (2642 m), the hardest climb of the day. Climbing this mythical pass is magical: graffiti from the last Tour de France will remind you that this route has seen many confrontations, as it has been used by Tour de France riders since 1911. You'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Meije glacier and a memorable 40 km descent to Bourg d'Oisans, before tackling the 13 km ascent to Alpe d'Huez. The time to beat: 37'35", a record held by Marco Pantani since 1995.
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, departure from Alpe d'Huez at a time of your choosing. Transfers to Grenoble or Geneva can be arranged on request.
Services
Services
Breakfast
Booking obligatory
Half-board
Equipment hire
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