| SELF-GUIDED TOUR: CHALLENGING ALPS: ANNECY TO ALPE D'HUEZ - 6 nights/7 days | ||||
| Printer-Friendly Version | All French Alps Vacations | French Alps Custom Tour | French Alps Bicycle Rentals | | ||||
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Originally designed as for a small group who wanted to do a challenging trip with total freedom and without the pressure and discipline an organized tour would involve. Since then, we offer this tour on a regular basis to small groups . Although we use the same route for all, we are flexible enough to tweak it and arrange it based on clients' fitness level and requirements. It is a magnificent tour that will take you over classic Tour de France climbs such as Col de la Croix-Fry, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez. This tour can be combined with some sections of our Swiss Jura and French Alps tour. |
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| Itinerary: | ||||
| Day
1: Arrival in Geneva - Transfer to Annecy Arrive at Geneva International Airport. We will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel located in the village of Sévrier, a few miles from downtown Annecy. Your hotel by the Lake is steps away from our partner renter, your key contact if you need help assembling your bike or if you wish to use a rental bike. Dinner and overnight by the Lake. |
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Day 2: Annecy - Talloires -
Le Grand Bornand (76 km or 48 miles) |
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| Day
3 : Le Grand Bornand - Moutiers (90 km or 56 miles) You'll leave the very picturesque Le Grand Bornand and get on the classic "Route des Grandes Alpes," a mountain route that links Lake Geneva (Thonon-les-Bains) to the Mediterranean Sea (Menton). After climbing Col des Aravis (1,486 m or 4,460 ft.), you'll plunge down to the valley before attacking the second climb of the day: Col des Saisies (1,657 m or 4,970 ft.) Gravity will take you down to Albertville. From there, the Isere River will guide you to Moûtiers, the capital city of the Tarentaise region. This is where you'll dine and overnight. |
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| Day 4: Moûtiers
- Valloire (81 km or 50 miles) Another classic day! You'll do Col de la Madeleine, one of the most mythic classic Tour de France, although the top culminates at an impressive 2,000 m or 6,000 ft. (the highest so far-until tomorrow!), the northern side is a very enjoyable long and steady climb that has its rewards: an unobstructed panorama over the nearby mountains. Make sure you enjoy it while at the top, sightseeing might be the last thing on your mind when barreling down the twisty 20-km downhill to the Maurienne Valley. After a flat section on the valley floor, you'll ascend the easy Col du Télégraphe (1,566 m or 4,700 ft.) and reach the beautiful resort of Valloire. |
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| Day
5: Valloire - Alpe d'Huez or Oz-en-Oisans (85 km or 53 miles) Valloire is located at the foot of the Galibier pass (2,642 m or 7.926 ft.), the mammoth climb of the day. As a result, don't expect much in the way of a warm-up! Riding this legendary climb is magic: graffiti from pas Tours will remind you that this road has seen many showdowns since it was first used by Tour de France riders in 1911. You will be rewarded by stunning views over the Meije glacier and by a memorable 40-km (25 miles) descent to Bourg d'Oisans before charging up the 13-km (8 miles) climb to Alpe d'Huez. The time to beat: 37'35", a record held by Marco Pantani since 1995. |
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| Day 6: Various suggested
loops (ranging from 60 to 160 km; easy to challenging) You will be provided with a few suggestions for today's tour. Our favorite is a 60 km (38 miles) ride that will take you up to Alpe d'Huez via a very scenic road with breathtaking views over the Oisans area and the nearby mountain peaks. This short loop will allow you to recover from the last few days of grueling riding. Of course, you may also opt to do the longer "Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer" loop if you want a longer and tougher loop. |
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Day 7: Departure |
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Price: Price starts at 805 euros per person in double occupancy. This price includes: This price does not include:
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| For further information or reservations: Please contact us at your earliest convenience as this trip is subject to hotel availability. Our e-mail address: info@cyclomundo.com | ||
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