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Geneva to Alpe d'Huez

Cyclomundo offers guided and self-guided cycling trips in the French Alps

Guided and Self-guided trip
Self-guided on June 16th and Sept 1st 2012
Guided on June 30th (in conjunction with the Marmotte cyclosportive.
5 nights/6 days
Average daily mileage: 85 km (50 miles)
Geneva is serviced by train from Paris and low-cost airlines such as EasyJet or Flybaboo
Self-guided: From 705 Euros per person based on double occupancy
Guided: From 1020 Euros per person based on double occupancy
Level: 5 (Very Strenuous)
Accommodations in 2- and 3-star properties

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Challenging Alps: Cycling from Geneva to Alpe d'Huez - 5 nights/6 days

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"Geneva to Alpe d'Huez" is Outside Magazine's "2011 Trip of the Year"

On this cycling tour, you will ride some of France’s most famous passes

Alpe d’Huez and its world-famous climb is your final destination

This trip is Outside Magazine's "2011 Trip of the Year"

This tour takes place in our playground (we are based in Geneva!).

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.

Note that this tour can also be organized for cycling clubs and private groups on a request basis. For these, we will taylor the itinerary and provide the appropriate support based on the group's fitness level.

This tour can be combined with some of the cyclo-sportives and gran fondo in this region such as La Marmotte, l'Etape du Tour, or the Time-Megeve-Mont-Blanc.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva - Transfer to Anthy

Arrive at Geneva International Airport. We will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel located in Anthy by Lake Geneva. Dinner will also be right by the lake.

Day 2: Anthy to Le Grand Bornand (90 km or 55 miles)

Today’s destination is Le Grand Bornand (in the heart of the Aravis mountain range), home of the Reblochon cheese (locals' Powerbar!) and where you'll dine and stay overnight. On your way, you will ride through the very scenic Chablais region (our playground; our office is nearby!). The ride includes one major climb: Col de la Colombiere (1,613 m 5,290 ft). Dinner and accommodations are in Le Grand Bornand.

Day 3: Le Grand Bornand to Albertville (53 km or 32 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, where you’ll dine and stay overnight.

Day 4: Albertville - Valloire (102 km or 64 miles)

Another classic day! You’ll conquer Col de la Madeleine; one of the most mythic and classic mountain passes featured in the Tour de France. 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 panoramic view of 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 when you reach the base of the valley, you’ll ascend the easy Col du Télégraphe (1,566 m or 4,700 ft.) and reach the beautiful resort of Valloire.

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. Riding this legendary climb is magic: graffiti from past Tours will remind you that this road has seen many showdowns since it was first used by Tour de France riders in 1911. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Meije glacier and with 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.

Day 6: Departure

After breakfast, depart Alpe d’Huez at the time of your choice (self-guided version). Note that transfers to Grenoble or Geneva can be arranged on request. Note that you may also choose to ride Alpe d'Huez to Nice

Booking & Pricing

SELF-GUIDED: Price starts at 705 euros per person in double occupancy on a self-guided basis. Single supplement is 230 euros.

This tour is offered on a self-guided basis on:

June 16th
September 1st

The tour can be organized for private groups on any other dates (minimum size: 6).

WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 8 AND MORE):

GUIDED: Price starts at 1020 euros per person (double occupancy on a guided basis). Single supplement is 305 euros.

TWO SPECIAL EDITIONS ARE ORGANIZED ON:

June 30th: This is a special guided edition organized in conjunction with the Marmotte sportive event.
July 9th: Organized around the TdF, this 6-night/7-day package will allow riders to view and experience the Tour while riding all the mythic climbs between Geneva and Alpe d’Huez!

The self-guided version (June 16th and September 1st) includes:

5-night accommodations in 2- and 3-star properties (2 nights in 2-star hotels; 3 nights in 3-star hotels)
Daily breakfast
Daily dinner (drinks are not included)
Transfer from Geneva to Anthy on Day 1
Luggage transfers
Marked maps and/or cue sheets, and route notes
Garmin GPS 705 (subject to availability)
Assistance if necessary
All tax and service charges

In addition, trips WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE include
(ONLY AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 8 AND MORE):

Chauffeur-driven support vehicle
Water stops (snacks, fruits,water, etc.)
Transfer from Alpe d'Huez to Geneva on Day 6

These prices do not include:

Drinks
Expenses of personal nature
Travel insurance
Transfer from Alpe d’Huez to Geneva or Grenoble
Bike rentals. Aluminum racing bikes are available at the rate of 160 euros per bike; Full-carbon bikes at the rate of 220 euros per bike

For further information or reservations:
Please book online contact us at your earliest convenience as this trip is subject to hotel availability. Our e-mail address: info@cyclomundo.com