Geneva to Alpe d’Huez
Switzerland, France Bike Tours
Conquer France’s greatest climbs!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length6 days
- Prices from€1165 Rates
Overview
This extraordinary road bike tour in France will take you through the Alps from the shores of Lake Geneva to the world-famous alpine resort of Alpe d'Huez. Follow the path of Tour de France cyclists through some of France's most famous cols: Colombiere, Aravis, Saisies, Madeleine, Telegraphe, Galibier, and Alpe d'Huez.
Tackle tough climbs and be rewarded by some of the most breathtaking views France has to offer!
Highlights
- Col de la Colombière – 1,613 m
- Col des Aravis - 1,359 m
- Col des Saisies - 1,514 m
- Col de la Madeleine - 1,829 m
- Col du Télégraphe - 1,433 m
- Col du Galibier - 2,415 m
If this tour seems like too much, check out our full list of bicycle tours in France.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Yvoire
Day 2: Yvoire - Le Grand Bornand, short option, 67 or 69 mi (108 or 112 km)
Day 3: Le Grand Bornand - Albertville, 47 miles (76 km)
Day 4: Albertville - Valloire, 66 miles (106 km)
Day 5: Valloire – Alpe d’Huez, 48 miles (78 km)
Day 6: DepartureDay 1: Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Yvoire (if all hotels are full, the first night's stay will be in Anthy-sur-Léman)
Arrive at Geneva Cointrin International Airport. A representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your first hotel in Yvoire. (D)Sample accommodation: Hotel Pré de la Cure
Day 2: Yvoire - Le Grand Bornand, 67 or 69 mi. (108 or 112 km) | Total climb: 8430 ft (2570 m) or 9710 ft (2960 m)
Today’s destination is Le Grand Bornand, home of the Reblochon cheese (the locals' Powerbar!). On your way to the heart of the Aravis mountain range, you will ride through the very scenic Chablais region. The ride includes one major climb, Col de la Colombiere (1613 m 5290 ft). You can choose between a shorter or longer option. Dinner and accommodations are in Le Grand Bornand.
Sample accommodation: Hotel la Croix Saint MauriceDay 3: Le Grand Bornand - Albertville, 47 miles (75 km) | Total climb: 5445 ft (1660 m)
You’ll leave the picturesque Le Grand Bornand and before beginning 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.Sample accommodation: Hotel Le Savoie
Day 4: Albertville - Valloire, 66 miles (106 km) | Total climb: 10760 ft (3280 m)
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 a great reward: 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.Sample accommodation: Hotel Christiania
Day 5: Valloire – Alpe d’Huez, 48 miles (78 km) | Total climb: 8630 ft (2630 m)
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 featured in the 1911 Tour de France. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Meije glacier and 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.Sample accommodation: Hotel Le Castillan
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast. Transfers can be arranged to Grenoble or Geneva.*Elevation graphs can be provided on request
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Map
Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in 3 star hotels. In each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotelfinal hotel list will be based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be accommodated in an establishment of equal standard.
Bicycles
Carbon road bike
Willier GTR Team (or similar)
- Frame: Carbon Monocoque
- Front and Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultregra 6800
- Brakes: Shimano BR-R561
- Tires: Vittoria Zaffiro 700x40C
- Seat: Selle Italia X1
Accessories
- Helmet
- Seat bag
- Lock
- Water bottle cage
- Water
- Repair kit
- Multi-tool
- Spare tube
- C02 Cartridge and pump
Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 5 nights
- Introductory meeting with tour representative
- Daily breakfast
- 3 dinners (not including beverages)
- Transfer from Geneva to Yvoire on Day 1
- Luggage transfers
- Carbon road bike rental equipped with helmet, lock, pump, tool kit, bottle cage, water bottle, spare tube, & Co2 cartridge
- Marked maps and/or cue sheets and route notes
- Pre-loaded GPS unit (subject to availability)
- Emergency number
- All tax and service charges
- INCLUDED IN SUPPORTED TOUR
- Chauffeur-driven support vehicle
- Water stops (snacks, fruits, water, etc.)
- Transfer from Alpe d’Huez to Geneva on Day 6
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals
- Drinks during dinners
- Transfer from Alpe d’ Huez to Geneva or Grenoble (self guided version)
- Bicycle protection
- Trip Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Supported tour: June 22, 2024
(Additional dates can be arranged for groups of 8 or more from June through September)
Self-guided: On request
Dates can be arranged for groups of 6 or more from June through September.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Supported tour
Twin/double $ 2745 £ 1447 $ 2,479 € 1650 kr 252971 ₪ 6759 ¥ 282585 Mex$ 30420 NZ$ 3012 NOK 19675 zł 7237 S$ 2456 kr 19650 $ 1,813 Single $ 3427 £ 1807 $ 3,095 € 2060 kr 315830 ₪ 8439 ¥ 352803 Mex$ 37979 NZ$ 3761 NOK 24564 zł 9035 S$ 3066 kr 24532 $ 2,264 Self-guided tour
Twin/double $ 1938 £ 1022 $ 1,750 € 1165 kr 178613 ₪ 4773 ¥ 199522 Mex$ 21478 NZ$ 2127 NOK 13892 zł 5109 S$ 1734 kr 13874 $ 1,280 Single $ 2471 £ 1303 $ 2,231 € 1485 kr 227673 ₪ 6083 ¥ 254326 Mex$ 27378 NZ$ 2711 NOK 17708 zł 6513 S$ 2210 kr 17685 $ 1,632 Extra Options
Extra nights (includes half board)
Yvoire $ 158 £ 83 $ 143 € 95 kr 14565 ₪ 389 ¥ 16270 Mex$ 1751 NZ$ 173 NOK 1133 zł 417 S$ 141 kr 1131 $ 104 Single room $ 255 £ 134 $ 230 € 153 kr 23457 ₪ 627 ¥ 26203 Mex$ 2821 NZ$ 279 NOK 1824 zł 671 S$ 228 kr 1822 $ 168 Alpe d'Huez $ 158 £ 83 $ 143 € 95 kr 14565 ₪ 389 ¥ 16270 Mex$ 1751 NZ$ 173 NOK 1133 zł 417 S$ 141 kr 1131 $ 104 Single room $ 210 £ 111 $ 189 € 126 kr 19318 ₪ 516 ¥ 21579 Mex$ 2323 NZ$ 230 NOK 1502 zł 553 S$ 188 kr 1501 $ 138 Extra night prices are subject to change based on dates and availability.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Very Difficult
This tour is rated very difficult with good reason. The daily climbs average 9,000 ft and you will be in the saddle several hours a day. This tour is definitely all about the bike and the conquests featuring France’s most famous cols: Colombiere, Aravis, Saisies, Madeleine, Telegraphe, Galibier, and Alpe d’Huez.
Airport Info
Geneva Cointrin International Airport (GVA)
Local Travel
An arrival airport transfer is included in your tour price
Climate
We recommend checking local conditions just prior to arrival.
Remarks
Electric bikes are available on request!
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to research travel requirements and to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, blank visa pages required for your destination (s), and any other requirement.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU citizens: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and the destination country.
EU-citizens: (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months from the end of your tour.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cyclomundo.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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