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Tours > Guided Cycling Tours > French Alpes Guided > Marmotte & Briancon

French Alpes - Marmotte & Briancon

Follow the route of the Marmotte and then add Briancon and the Izoard!

Just like our Self Guided version of this itinerary, we offer it in Guided format here to provide additional assistance and ensure the possibility of completing all the big climbs and maybe even a few more than our self guided version can do since a guide can always bring you back from the top of the climb! This program covers all the big climbs of the famous Marmotte cyclosportive: Alpe d'Huez, Glandon and Croix de Fer, Telegraph, Galibier, Lautaret and then we add in the possibility to ride Izoard and maybe even Sestrieres! For some really strong participants, you can get a few more climbs in on some 'secret' routes up Alpe d'Huez or Les Deux Alpes!

This will be a small group, and we'll have fun! Its all about the cycling in some of the most amazing scenery on Earth! An ultimate challenge, if you complete the journey, you'll have a souvenir to outshine all the local club riders back home!


Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6

Day 1: Arrival day in Grenoble. We will meet the group in Grenoble train station for a transfer around 2pm to our first hotel in Alpe d'Huez. A very nice 3 star mountain chalet style hotel, we will have lots of space and comfort which is perfect after some long rides! The guide will do an orientation, help with bike set up, and get everyone situated for the days ahead. If any time is left, we can some short riding. Dinner included tonight. (D)

Hotel Le Pic Blanc

3

Alpes D'Huez

The hotel Le Pic Blanc is located in Alpe d'Huez, a ski-resort called the sunshine island for its ex...

Day 2: Warm up ride and finish on Alpe d'Huez. We'll start with a nice long downhill along one of those tiny mountain roads that few people use. It is a perfect way to warm up followed by a long flat ride back to Bourg d'Oisans. We can add some climbing and then up to Les Deux Alpes by cable car and then down again to start our TT ascent on Alpe d'Huez! We'll have a picnic lunch along the way, finish back at Alpe d'Huez with some free time and then dinner. Those wanting some more miles can go over the Sarenne and down to Besse and then return. (B,L,D)

Hotel Le Pic Blanc

3

Alpes D'Huez

The hotel Le Pic Blanc is located in Alpe d'Huez, a ski-resort called the sunshine island for its ex...

Day 3: Ride to St Jean en Maurienne A big day, we are going to ride approximately half the Marmotte route, but we have a few options. We will descend by Alpe d'Huez to Bourg d'Oisans, or take a different way over the Col de la Sarenne and then down to Chambon Dam, Bourg d'Oisans, and then the long road to the Col de Croix de Fer! Following that is the long descent to St Jean en Maurienne where the Tour de France stops this year. Overnight in comfortable 2 star hotel, dinner included again tonight. (B,L,D)

Hotel du Nord

3

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

Experience living... in a mellow Savoie home. On the route to the great Alpine mountain passes and I...

Day 4: Ride to Briancon over the Galibier! We shouldn't neglect the Col du Telegraph also which starts the first climbing today from St Jean into Valloires. Then the long ride up to the Galibier, after then its all downhill - even over the Lautaret which is below the Galibier on this direction. Descend all the way to Briancon and a charming 3 star hotel. You can have dinner on your own tonight. With any extra time we can add some more miles in the Briancon area. (B,L)

Parc Hotel

3

Briancon

The hotel is ideally located in the centre of Briancon, close to the shops and with direct access to...

Day 5: Col d'Izoard This is a long and gradual ride up that eventually turns harder near the top. The Izoard is one of the highest cols and offers a great panorama of the region and views into Italy. We'll descend by a long way around back to Briancon and with any left over time we can try to reach Sestrieres. Dinner included. (B,L,D)

Parc Hotel

3

Briancon

The hotel is ideally located in the centre of Briancon, close to the shops and with direct access to...

Day 6: Departure Day Depart the hotel at 9:30 am to reach Grenoble train station by 11:00 am. End of services.


What's Included

Trip includes: all lodging in 2 and star hotels with private bathrooms and twin bed arrangements, 4 dinners, daily buffet breakfast, 1 professional cycling guide bilingual in French/English, 1 support vehicle with roof mounted bike carrier, welcome orientation and drink, road book with maps, luggage transfers, vehicle support, energy drinks, water, snacks and picnic lunches and souvenir jersey. Note: 1 guide for 8 pax is maximum. Pricing below is based on 6 or 8 pax. Contact us for different size groups.

 

Tour Rates

Price: 1225 Euros per person, dbl occup., based on 6 participants. 8 participants: 1135/person.
Single Supplement: please contact us
per person based on 6 participants 1225 euros
per person based on 8 participants 1135 euros
Single supplement TBD

Photos & Videos

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Bike Information

Bike: Rent our Look 566 carbon road bicycles for 185 Euros.
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. Click on our Rental Page link to know more.

General Tour Info

Duration: 5 nights / 6 days - GUIDED

Dates 2012: this tour is guided and is only available on these dates; or on request for any group of minimum of 6 persons; subject to hotel availability.

Accommodation: Charming mountain loding, chalet style, comfortable 2 star and 3 star hotels. Breakfast buffets daily at each hotel. Dinners sometimes in the hotel and sometimes in local restaurants.

Tours: serious climbing; only for the strongest cyclists in top form and without a fear of heights or fast and controlled descents.

Tour Map