haute route by mountain bike

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1 A holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It s about U + the walking tracks and cycling trails you want to discover. Since we began in 2006, has quickly become known as the leaders in active European holidays. Our itineraries are creative and very affordable. Set your own pace on a flexible self guided trip or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a guided tour. Together with our sister company Sherpa Expeditions, we offer over 400 active tours across the continent and it s many exotic islands. There s an active holiday idea everyone including families, culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, experienced alpine walkers or those that just want to see Europe differently. The physical demands range from introductory to challenging with all offering unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. Compare the price and you will see that we offer exceptional value active programs that are virtually all inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders you ve come to experience. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2 star or 4 star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want. explore europe your way A N TH TRIP COST Joining Geneva : $2690 Trip Concludes: Geneva All prices are per person N I V E R OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS As the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if a single room is required. If you would like to share a room with someone of the same gender, please request and we will do all possible to match you. However, if we are unsuccessful you will be required to pay the single supplement. Please refer to the price options above or ask our office for details. IMPORTANT NOTES DN1 - Bike hire, helmet hire and lift passes in Zermatt are not included. Note: - prices valid up to 31/12/2017. For trips departing after this date, the price will likely increase subject to local inflationary pressures on operational costs. S A R Y TRIP NAME: TRIP CODE: TRIP DURATION: HAUTE ROUTE BY MOUNTAIN BIKE HRB 8 DAYS GRADE: CHALLENGING 5 ACTIVITY: CYCLING ACCOMMODATION: 8 DAY TRIP, 6 DAYS MOUNTAIN BIKING, 7 NIGHTS HOTEL (TWINSHARE BASIS) DATE DETAILS: haute route by mountain bike Geneva Chamonix Mont Blanc France Switzerland Verbier Zermatt Matterhorn AUG - 12 AUG, 12 AUG - 19 AUG, 19 AUG - 26 AUG, 26 AUG - 02 SEP, 02 SEP - 09 SEP, 09 SEP - 16 SEP, 16 SEP - 23 SEP, 23 SEP - 30 SEP, 30 SEP - 07 OCT highlights Incredible alpine scenery Cycling rewarding, world class mountain bike trails Legendary Haute Route adapted for mountain bikes Breathtaking views of Mont Blanc & the Matterhorn Ride through several high alpine passes at an altitude of over 2500m Pass through charming old Swiss villages the trip The Haute Route is one of the most famous walks in the European Alps and recently this famous trail has developed into one of the most rewarding mountain bike trails in the world. Setting out under the stunning shadow of Mont Blanc above Chamonix, we ride through the heart of the alps, crossing high alpine passes at altitudes of over 2500m including Pas de Lona, Basset de Lona and Illsee pass. The well maintained Swiss single tracks offer outstanding riding as we appreciate the breathtaking alpine summits and glaciers surrounding us. The fantastic final descent into Zermatt takes us underneath the stunning and unforgettable Matterhorn the most recognisable peak in the Swiss Alps. This is a fitting end to a superb mountain bike tour. Italy Page 1

2 itinerary at a glance Day 1 Join Geneva, transfer to Chamonix Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Ride Le Tour and on to Verbier To Evolene To Grimentz via Pas de Lona and Basset de Lona Illsee Pass to Eischoll Swiss Rhone Valley, Saint Niklaus & Zermatt Valley Riding in the Zermatt Valley Transfer Chamonix to Geneva, trip concludes detailed itinerary Note: Warning: This itineray is given for your information and may be changed at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, physical ability of clients and the trail options we decide together. DAY 1 Join Geneva, transfer to Chamonix On arrival at Geneva airport, you will be met and transferred to Chamonix. Alternatively, if you are coming from somewhere else, please make your own way to Chamonix. Our accommodation for the night has a view of Mont Blanc (weather permitting) which helps to inspire us for our forthcoming adventure. There is time to unpack and prepare our bikes; also to take care of any last minute shopping requirements in the town of Chamonix. meals: D DAY 2 DAY 3 Ride Le Tour and on to Verbier We begin our mountain bike journey this morning with a ride to Le Tour at the head of the Chamonix Valley. From here we will take the gondola to Col de Balme then ride our first technical descent to the village of Trient, Switzerland. From here we climb the Col de la Forclaz before descending to the Martigny Valley and its vineyards. We continue on to Val de Bagne by following the contours of the valley along both road and trails. Finally we take a chair lift to arrive in the ski resort of Verbier, where we overnight. Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 1000m Descent: 1500m Physical difficulty: 2/5 Technical skills: 3/5 To Evolene Today we start from the village of Verbier, with amazing views of the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc range. We follow the route of the Grand Raid Marathon - one of the world s toughest mountain bike races. Firstly we cross the Croix de Coeur Pass and descend on superb single track. Several climbs and descents follow throughout the day; one a ski lift ascent rewarded by a long descent on a spongey, spruce- needled single track. A long final climb (about 1 hour) takes us to the top of Sex Pey, followed by a technical final descent to the quaint Swiss village of Evolene nestled in a narrow valley. Over night in Evolene Ride distance: 65km Ascent: 1900m Descent: 2400m Physical difficulty: 4/5 Technical skills: 3/5 NOTE: there will be some sections today where it is too steep to ride and it will be necessary to hike with your bike. These sections may be up to 30-45mins at a time, depending on your fitness level. All descents are on single track. Page 2

3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 To Grimentz via Pas de Lona and Basset de Lona Today involves climbing the highest pass of this trip, the Col de Torrent (2916m) via a combination of dirt roads and single tracks. Our reward is a long, varied descent passing near the beautiful Lake Moiry and finishing with a great single track descent to the village of Grimentz. Overnight in Grimentz. Ride distance: 45km Ascent: 1600m Descent:1900m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5 NOTE: there will be some sections today where it is too steep to ride and it will be necessary to hike with your bike. These sections may be up to 30-45mins at a time, depending on your fitness level. All descents are on single track. Illsee Pass to Eischoll This morning we have an early start for another long day on the bike. We will ride via the Illsee pass at 2544m, from where we can see both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. The panorama of what we have achieved and where we still have to ride is beyond words. After a short descent, a 30 minute hike/bike section follows with an epic and varied downhill descent. This descent is a mix of all the best types of trails imaginable: fast tracks, swooping and technical sections, and tight corners. It is sensational. From here the climbs are finished and a vehicle track brings us to a point above Eischoll, finishing with an easy downhill to the village for the night. Overnight Eischoll. Ride distance: 55km Ascent: 1400m Descent: 2000m Physical difficulty: 4/5 Technical skills: 3/5 NOTE: there will be some sections today where it is too steep to ride and it will be necessary to hike with your bike. These sections may be up to 30-45mins at a time, depending on your fitness level. All descents are on single track. Swiss Rhone Valley, Saint Niklaus & Zermatt Valley We have a change of ambiance today. We use single tracks and large trails and pass through alpine villages barely hanging on the mountain side. We will ride along the ridge of the Swiss Rhone Valley and enter into the German speaking area of Switzerland. After a warm up on a jeep track we will take a single track, then finish the climb with a hike/bike section to the highest point for the day, the Moose Pass at 2048m. The view of the neighboring peaks is stunning as we stand at the junction of the Zermatt and Saas-Fé Valleys. The descent to Saint Niklaus and the Zermatt Valley is excellent. Overnight in St Niklaus. Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 1100m Descent: 1100m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5 NOTE: there will be a small section today where it is too steep to ride and it will be necessary to hike with your bike. This section may be up to 30 mins, depending on your fitness level. Page 3

4 DAY 7 DAY 8 Riding in the Zermatt Valley The final day of riding will be engraved in our memory forever. From Saint Niklaus we will ride to Zermatt using trails and roads. We will then cycle the superb trails of the Zermatt Valley. There is an option to use a lift for the ascent: either the Gornergrat train to 3016m or the Sunnegga funicular. From both of these lifts the view of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa is inspiring. The descent to Zermatt is fantastic and will definitely make our disc brakes burn! We dismantle and pack our bikes this evening then celebrate as we reflect on the spectacular journey just completed. Overnight Zermatt. Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 700m Descent: 1800m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5 Transfer Chamonix to Geneva, trip concludes Today our trip concludes with a transfer to the Geneva airport. Please make sure to book a late afternoon or evening flight, due to the transfer time to Geneva airport from Zermatt. meals: B inclusions 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners 7 nights accommodation in a mix of hotels (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms) arrival and departure transfers from Geneva (Days 1 & 8 only) professional experienced guide luggage transfers to overnight accommodation lift passes in Chamonix valley, Verbier and Siviez cycling jersey organic energy drinks and snack bars items not included international flights and airport taxes arrival and departure transfers if not arriving or departing on Days 1 & 8 mountain bike you can bring your own or hire is available for cost of EUR 340 per person per trip (subject to change). Please ask for details cycling helmet (compulsory). Included in hire cost if not bringing own bike meals and beverages not indicated in the itinerary items of a personal nature such as alcohol, postage, phone calls and laundry etc any optional excursions or sightseeing visas tips travel insurance (compulsory) lift passes in Zermatt getting there BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: com BY TRAIN If you are arriving by train, there are options from both Paris and Geneva / Zurich. The group pickup point is at Geneva Airport which is on the trainline. Alternatively you can make your way directly to Chamonix by train or bus. BY AIR As the group pick up is on day 1 from Geneva Airport, we recommend you plan to arrive at this airport. Page 4

5 trip grading - challenging This mountain biking trip is for more experienced riders. Graded as challenging, it involves a combination of easy to technical singletracks (some very technical), to rocky and rooty trails with distances from 40 to 65km including ascents up to 1900m. Over the course of the 6 days of cycling you will climb 8300m and descend 11000m. The emphasis is on moderate riding with several challenging stages that will test you. The itinerary describes each days physical and technical challenges and provides a rating out of 5. trip organisation You will be provided with detailed route plans so that you know where you are and what s ahead in each stage. We aim to commence cycling early in the morning and return to the hotel by mid afternoon. There will be 2 support vehicles front and back carrying water, food and extra clothing. It is important to remember that these cycling journeys are not designed to be a marathon event. No one needs to feel under pressure to ride. If at any point you do not wish to ride the vehicle is always available for you and your bike to be transported. Usually we stop every 10 to 20kms for a rest. This will be the time to recover your breath and replenish your fluids and energy with water and snacks. To maximise your own personal protection in case of a tumble or fall, the wearing of a bicycle helmet is compulsory at all times whilst cycling. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. accommodation haute route by mountain bike PRE TOUR TMB ULTRA MARATHON Each year at the end of August a series of races are held on sections of the TMB route over a 7 day period not all sections will have runners during this time. This lends an exciting atmosphere to the trail with endurance athletes running through the night, to cover the route in up to 46 hours with winning times usually around 20 hours. An amazing feat covering 168km! During this week there will be minimal impact on your arrangements except that the area will be busy and accommodation in Chamonix will be in demand. Making your bookings well in advance is advisable. For more details see com/page/1/the_event.html the region The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is one of the European Alps most famous trails, steeped in mountaineering legend. It was a route first taken by British climbers at the end of the 19th century. The Alps are one of the most accessible and spectacular mountain regions in the world. They are home to farmers whose families have inhabited the mountains for thousands of years. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED VISAS Switzerland Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant* Page 5

6 CLIMATE The cycling season in the European Alps is short from mid June to mid September and many of the mountain refuges are closed outside this time. In winter parts of the trail are transformed into world class ski runs, evidenced by the comprehensive network of cablecars or téléfériques. Bearing in mind that much of the route is at altitudes of over 1000m, the temperatures can vary significantly. Temperatures in summer range from around 6 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common. At the higher elevations it is important to dress with layers as cold winds and possible snow falls can happen even in summer. MIN GROUP SIZE 4 MAX GROUP SIZE 8 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Bike and bike helmet how to book Booking a holiday is simple. You can book online, via our secure payment facility, at your own convenience. Alternatively, fill out our booking form which can be found at the back of our brochure, on our website or we can you a copy then scan/ , fax or post the form to your nearest or World Expeditions office, or travel agent, with the relevant deposit by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges may apply for credit card payments if full payment is made). has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Contact us, or your travel agent, for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. follow us There s even more tips and ideas on our blog at slide shows invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, com or contact our office. IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY,AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office. Page 6

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