Swiss & French Alps Cycle Tour (including Le Tour De France)
Starting in the gorgeous village of Lauterbrunnen at 800m, in the heart of the world famous Jungfrau region for the first 5 days and finishing in Verbier, a luxury ski village in the French side of Switzerland at 1500m, this tour has it all
Setting out from our two separate bases each day on new journeys, experiencing one of the world's most cycle friendly and spectacular regions. After traversing the cultural divide from Swiss-German, with a legendary day ride over the Col De Mosses we enter the subtle differences of the Swiss-French region. Our comfortable Lauterbrunnen accommodation comes complete with balcony views of Switzerland’s 4000m peaks. The perfect place to unwind with a cheese platter and glass of red after a scenic day in the saddle. In Verbier, we stay further amongst the clouds at 1500m, in luxury ski chalets complete with another set of majestic mountain views. Of course our timing is perfect. Stage 15 of Le Tour just happens to finish in Verbier, so we can wander from our chalet after a well deserved rest day of our own and take in the spectacle that is the world’s most famous race. We head over to the nearby Italian border and the famous climb to the Grande St Bernard to watch the Tour pass by again just 2 days later. Just enough to whet your cycling appetite, whilst enjoying our own amazing cycle adventures & relaxing in a mountain paradise
See below for our amazing add on tour to the Italian Lakes. An ideal way to link your Swiss and Tuscan cycle adventures or enjoyed as an add on if you are only participating in 1 cycle tour. |
Day 1 - Lauterbrunnen Meet in Lauterbrunnen at 6 pm.
This village is our arrival point and base for the week ahead. After our group meeting we will enjoy a local meal in the village. A traditional Swiss fondue is included tonight Day 2 - Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken and Thunersee A gentle start to our cycling tour today with a short pedal down to the energised town of Interlaken. Set between two beautiful lakes we cycle the perimeter of Lake Thun popping in for a coffee at Spiez castle. Cooling waters beckon us for a swim so we stop for a picnic lunch and a dip at Thun. The round trip is around 80kms of mostly gentle rolling hills with the final 10k uphill back into Lauterbrunnen.
The afternoon may be spent in the lakeside cafes or checking out the incredible mountain villages of the Jungfrau region. A short train journey up to Grindelwald for the local’s music night with live bands, food and generally a fun time Day 3 - Grosse Schiedegg (2000m) The long, steep climb to Grosse Scheidegg at 2000m will test us all today, but the rewards are worth it. A truly amazing view of the majestic Eiger and nearby 3000m + peaks. You are so close here you feel you could touch them. If the weather is kind, we enjoy a coffee and take in the views before a hair raising descent down to Meiringen and onto Lake Brienz. A peaceful ride along the bike paths is only broken by a short gravel section into the ancient Geissbach Hotel for lunch. Once again the views are mind boggling. For many, this will be their toughest but equally most enjoyable day. And we wrap up the tour with a treat Day 4 - Lauterbrunnen (Rest Day) So much to do in this remarkable valley. The choices are yours today as we offer countless options, from Mountain bikes up the valley, to an early morning train to Europes highest cafe Day 5 - Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne Another scenic wonder ride today heading alongside the Magnificent Lake Brienz & up and over the Brunigs Pass (at 1007m) and down into the city of Lucerne. A beautiful scenic road takes us through mountain passes and past azure blue lakes on bike paths as good as most highways. This journey is a scenic wonder. The trip one way today is 90kms. Lucerne is a clean and friendly city based on the lake. The old wooden bridges are prominent in the town centre. Plenty of time to enjoy lunch and take in the sights. A comfy Train ride back or cycle back to base for a big mileage day Day 6 - Lauterbrunnen to Verbier (one way) A classic ride today ! This 140km ride has it all, long valleys, an epic climb to Les Mosses at 1445m followed by an incredible 20k+ descent past the vineyards down to Lake Geneva. This ride is so amazing you wont have time to notice your tired legs. After descending onto the lake its another 40k gradual climb up to the base of our tricky 9k acsent to Verbier, our magnificent home for the next 5 days. Of course there are always options to shorten your journey by jumping on a comfy train Day 7 - Verbier (le tour stage) Today is a rest day from cycling as we recover from yesterdays great ride. Chance for a walk around the ampitheatre style village above 2000m, relax in a cafe or pedal a local route if you must ? The tour caravan will be finishing right in our village this afternoon so find your best spot early and watch the action Day 8 - Verbier to Lausanne A long downhill run through some great towns, with luxury bike paths, along the shores of Lake Geneva we pass through the funky towns of Montreux and Vevey before arriving in beautiful Lausanne for lunch. The home of the Olympics, we stop to check out the great museum and maybe a dip in the lake with the locals. A train ride home with a soothing ale or bike back for a big day if your keen Day 9 - Col De Grand St Bernard (le tour stage) The famous col, home of the legendary St Bernard rescue dogs is just one long but memorable climb away from our base. It sits on the border of Italy, surrounded by some majestic peaks, with Mt Blanc nearby. The Tour will follow the same route before heading down the other side. We will be up early to nail the ascent and claim the best vantage points for the tour arrival. Check out the monument before our sensational descent and the last 9k ascent to home. Another day to remember Day 10 - Verbier Today we take the roads less travelled, swapping our roadies for some Mountain bikes and testing our skills on some of the many wonderous trails amongst the forests. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the afternoon sun whilst admiring this amazing landscape and reflect on our last action packed 10 days Day 11 - depart Verbier Today is departure day for the trip and no activities are planned. For those joining us in Tuscany you have the option of spending two exciting or relaxing (or both) days in Stresa in the Italian lakes district on route Distances: 600k / or 800k for longer routes & return journeys if you must. Terrain rating (1-10): 7-8 Challenging with easier options |      |
Trip Options
| Single Travellers: | Inquire | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Accommodation: | Single Inquire | Details |
| Double Inquire |
See the Itialian Lakes Sojourn tour as an add on to this tour, or to link this and the Tuscan Back Roadsadventures.
Total price for the combination
"European Grand Cycling Tour (excluding Stresa add on) - 18 days/16 nights"
is
AUD$3900 (local payments still apply
(AUD$400 discount if you do both tours)
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
For tours where the start and finish points are different w can assist you with your arrangements in both locations.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement. This also applies to single travellers who we are not able to match up.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.