This trip has become a classic and a must-do for passionate riders. It’s no wonder, if you dream of getting off a lift high in the Alps, climbing on gorgeous singletrack for an hour and more to a high Col at 2500 meters…then to roll downhill for, oh, an hour or more on the sweetest singletrack that you’ve ever ridden, then this is your trip. We’ll gaze out at Mont Blanc from a little stone hut above Verbier, rip singletrack in the shadow of the Matterhorn and ride alongside Europe’s longest glacier, the Aletch. Cloudraker is the ultimate all-mountain buffet.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive in Geneva, transfer to Verbier area
Upon arrival in Geneva Switzerland you'll be greeted by your guides and meet the rest of your group. Then we'll drive along the beautiful Lake Geneva, through Lausanne, Montreux, up the Rhone Valley and into the heart of the Alps. This afternoon we'll set up our bikes, review some riding skills and go for a short warm-up ride. Tonight we stay at a family-run hotel in the small hamlet of Lourtier.
Day 2 – ride into Italy
Today we'll ride up and over a pass further up the valley from our hotel. Today's ride will have us exploring a remote high pass and a nice descent into neighboring Italy. The ride is not technical, but long – we'll be on our bikes for over 5 hours. Tonight we stay at a family-run hotel in the small town of Lourtier.
Day 3 – ride Verbier
Today we'll explore the vast Verbier resort with countless riding options and get comfortable on downhilling. We'll also work on some riding skills and safe riding techniques. Tonight we stay in the Cabane de Mont Fort, a quintesential Swiss stone hut, perched high in the mountains with a grand view of the Alps' highest peaks and the Mont Blanc Massif.
Day 4 - Ride Medieval Flow
We'll leave early this morning and traverse the mountainside with Verbier far below. Then, we will hike our bikes up for 45 minutes to the Pierre Avoi, and begin the 15 kilometer (10 mile), 1828 meter (6000 foot) descent on the most amazing single track – littered with natural jumps and berms, to the Rhone Valley. Tonight, we stay at the Crete du Midi, an alpine cabin at the top of two lifts.
Day 5 – Ride the Brazilian
We begin the day with a 2 hour traverse and climb in a landscape straight out of Lord of the Rings. Then, from a high col we begin The Brazilian – possibly one of the finest descents anywhere! Starting in the high alpine, we'll ride past cows, diving into the subalpine on super buffed, fast, single track, onto a summer bobsled track through the forest, ending with a sloped vineyard track to the valley below. Then, its back up the lifts to sleep again at the Crete du Midi for another high alpine evening.
Day 6 – Ride Goldilocks
Today is our biggest day of riding, 50 kms (31 miles) – and one of the most spectacular rides of Cloudraker. Highlights include riding into the medieval town of Grimenz and other classic Swiss towns, beautiful singletrack through old growth forests and high alpine meadows, a funicular (monorail) ride from the town of St. Luc, and a grand descent past a spectacularly big, eroded valley, a high speed rip on double track – ending with a dip in the lake in Sierre. We'll descend a total of 3200 meters (10,470 feet) today. Tonight, we take the train up to car-less Zermatt, at the base of the Matterhorn, where we will spend the night.
Day 7 – Ride Zermatt Baby!
This morning, we'll get a well deserved sleep in, a chance to write some postcards, drink coffee, enjoy the view, and work on the bikes if nessasary. Around noon, we'll ride a number of lifts all the way up to 3100 meters (10,171 feet). The riding from here is… breathtaking… ultra smooth hiking trails on a perfect slope with postcard views. Tonight, we'll celebrate today's mindblowing ride at the beautiful Hotel du Pont in Brig.
Day 8 – Ride Aletchorn
Today, our last day of riding, begins with the jaw dropping view of the Aletch Glacier, Europe’s longest. Then, it’s a well-deserved mellow descent back to Brig, where we will relax for the afternoon, road this beautiful town and pack our bikes for the trip home. Tonight we stay in Brig.
Day 9 – Explore Geneva
This morning we will drive to Geneva and spend the day exploring - cruising on the free bikes, shopping, sightseeing, and hanging out by the lake. Tonight, we’ll stay at a hotel in old Geneva.
Day 10 – Fly home
Depending on departure times, the guides will drive to the airport for the flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
• Expert Leadership
• Accommodation in hotels and alpine huts
• All meals except lunches
• Airport pick-up / drop-off
• All transportation including: shuttle vehicle, lifts and trains
• Detailed pre-departure information
• T-shirt
Price do not include:
Airfare; personal travel and medical insurance; tipping to guides; airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any); your bike and related equipment needed to ride; personal items like drinks and snacks. We recommend approx $20 CAD per day for lunches and extras.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Switzerland
Italy
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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