Trip Overview

Our 12-day adventure is a 'grand traverse' in the classic sense, as we blaze a trail through the French Alps from Mont Blanc all the way to the sun-kissed beaches of the Côte d'Azur. We'll be traveling in style with nights spent at elegant inns and mountain lodges, with all our gear transported inn-to-inn for us.

This trek is ideal for all skill levels⁠—all you need is a love of mountains. Each day we walk 5 to 8 hours, with elevation gains between 1,500 and 4,000 feet. We stick mostly to established trails, at times making use of off-piste routes. Step by step, we’ll make our way up, down, and around, peak by peak, village by village.

This trip overview is designed to answer questions regarding our Modern Adventure Experience, including the itinerary, food & drink, required fitness level, vaccines, packing list and more. If any changes are made, we will update you as appropriate and when necessary.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

DAY 1: CHAMONIX > MEGÈVE > BEAUFORT

  • Day 1! Meet in Chamonix at 8am on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Hotel Mercure Chamonix Centre

  • Gear check and 60-min transfer to Megève to start our trek

  • Ascent over Mont de Vores and Col de Véry

  • Hike to mountain town of Hauteluce

  • Transfer to Beaufort

  • Lodging: Hôtel le Christiania in Beaufort

DAY 2: BEAUFORTIN REGION

  • Hike past Roselend lake and ridge of Le Mont des Acrays (7,170ft)

  • Traverse Col du Couvercle (7,680ft)

  • Descent into Tarentaise Valley

  • Transfer to village of Landry

  • Lodging: Hôtel L'Alpin in Landry

DAY 3: VALLEY OF CHAMPAGNY

  • Hike Vanoise National Park

  • Ascent from Rosuel Door (5,080ft) to Col de Plan Sery (8,425ft)

  • Hike down to valley of Champagny (5,144ft)

  • Transfer to village of Pralognan

  • Lodging: Hôtel de la Vanoise in Pralognan

DAY 4: COL D'AUSSOIS

  • Transfer to Le Post de la Peche (5,820ft)

  • Ascent over Col d’Aussois (9,623ft), the highest point we’ll cross on our entire traverse

  • Descent to Le Plan d’Amont lake (6,850ft)

  • Transfer to village of Aussois

  • Lodging: Hôtel du Soleil in Aussois

DAY 5: THE BRIANCONNAIS

  • Transfer to Modane

  • Ascent to Col de la Vallée Étroite (7,920ft)

  • Descent to Vallée Étroite (5,824ft)

  • Ascent to Col des Thures (7,240ft)

  • Descent to Vallée de la Clarée

  • Transfer to village of Briancon

  • Lodging: Hôtel de la Chaussee in Briancon

DAY 6: QUEYRAS REGION

  • Transfer to Villard St Pancrace

  • Hike into Queyras National Park

  • Hike through hamlet of Clapeyto (7,330ft)

  • Continue down to village of Brunissard (5,926ft)

  • Transfer to St Véran

  • Lodging: Hôtel Les Chalets du Villard in St Véran

DAY 7: UBAYE REGION

  • Hike from Chapelle de Clausis (7,722ft) to La Blanche (8,250ft)

  • Climb to Col Blanchet (9,504ft) and Col Longet (8,778ft)

  • Descent along Ubaye river valley to Maljesset (6,303ft)

  • Transfer to Barcelonnette

  • Lodging: Hôtel Azteca in Barcelonnette

DAY 8: VÉSUBIE REGION

  • 3-hour drive to Saint-Martin de Vésubie

  • Afternoon and evening to relax and explore village on own

  • Lodging: Hôtel La Bonne in Saint-Martin de Vésubie

DAY 9: MERCANTOUR NATIONAL PARK

  • Drive through Boreon Vally to Mercantour National Park

  • Hike from Vacherie du Boreon (5,413ft) over Pas de Ladres (8,078ft)

  • Descent to La Madone de Fenestre (6,295ft)

  • Transfer to Saint-Martin Vésubie

  • Lodging: Hôtel La Bonne in Saint-Martin Vésubie

DAY 10: DOWN TO SOSPEL

  • Transfer to Camp d’Argent

  • Descent to Sospel (1,148ft)

  • Transfer to Menton on the Côte d'Azur

  • Lodging: Hotel Riva Art & Spa in Menton

DAY 11: GRAND MONT

  • Final hiking day

  • Ascent to Grand Mont (4,550ft)

  • Descent to seaside village of Castellar (1,280ft)

  • Transfer to Menton

  • Lodging: Hotel Riva Art & Spa in Menton

DAY 12: DEPARTURE FROM NICE

  • After breakfast, complimentary airport transfer to Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE)

  • Your flight home should depart NCE airport at 1pm or later

Our Accommodations

Hôtel le Christiana

Rte du Grand Mont, 73270 Beaufort

Hôtel le Christiana
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 38 10 58

This classic Beaufort hotel is the perfect place to start our journey. Comfortable rooms, al fresco breakfasts served with gorgeous mountain views, and an excellent on-site restaurant.

Hôtel L'Alpin

Chemin de l'Ancienne Mairie, 73210 Landry

Hôtel L'Alpin
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 55 33 00

Located in the heart of Landry village, with 15 cozy rooms and panoramic views of the valley below. The restaurant is devoted to regional specialities, from plates of cured meats to Savoie wines and local beers.

Hôtel de la Vanoise

73710 Pralognan-la-Vanoise

Hôtel de la Vanoise
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 08 70 34

This mountain chalet in Pralognan, located within Vanoise National Park, dates from 1875 and was the very first hotel in the region. Today it's fully renovated and full of charm, with 32 bright rooms and all the comforts you'd expect.

Hôtel du Soleil

15 Rue de l'Église, Aussois

Hôtel du Soleil
Tel. +33 (0)4 79 20 32 42

Our Aussois hotel has rooms with unforgettable views—not to mention a hot tub and solarium that overlook the mountains. Dine on the panoramic outdoor terrace from a menu that takes 'local and seasonal' to new heights: everything served hails from within a 10-mile radius.

Hôtel de la Chaussee

4 Rue Centrale, 05100 Briançon, France

Hôtel de la Chaussee
Tel. +33 (0)4 92 21 10 37

Located in the center of Briancon since 892, we’ll be welcomed by the fifth-generation Bonnaffoux family. Their mountain home lies between tradition and modernity all with the chalet spirit. Relax and take in the sights—Briancon’s fortifications of Vauban are World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Hôtel Les Chalets du Villard

Quartier Le Villard, St Véran

Hôtel Les Chalets du Villard
Tel. +33 (0)4 92 45 82 08

Relax fireside at one of St Véran's most-prized hotels. It's the views from the terrace and lounge that you'll treasure. A wood-fired grill at the hotel restaurant cooks up some of the region’s finest game dishes.

Hôtel Azteca

3 Rue François Arnaud, Barcelonnette

Hôtel Azteca
Tek. +33 (0)4 92 81 46 36

Artsy and hip, this design-forward hotel in Barcelonnette has a rotating exhibit of multimedia works by international artists. The quirky library and bar wouldn’t feel out of place in New York or Berlin—but the views and mellow vibe are pure Alps.

Hôtel La Bonne

98 Allée de Verdun, Saint-Martin de Vésubie

Hôtel La Bonne
Tel. +33 (0)4 93 03 20 49

The rustic stone lodge has passed from father to son since 1945. With its individually decorated rooms and shaded terrace with views of Mercantour National Park, it’s a perfect place to relax.

Hotel Riva Art & Spa

600 Promenade du Soleil, Menton

Hotel Riva Art & Spa
Tel. +33 (0)4 93 03 21 22

Facing the beaches and clear waters of the Mediterranean—the moment you enter this light-filled hotel you know you couldn’t possibly be anywhere but the Cote d’Azur. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, book at massage at the spa—and simply drink in the sun and sea at every turn.

Inclusions & Exclusions

INCLUSIONS

On a Modern Adventure, we’ve worked out all the details for you. Included in your experience are luxury boutique accommodations, delicious local food and drink, private transport between destinations, expert local guides, and much more. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Here’s what’s included:

    • 11 nights at unique village hotels and resorts

    • Certified trekking guides to accompany all day trips and excursions

    • Private minibus for luggage transfers between all of our hotels

    • All breakfasts, lunches and most dinners;

    • Local beverages with meals

    • Departure airport transfer

    • All entrance fees


EXCLUSIONS

  • Roundtrip airfare to/from trips starting and ending point

  • Travel insurance

  • Transportation to the trip’s meeting point

  • Activities not included in the trip itinerary

  • Lodge incidentals including room service, laundry, etc

  • Personal gear

  • Gratuity for Modern Adventure trip leader