Itinerary

Day One: Lausanne – Montreux
At the Lausanne train station, your guides will greet you and transfer you to Epesses, in the heart of the terraced Swiss vineyards. In Epesses, you will have a light lunch and your introductory wine tasting with Marina Bovard, one of the only female winemakers in the region. After the tasting your guides will prepare you with a bike fitting and map review before we cycle off through the scenic vineyards and learn about the colorful history of this region. We’ll pass through historic Vevey, home of food giant Nestlé, and the burial place of Charlie Chaplin. Then we cycle onto Montreux, famous for its Jazz Festival, for a historical visit of scenic Chateau Chillon, built on an island in the lake. We then return to our hotel in Montreux, a destination for outstanding hospitality, and the perfect place to have our first gourmet dining experience together overlooking the Lac Leman. After dinner, retire to your room for a good night’s sleep.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Grandvaux, Epesses, St. Saphorin, Vevey & Montreux
Distance cycled: 28 km / 17.5 miles

Day Two: Montreux – Villars sur Ollon
We follow the gentle contours of the Upper Rhone to Yvorne and then passing through Aigle we’ll arrive in Bex. We’ll tour the town while we wait for the cog railway experience up to Gryon where you will have the option to continue uphill by gondola or by bike.  Once in Barboleusaz you’re free to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants. After your meal, the rest of the afternoon spin in a glorious downhill ride off the beaten track through the lush alpine forest, passing Barboleusaz, Arveyes, and then arriving in Villars, a small Alpine village with a reputation for being one of the most prestigious destinations in the world where we will enjoy a chocolate tasting. We will spend the next two nights in one of the top hotels in town.

Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Destinations visited: Yvorne, Aigle, Bex, Barboleusaz, Villars-sur Ollon
Distance cycled: 40 km / 25 miles

Day Three: Hiking to the Alpine Lakes
Today we leave the bikes behind as we take to the hills by foot to relish in the peace and quiet of these ancient travelled paths.  We’ll start our hike from the hotel, passing le Col de Soud, the alpine golf course and heading to the emerald Lac des Chavonnes for lunch in a special setting accessed only by foot!  We’ll treat you to some specialties selected by your guides to introduce you to some famous cheese based dishes.  After lunch we will hike back to Villars or you can always jump on the train if you are tired! There are several options available for dinner tonight that your guides would happily propose.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Destinations visited: Villars, Bretaye, Lac des Chavonnes
Distance cycled: 7 km / 4.4 miles

Day Four: Villars sur Ollons to Gstaad
We start the day with a ride from Villars to les Diablerets deriving from the French ‘le Diable’, the devil. But no one needs to harbor any fears in Les Diablerets today, as you’ll be pleased when you reach the top to admire the views the glacier at 3000 meters!  Changing states from the French speaking part to the German one, our final destination is Gstaad.  Today will be our most challenging day on the bike with rewarding views of the surrounding mountains.  We’ll reach les Diablerets for an open lunch, and then climb to Le Col du Pillon at the base of the Glacier des Diablerets, the rest of the ride is a glorious downhill to reach Gstaad.

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Destinations visited: Villars, Les Diablerets, Gsteig, Gstaad
Distance cycled: 40 km / 25 miles

Day Five: Rossiniere
Along the banks of the River Sarine, we’ll pass the town of Rougemont and on to Rossiniere, home of one of the best cheeses in the country, l’Etivaz. From there we’ll drive you up on to the steep slopes above the valley floor to meet our friend, Pipo, a local cheese maker. Together, we’ll learn the art of traditional cheese making. Pipo has many stories to tell about himself, his cheeses and his mountains. After a generous cheese tasting and sampling of some of the other local products, we’ll jump back on our bikes to visit Chateau d’Oex before returning to Gstaad. Before you retire for the evening, we’ll end with an amazing cheese Fondue dinner.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Destinations visited: Saanen, Rougemont, Chateau d’Oex, Rossiniere & Gstaad
Distance cycled: 32 km / 20 miles

Day Six: Beyond the Alps
After breakfast and a final bike or hike around the village, we will see you off at the train station as you head on to your next destination.
Meal: Breakfast
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!

TRIP TOTAL: 140 kms biking, 7 kms hiking/ 87.5 miles biking, 4.4 miles hiking.  Optional longer rides available each day

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