From the Mountains to the Sea along the GR5
Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean
{"trip":{"TripID":10656,"Trip_Code":"BLANCMED","Trip_Name":"Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean","TripYear":"2024","BrandName":"Wilderness Travel","BrandID":1,"Trip_Tag_Line":"see custom fields","Start_Location":"Megève, France","End_Location":"Nice, France","Number_Days":14,"Number_Nights":13,"DisplayOnWeb":true,"Book_On_Web":true,"Featured":false,"SpecialEvent":false,"BestSeller":false,"Short_Description":"<p>Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its immense south face, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the Mediterranean. Setting off from Mont Blanc, we hike through age-old villages and alpine meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentian bloom. Hiking south, we follow the legendary GR5 trail across remote national parks of singular beauty, then enter brightly colored hill villages that announce the Mediterranean is near. Contouring the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, we arrive on the coast and head for a celebratory dip in the sea. Our unique French adventure has been featured as one of Outside magazine's “Trips of a Lifetime.”<\/p>","Long_Description":"<p><\/p>","ActivityHighlight":"12 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 5-7 hours a day, altitudes between 6,000-9,400 feet, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day’s hike). This is a strenuous hiking trip, read “What the Trip is Like” for more details.","TripType":"Small Group Adventure","HeaderImage":"","HeaderImageAltTag":"","ThumbnailImage":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/thumb-BLANCMED-hikers-cross-lac-du-vaches-french-alps-vanoise.jpg","MapImage":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/trips\/blancmed-map.jpg","MapImageAltTag":"","FloatingImage":"","VideoLink":"","GroupSize":"","tripURL":"www.wildernesstravel.com\/trip\/\/France\/mont-blanc-mediterranean-hiking","ThisYear_Year":"2023","ThisYear_PriceDetails":"<p>$7,395 (9-12 members)<br>$7,895 (5-8 members)<\/p>","ThisYear_PriceDetails2":"<p>Single supplement: $730<\/p>","Price":"7395","SingleSupplementPrice1":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2":"0","SingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","SingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","AirPrice":"0","AirPriceCaption":"","FeePrice1":"0","FeePrice2":"0","FeePrice3":"0","FeeName1":"","FeeName2":"","FeeName3":"","ShowNextYearsPrice":true,"NextYear_Year":"2024","NextYear_PriceDetails":"<p>$7,395 (9-12 members)<br>$7,895 (5-8 members)<\/p>","NextYear_PriceDetails2":"<p>Single supplement: $955<\/p>","PriceNextYear":"7395","SingleSupplementPrice1NextYear":"0","SingleSupplementPrice2NextYear":"0","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice1Caption":"","NextYearSingleSupplementPrice2Caption":"","NextYearAirPriceCaption":"","AirPriceNextYear":"0","NextYearFeePrice1":"0","NextYearFeePrice2":"0","NextYearFeePrice3":"0","NextYearFeeName1":"","NextYearFeeName2":"","NextYearFeeName3":"","TripSavings":false,"TripSavingsDescription":"<p><\/p>","VariablePricing":false,"PricingNoteTitle":"<p><\/p>","PricingNotes":"<p><\/p>","NewTrip":false,"MinAge":0,"TripRatingID":13,"TripRatingName":"5","TravelFromDate":"2022-01-01","TravelToDate":"2050-12-31","BookFromDate":"2022-01-01","BookToDate":"2050-12-31","EventID":21,"EventName":"","AccountingGroup":"Europe","DepositRule":2,"DepositAmt":"600","FinalDays":90,"AutoConfirm":false,"AutoConfirmAmount":"0","PrivateAvailable":true,"OperationMonths":"","AccmRating":""},"itinerary":[{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":1,"Headline":"Megève, France","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Arrive in Megève and transfer to our hotel in the center of town (a complimentary van transfer is available from the airport in Geneva). Megève is one of the most charming alpine resorts in Europe, full of fashionable boutiques and fine restaurants yet also offering a very well-preserved old town center of typical Savoy charm. We gather for an orientation meeting and Welcome Dinner tonight. Hotel overnight in Megève.\r\nDriving Time: 1.5 hours","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"Mont Blanc Panorama Hike","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today's hike is a wonderful introduction to the splendor of the French Alps and Mont Blanc in particular. We begin with a cable car ride to Mont d'Arbois (6,012') and then hike to Mont Joly (8,284') along a spectacular ridge with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc (15,770'), highest peak in western Europe, and all its beautiful southern satellites. There are beautiful panoramas of the Savoie Pre-Alps and peaks of the Vanoise that we will be visiting in a few days. We hike back to the cable car for a ride down to town. Hotel overnight in Megève.\r\nHiking Details: 7 miles, 4 hours, 2,500 feet ascent\/descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Col de Bresson \/ Bourg-Saint-Maurice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We head to Lac de Roselend for a hike up to Col de Bresson (8,098'), with a descent to the chapel of St. Guérin. Near the top of the col, we enjoy impressive vistas of the southern flanks of the Mont Blanc range and the monolith of Pierra Menta (8,902'), site of the most prestigious ski-mountaineering competition in France. We also get our first glimpses of the summits of the peaks of the Parc National de la Vanoise. After our hike, we head for Bourg-Saint-Maurice, capital of the Tarentaise Valley. This historic town was once an important stronghold for the House of Savoy because of its location near the Little St. Bernard Pass. Overnight at hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.\r\nHiking Details: 8 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,700 feet ascent, 2,900 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Vanoise National Park \/ Pralognan-la-Vanoise","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today's hike is the longest of the trip, but is one of the most beautiful, with vistas of waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and glaciers. We begin at the entrance to Vanoise National Park, the first national park in France, created in 1963 to preserve the wild eastern section of the Vanoise massif. The park safeguards precious mountain fauna and is home to some 2,000 ibex and 5,500 chamois, yet it is also the most extensive skiing area on the planet. There are also more than 300 miles of footpaths here. Our hike brings us above treeline to Lac de la Plagne (7,035') and Col du Plan Séry (8,560'), with a descent to Champagny le Haut, a beautiful pastoral hamlet. At hike's end, we head to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, “capital” of Vanoise outdoor activities and surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 10 miles, 8 hours, 3,500 fet ascent\/descent\r\nDriving Time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Pralognan-la-Vanoise","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"There are two options for our hike from Pralognan today. The more strenuous option is a challenging but magnificent hike that starts right from our hotel in Pralognan and leads up to the Refuge de la Valette by way of a series of steep switchbacks. It's a dramatic trail with fabulous views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the immense ice cap on the Dome de la Vanoise. Our return hike brings us spectacular views as well, as the whole of Vanoise National Park unfolds at our feet. For those who want a more moderate option today, a short van ride brings us to Les Prioux (where it's possible to witness the old-fashioned way of making the famous Beaufort cheese), with a walk up to the Refuge du Ritort. On the hike back, we stop at the Refuge du Roc de La Pêche, where we can enjoy a lunch of local specialties.\r\nHiking Details (Option 1): 5.5 miles, 7 hours, 3,300 feet ascent, 3,000 feet descent\r\n(Option 2): 4 miles, 5 hours, 800 feet ascent, 2,000 feet descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Col de la Vanoise \/ Termignon","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"A cable car carries us up to Mont Bochor (6,635') for some of the best views in the Vanoise, including the rounded Dômes de Vanoise and the very impressive Grande Casse (12,648'). Our hiking route follows an ancient Roman road linking La Tarentaise with the Haute Maurienne valley, and we hike beneath the towering Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,274'), with beautiful reflections in three gleaming alpine lakes along the way. We continue hiking to the Refuge Entre Deux Eaux, and our van transports us to Termignon, a sleepy little village in the Haute Maurienne valley and a step back in time. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 9 miles, 6 hours, 1,600 feet ascent, 1,300 feet descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Vallée \u00c9troite \/ Brian\u00e7on","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"A spectacular drive brings us from Termignon to Modane via the Arc Valley, with a glimpse of the old fortifications of Aussois, including hilltop Fort d'Esseillon, a reminder of the wars between the French and Austrians as late as the 19th century. We pass through the Fréjus Tunnel into Italy, and over the Col \u00c9troite back into France to reach the Vallée \u00c9troite (“Narrow Valley”), a remote Italian-speaking valley that was used long ago as a passage into France from Italy. This afternoon, we hike to Col des Thures (7,196') through a beautiful and unspoiled forest and then into high alpine meadows, with a descent to the little mountain village of Névache, where we visit its beautiful, ancient church, the Saint Claude de Val-des-Prés. Later we continue to Brian\u00e7on for an overnight in a hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 7.5 miles, 4 hours, 1,500 feet ascent, 1,250 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Rest Day \/ Optional Hikes \/ Brian\u00e7on","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Brian\u00e7on is a very pretty town with a strong medieval character, and it's a great place to take a break from hiking. We enjoy a rest day here with time to stroll ancient streets between narrow, colorful buildings. Not much has changed here over the centuries, and the many shops with local products create the atmosphere of a medieval marketplace. Outside the city ramparts, we have options for hikes in the surrounding mountains, where there are numerous fortresses, some built by Vauban during the reign of Louis XIV. A worthwhile hike in good weather is the Le Grand Aréa (9,411'), a barren peak with an irresistible panorama of rewarding views from Mont Blanc in the north to the giants of Les \u00c9crins and La Meije in the south, as well as of Mont Viso and the mountains of Queyras that we visit in the following days. Overnight in Brian\u00e7on, with dinner on your own to sample the array of local restaurants.\r\nHiking Details: 3 miles, 3 hours, 2,000 feet ascent\/descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Queyras Regional Park \/ Jausiers","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Heading to St. Pancrace, we start our hike to Col des Ayes (8,124'), gateway to the regional park of Queyras. The Queyras is one of the most remote and scarcely populated areas of France, where people live in a self-sufficient way cut off from the rest of the country. Dropping down to the Swiss-style chalets of Eychaillon, we traverse flower-covered meadows to climb up to the Col du Cros, where we can see herds of the Corsican mouflon mountain sheep that roam these slopes. We continue hiking down to Brunissard, then drive past Arvieux, on the route of one of the most famous Tour de France mountain passes, the Col de l'Izoard, to our alpine hotel in the Ubaye Valley near Jausiers.\r\nHiking Details: 7 miles, 6 hours, 3,200 feet ascent, 3,100 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Col de La Bonette \/ Auron","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we set off for a drive across the Route des Grandes Alpes (“Great Alpine Road”), a scenic mountain road that offers us a spectacular transition from the culture and terrain of the French Alps of the north to the Mediterranean Maritime Alps. En route, we cross two mountain passes over 7,000 feet, including Col de La Bonette (8,907'). We break up our drive with a hike in the summit area just past the Col to enjoy superb panoramas of Mercantour National Park. A steady climb on old military trails brings us to the Cime de la Pelousette (9,300') and to the remnants of a fortification built on the ill-fated Maginot Line established on the French border in World War I. We have lunch here while taking in the views, and can imagine what it must have been like for snowbound French soldiers stationed here during the winter. We descend to the ruined military buildings at Camp des Fourches and our waiting vehicle. We continue our drive, stopping along the way to enjoy the views and explore little villages, including pretty St. Etienne de Tinée. In the afternoon, we arrive at our simple hotel in Auron, located right on the GR5.\r\nHiking Details: 3 miles, 3 hours, 1,000 feet ascent, 2,000 feet descent\r\nDriving time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Mercantour National Park \/ Roya \/ Levens","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The gateway to Mercantour National Park, Auron is a popular ski resort in the winter (it's one of the biggest ski stations in the Southern Alps), and in summer offers great hiking options. On Day 11, we'll venture out on one of the park's many trails. The following day, our hike starts on the ski slopes and follows the GR5 over the Col de Blainon, with a descent to the small village of Roya. If time allows, we can continue up the mountain ridge to the summit of Las Donnas (8,117') for breathtaking views over Mercantour National Park. After our hike, we'll drive to the medieval hilltop village of Levens. Overnight at hotel. (Day 11), BLD (Day 12)\r\nHiking Details (Day 12): 7.5 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,300 feet ascent, 3,200 feet descent\r\nApproximate Driving Time (Day 12): 2.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":13,"DayTo":13,"Headline":"Levens \/ Nice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We walk straight from our hotel in Levens to the GR5 trail this morning. Our last day of walking is one to savor as we follow the GR5 straight to the bustling Mediterranean port city of Nice. Our route circumnavigates the last of the Alps, Mont Cima (2,280') and Mont Chauve (2,296'), before they drop into the sea and the views as we walk are spectacular. The heat of the south, the olive groves, the grape-growing terraces, and the terracotta houses all add to our very atmospheric last day of walking. From our pickup point just north of the city of Nice, we make a short drive to our hotel in the historic center of Nice. Tonight we gather for a festive Farewell Dinner. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 7.5 miles, 5 hours, 1,800 feet ascent, 2,300 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":14,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the Nice airport or the train station whenever you want after breakfast, or extend you stay on your own in Nice.\r\nA Special Note: This itinerary is as accurate as possible, but please note that the hiking distances and elevations listed are estimates. The mountain weather will dictate our exact hiking itinerary.\r\n","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Megève \/ Mont Blanc Massif","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Amid the splendor of the French Alps, we hike up to Mont Joly for spectacular views of Mont Blanc then cross the Col de Bresson below Mont Blanc's south-facing flanks.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Vanoise National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Entering the Vanoise, our trails lead above treeline with views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road leads us beneath the granite peaks of the Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with three alpine lakes along the way. One of our hikes is in the Vallée Etroite, a remote Italian-speaking valley.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Brian\u00e7on \/ Queyras Regional Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We enjoy a day to explore Brian\u00e7on, a pretty town with a strong medieval character, or take an optional day hike in the surrounding mountains. In Queyras, one of the most untouched areas of France, we hike across emerald meadows to the Col Cross, where Corsican mouflon sheep roam.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Auron \/ Mercantour National Park \/ Levens \/ Nice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Auron, the gateway to Mercantour National Park, is one of the Southern Alps' largest ski resorts and in the summer offers many wonderful hiking options. We follow the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, then head to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Depart on Day 14 via Nice.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true}],"itinpdf":[{"ItinYear":"2023","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-itinerary-2023.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"2024","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-itinerary-2024.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"","docType":"2","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-predeparture.pdf"}],"whattoexpect":[{}],"highlights":[{"DisplayOrder":1,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Hike our unique mountain route across a spectacular range of cultures and 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he gained his passion for hiking, climbing, and skiing. A professional mountain leader and ski instructor since his youth, he loves outdoor pursuits of every kind and also has an affinity for jazz music, French and American literature, and Irish culture (acquired during his years of guiding French tours in Ireland)."},{"GuideID":850821,"First_Name":"Clive","Last_Name":"Roberts","BioShort":"“My biggest passion in life is the mountains,” says Clive Roberts. “Climbing them, traveling through them, working in them, living in them.” One of his favorite journeys with WT is our Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean trip because of its constantly changing scenery and culture, from the snowy spires of the Chamonix Aiguilles to olive groves set along the Mediterranean. When he is not leading trips, Clive is in the ongoing process of renovating his cottage in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Ireland, using traditional materials wherever possible.","BioLong":"“My biggest passion in life is the mountains,” says Clive Roberts. “Climbing them, traveling through them, working in them, living in them.” Since 1995, Clive has led groups on every continent, and often brings his guitar along on the hikes, for impromptu sing-alongs with guests. He holds Ireland's Mountaineering Instructors Certificate and was the former director of the Irish National Mountain Center. One of his favorite journeys with WT is our Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean trip because of its constantly changing scenery and culture, from the snowy spires of the Chamonix Aiguilles to olive groves set along the Mediterranean. When he is not leading trips, Clive is in the ongoing process of fully renovating his cottage in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Ireland, using traditional materials wherever possible to preserve the Irish building. He also plays the banjo, but “it's a little heavy to carry around while hiking!”"},{"GuideID":851082,"First_Name":"Mark","Last_Name":"Tennent","BioShort":"A native of Bath, England, Mark Tennent quickly learned his calling was in the mountains. He completed a specialist Outdoor Education degree at Bangor Normal College in North Wales, subsequently instructed at various outdoor centers in the UK, then graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the British Army, which he left as a Captain. A recipient of several mountaineering and leadership certificates, Mark has worked in various parts of the world including Afghanistan, Macedonia, Kosovo, Kenya, Sudan, and India. Since 2005, he has lived in the Savoie department of the French Alps, near Albertville, where he shares his passion for the outdoors, French food, and the local culture. He's a member of the French Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Montagne, bringing together mountain guides, climbing instructors, and mountain leaders. When not guiding, he can be found ski-mountaineering, rock climbing, and cycling.","BioLong":"A native of Bath, England, Mark Tennent quickly learned his calling was in the mountains. He completed a specialist Outdoor Education degree at Bangor Normal College in North Wales, subsequently instructed at various outdoor centers in the UK, then graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the British Army, which he left as a Captain. A recipient of several mountaineering and leadership certificates, Mark has worked in various parts of the world including Afghanistan, Macedonia, Kosovo, Kenya, Sudan, and India. Since 2005, he has lived in the Savoie department of the French Alps, near Albertville, where he shares his passion for the outdoors, French food, and the local culture. He's a member of the French Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Montagne, bringing together mountain guides, climbing instructors, and mountain leaders. When not guiding, he can be found ski-mountaineering, rock climbing, and cycling."},{"GuideID":850549,"First_Name":"Annie","Last_Name":"Hawkins","BioShort":"Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure trips was her vocation—nothing would keep her inside an office again! She has led exclusively for Wilderness Travel since 1995 and has led journeys for us in France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Niger, Oman, and more! She divides her time between Europe and San Francisco, where she lives with her husband.","BioLong":"Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure trips was her vocation—nothing would keep her inside an office again! She has led exclusively for Wilderness Travel since 1995 and has led journeys for us in France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Niger, Oman, and more! “As a Trip Leader, I see myself as the personal ambassador to a place. In France, I love introducing the products of the \u2018terroir' such as wine or cheese, or in southern Spain, taking the group to my home to share a paella with them. And in the Sahara, I have a passion for the wind-created landscape I call \u2018the yellow circle' and the ingenuity of the people who live in this place of extremes. I'm also fascinated by the friendships that people forge while traveling together day after day. I remember how six guests become lifetime friends after our trip in Niger—this warms my heart!” While scouting our trip in southern Spain in 1999, Annie bought a 300-year-old house in a village clinging on the flanks of the highest mountains in Spain. It took her three years to transform it into the home she calls La Casa del Milagro. She divides her time between Europe and San Francisco, where she lives with her husband."},{"GuideID":851022,"First_Name":"Laurence","Last_Name":"Frison","BioShort":"Traveler, hiker, skier, and guide by passion, and graphic designer by trade, Laurence (“Lolo”) Frison embodies the life of an adventurer. She spent a decade exploring the world from Africa to Australia, including a three-month road trip from Vancouver to Los Angeles, and has specialized in guiding groups in the French Alps, gaining her French national credential in mountain leadership. When not leading hiking adventures with WT, she enjoys biking and beekeeping in Thonon-les-Bains in the French Alps, where she lives.","BioLong":"Traveler, hiker, skier, and guide by passion, and graphic designer by trade, Laurence (“Lolo”) Frison embodies the life of an adventurer. She spent a decade exploring the world from Africa to Australia, including a three-month road trip from Vancouver to Los Angeles, and has specialized in guiding groups in the French Alps, gaining her French national credential in mountain leadership. You can often find Lolo leading our groups on tasty detours through the French markets, a cultural gateway to the heart of France, she says. When not leading hiking adventures with WT, she finds new adventures through biking and beekeeping in Thonon-les-Bains in the French Alps, where she lives."}],"guestreviews":[{"GuestNames":"Carrie M.","GuestLocation":"Boise, ID","GuestReview":"I loved everything about the trip and just wish it could have lasted longer. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful."},{"GuestNames":"Cathy C.","GuestLocation":"Sonoma, CA","GuestReview":"I loved it all. A great hike with extraordinary views, great company, delicious meals, cozy inns, and dramatic scenery changes. To end with a swim in the Mediterranean was perfection!"},{"GuestNames":"Christina S.","GuestLocation":"San Francisco, CA","GuestReview":"Another spectacular WT adventure!"},{"GuestNames":"Deborah C.","GuestLocation":"Santa Monica, CA","GuestReview":"I’ll be doing more of these trips!"},{"GuestNames":"Elizabeth M.","GuestLocation":"Long Beach, NY","GuestReview":"The variety in scenery from day to day was wonderful. There was always something new to see!"},{"GuestNames":"Ellen Q.","GuestLocation":"Irvine, CA","GuestReview":"What a grand adventure! We loved the varied terrain, the hikes, and our fantastic guides."},{"GuestNames":"George P.","GuestLocation":"Castro Valley, CA","GuestReview":"This was the best world trip we have experienced in 25 years of travel—a truly great French Alps experience!"},{"GuestNames":"Guy A.","GuestLocation":"Woodacre, CA","GuestReview":"This was an ideal vacation for my wife and me: being in the mountains all day, at the peak of wildflower season, with two guides who were both knowledgeable and fun to be with, having a good hotel at night, and great French food in the evenings."},{"GuestNames":"Helen F.","GuestLocation":"Clancy, MT","GuestReview":"A trip I would highly recommend!"},{"GuestNames":"Inge K.","GuestLocation":"Concord, MA","GuestReview":"This trip was a wonderful blend of beautiful alpine scenery, great outdoor exercise, charming towns, and interesting foods. Each day was a treat, and our guide worked in special stops on the days we had to drive longer distances (like for cappucino in Italy!)."},{"GuestNames":"Larry A.","GuestLocation":"Golden, CO","GuestReview":"Great trip! Excellent leaders and companions, food, scenery, and lodgings. Pretty much what we have come to expect from WT."},{"GuestNames":"Laura T.","GuestLocation":"Oakland, CA","GuestReview":"A superb trip with superb leaders."},{"GuestNames":"Neil C.","GuestLocation":"Swampscot, MA","GuestReview":"This is my second time on this trip! It’s a great hike."},{"GuestNames":"Penny A.","GuestLocation":"Los Angeles, CA","GuestReview":"We traveled to places that we would never have been able to see without the expertise of Wilderness Travel and the guides."},{"GuestNames":"Randie B.","GuestLocation":"San Francisco, CA","GuestReview":"A fabulous trip! Everything was terrific, really quite perfect!"},{"GuestNames":"Read P.","GuestLocation":"Castro Valley, CA","GuestReview":"This was a very special trip. The variety of landscape, the length of time to feel like a real group of friends, variety of hotels and food—it was amazing."},{"GuestNames":"Richard S.","GuestLocation":"Branford, CT","GuestReview":"This was a great trip—I have zero complaints and would recommend it to any capable hiker."},{"GuestNames":"Teddie G.","GuestLocation":"Pocatello, ID","GuestReview":"This is the second time I’ve traveled with WT. I’m noting consistent high quality, excellent planning, excellent Trip Leaders, and nice clientele."}],"Extensions":[{}],"SimilarTrips":[{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10365,"Trip_Code":"VIALPINA","Trip_Name":"Hiking Switzerland's Via Alpina"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10406,"Trip_Code":"HTESHORT","Trip_Name":"Hiking the Haute Route"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10341,"Trip_Code":"TMB","Trip_Name":"Tour du Mont Blanc"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10345,"Trip_Code":"ULTDOLO","Trip_Name":"Ultimate Dolomites"}],"Specialists":[{}],"TripSegments":[{"VendorID":70998,"ProductID":84610,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Extra Hotel Night","Vendor":"Hotel Au Vieux Moulin","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Megève","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Pre-Trip Extra Services: Hotel Au Vieux Moulin (DATES, 1 night)","Day":0,"Sequence":20,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Just steps from the pedestrian zone of the pretty mountain town of Megève, this is a chalet-type hotel, all in wood, with a friendly atmosphere and a cozy bar.<\/p><\/body>","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/vendors\/10-hotel-au-vieux-moulin-exterior.jpg","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":73502,"ProductID":84913,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Transfer","Vendor":"Pleisure Transfers","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Transfer","Day":1,"Sequence":0,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":11,"ProductID":54,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Single Supplement","Vendor":"Wilderness Travel","Address1":"1102 Ninth Street","Address2":"","City":"Berkeley","State":"CA","Postal":"94710","Product":"Single Supplement","Day":1,"Sequence":2,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"<p><\/p>","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":70998,"ProductID":80826,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Accommodation","Vendor":"Hotel Au Vieux Moulin","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Megève","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Standard Room","Day":1,"Sequence":10,"Duration":2,"PropertyDescription":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Just steps from the pedestrian zone of the pretty mountain town of Megève, this is a chalet-type hotel, all in wood, with a friendly atmosphere and a cozy bar.<\/p><\/body>","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/vendors\/10-hotel-au-vieux-moulin-exterior.jpg","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":73496,"ProductID":84895,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Transfer","Vendor":"Chamonix Valley Transfers","Address1":"44a Chemin du Lai","Address2":"","City":"Chamonix","State":"","Postal":"74400","Product":"Transfer","Day":1,"Sequence":15,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":70999,"ProductID":80827,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Accommodation","Vendor":"Hotel Autantic","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Bourg-Saint-Maurice","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Standard Room","Day":3,"Sequence":10,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"With a tranquil countryside location outside Bourg-Saint-Maurice, this modern hotel has traditional Savoyard stone-and-wood architecture and comfortable rooms. 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","Custom_FI_Optional_Donation_Text":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Trip_Sales_Points":"<body>Another fun resource is this <a href=\"http:\/\/photoblog.wildernesstravel.com\/from-the-mountains-to-the-sea-hiking-the-gr5\/\">blog post<\/a> by one of our recent travelers, complete with amazing photos from their experience that I think will give you a great sense of the adventure ahead.<\/body><meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n","Custom_Sales_Email_-_TP_Trip_Sales_Points":"<body>Another fun resource is this <a href=\"http:\/\/photoblog.wildernesstravel.com\/from-the-mountains-to-the-sea-hiking-the-gr5\/\">blog post<\/a> by one of our recent travelers, complete with amazing photos from their experience that I think will give you a great sense of the adventure ahead.<\/body><meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Payment_Terms":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>In order to confirm your space on this trip, we require a first deposit of $600 per person, which is fully refundable up to 91 days prior to departure.<\/body>","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Hiking_Poles":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:50 --><p><strong>HIKING POLES: <\/strong>If you choose to bring hiking poles, they must be packed in your checked luggage as they are not permitted in carry-on bags.<\/p>","Custom_Daypack":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:13 --><p><strong>DAYPACK: <\/strong>Daypack, large enough for a jacket or rain gear, water bottle, camera, and other items you want on the trail. 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If they need to reach you outside of our office hours, we ask that they reach out to your Trip Leaders (contact information is listed below) and also leave a message with our Berkeley office, so that we can follow up with our team on the ground.<\/p>","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Left":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Right":"","Custom_Valid_Passport_Alternative":"","Custom_Visa":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Luggage_Requirements":"","Custom_Carry-On":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:36 --><p><strong>CARRY-ON: <\/strong>Valuable or essential items, such as well broken-in hiking boots, camera equipment, binoculars, prescription medications, and any paperwork required to enter France, should be hand carried on your flights to avoid loss or damage. <\/p>","Custom_name_slug":"france-mont-blanc-mediterranean-gr5-hiking-tour","Custom_Meta_Description":"Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its perpetual glaciers, through traditional villages and national parks to the palm-fringed beaches of the Cote d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean.","Custom_List_Description":"Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its perpetual glaciers, through traditional villages and national parks to the palm-fringed beaches of the Cote d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean.","Custom_Redirect":"","Custom_PJ_-_Best_Months":"","Custom_After_Dates":"","Custom_Trip_Web_Note":"","Custom_Title_Tag":"Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean: GR5 Hiking Tour","Custom_Before_Days":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_2":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_2":"","Custom_Choosing_Right_Trip_Office_Contact":"","Custom_About_WT_Expeditions":"","Custom_Arrival_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-14T13:41:47 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Geneva Airport (GVA)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 1, by 4:00 pm (to transfer to Megève by the group meeting time at 6:00 pm)<br \/><br \/><strong>Meeting Place:<\/strong> You will meet your Trip Leader in the lobby of the group hotel in Megève at 6:00 pm on Day 1.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We provide a convenient transfer between Geneva, Switzerland, and our hotel in Megève, France. 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We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:51 --><p>We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:51:32 --><p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. 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Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:36:23 --><p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travclcxinsurancc.com. 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You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"","System_Questions?":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T13:47:31 --><p>Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!<br \/>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. 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Overview
Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its immense south face, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Côte d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the Mediterranean. Setting off from Mont Blanc, we hike through age-old villages and alpine meadows where cowbells echo and blue gentian bloom. Hiking south, we follow the legendary GR5 trail across remote national parks of singular beauty, then enter brightly colored hill villages that announce the Mediterranean is near. Contouring the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, we arrive on the coast and head for a celebratory dip in the sea. Our unique French adventure has been featured as one of Outside magazine's “Trips of a Lifetime.”
Arrive: Megève, France
Depart: Nice, France
Highlights
- Hike our unique mountain route across a spectacular range of cultures and landscapes
- Explore secluded mountain villages and less-traveled national parks
- Enjoy a small group—maximum 12 people—and expert Trip Leaders
Itinerary
Download Itinerary
Expand All Days
Amid the splendor of the French Alps, we hike up to Mont Joly for spectacular views of Mont Blanc then cross the Col de Bresson below Mont Blanc's south-facing flanks.
Entering the Vanoise, our trails lead above treeline with views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road leads us beneath the granite peaks of the Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with three alpine lakes along the way. One of our hikes is in the Vallée Etroite, a remote Italian-speaking valley.
We enjoy a day to explore Briançon, a pretty town with a strong medieval character, or take an optional day hike in the surrounding mountains. In Queyras, one of the most untouched areas of France, we hike across emerald meadows to the Col Cross, where Corsican mouflon sheep roam.
Auron, the gateway to Mercantour National Park, is one of the Southern Alps' largest ski resorts and in the summer offers many wonderful hiking options. We follow the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, then head to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Depart on Day 14 via Nice.
Dates & Pricing
Payment & Cancel Schedule
$600 due at time of reservation
90 days prior to departure: Balance
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Up to 91 days prior to departure: No Charge!
61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
Included
- Expert leadership of two Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders
- Accommodations in hotels and inns
- All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- A glass of wine or beer with dinner
- All ground transportation and baggage handling from meeting until departure
- All activities as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
Not Included
- Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
- Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
- Optional gratuities to Trip Leaders or staff
- Optional travel insurance
- Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
Accommodations
Listed below are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Hotel Au Vieux Moulin
Days 1-2 (2 nights)
Just steps from the pedestrian zone of the pretty mountain town of Megève, this is a chalet-type hotel, all in wood, with a friendly atmosphere and a cozy bar.
Alternate Hotel:
Hotel Autantic
Day 3 (1 night)
With a tranquil countryside location outside Bourg-Saint-Maurice, this modern hotel has traditional Savoyard stone-and-wood architecture and comfortable rooms. Breakfasts are simple but good (with fresh eggs from the hotel's own chickens!).
Hotel de la Vanoise
Days 4-5 (2 nights)
This friendly family-run hotel is in the heart of the unspoiled mountain village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The hotel's bar is a great place to try the favorite local drink, génépy (herbal liqueur from the Alps) and get acquainted with the locals.
Relais des Deux Cols
Day 6 (1 night)
The Relais des Deux Cols is a simple lodge with a lovely riverside location and a great view over the mountains. The restaurant has a professional chef and excellent cuisine and is popular with the local residents. There is a small seasonal swimming pool.
Auberge de la Paix
Days 7-8 (2 nights)
Right in the historic district of the medieval fortified town of Briançon, this hotel has modern, comfortable rooms and an on-site restaurant.
Villa Morelia
Day 9 (1 night)
Chateau-style Villa Morelia was built a century ago on the edge of Mercantour National Park. It offers a restaurant with terrace dining, an outdoor bar, a pool, spacious grounds, and a beautiful view of the French Alps. Guest rooms are in the original building as well as in a new annex.
Alternate Hotel: Le Chateau des Magnans
Le Chalet d'Auron
Days 10-11 (2 nights)
Just steps from the village square, Le Chalet d'Auron is an inviting hotel with a cozy atmosphere. Guest rooms are comfortable and clean, there is a good restaurant on-site, the terrace is a great place to sit and enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains, and you'll be warmly welcomed by the friendly staff.
Hotel La Vigneraie
Day 12 (1 night)
The family-run Hotel L'Ecureuil is located in the ski resort of Auron in the heart of the Parc du Mercantour in the Southern Alps. It features a bar, restaurant, and terrace.
Westminster Hotel and Spa
Day 13 (1 night)
Situated in central Nice facing the sea, the Westminster is just a few steps from the shops and historic streets of the colorful Old Town district. The restaurant is excellent and has a good view of the promenade and beach.
Alternate Hotel: Hotel West End
1/9
Trip Leaders
Stephan Renard
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Clive Roberts
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Mark Tennent
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Annie Hawkins
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Laurence Frison
View ProfileWhat the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 5, Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day, and hiking significant distances for many days in a row. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group as with the exception of one day, there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 7-9 miles
- 4-6 hours
- 2,000-3,000 feet gain/loss
- Altitudes range from 6,000-9,400 feet
- Day 4 - 10 miles, 8.5 hours, and 3,500 feet gain/loss
Trail conditions can be primitive, and there is a good bit of up-and-down (often a 2,000- to 3,000-foot gain and loss in elevation per day). We will undoubtedly encounter snow on the highest passes, and trails can be very rugged. You will need to traverse areas with loose scree, large boulders, and sections of narrow, exposed trails. Your experienced mountain guides are there to assist you if needed.
The months we visit the Alps are the optimal ones, but mountain weather can be fickle. Temperatures are likely to reach the 70s°F (or even 80s°F) during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. We are likely to experience a full range of weather conditions, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike.
Our accommodations are in small hotels and pensions with private en suite bathrooms. Our hotels have been chosen as much as possible for their ambience and local history. Please note these are hikers' hotels, not five-star resorts. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but are not always of uniform size or amenities. In some of the smaller hotels, a bathroom may have to be shared by two or three rooms. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Lunch will be in a small village, at a mountain lodge, or at a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often with the cuisine the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"I loved everything about the trip and just wish it could have lasted longer. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful."
Carrie M.
Boise, ID
"I loved it all. A great hike with extraordinary views, great company, delicious meals, cozy inns, and dramatic scenery changes. To end with a swim in the Mediterranean was perfection!"
Cathy C.
Sonoma, CA
"Another spectacular WT adventure!"
Christina S.
San Francisco, CA
"I’ll be doing more of these trips!"
Deborah C.
Santa Monica, CA
"The variety in scenery from day to day was wonderful. There was always something new to see!"
Elizabeth M.
Long Beach, NY
"What a grand adventure! We loved the varied terrain, the hikes, and our fantastic guides."
Ellen Q.
Irvine, CA
"This was the best world trip we have experienced in 25 years of travel—a truly great French Alps experience!"
George P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was an ideal vacation for my wife and me: being in the mountains all day, at the peak of wildflower season, with two guides who were both knowledgeable and fun to be with, having a good hotel at night, and great French food in the evenings."
Guy A.
Woodacre, CA
"A trip I would highly recommend!"
Helen F.
Clancy, MT
"This trip was a wonderful blend of beautiful alpine scenery, great outdoor exercise, charming towns, and interesting foods. Each day was a treat, and our guide worked in special stops on the days we had to drive longer distances (like for cappucino in Italy!)."
Inge K.
Concord, MA
"Great trip! Excellent leaders and companions, food, scenery, and lodgings. Pretty much what we have come to expect from WT."
Larry A.
Golden, CO
"A superb trip with superb leaders."
Laura T.
Oakland, CA
"This is my second time on this trip! It’s a great hike."
Neil C.
Swampscot, MA
"We traveled to places that we would never have been able to see without the expertise of Wilderness Travel and the guides."
Penny A.
Los Angeles, CA
"A fabulous trip! Everything was terrific, really quite perfect!"
Randie B.
San Francisco, CA
"This was a very special trip. The variety of landscape, the length of time to feel like a real group of friends, variety of hotels and food—it was amazing."
Read P.
Castro Valley, CA
"This was a great trip—I have zero complaints and would recommend it to any capable hiker."
Richard S.
Branford, CT
"This is the second time I’ve traveled with WT. I’m noting consistent high quality, excellent planning, excellent Trip Leaders, and nice clientele."
Teddie G.
Pocatello, ID
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
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Megève is one of the most charming alpine resorts in Europe, full of fashionable boutiques and fine restaurants yet also offering a very well-preserved old town center of typical Savoy charm. We gather for an orientation meeting and Welcome Dinner tonight. Hotel overnight in Megève.\r\nDriving Time: 1.5 hours","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":2,"DayTo":2,"Headline":"Mont Blanc Panorama Hike","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today's hike is a wonderful introduction to the splendor of the French Alps and Mont Blanc in particular. We begin with a cable car ride to Mont d'Arbois (6,012') and then hike to Mont Joly (8,284') along a spectacular ridge with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc (15,770'), highest peak in western Europe, and all its beautiful southern satellites. There are beautiful panoramas of the Savoie Pre-Alps and peaks of the Vanoise that we will be visiting in a few days. We hike back to the cable car for a ride down to town. Hotel overnight in Megève.\r\nHiking Details: 7 miles, 4 hours, 2,500 feet ascent\/descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":3,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Col de Bresson \/ Bourg-Saint-Maurice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We head to Lac de Roselend for a hike up to Col de Bresson (8,098'), with a descent to the chapel of St. Guérin. Near the top of the col, we enjoy impressive vistas of the southern flanks of the Mont Blanc range and the monolith of Pierra Menta (8,902'), site of the most prestigious ski-mountaineering competition in France. We also get our first glimpses of the summits of the peaks of the Parc National de la Vanoise. After our hike, we head for Bourg-Saint-Maurice, capital of the Tarentaise Valley. This historic town was once an important stronghold for the House of Savoy because of its location near the Little St. Bernard Pass. Overnight at hotel in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.\r\nHiking Details: 8 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,700 feet ascent, 2,900 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":4,"Headline":"Vanoise National Park \/ Pralognan-la-Vanoise","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Today's hike is the longest of the trip, but is one of the most beautiful, with vistas of waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and glaciers. We begin at the entrance to Vanoise National Park, the first national park in France, created in 1963 to preserve the wild eastern section of the Vanoise massif. The park safeguards precious mountain fauna and is home to some 2,000 ibex and 5,500 chamois, yet it is also the most extensive skiing area on the planet. There are also more than 300 miles of footpaths here. Our hike brings us above treeline to Lac de la Plagne (7,035') and Col du Plan Séry (8,560'), with a descent to Champagny le Haut, a beautiful pastoral hamlet. At hike's end, we head to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, “capital” of Vanoise outdoor activities and surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 10 miles, 8 hours, 3,500 fet ascent\/descent\r\nDriving Time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":5,"DayTo":5,"Headline":"Pralognan-la-Vanoise","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"There are two options for our hike from Pralognan today. The more strenuous option is a challenging but magnificent hike that starts right from our hotel in Pralognan and leads up to the Refuge de la Valette by way of a series of steep switchbacks. It's a dramatic trail with fabulous views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the immense ice cap on the Dome de la Vanoise. Our return hike brings us spectacular views as well, as the whole of Vanoise National Park unfolds at our feet. For those who want a more moderate option today, a short van ride brings us to Les Prioux (where it's possible to witness the old-fashioned way of making the famous Beaufort cheese), with a walk up to the Refuge du Ritort. On the hike back, we stop at the Refuge du Roc de La Pêche, where we can enjoy a lunch of local specialties.\r\nHiking Details (Option 1): 5.5 miles, 7 hours, 3,300 feet ascent, 3,000 feet descent\r\n(Option 2): 4 miles, 5 hours, 800 feet ascent, 2,000 feet descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":6,"DayTo":6,"Headline":"Col de la Vanoise \/ Termignon","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"A cable car carries us up to Mont Bochor (6,635') for some of the best views in the Vanoise, including the rounded Dômes de Vanoise and the very impressive Grande Casse (12,648'). Our hiking route follows an ancient Roman road linking La Tarentaise with the Haute Maurienne valley, and we hike beneath the towering Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,274'), with beautiful reflections in three gleaming alpine lakes along the way. We continue hiking to the Refuge Entre Deux Eaux, and our van transports us to Termignon, a sleepy little village in the Haute Maurienne valley and a step back in time. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 9 miles, 6 hours, 1,600 feet ascent, 1,300 feet descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":7,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Vallée \u00c9troite \/ Brian\u00e7on","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"A spectacular drive brings us from Termignon to Modane via the Arc Valley, with a glimpse of the old fortifications of Aussois, including hilltop Fort d'Esseillon, a reminder of the wars between the French and Austrians as late as the 19th century. We pass through the Fréjus Tunnel into Italy, and over the Col \u00c9troite back into France to reach the Vallée \u00c9troite (“Narrow Valley”), a remote Italian-speaking valley that was used long ago as a passage into France from Italy. This afternoon, we hike to Col des Thures (7,196') through a beautiful and unspoiled forest and then into high alpine meadows, with a descent to the little mountain village of Névache, where we visit its beautiful, ancient church, the Saint Claude de Val-des-Prés. Later we continue to Brian\u00e7on for an overnight in a hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 7.5 miles, 4 hours, 1,500 feet ascent, 1,250 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":8,"Headline":"Rest Day \/ Optional Hikes \/ Brian\u00e7on","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Brian\u00e7on is a very pretty town with a strong medieval character, and it's a great place to take a break from hiking. We enjoy a rest day here with time to stroll ancient streets between narrow, colorful buildings. Not much has changed here over the centuries, and the many shops with local products create the atmosphere of a medieval marketplace. Outside the city ramparts, we have options for hikes in the surrounding mountains, where there are numerous fortresses, some built by Vauban during the reign of Louis XIV. A worthwhile hike in good weather is the Le Grand Aréa (9,411'), a barren peak with an irresistible panorama of rewarding views from Mont Blanc in the north to the giants of Les \u00c9crins and La Meije in the south, as well as of Mont Viso and the mountains of Queyras that we visit in the following days. Overnight in Brian\u00e7on, with dinner on your own to sample the array of local restaurants.\r\nHiking Details: 3 miles, 3 hours, 2,000 feet ascent\/descent","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":9,"DayTo":9,"Headline":"Queyras Regional Park \/ Jausiers","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Heading to St. Pancrace, we start our hike to Col des Ayes (8,124'), gateway to the regional park of Queyras. The Queyras is one of the most remote and scarcely populated areas of France, where people live in a self-sufficient way cut off from the rest of the country. Dropping down to the Swiss-style chalets of Eychaillon, we traverse flower-covered meadows to climb up to the Col du Cros, where we can see herds of the Corsican mouflon mountain sheep that roam these slopes. We continue hiking down to Brunissard, then drive past Arvieux, on the route of one of the most famous Tour de France mountain passes, the Col de l'Izoard, to our alpine hotel in the Ubaye Valley near Jausiers.\r\nHiking Details: 7 miles, 6 hours, 3,200 feet ascent, 3,100 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 2 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":10,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Col de La Bonette \/ Auron","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"This morning we set off for a drive across the Route des Grandes Alpes (“Great Alpine Road”), a scenic mountain road that offers us a spectacular transition from the culture and terrain of the French Alps of the north to the Mediterranean Maritime Alps. En route, we cross two mountain passes over 7,000 feet, including Col de La Bonette (8,907'). We break up our drive with a hike in the summit area just past the Col to enjoy superb panoramas of Mercantour National Park. A steady climb on old military trails brings us to the Cime de la Pelousette (9,300') and to the remnants of a fortification built on the ill-fated Maginot Line established on the French border in World War I. We have lunch here while taking in the views, and can imagine what it must have been like for snowbound French soldiers stationed here during the winter. We descend to the ruined military buildings at Camp des Fourches and our waiting vehicle. We continue our drive, stopping along the way to enjoy the views and explore little villages, including pretty St. Etienne de Tinée. In the afternoon, we arrive at our simple hotel in Auron, located right on the GR5.\r\nHiking Details: 3 miles, 3 hours, 1,000 feet ascent, 2,000 feet descent\r\nDriving time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":12,"Headline":"Mercantour National Park \/ Roya \/ Levens","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"The gateway to Mercantour National Park, Auron is a popular ski resort in the winter (it's one of the biggest ski stations in the Southern Alps), and in summer offers great hiking options. On Day 11, we'll venture out on one of the park's many trails. The following day, our hike starts on the ski slopes and follows the GR5 over the Col de Blainon, with a descent to the small village of Roya. If time allows, we can continue up the mountain ridge to the summit of Las Donnas (8,117') for breathtaking views over Mercantour National Park. After our hike, we'll drive to the medieval hilltop village of Levens. Overnight at hotel. (Day 11), BLD (Day 12)\r\nHiking Details (Day 12): 7.5 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,300 feet ascent, 3,200 feet descent\r\nApproximate Driving Time (Day 12): 2.5 hours","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":13,"DayTo":13,"Headline":"Levens \/ Nice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We walk straight from our hotel in Levens to the GR5 trail this morning. Our last day of walking is one to savor as we follow the GR5 straight to the bustling Mediterranean port city of Nice. Our route circumnavigates the last of the Alps, Mont Cima (2,280') and Mont Chauve (2,296'), before they drop into the sea and the views as we walk are spectacular. The heat of the south, the olive groves, the grape-growing terraces, and the terracotta houses all add to our very atmospheric last day of walking. From our pickup point just north of the city of Nice, we make a short drive to our hotel in the historic center of Nice. Tonight we gather for a festive Farewell Dinner. Overnight at hotel.\r\nHiking Details: 7.5 miles, 5 hours, 1,800 feet ascent, 2,300 feet descent\r\nDriving Time: 1 hour","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":1,"Dinner":1,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":14,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Depart","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Transfer to the Nice airport or the train station whenever you want after breakfast, or extend you stay on your own in Nice.\r\nA Special Note: This itinerary is as accurate as possible, but please note that the hiking distances and elevations listed are estimates. The mountain weather will dictate our exact hiking itinerary.\r\n","Breakfast":1,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":false},{"DayFrom":1,"DayTo":3,"Headline":"Megève \/ Mont Blanc Massif","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Amid the splendor of the French Alps, we hike up to Mont Joly for spectacular views of Mont Blanc then cross the Col de Bresson below Mont Blanc's south-facing flanks.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":4,"DayTo":7,"Headline":"Vanoise National Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Entering the Vanoise, our trails lead above treeline with views of the glaciated Pralognan Valley and the ice cap of the Dôme de la Vanoise. A ramble along an old Roman road leads us beneath the granite peaks of the Grande Casse to Col de la Vanoise (8,255'), with three alpine lakes along the way. One of our hikes is in the Vallée Etroite, a remote Italian-speaking valley.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":8,"DayTo":10,"Headline":"Brian\u00e7on \/ Queyras Regional Park","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"We enjoy a day to explore Brian\u00e7on, a pretty town with a strong medieval character, or take an optional day hike in the surrounding mountains. In Queyras, one of the most untouched areas of France, we hike across emerald meadows to the Col Cross, where Corsican mouflon sheep roam.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true},{"DayFrom":11,"DayTo":14,"Headline":"Auron \/ Mercantour National Park \/ Levens \/ Nice","ActivityOverview":"","EstimatedLength":"","ActivityLevel":"","ItinBlock":"Auron, the gateway to Mercantour National Park, is one of the Southern Alps' largest ski resorts and in the summer offers many wonderful hiking options. We follow the GR5 across the last of the Alps before they drop to the sea, then head to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Depart on Day 14 via Nice.","Breakfast":0,"Lunch":0,"Dinner":0,"Overnight":"","Travel_Type":"","Quotation":"","Quotation_Attribution":"","Itinerary_Location":"","Latitude":"","Longitude":"","Brief":true}],"itinpdf":[{"ItinYear":"2023","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-itinerary-2023.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"2024","docType":"1","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-itinerary-2024.pdf"},{"ItinYear":"","docType":"2","FileName":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/portal\/mont-blanc-to-the-mediterranean-predeparture.pdf"}],"whattoexpect":[{}],"highlights":[{"DisplayOrder":1,"HighlightText":"","Description":"Hike our unique mountain route across a spectacular range of cultures and 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he gained his passion for hiking, climbing, and skiing. A professional mountain leader and ski instructor since his youth, he loves outdoor pursuits of every kind and also has an affinity for jazz music, French and American literature, and Irish culture (acquired during his years of guiding French tours in Ireland)."},{"GuideID":850821,"First_Name":"Clive","Last_Name":"Roberts","BioShort":"“My biggest passion in life is the mountains,” says Clive Roberts. “Climbing them, traveling through them, working in them, living in them.” One of his favorite journeys with WT is our Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean trip because of its constantly changing scenery and culture, from the snowy spires of the Chamonix Aiguilles to olive groves set along the Mediterranean. When he is not leading trips, Clive is in the ongoing process of renovating his cottage in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Ireland, using traditional materials wherever possible.","BioLong":"“My biggest passion in life is the mountains,” says Clive Roberts. “Climbing them, traveling through them, working in them, living in them.” Since 1995, Clive has led groups on every continent, and often brings his guitar along on the hikes, for impromptu sing-alongs with guests. He holds Ireland's Mountaineering Instructors Certificate and was the former director of the Irish National Mountain Center. One of his favorite journeys with WT is our Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean trip because of its constantly changing scenery and culture, from the snowy spires of the Chamonix Aiguilles to olive groves set along the Mediterranean. When he is not leading trips, Clive is in the ongoing process of fully renovating his cottage in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Ireland, using traditional materials wherever possible to preserve the Irish building. He also plays the banjo, but “it's a little heavy to carry around while hiking!”"},{"GuideID":851082,"First_Name":"Mark","Last_Name":"Tennent","BioShort":"A native of Bath, England, Mark Tennent quickly learned his calling was in the mountains. He completed a specialist Outdoor Education degree at Bangor Normal College in North Wales, subsequently instructed at various outdoor centers in the UK, then graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the British Army, which he left as a Captain. A recipient of several mountaineering and leadership certificates, Mark has worked in various parts of the world including Afghanistan, Macedonia, Kosovo, Kenya, Sudan, and India. Since 2005, he has lived in the Savoie department of the French Alps, near Albertville, where he shares his passion for the outdoors, French food, and the local culture. He's a member of the French Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Montagne, bringing together mountain guides, climbing instructors, and mountain leaders. When not guiding, he can be found ski-mountaineering, rock climbing, and cycling.","BioLong":"A native of Bath, England, Mark Tennent quickly learned his calling was in the mountains. He completed a specialist Outdoor Education degree at Bangor Normal College in North Wales, subsequently instructed at various outdoor centers in the UK, then graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the British Army, which he left as a Captain. A recipient of several mountaineering and leadership certificates, Mark has worked in various parts of the world including Afghanistan, Macedonia, Kosovo, Kenya, Sudan, and India. Since 2005, he has lived in the Savoie department of the French Alps, near Albertville, where he shares his passion for the outdoors, French food, and the local culture. He's a member of the French Syndicat Interprofessionnel de la Montagne, bringing together mountain guides, climbing instructors, and mountain leaders. When not guiding, he can be found ski-mountaineering, rock climbing, and cycling."},{"GuideID":850549,"First_Name":"Annie","Last_Name":"Hawkins","BioShort":"Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure trips was her vocation—nothing would keep her inside an office again! She has led exclusively for Wilderness Travel since 1995 and has led journeys for us in France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Niger, Oman, and more! She divides her time between Europe and San Francisco, where she lives with her husband.","BioLong":"Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure trips was her vocation—nothing would keep her inside an office again! She has led exclusively for Wilderness Travel since 1995 and has led journeys for us in France, Spain, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Niger, Oman, and more! “As a Trip Leader, I see myself as the personal ambassador to a place. In France, I love introducing the products of the \u2018terroir' such as wine or cheese, or in southern Spain, taking the group to my home to share a paella with them. And in the Sahara, I have a passion for the wind-created landscape I call \u2018the yellow circle' and the ingenuity of the people who live in this place of extremes. I'm also fascinated by the friendships that people forge while traveling together day after day. I remember how six guests become lifetime friends after our trip in Niger—this warms my heart!” While scouting our trip in southern Spain in 1999, Annie bought a 300-year-old house in a village clinging on the flanks of the highest mountains in Spain. It took her three years to transform it into the home she calls La Casa del Milagro. She divides her time between Europe and San Francisco, where she lives with her husband."},{"GuideID":851022,"First_Name":"Laurence","Last_Name":"Frison","BioShort":"Traveler, hiker, skier, and guide by passion, and graphic designer by trade, Laurence (“Lolo”) Frison embodies the life of an adventurer. She spent a decade exploring the world from Africa to Australia, including a three-month road trip from Vancouver to Los Angeles, and has specialized in guiding groups in the French Alps, gaining her French national credential in mountain leadership. When not leading hiking adventures with WT, she enjoys biking and beekeeping in Thonon-les-Bains in the French Alps, where she lives.","BioLong":"Traveler, hiker, skier, and guide by passion, and graphic designer by trade, Laurence (“Lolo”) Frison embodies the life of an adventurer. She spent a decade exploring the world from Africa to Australia, including a three-month road trip from Vancouver to Los Angeles, and has specialized in guiding groups in the French Alps, gaining her French national credential in mountain leadership. You can often find Lolo leading our groups on tasty detours through the French markets, a cultural gateway to the heart of France, she says. When not leading hiking adventures with WT, she finds new adventures through biking and beekeeping in Thonon-les-Bains in the French Alps, where she lives."}],"guestreviews":[{"GuestNames":"Carrie M.","GuestLocation":"Boise, ID","GuestReview":"I loved everything about the trip and just wish it could have lasted longer. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful."},{"GuestNames":"Cathy C.","GuestLocation":"Sonoma, CA","GuestReview":"I loved it all. A great hike with extraordinary views, great company, delicious meals, cozy inns, and dramatic scenery changes. To end with a swim in the Mediterranean was perfection!"},{"GuestNames":"Christina S.","GuestLocation":"San Francisco, CA","GuestReview":"Another spectacular WT adventure!"},{"GuestNames":"Deborah C.","GuestLocation":"Santa Monica, CA","GuestReview":"I’ll be doing more of these trips!"},{"GuestNames":"Elizabeth M.","GuestLocation":"Long Beach, NY","GuestReview":"The variety in scenery from day to day was wonderful. There was always something new to see!"},{"GuestNames":"Ellen Q.","GuestLocation":"Irvine, CA","GuestReview":"What a grand adventure! We loved the varied terrain, the hikes, and our fantastic guides."},{"GuestNames":"George P.","GuestLocation":"Castro Valley, CA","GuestReview":"This was the best world trip we have experienced in 25 years of travel—a truly great French Alps experience!"},{"GuestNames":"Guy A.","GuestLocation":"Woodacre, CA","GuestReview":"This was an ideal vacation for my wife and me: being in the mountains all day, at the peak of wildflower season, with two guides who were both knowledgeable and fun to be with, having a good hotel at night, and great French food in the evenings."},{"GuestNames":"Helen F.","GuestLocation":"Clancy, MT","GuestReview":"A trip I would highly recommend!"},{"GuestNames":"Inge K.","GuestLocation":"Concord, MA","GuestReview":"This trip was a wonderful blend of beautiful alpine scenery, great outdoor exercise, charming towns, and interesting foods. Each day was a treat, and our guide worked in special stops on the days we had to drive longer distances (like for cappucino in Italy!)."},{"GuestNames":"Larry A.","GuestLocation":"Golden, CO","GuestReview":"Great trip! Excellent leaders and companions, food, scenery, and lodgings. Pretty much what we have come to expect from WT."},{"GuestNames":"Laura T.","GuestLocation":"Oakland, CA","GuestReview":"A superb trip with superb leaders."},{"GuestNames":"Neil C.","GuestLocation":"Swampscot, MA","GuestReview":"This is my second time on this trip! It’s a great hike."},{"GuestNames":"Penny A.","GuestLocation":"Los Angeles, CA","GuestReview":"We traveled to places that we would never have been able to see without the expertise of Wilderness Travel and the guides."},{"GuestNames":"Randie B.","GuestLocation":"San Francisco, CA","GuestReview":"A fabulous trip! Everything was terrific, really quite perfect!"},{"GuestNames":"Read P.","GuestLocation":"Castro Valley, CA","GuestReview":"This was a very special trip. The variety of landscape, the length of time to feel like a real group of friends, variety of hotels and food—it was amazing."},{"GuestNames":"Richard S.","GuestLocation":"Branford, CT","GuestReview":"This was a great trip—I have zero complaints and would recommend it to any capable hiker."},{"GuestNames":"Teddie G.","GuestLocation":"Pocatello, ID","GuestReview":"This is the second time I’ve traveled with WT. I’m noting consistent high quality, excellent planning, excellent Trip Leaders, and nice clientele."}],"Extensions":[{}],"SimilarTrips":[{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10365,"Trip_Code":"VIALPINA","Trip_Name":"Hiking Switzerland's Via Alpina"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10406,"Trip_Code":"HTESHORT","Trip_Name":"Hiking the Haute Route"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10341,"Trip_Code":"TMB","Trip_Name":"Tour du Mont Blanc"},{"TripID":10656,"SimilarTripID":10345,"Trip_Code":"ULTDOLO","Trip_Name":"Ultimate Dolomites"}],"Specialists":[{}],"TripSegments":[{"VendorID":70998,"ProductID":84610,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Extra Hotel Night","Vendor":"Hotel Au Vieux Moulin","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Megève","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Pre-Trip Extra Services: Hotel Au Vieux Moulin (DATES, 1 night)","Day":0,"Sequence":20,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Just steps from the pedestrian zone of the pretty mountain town of Megève, this is a chalet-type hotel, all in wood, with a friendly atmosphere and a cozy bar.<\/p><\/body>","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/vendors\/10-hotel-au-vieux-moulin-exterior.jpg","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":73502,"ProductID":84913,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Transfer","Vendor":"Pleisure Transfers","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Transfer","Day":1,"Sequence":0,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":11,"ProductID":54,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Single Supplement","Vendor":"Wilderness Travel","Address1":"1102 Ninth Street","Address2":"","City":"Berkeley","State":"CA","Postal":"94710","Product":"Single Supplement","Day":1,"Sequence":2,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"<p><\/p>","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":70998,"ProductID":80826,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Accommodation","Vendor":"Hotel Au Vieux Moulin","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Megève","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Standard Room","Day":1,"Sequence":10,"Duration":2,"PropertyDescription":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>Just steps from the pedestrian zone of the pretty mountain town of Megève, this is a chalet-type hotel, all in wood, with a friendly atmosphere and a cozy bar.<\/p><\/body>","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/vendors\/10-hotel-au-vieux-moulin-exterior.jpg","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":73496,"ProductID":84895,"SelectType":"Optional","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Transfer","Vendor":"Chamonix Valley Transfers","Address1":"44a Chemin du Lai","Address2":"","City":"Chamonix","State":"","Postal":"74400","Product":"Transfer","Day":1,"Sequence":15,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"","ItinBlock":"","VendorPhoto":"","ProductPhoto":"","OnRequest":"Option","Overhead":false,"BookingNotes":"","TicketSession":"","TicketTimeOfDay":"","TicketRound":"","TicketCategory":"","TicketDate":"","TicketLocation":"","NotTicketOnly":false,"Inactive":false},{"VendorID":70999,"ProductID":80827,"SelectType":"Operational","ChoiceGroup":0,"ProductType":"Accommodation","Vendor":"Hotel Autantic","Address1":"","Address2":"","City":"Bourg-Saint-Maurice","State":"","Postal":"","Product":"Standard Room","Day":3,"Sequence":10,"Duration":1,"PropertyDescription":"With a tranquil countryside location outside Bourg-Saint-Maurice, this modern hotel has traditional Savoyard stone-and-wood architecture and comfortable rooms. 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Once you receive your physician's approval, please upload the signed form to your Portal (directions on how to do this can be found in your Portal).<\/p>","Custom_Trip_Name_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Letter_Addendum":"","Custom_Welcome_Email_Send_List":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-13T06:37:03 --><p>Extra Service Request Form<br \/>Medical Practitioner Form<\/p>","Custom_Welcome_Insurance_Intro":"We recommend you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect your travel investment against the unexpected. ","Custom_FI_Optional_Donation_Text":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Trip_Sales_Points":"<body>Another fun resource is this <a href=\"http:\/\/photoblog.wildernesstravel.com\/from-the-mountains-to-the-sea-hiking-the-gr5\/\">blog post<\/a> by one of our recent travelers, complete with amazing photos from their experience that I think will give you a great sense of the adventure ahead.<\/body><meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n","Custom_Sales_Email_-_TP_Trip_Sales_Points":"<body>Another fun resource is this <a href=\"http:\/\/photoblog.wildernesstravel.com\/from-the-mountains-to-the-sea-hiking-the-gr5\/\">blog post<\/a> by one of our recent travelers, complete with amazing photos from their experience that I think will give you a great sense of the adventure ahead.<\/body><meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Payment_Terms":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body>In order to confirm your space on this trip, we require a first deposit of $600 per person, which is fully refundable up to 91 days prior to departure.<\/body>","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region":"","Custom_Sales_Email_-_Region_Sales_Points":"","Custom_Hiking_Poles":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:50 --><p><strong>HIKING POLES: <\/strong>If you choose to bring hiking poles, they must be packed in your checked luggage as they are not permitted in carry-on bags.<\/p>","Custom_Daypack":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:13 --><p><strong>DAYPACK: <\/strong>Daypack, large enough for a jacket or rain gear, water bottle, camera, and other items you want on the trail. Very few daypacks or fanny packs are waterproof and any items that you need to keep dry should be put in a waterproof stuff sack inside your pack.<\/p>","Custom_Vaccination_Card":"","Custom_FB_Packing_Reminders_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Additional_Notes_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Arrival":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-05-01T16:41:44 --><p><strong>ARRIVING IN GENEVA<\/strong><br \/>Wilderness Travel provides a complimentary transfer between the Geneva Airport and our hotel in Megeve, France. Please note this is a public van transfer service and it is likely other passengers may join the same transfer. There will likely be a waiting period between your arrival and the shuttle's departure as the other travelers scheduled for your transfer arrive. Upon arrival, a driver holding a sign with your name on it will meet you by the entrance of the Montreux Jazz Cafe, situated to the far right hand side of the Geneva Arrivals Hall - Swiss Sector. The journey from the Geneva Airport to Megeve is roughly 1.5 hours.<\/p><p>If you have booked our complimentary transfer service, your reservation confirmation has already been emailed to you by Chamonix Valley Transfers. Please check this email to ensure that they have correctly noted your arrival information. You will also receive an email the night before your arrival to confirm the exact time of pickup as well as your driver's name and phone number. You can show either of these confirmation emails to your driver either printed or on your cell phone. If you have any problems (i.e. lost luggage), please contact your driver using the information provided in your final transfer confirmation, or alternatively contact the local office for Chamonix Valley Transfers at (+33) 485-800-132<\/p><p> <\/p><p><strong>MEETING PLACE<\/strong><br \/>On Day 1 at 6:00 pm, please meet your Trip Leaders in the lobby of the Hotel Au Vieux Moulin. After a brief trip orientation, we will walk into town for our welcome dinner. <br \/><\/p>","Custom_Arrival-_Meeting_Place":"","Custom_Arrival_Transfer":"","Custom_Departure":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:01:41 --><p><strong>DEPARTING NICE <\/strong><br \/>Your Trip Leader or the hotel front desk will help you arrange a taxi to the Nice Airport or train station.<br \/><\/p>","Custom_Extra_Services":"","Custom_Contact_Information_for_Friends_and_Family":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:01:54 --><p>If friends or family wish to contact you during the trip, we encourage them to call, text, or email you directly. Another option is to reach you by calling the hotel (please see the enclosed Hotel List). If they are unable to reach you directly, please instruct them to call our office in Berkeley, California, and we will get a message to you as soon as possible. If they need to reach you outside of our office hours, we ask that they reach out to your Trip Leaders (contact information is listed below) and also leave a message with our Berkeley office, so that we can follow up with our team on the ground.<\/p>","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Left":"","Custom_Outfitter_Contacts_Right":"","Custom_Valid_Passport_Alternative":"","Custom_Visa":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_1":"","Custom_FB_Before_You_Go_-_MISC_2":"","Custom_Luggage_Requirements":"","Custom_Carry-On":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-26T17:00:36 --><p><strong>CARRY-ON: <\/strong>Valuable or essential items, such as well broken-in hiking boots, camera equipment, binoculars, prescription medications, and any paperwork required to enter France, should be hand carried on your flights to avoid loss or damage. <\/p>","Custom_name_slug":"france-mont-blanc-mediterranean-gr5-hiking-tour","Custom_Meta_Description":"Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its perpetual glaciers, through traditional villages and national parks to the palm-fringed beaches of the Cote d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean.","Custom_List_Description":"Hike from mighty Mont Blanc, with its perpetual glaciers, through traditional villages and national parks to the palm-fringed beaches of the Cote d'Azur, where the Maritime Alps plunge into the blue Mediterranean.","Custom_Redirect":"","Custom_PJ_-_Best_Months":"","Custom_After_Dates":"","Custom_Trip_Web_Note":"","Custom_Title_Tag":"Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean: GR5 Hiking Tour","Custom_Before_Days":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_1":"","Custom_After_Days_Header_2":"","Custom_After_Days_Text_2":"","Custom_Choosing_Right_Trip_Office_Contact":"","Custom_About_WT_Expeditions":"","Custom_Arrival_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-14T13:41:47 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Geneva Airport (GVA)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 1, by 4:00 pm (to transfer to Megève by the group meeting time at 6:00 pm)<br \/><br \/><strong>Meeting Place:<\/strong> You will meet your Trip Leader in the lobby of the group hotel in Megève at 6:00 pm on Day 1.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We provide a convenient transfer between Geneva, Switzerland, and our hotel in Megève, France. This is a van service that will meet you at your requested flight free of charge -- even if you arrive a few days ahead of the actual trip start date. Please note this is a public van transfer service and it's likely that other passengers may join the same transfer.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>A driver holding a sign with your name on it will meet you near the "General Information" desk directly outside of the customs exit (arrivals) area. The journey from Geneva is approximately an hour with this service. Please let us know if you would like to book this transfer by filling out our Extra Services Request Form.<\/p>","Custom_Departure_-_Sales":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-14T09:06:57 --><p><strong>Suggested Airport:<\/strong> Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)<br \/><strong>Suggested Date & Time:<\/strong> Day 14, anytime<br \/><br \/>Your Trip Leader or the hotel front desk can help you arrange a taxi from the group hotel to the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, or the train station.<\/p>","Custom_International_Air_Travel":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-14T09:04:35 --><p>You are responsible for making your own arrangements for flights to and from Europe. <br \/><br \/>There are many online consolidators for booking travel, but for more personal help arranging air transport, you can contact Exito Travel at 1-800-655-4053 in the US or 1-800-670-2605 in Canada. They are very adept at putting flight itineraries together, to even the most far-flung places. More information can be found on Exito's website at <a href=\"https:\/\/exitotravel.com\/\">www.exitotravel.com<\/a>.<br \/><br \/>Depending on your routing, it is necessary to depart from the US one or possibly two days prior to Day 1 of the trip itinerary. The name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport exactly, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of return to the US.<br \/><br \/><strong>Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip.<\/strong> Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule. It is your responsibility to ensure your flight times coordinate with the arrival and departure logistics for this trip.<\/p>","Custom_Extra_Hotel_Nights":"","Custom_Recommended_Hotels":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_1":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Header_2":"","Custom_A_and_D_Misc_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_1":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_2":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_3":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_4":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Header_5":"","Custom_FAQ_-_Text_5":"","Custom_When_to_Go":"","Custom_Children":"","Custom_Tag_Line":"From the Mountains to the Sea along the GR5","Custom_Lodging":"13 nights rustic hotels and inns","Custom_Meals":"All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners","Custom_Activity":"","Custom_Difficulty":"12 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 5-7 hours a day, altitudes between 6,000-9,400 feet, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day's hike)","Custom_Currency_Exchange_Rate":"","Custom_Fuel_Surcharge":"","Custom_Signing_Up_For_a_Trip_-_Email":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_This_Year":"","Custom_Optional_Hotel_Upgrades_-_Next_Year":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like":"This trip is rated <strong>Level 5, Strenuous<\/strong>, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day, and hiking significant distances for many days in a row. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group as with the exception of one day, there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing. <br><strong><br>Average Hiking Day <\/strong><ul><li>7-9 miles <\/li><li>4-6 hours <\/li><li>2,000-3,000 feet gain\/loss <\/li><li>Altitudes range from 6,000-9,400 feet<\/li><\/ul><strong> Challenge Day<\/strong> <ul><li>Day 4 - 10 miles, 8.5 hours, and 3,500 feet gain\/loss<\/li><\/ul>","Custom_Terrain":"Trail conditions can be primitive, and there is a good bit of up-and-down (often a 2,000- to 3,000-foot gain and loss in elevation per day). We will undoubtedly encounter snow on the highest passes, and trails can be very rugged. You will need to traverse areas with loose scree, large boulders, and sections of narrow, exposed trails. Your experienced mountain guides are there to assist you if needed.","Custom_Getting_in_Shape":"","Custom_Weather":"The months we visit the Alps are the optimal ones, but mountain weather can be fickle. Temperatures are likely to reach the 70s\u00b0F (or even 80s\u00b0F) during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. We are likely to experience a full range of weather conditions, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike.","Custom_Accommodations":"Our accommodations are in small hotels and pensions with private en suite bathrooms. Our hotels have been chosen as much as possible for their ambience and local history. Please note these are hikers' hotels, not five-star resorts. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but are not always of uniform size or amenities. In some of the smaller hotels, a bathroom may have to be shared by two or three rooms. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.","Custom_Cuisine":"Lunch will be in a small village, at a mountain lodge, or at a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often with the cuisine the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.","Custom_Transportation":"Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_1":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Header_2":"","Custom_What_the_Trip_is_Like_-_Text_2":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_1":"","Custom_Trip_Level_Note_2":"","System_Choosing_the_Right_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:16 --><p>Adventure travel often involves exotic destinations, unusual loris of physical exertion, or activities you ma not have participated in previously. We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Wilderness Travel at 1-800-368-2794 and ask for the<\/p>","System_References":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:50:51 --><p>We'd be happy to put you in touch with a past client that has traveled with us on this trip.<\/p>","System_Visit_Our_Website":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:51:32 --><p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\">www.wildernesstravel.com<\/a>, you can find out about added departures, last-minute deals, and special WT Expeditions that aren't listed in our catalog. You can also access a complete library of our detailed itineraries and browse the customized reading guides for each of our adventures.<\/p>","System_Helpful_Links":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:52:03 --><p>Wilderness Travel has compiled a list of useful websites for travelers. Find the Toucan Club tab on the home page of our website and choose Helpful Links: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/ toucan\/links<\/a>.<\/p>","System_About_Private_Journeys":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-17T11:00:24 --><p>Wilderness Travel Private Journeys are designed for people who want to travel with their own small private group, but who still want to experience the same superb itinerary design, great accommodations, and signature quality of Wilderness Travel's escorted group trips. These Private Journeys allow you to choose your own dates and your traveling companions -- even if it's just the two of you -- yet still enjoy a guided adventure.<\/p>","System_About_New_Trips":"","System_Social_Media":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:33:43 --><p><strong>SOCIAL MEDIA:<\/strong> We invite you to share your adventure with us on social media. Tag @wildernesstravel and we may even feature your content on our pages!<\/p>","System_If_You_Miss_Your_Flight":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:34:09 --><p><strong>IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong><br \/>If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact our Wilderness Travel office as well as our local partners, with your new flight information. Refer to the Emergency Contact Information listed in this Final Bulletin.<\/p>","System_Valid_Passport":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-06-16T10:26:21 --><p><strong>VALID PASSPORT:<\/strong> Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the last day of your trip, and that you have at least two blank pages for any necessary visa or entry and exit stamps.<\/p>","System_Insurance_Policy":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:36:23 --><p><strong>INSURANCE POLICY:<\/strong> If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan, you should have received an email confirmation of your policy. Please bring a digital or printed copy of this policy with you. If you cannot find your email confirmation, please contact Travelex's Customer Solutions team at 844-877-1885 or e-mail customersolutions@travclcxinsurancc.com. If you have not purchased Travelex insurance already, you have the option to do so up to 24 hours prior to your departure.<\/p>","System_Covid-19_Travel_Requirements":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-04-19T13:27:44 --><p><strong>COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong> Please double-check COVID-19 entry requirements for any countries you may be traveling to or transiting through, on this website: <a href=\"apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions\">apply.joinsherpa.com\/travel-restrictions<\/a><\/p>","System_Pre-Trip_Safety":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:37:06 --><p><strong>PRE-TRIP SAFETY:<\/strong> In the next weeks, we encourage you to do everything possible to stay healthy. Please practice social distancing, steer clear of potential COVID-19 exposure, and take an at-home antigen or lab based PCR test before you depart.<\/p>","System_Wilderness_Travel_Office":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:07 --><p>Our office in Berkeley, California can be reached at 510-558-2488, or by email at info@wildernesstravel.com. We are available during regular business hours (M-F, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, PST). <\/p>","System_ECI_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:38:31 --><p>If you have purchased the Travelex Travel Protection Plan through Wilderness Travel, please remember to bring your Confirmation of Coverages (COC) with you on the trip, including your Plan Number and important emergency contact information.<\/p><p>If you've purchased a travel protection plan on your own, we recommend that you bring a copy of your policy, including all coverages, with you on your trip.<\/p>","System_Face_Masks_and_Hand_Sanitizer":"","System_DidNotPurchase_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-28T12:27:44 --><p>Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for this trip. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection. Please let us know if you would like us to add the Travelex Travel Protection Plan to this final invoice. You can learn more about the policy on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/toucan\/travel-insurance\">website<\/a>.<\/p>","System_Purchased_Insurance":"","System_Questions?":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T13:47:31 --><p>Our Area Specialists are you single point of contact and would be happy to answer any questions about yout trip!<br \/>800.368.2794 | 510.558.2488<\/p>","System_Travel_Insurance":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-01-27T07:58:05 --><p>We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. You can take advantage of a comprehensive Travel Protection Plan designed for Wilderness Travel by Travelex, or purchase other insurance on your own. See our website for details: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance\">www.wildernesstravel.com\/insurance<\/a><\/p>","System_Make_it_Your_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:18 --><p>The prices above are for the ready-to-book adventure outlined in this Detailed Itinerary, a popular option that has been handcrafted by our Area Specialists to include the best of every destination. While many travelers choose to book this tour as is, our Area Specialists are also happy to work with you to customize this Private Journey to suit your specific interests and style of travel. We can arrange for longer or shorter stays, offer hotel upgrades (see below for sample costs), or add an extension to additional places of interest. We can even add special activities or customize excursions depending on your interests. We invite you to contact us to discuss your options!<\/p>","System_Signing_up_for_a_Trip":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-03-29T11:44:42 --><p>Early reservations are recommended since accommodations often sell out far in advance. Please call 1-800-368-2794 and ask for our [Africa Manager] or email us at [africa@ wildernesstravel.com] with any questions that you may have about this trip. To reserve your Private Journey, we will need to know your preferred dates of travel. We will then check availability and send you a proposed itinerary with exact pricing for your adventure. We can typically hold a provisional booking for one week. At that time, we must collect your initial deposit or accommodations will be released. We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a Welcome Packet that includes a letter of confirmation, Detailed Itinerary, Trip Application, Medical Form, and Pre-Departure Information Booklet with information to help you prepare for your adventure. Please see our Cancellations and Transfer Fee Schedule for specific payment information.<\/p>","System_Trip_Leaders":"<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2023-02-13T09:24:57 --><p>Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders have a passion and a joy for creating an unforgettable journey. We are extremely proud of them and the incredible travel experiences they make possible. The Trip Leader for each departure is listed on the "Dates & Prices" tab on our Pilgrim's Way webpage:<\/p>"},"terms":{"PaymentSchedule":"<meta charset=\"utf-8\"\/><body><p>$600 due at time of reservation <br \/>90 days prior to departure: Balance<\/p><\/body>","CancelSchedule":"<p>Up to 91 days prior to departure: No Charge!<br>61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost<br>46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost<br>45 days or less: 100% of trip cost<br><\/p>"}}