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FRANCE: GR5 - Alps to the Sea New for 2008! There’s no doubt in our mind why the Grand Randonnée 5 (GR5) is considered one of the world’s premier hiking trails. Beginning in the storied alpine heights of the Mont Blanc range, you’ll wind through remote valleys, cross sun-dappled meadows thick with wildflowers, and explore the pristine national parks of the French Alps where marmots, ibexes, and even reintroduced wolves can be found. Your efforts are rewarded with a dazzling finish on the luxurious shores of the French Riviera, where the sparkling azure waters of the Mediterranean are an inviting respite after this strenuous trek. If you want to see the Alps in an entirely new light, then come out of the mountains and head down to the beach in this exquisite journey through France’s finest landscapes. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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 Itinerary: GR5 - Alps to the SeaDay 1 - Arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, and transfer to the French ski resort town of Megève. Day 2 - Hike through the grassy Beaufort region to the Col du Joly (6,525') with the Mont Blanc range looming in the distance. Overnight in Arêches. Day 3 - From the lake at Roselend, hike toward the Col du Couvercle (7,680'), then down to the Tarentaise Valley with panoramic summit views all around. Overnight in Peisey-Nancroix. Day 4 - Hike in La Vanoise, France’s first national park, with its herds of chamois and ibexes, and thick, rich meadows with fireworks of flowers. Head down to the Champagny Valley and overnight in Pralognan. Day 5 - A trek to the Col d’Aussois (9,566') the highest pass of the trip, offers spectacular vistas of the Dômes de la Vanoise. Overnight in Aussois. Day 6 - Follow the GR5 into the larch-covered Vallé Etroite. Overnight in the 17th-century fortress town of Briançon. Day 7 - Hike above tree line in remote Queyras National Park, where culture and living traditions are untouched, then on to Saint-Veran, highest village in Europe at 6,677 feet. Day 8 - Step into Italy briefly with an ascent to Col Blanchet (9,504'), then circumnavigate La Tête des Toillies (10,416') and return to France through the Col Longet (8,704'). Descend to Maljasset (6,266') and overnight in Saint Paul. Day 9 - Hike in the remote Ubaye Valley, crossing two passes and following a winding stream to reach a hidden emerald lake. Overnight in Barcelonnette. Day 10 - TMorning free to explore Barcelonnette, afternoon transfer to Saint Martin de Vésubie. Days 11-12 - Hike in Mercantour National Park, with its deep valleys, glistening lakes, wild streams, and abundant fauna. While here you’ll look for Neolithic petroglyphs on the granite walls. Day 13 - From the medieval town of Sospel, hike down ridges that plunge into the warm waters of the Mediterranean. End the trek by dipping your toes in the sea at Nice. Day 14 - Depart Nice. Detailed Itinerary - FRANCE: GR5 - Alps to the Sea 1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format 2008 Detailed Itinerary (PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.) 2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com 3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000 We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mountain Travel Sobek 1266 66th Street, Suite 4 Emeryville, CA 94608 USA Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526 Phone: +1-510-594-6000 Fax: + 1-510-594-6001 Email: info@mtsobek.com |