EASY TO MODERATE HIKING ITINERARY DAY 1: BOURG SAINT MAURICE  Travel independently to Bourg Saint Maurice. There is train service as well as bus possibilities from Geneva or Lyons. DAY 2: BOURG SAINT MAURICE - LES ECHINES-DESSOUS  Hike the open countryside above Bourg St. Maurice. Our day begins with a quick transfer to Les Chapelles. This village exemplifies the authentic and ongoing importance of farming culture in the Haute Tarantaise. An easy path rambles past several more quaint villages including La Thuile, La Nant and Les Echines-Dessus before descending to Les Echines- Dessous. Return to Bourg Saint Maurice hotel. Distance 7 miles. Elevation gain / loss 2100 ft. DAY 3: TRANSFER TO SAINTE FOY-TARANTAISE  Transfer to Sainte Foy-Tarantaise by way of another panoramic hike in the upper Tarantaise. A short transfer brings us to Monvelezan and the start of our hike. We will pass the 400 year old Eglise St. Michel standing alone on the hill above Le Chatelard. This is certainly one of the most important view points around. The trail then dives into the forest for a beautiful stretch before opening up in the ancient farm hamlet of Le Falconniere. The picnic potential here is of very high quality. Now a relatively short descent ensues to another wonderful alpine village, Le Mirroir. After a short break here we finish to our next destination, Sainte Foy Tarantaise. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain 2300 ft. / loss 2500 ft. DAY 4: A GREAT DAY HIKE ABOVE SAINTE FOY   We are off to the high country today as we ascend the Val de Mecuel. Our objective is a mountain hut near La Motte at the foot of the Point de Archebloc and in close proximity to the Italian boarder. Return to Sainte Foy. Distance up to 7 miles. Elevation gain / loss up to 2500 ft. DAY 5: VILLAGE OF LE MONAL  Today we visit the village of Le Monal, seemingly trapped in a time long forgotten. Our hike from the Sainte Foy ski station traverses beautiful open country with grand views of the Tarantaise' greatest glacier guarded summit; Mt Pourri! After lunch in the village we continue to the Lac du Chevril by Tignes and transfer to Val d' Isere. Distance 7 miles. Elevation gain 750 ft. / loss 1200 ft. DAY 6: RESERVE NATURELLE DE LA GRANDE SASSIERE  An outstanding day in the Grande Sassiere Nature Reserve. Today’s trek begins at the Chalet La Sassiere and follows gentle terrain to the Lac du Sassiere where we'll spend a leisurely picnic under the beautiful peak of La Tsanteleina. Return to Val d’ Isere hotel. Distance 6 miles. Elevation gain 1000 ft. DAY 7: VAL D'ISÈRE  A final outing above Val d' Isere ends the trip on a dramatic note. From the village of Le Fornet (the highest in Val d' Isere) we follow an incredible trail through the Gorges Malpasset. Coming out in the open high country on the other side we reach the Refuge du Prariond for a proper French Alpine Club lunch with inspiring views of the massive terrain that makes this region resonate with the most discerning mountain enthusiasts. Return to Val d’ Isere hotel Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain / loss 1800 ft. DAY 8: DEPART 19 "Nikola was able to adjust the hiking based on what we were able to do or wanted to do which was awesome. We experienced a lot of really amazing sites while we were there. It was my favorite trip ever." – Sunnie K. *All ground transportation beginning in Bourg St. Maurice included during tour. Luggage transfer daily. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. TRIP RATINGS Easy to Moderate hiking up to 8 miles (two options offered most days) with ascents up to 2300 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 2/ 4 COMFORT 3+ / 4 2/ 4 TERRAIN Sainte Foy Bourg Saint Maurice Val d' Isere FRANCE ITALY