Ride Overview
Long before welcoming skiers from all over the world to its resorts, this fertile area in the Alps was frequented by men and their various goods – dating back to the Neolothic period – and perhaps even by Hannibal during his passage through the Alps in 218AD, with his elephants.
Strategic for the Roman Empire, the conquest of Gaul built a path to connect Milan to Vienna and many of the royal houses of Italy sprang forth – this is the area you will explore on this incredible riding week. It’s a magical week filled with truly spectacular views, deep valleys with babbling streams and long fun canters through high meadows. Along the way, you will stay in excellent accommodation and dine like royalty.
We will ride in the footsteps of the Celts who from the Antiquity mined the precious minerals of the mountains, the illustrious Romans, the builders and artists of the counter reform who tell their faith in the baroque chapels …At the foot of Mont Blanc, we will meet the initiators of modern alpinism. But the main thing is elsewhere.
On our horses, we will experience that we are part of the vibrant living of the mountains, and observe how the rocks, ice, forests, plants, eagles, ibex, and marmots … here, form a nature of divine intensity. And our accommodations are in 3*** or 4**** hotels always located in the heart of the mountains and facing the Bellecote chain, Mont Pourri or Mont Blanc – every day the view from your room is utterly magnificent!
Welcome to Mont Blanc!
Dates: June 28-July 4, 2026
Rates: $4,080.00 USD or 3396€ per person sharing. Single Supplement $790.00 USD or 656€
Extra day on July 4 (departure from the ride on July 5): $570.00 USD or 475€ per person
Non rider sharing with a rider: $3,745.00 USD or 3121€
Included
- 6 nights 3*** or 4**** hotel accommodation
- 5 days of guided riding and visits
- All meals as outlined in the itinerary
- 2 glasses of wine with dinner
- Horse and all tack
- Guiding services
- All local taxes
- ***If taking the extra day - hotel and meals are the same inclusions as above
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport/Train Station transfers
- Gratuities for the riding staff at the end of the stay
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at airport of Geneva or at SNCF station of Landry, transfer (independent) to Fantastic Mineral Lodge**** in Villaroger for 3 nights
Day 2 : Bon Conseil - alpages du Monal - vallon du Clou via Via Alpina
The Via Alpina connects people who share the same passion across borders, promotes the European idea and successfully contributes to the sustainable development of the Alps as a natural and cultural area. It crosses 9 countries from Trieste to Monaco!
AM - about 3 hours of riding
Start of the ride from Sainte Foy Tarentaise resort Bon Conseil by a forest path of the via Alpina that leads to the marvelous village of Le Monal. On the way you have a fabulous view of Mount Pourri, the highest peak of the area at 3779 meters - and its glaciers! You'll continue the ride in back into the forest where you will be amazed at the immensity of the Clou Valley. The valley ends at Col du Rocher Blanc pass which is at the border with Italy and where goats and cows spend blissful summers grazing.
The returns to the alpine village of Le Monal where a local family of farmers waits for you with a lovely lunch prepared. They will showcase the traditional mountain way of life from the past until the present and explain about the unique cheese making process of the area.
PM - about 2 hours of riding
We return by the forest paths - again with incredible views of the valley to Bon Conseil.
Dinner and overnight at Fantastic Mineral Lodge**** in Villaroger
Day 3 : Bon Conseil - Mercuel Valley - Le Crot Sainte Foy Tarentaise via Via Alpina
AM - about 2.5 hours riding
Today we head west to discover another wonderful valley - the Mercuel Valley which is closed in by the Mont Pass the pass that connected France to Italy to Valgrisenche in Val d'Aosta and was a traditional route for trade and smuggling. Sovy has only been part of France since 1860, before that the population on both sides of the pass belonged to the Kingdom of Savoy Piedmont-Sardinia. Today, this fraternity is still celebrated with gatherings as early in the Spring as they can, after the snow melts. The trail takes us quietly down to our lunch break in the alpine village of Le Crot.
PM - about 2 hours riding
After we mount back up we continue to descend into the forest where stag, deer, roe deer, chamois live - as do wolves - but don't worry, they are quite far away from our trail.
Dinner and overnight at Fantastic Mineral Lodge**** in Villaroger
Day 4 : Sainte Foy Tarentaise - Seez - Planardin
AM - about 4 hours riding
We again head out on our ride in the westerly direction and down into the Tarentaise Valley, which runs along the Isere River. As we get to the flat part of the valley we have many great places to trot and canter. We will cross the Seez and climb up toward Italy and the Mont Blanc range before stopping at an authentic mountain chalet where our charming local hosts will have lunch prepared for us and a large verdant meadow beckons our horses who will stay overnight.
PM - no riding
After lunch we go back to Sainte Foy Tarentaise and enjoy a guided tour of the hamlets of Le Miroir and La Mazure where the architecture tells about the story of the traditions of the past in this area. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around, relax, grab a coffee or shop in a local store.
Aperitif, dinner and overnight in Hotel le Monal***.
Day 5 : Planardin - St Germain - col du Petit Saint Bernard
AM - about 4 hours riding
The frequent alpine passes made by men and their wares of this route goes back to a very ancient time (3000 to 2500 BC). You are literally riding in ancient footsteps. In the bronze age there were already important trade routes established, and some invaders from Italy crossed these Alps before the Gallo-Roman period. The Gauls of Bellovese (around 309 BC) and Carthaginians with Hannibal (in 218 BC) as well as Hasdrubal (207 BC) and Cimbres (101 BC) were all known to have used it.
The construction of the road that passes through the Petit Saint Bernard pass (in Alpe Graia) probably dates back to the period of Julius Caesar around 45 BC, with its completion around 2-3 AD. It was the main road that linked Milan to Vienna in the Rhone Valley. Around 18 AD the Greek geographer Strabo indicated that it was passable by horse carriage for mot of its route.
From Seez we will find the Roman road to Saint Germain, which we will follow to the pass. It is well marked at the border near the "Cromlech" and the Colonne Joux (Columna Jovis). Lunch and a visit to the Petit Saint Bernard hospice museum will follow.
PM - no riding but a visit of the Petit Saint Bernard Pass museum and also to see the Roman ruins nearby.
Transfer by vehicle to the medieval charming Hotel Dolonne at Courmayeur***
Day 6 : Minibus excursion in Valle d'Aosta
AM - Visit of Aosta (Italy).
The new colony of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum (Aosta) was founded in 25 BC. at the very place of the headquarters (praetorium) of the old fortified camp, at the crossroads between the road of Grand-Saint-Bernard (Mons Jovis or Mont Joux), and that of Petit-Saint-Bernard (Columna Jovis or "Colonne de Joux", or Alpis Graia).
At the end of the Roman Empire, the strategic position of Valle d'Aosta was the object of much lust. Successively conquered by many: Burgondes, Ostrogoths, then occupied by the Lombards. In 575, peace between the Merovingian king of Burgundy and Orleans, and the Lombards was proclaimed.
The Aosta Valley is incorporated into the kingdom of the Franks, who reserve control of the Alpine passes. The border between the kingdom of Burgondes and Lombardy is fixed at Pont-Saint-Martin. This change of orientation towards Lyon and Vienna fixes the toponymy, where we often meet Martin de Tours, as well as Denis de Paris (Saint-Denis) and Remi de Reims (Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses). The feudal nobility has long had a preponderant weight in political and social history, and built many castles and forts of military function, and were political, economic and cultural centers.
The first viscount, known to this day as Boson I was named in 1100. One of his successors, Ebal I of Challant renounced this title in 1295 in favor of the House of Savoy. Learning about all of this history, we will visit Arc of Triomphe, la porte Prétorian door and the numerous Roman remains of Aosta, as well as its medieval buildings. After which, we will have a fine typical Italian lunch in Trattoria al Dente.
PM - In the afternoon we will visit the medieval and renaissance castle of Fenis, and will discover its magnificent frescoes.
Dinner and night at hotel Dolonne in Courmayeur***.
Day 7 : Departure or option - Easy hike with a high mountain guide on glacier du Géant, at the foot of Mont Blanc
If departing, breakfast is independent and you may choose to visit Courmayeur and enjoy some shopping before departing to the Geneva airport.
If adding the extra day, you have a wonderful option for your enjoyment:
Option: Easy guided hike to enjoy the area and learn more of the history. AM - about 2 hours walk.
We start the day by taking the Cable car climb to Pointe Helbronner where a dazzling spectacle awaits us upon exiting on Brenva glacier. Aiguille Noire de Peuterey, Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc ... Dent du Géant, Mer de Glace ... At 3462 m of altitude, our high mountain guide acclimate us very gradually to this high altitude, showing and
telling us about the routes, and exploits of mountaineers in the highest and most prestigious alpine chain. Equipped with crampons and ropes, we move together easily in complete safety in a fairy tale setting which nature raised 30 million ago to its highest point at 4808 meters. A truly unforgettable experience of a life time!
Then filled with wonders, we have lunch among the mountaineers at the Torino refuge.
PM
Descent into the valley, visit of high mountain guides of Courmayeur, and shopping in town.
Dinner and night at hotel Dolonne in Courmayeur.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast on your own and then time to depart. If you need help with transfers to Geneva airport, we are happy to assist.
***Program may be changed a little according to the season and weather conditions.
