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.
Welcome to Mont Blanc!
Dates: June 22-28, 2025
Rates: $4,195.00 USD per person sharing. Single Supplement $895.00 USD
Non Rider Rate: $3,855.00 USD (must share with a rider)
Extra day on June 28: $595.00 USD per person
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 6 days of guided riding and visits
- All meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Horse and all tack
- Guiding services
- All local taxes
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 the hotel de laVanoise *** in Peisey Nancroix.
Day 2 : La Chenarie - alpages de Rossaix AM - about 2 hours on horseback
Start of the ride from la Chenarie by the forest path of Carroz blanc, from where we have a sublime view of the Bellecôte massif, then on the paths of the open landscape of the Rossaix pastures.
Discovery of the wonderful little Tarine cows.
Visit a Beaufort-made alpine pasture. Lunch on site.
PM - about 2 hours on horseback. Return by the Carroz Blanc forest path.
Dinner and overnight at theVanoise hotel.
Day 3 : La Chenarie - Les Vernettes - Nancroix - Landry AM - about 2 hours on horseback
Savoy baroque art is at the heart of the reconquest of souls during the counter reform. A true social project, the church reflects life in the mountains; it honors the saints invoked against the disease of men and cattle, accidents, avalanches, climatic hazards. Visiting these sites then becomes an exciting story, suitable for both the believer and laymen.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the faith of the inhabitants and the talent of local, Piedmontese or French artists populated the valleys with masterpieces.
After which we shave the tart of the Chenarie ride to Parcompuet, to the Baroque chapel of Vernettes. Visit the Chapel, then we descend into the valley to Nancroix.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
PM - about 3 hours on horseback
We start up again and ride along the Ponthurin to the village of Moulin then Peisey Nancroix, which we cross on horseback, then descend into the Tarentaise valley to the Baroque church of Landry, located at the foot of the Roman road. Guided visit of Landry church. Then short ride to the horse meadow for the night in Landry.
Dinner and overnight at the Vanoise hotel.
Day 4 : Landry - Seez AM - about 4 hours on horseback
Start of the ride in the Tarentaise Valley, along the Isère river. As we are in a flat valley, we have the opportunities of fun trots and canters. From the valley, we have a look on the local life and villages. Arrival at the meadow where the horses will stay.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
PM - Transfer to Sainte Foy Tarentaise, a pretty village further up the valley, with a tradition of passages leading to Italy, and the neighboring valley of Haute Maurienne.
Guided tour of the charming hamlets of Le Miroir and La Mazure, where the architecture tells about the story of the traditions of the past. Time for shopping in a charming local shop.
Aperitif, dinner and night in the famous Hotel Le Monal.
Day 5 : St Germain - Col du Petit Saint Bernard
AM - about 4 hours on horseback
The frequent alpine passes by men and their various goods goes back to a very ancient time (3000 to 2500 BC). In the bronze age there were already important trade flows. Some invaders from Italy crossed the Alps before the Gallo-Roman period, the Gauls of Bellovese around 309 BC, the Carthaginians with Hannibal in 218 BC, Hasdrubal around 207, Cimbres in 101 BC
The construction of the road we ride today - that passes through the Petit Saint Bernard pass - (In Alpe Graia) - probably dates back to the period of Julius Caesar around 45 BC, its completion was around the year 2 or 3 AD.
This was the main road that linked Milan to Vienna, in the Rhône Valley. Around the year 18 AD the Greek geographer Strabo indicates that it was passable by horse carriage for most of its route. It's amazing history and here we are riding in the same footsteps!
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). We've earned our lunch break and visit to the Petit Saint Bernard hospice museum.
After our lunch and visit of the museum about the Petit Saint Bernard pass we go on to discover the Roman ruins. A truly amazing piece of history! After this, we transfer by minibus to the Pré Saint Didier thermal baths where we have a sublime view of the Mont Blanc chain. We then transfer 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.
