Day 1 sets the pattern. You leave Albertville along the river Doron to Beaufort for coffee, climb through forest to Lac de Roselend for lunch, then take the final 7 km to the Cormet de Roselend at 1,967 m. The Classic route is 62 km with 1,650 m of ascent; the Challenge route stretches to 124 km and 3,000 m by adding the Col du Petit St Bernard at 2,188 m.

Day 2 is the Col de l'Iseran, at 2,764 m the second highest surfaced col in Europe. The road starts busy and then empties out into marmot country and wild flowers, followed by a 30 km descent to Lanslevillard. Extra climbing options are the road up to Tignes/Val Claret at 2,007 m in the morning or the Col du Mont-Cenis at 2,083 m at the end of the day. Day 3 takes in the Col du Télégraphe at 1,568 m, then 22 km of climbing to the Col du Galibier at 2,646 m, before dropping to La Grave. The Challenge route climbs Galibier from the south side as well.

Day 4 is Alpe d'Huez, all 21 hairpins of it, reached via a long descent to Bourg d'Oisans. Most riders are up by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon for the town's bike shops or the sun. The harder options loop in the Col de Sarenne at 1,999 m, with the Challenge route taking the steeper eastern side and a narrow balcony road back via Lac du Chambon. Day 5 crosses the Col de la Croix-de-Fer at 2,067 m to St Jean de Maurienne, with optional detours to the Col du Mollard at 1,630 m or La Toussuire at 1,705 m. Day 6 finishes on the Col de la Madeleine at 2,000 m, roughly 8-9% average over 19 km, with Mont Blanc to the north and everything you have climbed to the south. The optional extra is the Lacets de Montvernier and the Col du Chaussy at 1,533 m.

The days follow a steady rhythm: breakfast around 08:00, on the road at 09:00 to 09:30, lunch in restaurants and cafes between 12:00 and 14:00, back at the hotel between 14:00 and 18:00 depending on your route, dinner at 19:30. Guides adjust timings for weather and the group's needs. You move hotels most nights, so there is little chance to use hotel laundry; the team can help dry hand-washed kit.

What separates this from a self-guided Alps trip is the support. Two guides in two vans are on the road with you all day, every day, with water and unlimited snacks at support stops, GPS files for every route option, and mechanical help. They also take photos through the week and share them with you afterwards. The guides are described as expert, proactive and fun, and they are used to helping riders at different paces get what they came for.

What's included

- 6 days of cycling with route options daily - Detailed GPS route files for all route options - On-the-road support from two guides in two customised support vans - Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars) at support stops - 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation with breakfast - 6 three-course evening meals with wine, beer or soft drinks - Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times - Photos of your holiday shared after the trip - Tips paid to evening restaurant staff on behalf of the group - Financial protection via ABTOT and ABTA membership

What's not included

- Flights to and from the destination airport - Insurance for you and your own bike - Lunches and cafe drinks during the day - Dinner on one night in St Jean de Maurienne - Tips for your guides - Energy gels, powders and recovery drinks - Spare parts specific to your own bike, including a spare hanger - GPS navigation device and handlebar mount - Bike lights - Pedals for a hire bike - Single room supplement - Hire bike