Provence Mountain Biking

The whole atmosphere of Provence, with its scrublands, its vineyards and orchards, its dry stones and its lavender fields ...
We carry out our loop in one of the most beautiful parts of Provence, that of the Luberon. We carry out the full traverse over the mountain ridges of the Petit Luberon and the Grand Luberon  that allow us to savor the richness of this region: very playful trails in the woods, vegetation in the south, lavender, vines, small traditional stone villages...
A true poem, punctuated by a providential valley of ochre sand, with the nickname "Little Provencal Colorado." Lace rock and fairytale chimneys, in the style of Bryce Canyon....
The last two days of this circuit allows also to ride in the mountains of the Vaucluse, passing by such villages as Murs and Gordes.

• Day 1/  Arrival Marseille
• Day 2/  Cavaillon - Cheval Blanc : mountains of the  "Petit Lubéron"
• Day 3/  Cheval Blanc - Bonnieux : really beautiful villages of Oppède le Vieux and Bonnieux 
• Day 4/  Bonnieux - Sivergues (typical village) : cliffs of Buoux 
• Day 5/  Sivergues - Viens (hilltop village) : Mourre Nègre ridges, Carluc Priory 
• Day 6/  Viens - Rustrel : Oppedette canyons, "small provencal Colorado"
• Day 7/  Rustrel - Murs : Saint Saturnin d'Apt, hilltop village, Monts of Vaucluse 
• Day 8/  Murs - Cavaillon - Marseille: Gordes, one the most beautiful villages of France
• Day 9/  Transfer airport for flight home.

The whole atmosphere of Provence, with its scrublands, its vineyards and orchards, its dry stones and its lavender fields ...
We carry out our loop in one of the most beautiful parts of Provence, that of the Luberon. We carry out the full traverse over the mountain ridges of the Petit Luberon and the Grand Luberon that allow us to savor the richness of this region: very playful trails in the woods, vegetation in the south, lavender, vines, small traditional stone villages...
A true poem, punctuated by a providential valley of ochre sand, with the nickname "Little Provencal Colorado." Lace rock and fairytale chimneys, in the style of Bryce Canyon....
The last two days of this circuit allows also to ride in the mountains of the Vaucluse, passing by such villages as Murs and Gordes.

Day 1/   Welcome in Marseille
Arrival at Marseille Airport, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Presentation of the course of our stay; assembly and organization of mountain bikes; first tests. Night at *** hotel.       

Day 2/   Marseille - Cavaillon - Cheval Blanc
Transfer Marseille-Cavaillon mini-bus (about 1 hour).
Mountain Bike departure from Cavaillon. Down to the mountainous backbone of the "Petit Luberon" which we discover by its western combe. A gentle leg warm up on our first single tracks surrounded by the Provencal aromas:  vineyards, orchards, forests of oak and boxwood ... Viewpoints on the Alpilles mountain range, the Dentelles de Montmirail and Ventoux, an isolated mountain, which is sometimes climbed during the famous "Tour de France" bike race.  
Night at *** hotel.      
Distance : approx. 19 miles - Ascent: 1,968 feet

Day 3/  Cheval Blanc - Bonnieux
Continuing along the northern flank of the Petit Luberon, on paths and roads which merge into the multiple bowls of this long ridge.  Riding through picturesque villages located on the slopes of rocky combes. Maubec, Oppède Le Vieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste ... Arrival at the superb village of Bonnieux, built on the steep hillsides. Discovery of the centenary Cedar trees of Bonnieux, small steep alleys...
Night in a hotel or bed and breakfast.
Distance: approx. 25 miles . Ascent: 2,625 feet

Day 4/   Bonnieux - Sivergues
Through the forests of oaks, we discover the typical single tracks of the Luberon.  The plateau is reached; we arrive at the impressive cliffs of Buoux. A few stops allow us to observe climbers in the middle of their rock climbing route. We then head to Buoux valley where we find ourselves at the foot of the cliff, carved and colored.  We climb up.... up to the small stone village of Sivergues, while passing by typical houses built against the rock. At the top of the last climb, our accomodation opens its arms...
Night in a hotel or Bed and Breakfast.  
Distance: approx. 28 miles. Ascent : 2,461 feet

Day 5/   Sivergues - Viens
Ascent and short morning transport of bikes to reach the crest of Mourre Nègre. Ride along the round, rolling ridge of the highest peak of the Luberon (3,691 feet). 360 ° panorama from the Ecrins mountain range down to the sea, through the Alpilles, the Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail ... Technical descent towards Céreste. Through vineyards and orchards, we then reach the Carluc Priory, dating from the fourteenth century. Much further, we see the hilltop village of Viens, the end point of our day.
Night in a hotel or Bed and Breakfast.
Distance: approx. 25 miles. Ascent: 3,280 feet

Day 6/   Viens - Rustrel
En route to the famous Oppedette gorges from which we will have a beautiful view. Through forests, vineyards and fields of lavender, we are left to one of the highlights of our tour: "Little Provencal Colorado". We will "taste" the famous small trails on this soft and warm ochre land ...
One of the most beautiful days of our week is filled with canyon and ochre colored sparkling trails. Fun, just fun!
Night in a hotel or Bed and Breakfast.
Distance: approx. 25 miles. Ascent: 1,640 feet - Descent: 2,297 feet

Day 7/   Rustrel - Murs
We leave Rustrel towards more secretive ochre. Short tour on foot in a very small, deep, ochre valley.  Then journey through the oaks to Saint Saturnin d'Apt, a hilltop village of Provence, with its typical plaza: fountain, plantain trees, terrace bar ...
We are then in the Monts du Vaucluse. Cedars and oaks guide us to the small village of Murs where time seems to stand still ...
Night in a hotel or Bed and Breakfast.
Distance: approx. 28 miles. Ascent: 1,476 feet - Descent: 1,640 feet

Day 8/  Murs - Cavaillon - Marseille
At the heart of the Vaucluse mountains ... Passage in Gordes, one of the most typical villages of France, with its calades (essentially a cobblestone road), its castle, its stone. Bories (stone shack), old roads, where carts have left their marks for eternity, bring us back to modern society; and the railway station in Cavaillon. We finish our loop, the song of the cicadas still resonating in our heads....
Transfer Cavaillon - Marseille (about 1 hour). Settle in at the hotel and visit of Marseille (the harbor and its famous "Cannebiere" district).
Night at *** hotel        
Distance: approx. 25 miles. Ascent: 984 feet - Descent: 1,640 feet

Day 9/  Transfer to Marseille Provence airport
Transfer to Marseille airport for your flight home.

Type Difficulty rating    MOUNTAIN BIKING 3
Distance: 28 to 44 miles per day
Elevation gain: up to 6,500 feet per day
You are: someone who has a regular exercise regime and you mountain bike at least once a week for about 6 months out of the year. You also engage in another endurance sport during the "off-season".
Type of terrain encountered: narrow trails including breaks or obstacles that can not be avoided, with some very steep passages
Necessary technical expertise: you ride with precision and safety, controlling your braking. You know how to approach steep passages, choosing an ideal pathway at a very slow speed, crossing over small barriers. You know your limits on committed crossings.

- The riding distance schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior  notice.

Backpacking
"Daily belongings" should be reduced to a minimum. Anything you do not need during the day is routed by our assisting vehicle.
Luggage
All luggage must be divided into 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 travel bag:
1 / backpack
This is the bag that you use every day while pedaling.
If you choose to take along a picnic (see "food" paragraph). The bag should not be too large (maximum 30 liters).
It will contain: your picnic lunch, your snack food, your camera, waterproof clothes and spare ones, your sun glasses ...
2 / travel bag
This is the bag to be transported from one accommodation to another by vehicle. It will contain belongings that you will not use during the day.  You will recollect it at each evening's stop.

- English speaking, Mountain World Travel certified, all terrain, French mountain biking guide.

In the morning, the driver of the assisting vehicle directly carries the luggage from one accommodation to another.

- A 3 star hotel in Marseille
- A 2 star hotel or in charming Bed and Breakfast, depending upon availability.
We favor typical Provencal accommodations with traditional stone walls, hand made natural plasters and Provencale decor that is renowned around the world.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

"L'art de la table"
All dinners and breakfasts at place of lodging.  At lunch, we will take along picnic lunches carried by back-pack.  We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of our food products.  All along our trip, we buy, whenever possible, fresh local products.  Our accompanying team is quite ingenious when creating their varied and appetizing salads!
- Lunch:  cold picnics (salad, cheese and fruit)
- Morning and evening:  at the hotel, bed and breakfast or in the refuge (copious supper, warm and well balanced and a complete breakfast)
- "Salty" and sweet snacks: (cereal bars, dried fruit)
We pay particular attention to the quality and variety of your diet by keeping in mind that it must be suited to all of your physical activity.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Marseille
• Bike rental, if needed
• All services mentioned in extensions / options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water) 
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for driver/guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included.

Rent a bike  
It is possible to rent a mountain bike with suspension for $ 330.
Be sure to include your height on your booking form.

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the website Mountain World Travel or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Marseille Provence

• Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - Klm), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Marseille, through Amsterdam or Paris.
• StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Marseille, through Francfort or Munich
• Oneworld (American, British) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Marseille, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to France for up to 90 days.
US citizens, please check with the US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements    France
For other nationalities, please contact the French embassy in your country.

No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.
Health hazards
- Heat: protect your eyes and your skin against the sun, as it is more intense with altitude.
- Cold: plan on packing protective clothing against the cold (jackets, fleece, gloves, hat), especially in relevance to the activity.
- Dehydration: drink and nourish yourself sufficiently and correctly throughout the effort.
- Small wounds: blisters, tendonitis...bring along band aids, an antiseptic and another cream for muscle aches. They will take up a bit of room, but well worth the space.

List of equipment to be placed in your travel bag on the day of departure

For your head
- A cap or other head protection against the sun,
- A hat or sweat band
- A bike helmet

For your upper body
- 2 types of long underwear
- Warm shirt or sweat shirt
- A fleece
- A wind stopper (raincoat)

For your legs
- One (or two) good quality biking shorts with chamois leather (avoid triathlon pants).
- Long-legged biking pants
- Sweat pants
- A swimsuit

For your feet
- A pair of biking shoes
- A pair of shoes suitable for the evenings
- Sandals (not mandatory, but rather nice to put on during breaks.....)
- Sport socks

For your bike
- Gears tailored to the mountains: ask your bike vendor, as the right choice depends on your hardware and your level of fitness.
- 2 tubes or alternative hoses
- A box of patches + glue patches
- Alternative skid brakes (unless you go with new runners)
- 1 rear derailleur cable + 1 rear brake cable
- Lubricant for chain and derailleur
- 1 pump
- A small repair kit for conventional mechanical problems.

Other
- A pair of special bike gloves
- A lock
- A dop-kit
- Shorts
- 2 bike bottles 1 liter (or camel back)
- A few plastic bags to protect your belongings
- A small individual pharmacy, sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; aspirin; Ear plugs, plus your own personal medications.

Equipment provided by Mountain World Travel
- First Aid kit
- Mountain Bike repair kit.