GRAND ALPS • JUL 18–28, 2026
Grand Alps Tour 2026 — The Mountain School
5 countries, 10 days, the most legendary passes in European motorcycling.
2,700 km on a BMW R1300GS through Alpine engineering.
The Alps aren’t crossed — they’re respected. You leave Munich under the history of BMW, climb the first mountain range into Austria via the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, and from there the road stops being road. It becomes engineering, rhythm, conquest. Stelvio with its 48 hairpins. Furka with the memory of James Bond. Grimsel at the edge of the glacier. Susten Pass drawn into the slope like a painting.
Ten days on a BMW R1300GS, 2,700 kilometers, five countries crossed border by border — Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France. Full UpSerra logistics: hand-picked Alpine hotels, support vehicle, experienced tour leader, professional photo coverage. You only need to remember to ride.
It’s the most technical tour of the UpSerra calendar. Not desert, not pampas, not the Andean range — this is the European mountain school. Here every pass has its own name, every corner its own story. Anyone who rides the Alps once never looks at a road the same way again.
ALPS ON SCREEN
Watch the previous edition
Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, Mont Blanc in motion. What UpSerra delivers — not in slogans, on the road.
More videos on @upserra YouTube channel →
THE ROUTE
Munich → Dolomites → Stelvio → Mont Blanc → Munich
Day-by-day itinerary
Meet in Munich on July 17, by 2:00 PM. We hit the road on July 18.
DAY 01 · FRI JUL 18 · 281 KM
Munich → Lienz
Early start. We cross the Bavarian plain into the first Alpine ridges and enter Austria. Highlight of the day: the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, with a viewpoint at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe — direct view of the Grossglockner (12,461 ft / 3,798 m), Austria’s highest peak. Overnight in Lienz, in East Tyrol.
DAY 02 · SAT JUL 19 · 241 KM
Lienz → Selva di Val Gardena · Dolomites
Entry into the Dolomites. A sequence of legendary passes: Passo di Stalle, Cortina d’Ampezzo (the “Queen of the Dolomites”), Passo di Giau (7,336 ft / 2,236 m, wide-open views), Passo Pordoi (7,346 ft / 2,239 m, switchback climb), Passo Gardena. Vertical rock-tower landscape.
DAY 03 · SUN JUL 20 · 270 KM
Selva → Resia · 3 countries in one day
Technical crossing through Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. Passo di Monte Giovo (Jaufenpass), Passo Rombo (Timmelsjoch, 8,116 ft / 2,474 m — Alpine giant with a museum at the top), Passo di Resia. Lake Resia with its iconic submerged church tower.
DAY 04 · MON JUL 21 · 210 KM · STELVIO
Resia → Davos · The King of the Alps
The most anticipated day of the trip. Passo dello Stelvio (9,045 ft / 2,757 m) — the “King of the Alps”, second-highest paved pass in Europe, 48 hairpin turns on the Italian side. Followed by Foscagno, Forcola di Livigno, Passo Bernina (7,638 ft / 2,328 m, with the Morteratsch Glacier and Lago Bianco). Davos, the Swiss alpine resort, closes the day.
DAY 05 · TUE JUL 22 · 340 KM
Davos → Andermatt · Swiss marathon
Endurance day. Julierpass, Malojapass (spiral curves), Splügenpass (hidden gem), Passo del San Bernardino, Lukmanierpass, Oberalppass (red lighthouse at the top). Andermatt is the mythic village of Alpine motorcycling — a meeting of passes, a place of pilgrimage.
DAY 06 · WED JUL 23 · 261 KM · FURKA
Andermatt → Sierre · The legendary passes
Day of the legends. Sustenpass (7,296 ft / 2,224 m), Grimselpass (with view of the Oberaar Glacier), Furkapass (7,969 ft / 2,429 m — yes, the one from James Bond’s Goldfinger), Passo San Gotardo, Nufenenpass (8,130 ft / 2,478 m). Sierre, in the heart of the Valais.
DAY 07 · THU JUL 24 · 91 KM · MONT BLANC
Sierre → Chamonix
The lightest day, with cinematic scenery. Forclaz Pass, Col des Montets, and arrival in Chamonix, at the base of the Mont Blanc massif. Free afternoon — we recommend the Aiguille du Midi cable car for direct views of Mont Blanc (15,777 ft / 4,808 m) and the surrounding glaciers. Overnight in the most famous Alpine village in the world.
DAY 08 · FRI JUL 25 · 311 KM
Chamonix → Interlaken · Swiss culture
Back to Switzerland via the Great St. Bernard Pass (8,100 ft / 2,469 m, with its historic hospice), Champex-Lac, Les Mosses, Jaunpass. Special cultural stops: the Gruyère cheese factory and the first Nestlé factory in Broc (Swiss chocolate, museum). Overnight in Interlaken, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
DAY 09 · SAT JUL 26 · 401 KM
Interlaken → Innsbruck
The longest stage, but scenic. Brünigpass, Klausenpass (6,392 ft / 1,948 m, dramatic), passing crystal-clear Alpine lakes (Sarnen, Lungern). Arrival in Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol, ringed by mountains.
DAY 10 · SUN JUL 27 · 135 KM · BIKE RETURN
Innsbruck → Munich · bikes returned
Final stage. Smaller mountains and Austrian Alpine valleys, descending back to Bavaria. Arrival in Munich, bikes returned. Farewell dinner. Checkout on July 28 — for those who’d like to extend, Bavaria, Salzburg, and the Rhine Valley have plenty to offer.
EXPEDITION MEMORIES
The Alps in pictures
A few memories from previous editions — to give you a sense of what July will look like.
More on Instagram @upserra_ →
THE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
What makes the Alps different
The Alps are the planet’s master class in mountain road engineering. Pass after pass, every single curve was designed by engineers a hundred years ago — Italians, Swiss, Austrians, French. Carved by hand into the rock, drawn into impossible slopes. To ride the Stelvio is to ride a road that was a war effort, a 1925 dream of connecting Italian valleys. Furka, Grimsel, Susten — all from the same era.
In ten days, you ride more than thirty named passes. You feel the difference between Italian engineering (technical, dramatic, often narrow) and Swiss (precise, well-paved, scenic). You see how Austrians designed for tourism, how the French treat curves with a different patience. The Alps are not one mountain range — they’re four schools of mountain riding rolled into one.
What’s Included
- BMW R1300GS rental for 10 days (always included)
- 10 nights of Alpine accommodation (hand-picked hotels in Lienz, Selva, Resia, Davos, Andermatt, Sierre, Chamonix, Interlaken, Innsbruck, Munich)
- Breakfast at all hotels
- UpSerra tour leader throughout the entire trip
- Mechanical support vehicle with luggage, parts, and tools
- Professional photo and video coverage of the expedition
- Initial briefing in Munich
Not Included
- International airfare (round-trip to/from Munich)
- Mandatory international travel insurance
- Motorcycle fuel during the tour (~EUR 800–1,200)
- Meals beyond breakfast
- Tolls (some passes have fees, e.g. Grossglockner ~EUR 38/bike)
- Bike security hold (~EUR 2,000) and rider liability during the trip
- Optional activities in Chamonix (Aiguille du Midi cable car ~EUR 75)
- Personal expenses
Credit card hold for the bike: the European rental partner places a EUR ~2,000 (~USD 2,200) hold on your credit card during the trip as a security deposit. Released in full at bike return, with no incident. This is standard European motorcycle rental practice — UpSerra coordinates everything. Optional CDW (collision damage waiver) reduces your liability and is recommended.
Requirements
Documentation (international riders)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond return date (must be valid past January 2027)
- Visa requirements: US/Canadian/UK/AU/NZ citizens enter the Schengen Area visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days within any 180-day window)
- Motorcycle license (Class A or equivalent) — valid in country of issue. The European rental partner accepts US/Canadian/UK/AU/NZ home licenses
- International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended (issued by AAA in the US, AA in UK)
- Mandatory international travel insurance with coverage for Schengen Area + medical evacuation
- Credit card with at least USD 2,500 / EUR 2,000 available limit for the bike security hold
Other requirements
- Strong heavy-bike experience (700cc+) with comfort on twisties — Alpine passes have continuous switchback turns. Not recommended as a first international ride
- Mountain riding gear: jacket and pants with full protection, riding boots, knee armor, riding gloves, rain shell (Alpine weather changes fast)
- Layered cool-weather gear: July in the Alps ranges from 5°C / 41°F (high passes morning) to 25°C / 77°F (valleys afternoon). Layered system is essential
- Arrive in Munich by 2:00 PM on July 17 — late arrivals miss the briefing and Day 1 departure
- Vaccinations: none mandatory for Schengen entry
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Reserve your spot — Grand Alps July 2026
Leave your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp within 24 hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much riding experience do I need?
Strong heavy-bike experience is required. Alpine passes are technical — continuous switchback turns, narrow lanes, mixed weather. If you’ve ridden 700cc+ adventure bikes for at least 5,000 km on twisty roads (US Rockies, Smoky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, etc.), you’ll be comfortable. Not recommended as a first international ride.
Is it cold in the Alps in July?
European summer. Valleys are warm: 20–30°C (68–86°F). High passes (above 2,000 m / 6,500 ft) are cool: 5–15°C (41–59°F) in the morning, can drop near 0°C (32°F) on cloudy days. Layered gear with a rain shell is mandatory — Alpine weather can shift fast.
Do I need a visa for the Schengen Area?
US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and New Zealand citizens currently enter the Schengen Area visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days within any 180-day window). Always check the latest requirements before departure — UpSerra confirms with you ahead of time.
Is my motorcycle license valid?
Yes — the European rental partner accepts US/Canadian/UK/AU/NZ home country motorcycle licenses (Class A or equivalent). We strongly recommend an International Driving Permit (IDP) — issued by AAA in the US, AA in the UK. Some border officers and police checks ask for it.
Which is the toughest pass?
Two stand out. Stelvio (D4) — 48 hairpins on the Italian side, the steepest sustained climb of the trip. Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse (D1) — high altitude, exposure, often cold winds. Both are paved and well-marked, with no off-road. The challenge is the relentless switchback rhythm at 1,800+ meters / 5,900+ ft, not the surface.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes. Munich is well-connected to Bavaria, Salzburg, and the Rhine Valley — extending 2–4 days makes excellent sense. Coordinate ahead with the UpSerra team so we can recommend hotels and routes that fit your style. Bike must be returned on July 27 (D10).
Why isn’t travel insurance included?
Insurance needs vary widely by home country, age, pre-existing conditions, and the level of coverage you want (medical evacuation alone can range from USD 100 to USD 1,000 depending on policy). We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage with motorcycle riding included and medical evacuation — companies like World Nomads, IMG, GeoBlue, or your local equivalent. UpSerra can recommend providers based on your country.
Best flights to Munich?
Munich (MUC) has direct flights from major US hubs (NYC JFK/EWR, Atlanta ATL, Chicago ORD, Charlotte CLT, Houston IAH, LA LAX, Miami MIA, San Francisco SFO) and from London, Toronto, Sydney. Plan to arrive on July 16 to recover from jet lag — Day 0 (July 17) is briefing in Munich.
How do I pay? What’s the deposit?
10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer in EUR or USD. Once you submit the booking form, our team contacts you on WhatsApp within 24 hours to handle the details. Cancellation terms shared at booking.
Pricing
Per person, in USD. BMW R1300GS rental always included.
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Solo (single room, BMW R1300GS included) | USD 11,500 |
| Couple (rider + passenger, double room, BMW R1300GS included) | USD 13,500 |
Payment terms: 10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer (EUR or USD). Talk to the UpSerra team on WhatsApp to discuss the best package and any available adjustments.
Limited spots.
Small group to preserve pace and full attention from the team.
Reserve your spot directly with our team.
“More than roads, we live experiences. More than destinations, we build friendships.”
@UPSERRA_ · OFFICIAL BMW MOTORRAD PARTNER