 |
 |
||||||||
|
General Info
How large will our group be?  Our group size is limited to 12 people, so groups are always cozy and intimate. Small groups create a fun, flexible dynamic that's just not possible with a larger number of people, so we strive to keep things small. Just as importantly, we also believe that when you make a commitment to take your vacation with Alpinehikers, we've made a commitment to you to lead the tour. You become our guest. There is no minimum size, and our tours will never be cancelled due to low enrollment (even 1 person is enough), so you can plan your vacation confidently.
What will our accommodations be like? Whether you're hiking all day or traveling by train, our inns are more than just a place to sleep, they are an integral part of the experience and are among the highlights of our trip. We look for comfortable rooms, spectacular settings, friendly service, and a cozy and authentic atmosphere. The inns we've selected are generally small and family-run, and they all feel good to come home to after an exerting day of hiking. Our inns set high standards for themselves, and everywhere we stop you will find utmost cleanliness and comfort. You honestly won't find better accommodations anywhere. Alpinehikers tours are marked by excellent accommodations at reasonable prices, and you'll agree the intimacy and ambiance of these inns adds immeasurably to the quality of our tours.  Our inns are listed on the detailed tour itineraries, and we invite you to compare with other options.
On our inn-to-inn hiking tours, Bernese Oberland Traverse and Tour du Mont Blanc, we stay in a combination of distinctive village hotels, mountain huts, and quiet country inns. Country inns (Berghaus in German) are a tradition in the mountains, many dating back to the 1800's. They can be described as simple alpine B&B's, set in remote and beautiful locations. Each one is unique - its atmosphere shaped by the house, the location, and the personality of the owner - and they all share unforgettable character and charm. They have private rooms, and bathrooms and showers are shared. Country inns are a great place to meet other hikers and locals alike, and will likely turn out to provide some of your favorite memories of the tour. Our inn-to-inn combo tours, Bernese Oberland Highlights, and Dolomites Val Gardena Traverse combine short 2-4 day inn-to-inn stretches with dayhikes from comfortable village hotels. They offer more opportunities for relaxation at very comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels in the villages while including adventurous stretches to remote huts and inns.
On our village-based tours, the Jungfrau + Matterhorn and Great Alpine Classics tours, we stay in very comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels, and take dayhikes each day. These also tend to be small, family-run, and filled with traditional alpine-style ambiance. Many of our hotels are known locally for their excellent cuisine, and the comfort level is very high. You will always have your own bathroom, and will be pampered by the highest standards of service and comfort. Our most luxurious tours, The Grand Tour and Gemmi to the Matterhorn, are village-based tours that each take you to three classic hiking destinations in Switzerland. You'll stay in absolute luxury, in the best 4 and 5-star hotels these regions have to offer. The hotels are unforgettable, the spas are impeccable, the cuisine is world-class, and - combined with some of the best hiking on this planet - both are truly memorable splurges for a hiking trip in Switzerland!
What about our meals? You'll be exercising all day, pleasantly tired, and ravenously hungry! So we'll treat ourselves to some fabulous meals. Our meals are carefully prepared, beautifully presented, and wonderfully satisfying. We might enjoy classic cheese fondue or raclette one night, and the best local specialties the region has to offer the next. With very few exceptions (noted on the tour itineraries), all meals are included in the price of our hiking tours. We'll start with a rich continental breakfast each morning at our inn, and finish with a multi-course feast in our hotel or a local restaurant every night. For lunch we like to get creative. We prepare a picnic lunch each day, and we take a lot of pride in our hearty picnics, making lunch something to look forward to as well!
Isn't Europe expensive right now? The published prices at the time you sign up are guaranteed for this year, regardless of enrollment or currency fluctuations, so lock up your trip early and you don't need to worry about prices or exchange rates. Group discounts and reduced prices for children are available. We also offer a $300 discount to returning hikers and on the second of two tours taken in one season. At Alpinehikers, we are committed to offering first-class tours at reasonable prices. We do a lot of things behind the scenes to keep costs down - we keep our staff minimal, design our own brochure, use our own pictures, and answer our own phone, among many other things. What we will never do is skimp on the tours themselves or on your experience. The result is a combination of quality and price that I think is unmatched in Switzerland.
What about kids? Switzerland is a huge playground for children, and they are very welcome on our tours. Many of our guided tours, especially the village-based tours and inn-to-inn combo tours, are particularly suited to families. Self-guided tours are a great option for families as well, and we can plan short walks, family-friendly hotels, and a wide array of activities that will be memorable for kids of all ages!
I'm traveling alone... can I book a single room?The published prices are per person based on double occupancy. Singles are very welcome on our tours, and we do have a limited number of single rooms, available on a first-come basis, with a single supplement fee. If you are traveling alone and would like to share a room with another hiker, we will do everything we can to match you up with another traveller of the same sex. If that is not possible, however, the single supplement will apply. The single supplement is due with the balance of your tour. Please note that on our inn-to-inn tours, we sometimes stay in huts or lodges with shared rooms, and single rooms are not available for those nights. We can also accommodate families with children who wish to share a room.
I'd like to bring a group of friends... do you offer group discounts? Group discounts are always a possibility, even with a group of just 5-6 people, for either our self-guided tours, our scheduled guided tours, or a private trip. We also offer a referral program for past hikers that results in discounts for both you and for new travelers that you refer. See www.alpinehikers.com/referrals for program details.
What's included in the tour price? Guided tour prices and per person and include lodging, all breakfasts, all lunches, all dinners, baggage transport between inns (if applicable), ground transport during the tour, selected entrance fees, gratuities and taxes, and daily guided hikes. Unlike many tour companies, we don't expect you to pay for cablecars, busses or trains we take during the course of our hikes, tip the hotel and restaurant staff (we do that), or provide any of your own meals (although you're always welcome to explore on your own). The only things the tour price does not include are drinks with your dinners, personal items, extras charged to your room (like minibar or phone calls), transportation to and from our meeting and departure points, tips for your guides, or insurance of any kind.
Can you help us get to our meeting point? Most of our guided tours do not include travel to and from our meeting and departure points (note the Grand Tour and Gemmi to the Matterhorn tours do include railpasses for airport arrival and departure). For those who need it, we offer a Swiss Card 2nd-class rail pass at subsidized prices. For $140 (a $33 savings on the regular price), you get free travel on your first and last days, plus 50% discounts on any other travel in Switzerland for a month. This is less than the cost of a round-trip train ticket to most destinations in Switzerland. Extra travel days and 1st-class passes are also available. Order before May for free shipping, otherwise shipping is $18 per order. The Swiss Card is a great pass for most all of our tours, or if you're planning any extra travel in Switzerland outside of the tour. It will not be useful for members of the Mont Blanc or Dolomites tours, which are mainly outside of Switzerland. Please ask if you have questions about your particular situation and we can help you choose the right pass for your tour.
How about our plane tickets and our extra time in Europe? The tour price does not include the cost of air travel to Europe. If you're flying from the US, you will need to leave a day early for arrival the next morning in Europe. For your return flight, plan to depart Europe the day after your tour ends, to allow for travel time to the airport. Most people will need to spend a night in their departure city when the tour ends and fly home the next day. If you would like help with this night, we have great choices for 3 and 4-star hotels in Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne. Ask about adding a final night when you're signing up. The hotels we've chosen are some of the best we've found in these cities. They're well-run, affordable, and in great locations. We book these last nights with breakfast only. They're not guided, and you'll be able to explore on your own for dinner before flying home. We are also happy to help with pre- and post-tour plans. Although Switzerland is our specialty, we have years of experience with other European destinations as well, and can research and arrange independent travel to nearby countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Austria. We can book hotels and railpasses, and help come up with an overall plan that makes the most sense for your European travels.
If you would like help with airline tickets, please contact Yves or Monika Leuenberger of Avenues of the World Travel. Originally from Switzerland, and now based in Flagstaff, Yves and Monika are knowledgeable, helpful travel specialists with years of European experience. Tell them your itinerary with Alpinehikers. They are familiar with our tours and can help you find the right flight, or book travel to other parts of Europe that you would like to visit during your vacation.
How much luggage are we allowed? One piece of luggage per person will be transported between our inns on our inn-to-inn tours. Additional pieces may be brought for an extra $50 charge. Extra luggage should not be necessary though - please try to travel light. Many hotels in Europe, especially on our inn-to-inn tours, have many floors but no elevators, and when we travel between villages by train, we will carry our own bags on the journey. So try to keep your luggage down to an easily managable level.
What kind of condition should I be in for one of these tours?A good level of physical fitness is required to enjoy hiking in the Alps. With that said, the Alps and their wonderful infrastructure provide us with a lot of flexibility. Everywhere we go there will be plenty of beautiful places to stop and rest, and most segments can be made longer or shorter by using the trains and lifts that crisscross the countryside. With small groups, and 2 guides (tours of 6 or fewer may have only 1 guide), we can easily tailor our hikes to fit the fitness level and desires of our hikers. Remember though, this is very steep, mountainous terrain - the trails are consistently steeper than most people expect - and flat walks are few and far between. Prior aerobic conditioning is very important and will greatly enhance your trip. Everybody enjoys their trip more if they arrive in shape. On the inn-to-inn tours, we will be crossing high alpine passes and sometimes staying far away from public transportation. If you are not already in good condition, for you own happiness and safety, and for the smooth procession of the tour, you should start a program of walking and conditioning before joining the tour. Please ask if you have any questions regarding the appropriate tour for you.
Do you arrange independent tours as well? Absolutely. Much of our business consists of privately arranged tours, with or without a guide. If you wish to take one of our existing tours as a self-guided option or build a customized tour to the Swiss Alps, give us a call or email to discuss your options. We can work with you individually to create a trip uniquely suited to your needs, from simple inns to 5-star comfort, hiking tours to scenic train tours. If you like to go at your own pace or can't join a scheduled tour, this may be for you. We also arrange itineraries for non-hikers in both city and mountain areas of Switzerland. Our self-guided tours are both flexible and affordable. Self-guided versions of our scheduled guided tours generally cost about 2/3 the price of a guided tour. We include maps, prepaid hotel reservations (with breakfast and dinner), daily route descriptions, a Swiss transfer ticket or other appropriate train pass, a suggested packing list, instructions for independently sending baggage ahead, and other tips and suggestions to make your trip run smoothly. Basically everything you need, without groups or a guide! You'll find much more info on our Self-guided tours page. You may also want to consider a private guided tour. We can arrange a guide and a customized itinerary for your group just about anywhere in the Alps, for ultimate flexibility in your itinerary and departure date. For groups of just 5 or more, prices are very similar to our regular guided tours. Please see our Self-guided tours page and contact us if you have a group and are interested in hiring a private guide.
My spouse doesn't hike... is there anything for them to do?Absolutely, although some tours are definitely better for non-hikers than others. Our village-based hiking tours, Jungfrau + Matterhorn and Great Alpine Traverse, all offer plenty of activities and beautiful views for the non-hiker, and would be great choices if one person wants to hike while the other enjoys the scenery at a slower pace. Our luxury tours, The Grand Tour and Gemmi to the Matterhorn, also feature superb hotel pools and spas. They are certainly encouraged to join the group. Non-hikers should also consider our self-guided tour options. We offer a couple of self-guided tours, our 8 and 13 day Swiss Sampers, that are specifically designed as an introduction to Switzerland and require little or no hiking (although great hikes are always a possibility). Check out our Self-guided tours page for more information.
How do I get ready? When you sign up, you'll receive a pre-trip packet with suggestions on what to bring and how to arrive at our meeting point. You can view our pretrip packet here. We've also created a page of suggested links for resources to help with plane tickets, rail passes, car rental, suggested reading, and travel and hiking gear. You'll find this on our Travel Gear page. They're all great resources, so check them out. In order to get in shape for the tour, try to start exercising regularly before you come. Get out on weekends (preferably to hills), start a diet, don't skip the gym. The Alps are steep, and the better shape you're in when you arrive, the more enjoyable your tour will be. Even a little bit of prior training helps a lot!
How much of a deposit do you require? A deposit of $500 per person is required to make your reservation, and will be applied toward your trip cost. Deposits can be paid by check or credit card. Full payment is due 60 days before the start of your tour, and can be paid by check or credit card. If final payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to treat your reservation as cancelled. After your deposit is received, you will be sent a confirmation of your reservation along with a letter stating your remaining balance and due date. You will also receive a pre-trip packet with detailed information on the trip, directions for joining the tour, suggested clothing and equipment, and other tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Reserve your spot as soon as you're ready to commit to the trip, as space is limited to 12 per tour.
How can I be sure the tour group will be there when I arrive? This is a question we were asked a lot during our first few years. It's less common now, but is still a question on many people's minds. We are happy to provide email addresses of past travelers who can tell you about their experiences with Alpinehikers. We can also provide contact information for our hotels, so you can confirm our relationship with them. Paying by credit card is another good way to protect yourself against fraud, and should give you assurance that you're dealing with a merchant that has a professional relationship with their merchant bank with strict oversight and accountability. In addition, there are many reasons to consider trip cancellation and travel insurance, and the policy we've linked to below also covers you in the event of financial default of the tour operator or airline, provided you sign up within 15 days of booking your trip. Always confirm what is covered and what isn't before buying your policy. And keep in mind that our tours have no minimum size. If you sign up for the trip, we will guide it. For some reason (I'm not sure why), this is unusual in our industry, resulting in many people needing to make frantic backup plans when their tour is cancelled at the last minute. This will never happen with an Alpinehikers tour.
Is there a refund if I need to cancel? Cancellations must be received in writing (mail, email, or fax), and are subject to the following fees per person:
 (both to hotels and by turning people away from sold-out tours) that can't always be reversed at the last minute. So don't forget this important part of your tour. I suggest the ProtectAssist plans from Travel Guard, which have worked well for our tour members, and you should also check the Trip Protector plans from Travel Insured, an industry leader. Travelers from outside the US and Canada can visit Worldwide Health from Travel Guard. If prompted, please list your agent as Alpinehikers.
Can I get a printed brochure? For the first time, in 2010, we have not put together a printed brochure. I apologize for any inconvenience. I will be happy to print information from our website on various tours and mail that to you (the information online is much more up-to-date and comprehensive anyway). You can also view an online version of our 2009 printed brochure, which can give you an idea of the different itineraries we offer.
How do I sign up? You can find easy directions on our Sign Up page. We accept personal checks or credit cards (Visa/MC/Amex) for deposits and tour balances, so you can feel confident about your vacation investment!
|
|
|
|
For info on our walking and hiking tours of the Swiss Alps, call toll free: (888) 509-7810 or direct: (503) 459-3940 Or email: alpinehikers@yahoo.com 1203 Loren Dr Prescott, AZ 86305 USA |