General Info
What will our accommodations be like?
More than just a place to sleep, our inns 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 through the Switzerland countryside. 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. You'll agree the intimacy and ambiance of these inns adds immeasurably to the quality of our tour.
On our inn-to-inn tours, Bernese Oberland, Tour of Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc Express and Tour della Engadine,
we stay in a combination of 3 to 4-star village hotels, mountain huts, and quiet country inns. Country inns 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.
On our village-based tours, Jungfrau + Matterhorn, Mürren + Engadine, and Engadine + Dolomites, we stay in very comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels. 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 Switzerland's highest standards of service and comfort.
Our most luxurious tour, The Grand Tour, is a village-based tour that takes us to three classic alpine destinations - the Mont Blanc, Bernese Oberland, and Matterhorn regions. We stay in absolute luxury, in the best 4 and 5-star hotels these regions have to offer. The inns are unforgettable, the cuisine is world-class, and combined with some of the best hiking on this planet, this is truly a memorable introduction to travel in the Alps!
What about our meals?
You'll be exercising all day, pleasantly tired, and ravenously hungry! So we'll treat ourselves to some scrumptious 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. All meals are included in the price of the tour. 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 outstanding picnics, making lunch something to look forward to as well!
How large will our group be?
Group size is limited to 12 people, and groups are always cozy and intimate. Small groups create a fun, flexible dynamic that's just not possible when you travel with a larger number of people, so we strive to keep things small. We also believe that when you make a commitment to take your vacation with Alpinehikers, we make a commitment to you. You become our guest. There is no minimum size, and our tours will never be cancelled due to low enrollment, so you can plan your vacation confidently.
Isn't Europe expensive right now?
The published prices are guaranteed for this year, regardless of enrollment or currency fluctuations, so you don't need to worry. Group discounts and reduced prices for children are available. We also offer a $200 discount to returning hikers and on the second of two tours taken in one season.
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. The result is a combination of quality and price that we're very proud of.
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, a half-price "forced" 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.
What's Included in the tour price?
The tour price is per person and includes 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 most 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, snacks, personal items, extras charged to your room (like minibar or phone calls), travel to and from our meeting and departure points, or insurance of any kind.
Can you help us get to our meeting point?
Your tour price on our guided tours does not include travel to and from our meeting and departure points in Switzerland, France or Italy. However, we do offer a Swiss Card 2nd-class rail pass at subsidized prices. For $100 (a $40 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 a great pass if you're coming on the Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Mürren, or Grand Tour, or if you're planning any extra travel in Switzerland outside of the tour. It will not be useful for members of the Dolomites or Mont Blanc tours, which are not in Switzerland. Please ask if you have questions about your particular situation.
How about our plane tickets?
The tour price does not include the cost of air travel to Europe. There are many websites devoted to online travel, and a little shopping around often turns up a much more affordable price. If 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.
If you would like help with additional travel arrangements in the area (hotels, car rentals, pre- or post-tour plans) we can refer you to Turner and Trichel, a travel agency in Virginia who specialize in Switzerland and the alpine regions of Europe. Their toll-free number is 1-877-360-1999.
How much luggage are we allowed?
One piece of luggage per person will be transported when we travel between 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. 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 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.
My spouse doesn't hike... is there anything for them to do?
Some tours are definitely better for non-hikers than others. Our village-based tours, Jungfrau + Matterhorn, Mürren + Engadine, and Engadine + Dolomites, and The Grand Tour, all offer plenty of activities and beautiful views for the non-hiking traveler, and they are certainly welcome to come along. Switzerland is beautiful, even if you don't hike!
Do you arrange customized or self-guided tours as well?
Absolutely. In fact, half of our business consists of privately arranged tours. 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. If you like to go at your own pace or can't travel with a scheduled tour, this may be for you.
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 rail pass (Switzerland tours only), a suggested packing list, instructions for independently sending baggage ahead, and other tips and suggestions to make your trip run smoothly. You'll find much more info on our Custom and Self-guided tours page.
How much of a deposit do you require?
A deposit of $400 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 must be paid by check or money order. 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 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 trails are steep in Switzerland, 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!
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:
- More than 60 days before departure - $200
- 31-60 days before departure - 50% of tour cost
- 0-30 days before departure - 100% of tour cost
To protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your tour,
trip cancellation and travel insurance is highly recommended. Many of our clients have to cancel each year for various and unpredictable reasons While we always try to be fair to our clients who can't come, we make substantial commitments (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.
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