Accommodations
Forty years of organizing and leading hikers in the rugged, pristine Alps has taught us that hiking is just one part of the journey. Accommodations are just as important. To make your visit to the Alps as comfortable as possible, we have selected family-owned and operated inns, each with its own unique charm. All of our selected inns in Switzerland and Austria are three and four-star rated, and offer private baths, superior European cuisine, and friendly staff. We take great pride in our selection of accommodations and have built long-lasting relationships with the owners of our inns.
Things to Do When You Are Not Hiking
Each week of a tour has scheduled free time when we do not hike, allowing you the opportunity explore on your own. Tours lasting six nights have one free day; 12-night tours offer two free days. Switzerland and Austria both have great public transportation systems. Trains, buses, cable cars, and boats make it easy and convenient to travel to areas we do not visit as a group. Upon registration, you will receive information on things to see and do, and we will gladly assist with free-day plans before and during your trip.
Each guest on our Switzerland hiking trips receives either a Swiss Rail Pass or a 30-Day Half Fare Card depending on the trip. The Half Fare Card provides a 50% discount on trains, buses, boats and cable cars. The Swiss Rail Pass allows unlimited travel on Swiss public trains, buses, and boats. The pass is also valid for discounts on many gondolas and cable cars, and admission to museums. In Austria, guests receive local travel cards that allow free travel on local trains, buses, and cable cars. For guests who will remain in Switzerland or Austria before or after their hiking tour, we can extend the duration of the pass at a greatly reduced price.
Tour Details
Transfer & Ground Transportation
All transportation with the group in Switzerland and Austria and Scotland is covered in the trip cost and all luggage transfers are included.
Baggage Handling
ONE (1) piece of luggage per person will be transported from the clearance of customs at the Zurich, Munich or Edinburg airports to the day of departure. A second suitcase may be transported at a charge of $70, however a second suitcase is strongly discouraged.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are included in the tour package. Typical breakfast items include fresh breads, croissants, pastries, assorted cheeses, fruits, meats, cereals, coffee, and juices. All our family-run inns take great pride in the preparation and presentation of fabulous meals that feature a variety of local and European cuisine. Guests who request a vegetarian dining experience will be pleasantly surprised by the creativity of our chefs.
Lunches are taken at small mountain inns and tearooms. Our guests are usually astonished by the variety and quality of the food that may be enjoyed in these remote retreats. Lunch is not included in the tour cost. Guests should budget approximately $20-$40 U.S. per day for lunch. A picnic option is also possible.
Tour Escort-Guide
Your tour escort will meet you after clearing customs at the Zurich, Innsbruck or Edinburg airports, and will escort you again when checking-in for your flight home.
Price Does Not Include:
- Airfare and airport taxes
- Gratuities for assistant guides
- Passport expenses
- Lunches and snacks
- Excess baggage charges
- Items not on the regular menu
- Travel independent from group or on free-days
- Entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Health, accident or baggage insurance
- Optional gratuities to hotel staff
Tour Insurance
Insurance is available and encouraged to cover such items as baggage, emergency evacuation, health, accident, and trip cancellation. A descriptive brochure will be sent to each tour member after booking.
Passports
All tour members must have valid passports. Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days after your arrival date in Switzerland, Austria or UK. No visa or vaccinations are required for U.S. citizens.
Guided Tour Cancellations
Cancellations must be received in writing to Alpine Adventure LLC by email or post. There is no cancellation fee for 10 days from trip registration. After 10 days there is a fee of $300 for cancellations received up to 60 days prior to trip start date. There is a $500 cancellation fee from 60 days to 33 days before trip start date. If a cancellation is made fewer than 33 days prior to departure until 15 days, we will refund amount recovered from hotels (if any). Contracts for each hotel are different so a refund may or may not be possible, therefore travel insurance is strongly encouraged. No refunds are available for cancellations less than 15 days from the trip start date.
Self Guide Tour Cancellations
Alpine Adventure Trails Tours refund policy for custom self guided trips are specific to each trip. Items considered in the amount of the refund include amount refunded from hotels, rail and transportation cost (that cannot be recouped from provider), trip planning cost, postage cost and any ancillary charges unique to the trip.
Responsibility
Alpine Adventure LLC or its agents act only in the capacity of agent for the passengers, tour members, in all matters pertaining to travel or accommodations whether by plane, rail, bus, boat, cable car, chairlift or any other means of conveyance. They shall not be liable for injury, damage or loss occasioned by neglect or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the tour, any hotel proprietor, car rental organization or other persons supplying services or materials in connection with the tour. Alpine Adventure Trails LLC reserves the right to withdraw a tour or make changes to the published itinerary at any point should conditions warrant, or if deemed necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour guests. Alpine Adventure LLC is the principal and is coordinating the ground arrangements for all accommodations, services, and programs as constituting the tours. The tour participant waives any claim against the tour operator for any damages to or loss of property, delays, acts of God, injury or death of persons, substitution of equipment, beyond the control of the tour operator.
