Switzerland Private Journey

We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in. Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip, but hikes at higher elevations are more challenging than at lower elevations.. Some people experience a few problems when they first reach higher altitudes. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.

Temperatures in the Swiss mountains are likely to reach the 60s°F and 70s°F during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. Mountain weather can be fickle, and you are likely to experience a full range of conditions. Some days may have blue skies with temperatures in the 70s°F and some days may be cloudy, wet, and cold, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude.

Your accommodations are in comfortable hotels chosen for their central location and amenities. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.

Lunches will be in a mountain hut, at a local restaurant, or in a picnic spot. Breakfasts and dinners will be at the hotels or a local restaurant. Some items you may see on a menu in the Swiss Alps include hearty soups, a variety of regional cheeses and dried meats, cheese fondue, raclette, älplermagronen (a kind of gratin with potatoes, macaroni, cheese, cream and onions), rösti (a flat, hot cake made of grated, cooked potatoes and fried in hot butter), zürcher geschnetzelte (veal with cream sauce), and bratwurst. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US.

To reach the starting point for your hikes on the mountain trails, you will experience the efficient Swiss network of public transport, from cable cars and chair lifts to cogwheel trains and funiculars. A regional pass is included in your trip cost and the public transport makes access to the high trails quick and scenic.