intheTRAVEL
intheTRAVEL
Switzerland’s
secret
Valais region
A new tour of Switzerland’s off-the-beaten-path Valais region will not fail
to enthrall you. Troy Haines, owner and lead guide for Swiss hiking specialists Alpinehikers, knows the Alps inside and out. This seven-day, sixnight guided hiking tour reveals wonderful hidden gems like Riederalp,
a tiny village at the edge of the largest glacier in the Alps; Val d’Anniviers,
a highlight of Switzerland’s famous Haute Route; and car-free Saas Fee, a
quieter alternate to Zermatt and surrounded by a giant cirque of glaciers
and jagged peaks.
Picturesque scenery of Valais Alps
Livestock in Zermatt
The Valais (called Wallis in German) is a large mountainous area that
stretches the Rhone river valley, from the shores of Lake Geneva to the
headwaters of the Grimsel pass, and contains some of the highest mountains in the Alps. Forming much of the Swiss-Italian border, exploring the
Valais also reveals numerous beautiful side-valleys. While lesser-known
than places like Verbier and Zermatt, these hidden gems can be even
more enjoyable. If you think you’ve seen it all in Switzerland, think again!
This tour highlights the surprising depth of some of the lesser-known
stops in the Swiss Alps.
While being able to witness the beauty of the Alps, your comfort is taken
into consideration as well. A typical day starts with a continental buffet
breakfast at the hotel, where delicious fresh baked bread and croissants,
local meats and cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice gives you the energy needed for the upcoming tours. Soon after, you’ll be out on the trail
where you’ll get to choose either an easier walk or more strenuous hike
for the day. Each morning, you’ll be handed a delightful lunchbox to carry,
and at a mid-point along the way, a beautiful spot will be chosen where
you can stop and enjoy your picnic.
This is a great opportunity to explore a different side of Switzerland the
way the country should be explored: with your hiking boots on.
Offered By: Alpinehikers
Length: 7 days with the support
Price: $2,995; $250 single supplement
of
Hiking in Rechy, Valais
Wood cottages in Verbier, Valais
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