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Hiking in the Alps of the Lake Geneva Region
Spend your walking holidays in Switzerland: A fantastic hiking trip in the mountains above Lake Geneva. The tour leads through gentle alpine pastures past peacefully grazing cows to the snow-capped Glacier 3000 above Les Diablerets. This region is well known for its cheese and wine – it should therefore be a must to at least try the cheese or even visit a local cheese factory and sip a glass of the excellent wine. The views and countryside around you will vary from day to day, ranging from the glittering blue of Lake Geneva, over the French ‘Dents du Midi’ to the ice capped top of the glacier. On the way you might be tempted to explore the caves near L’Etivaz or the salt mines in Bex. Ultimately the tour returns to Aigle where you will receive a certificate at the Château d’Aigle from the region for completing the tour.
Programme
| Day 1: | Arrival Flight or rail from the UK to Geneva. Train transfer to Aigle. Make use of the included Half Fare Card and explore the region. Overnight in Aigle. |
| Day 2: |
Aigle-Leysin |
| Day 3: | Leysin - Les Mosses This section is a pleasant walk which will take around 3.15 hours with low altitude differences. Along the way you will have the opportunity of learning about cheese making in an alpine dairy. Hiking time: 3.15 hours. Overnight in Les Mosses. |
| Day 4: | Les Mosses - Château d'Oex Again a reasonably easy stretch which will allow ample of opportunity to stop along the way. In Chateau d'Oex - also called the 'international capital of hot air ballooning' you might want to visit the departure place of the balloons or go for a bit of tinpin bowling. Hiking time: 3.45 hours. Overnight in Château d'Oex. |
| Day 5: | Château d'Oex - L'Etivaz Your walk today will be more strenuous even though in distance similar to the previous days, the altitude difference to be covered is higher. In L'Etivaz you have the possibility of visiting the 'Caves of L'Etivaz' - the famous cheese cellars. Hiking time: 4.30 hours. Overnight in L'Etivaz. |
| Day 6: | L'Etivaz - Les Diablerets This stretch is the most strenuous part of this hiking tour. You will hike on alpine trails past massifs and glaciers to reach the small village of Les Diablerets situated at the foot of Glacier 3000. Considerable altitude differences are to be covered today to reach your destination. If you have energy left you might want to take the opportunity of visiting the top of Glacier 3000 by cable car. Hiking time: 7.30 hours. Overnight in Les Diablerets. |
| Day 7: | Les Diablerets - Villars Another strenuous day to cover the distance from Les Diablerets to Villars your next stop. The altitude difference is not quite as high as on the previous day - but nevertheless the hike will take the best part of the day. As a reward why not enjoy a dip in the local pool or refresh with an aperetif and local specialties to nibble on. Hiking time: 6 hours. Overnight in Villars. |
| Day 8: |
Villars - Gryon |
| Day 9: | Gryon - Aigle By way of Bex (take the opportunity of visiting the salt mines in Bex) you arrive back at the starting point of Aigle and exchange the quieter mountain resorts for a bustling little town once again. Visit Aigle castle and don't forget to collect your certificate. Hiking time: 4.45 hours. Overnight in Aigle. |
| Day 10: | Departure Transfer to Geneva for your return flight or rail to the UK. Depending on your flight time there might be time to do some lastminute shopping in Geneva or to explore Switzerland's second largest city. |
Accommodation
All hotels are small family run, typically Swiss hotels with a warm welcome. They are of good standard (2-3* category) and all rooms have private faclilties.
Departures: Saturday from 14 June to 25 October 2008
Price: From £ 798 per person sharing standard twin/double room
(Subject to availability at time of booking)
Price includes: Flights, airport taxes, carbon offset contribution (see climate care), 9 nights accommodation with breakfast, 7 days with picnic and dinners, 2nd class rail transfer from and to airport, half fare card, luggage transfers on 8 days, detailed hiking itinerary, maps and suggestions at your first hotel.
Supplements:
Single room supplement: £ 128 for 9 nights, £ 101 for 5 nights, £ 67 for 3 nights.
Flexibility: Also available for 6 or 4 day durations.
7 days / 6 nights: £ 627 per person.
5 days / 4 nights: £ 499 per person.
Payment by credit card:
A charge of 1% up to a maximum of £ 15 will apply when paying by credit card (Diners Card cannot be accepted). No charge will be made for debit cards.
