Private Alpine Week

Every Private Alpine Week is built around you, so no two itineraries are identical. Below is a representative 5-day structure to give you a sense of rhythm and scope.

Day 1 — Arrival & Orientation

Settle into your first accommodation in the Valais region. Evening walk and briefing: we discuss the week ahead, your expectations, your pace. Dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant.

Day 2 — First Summit

A full hiking day tailored to your fitness level — typically a 4-6 hour route with significant elevation, rewarding views, and your first real taste of alpine terrain. I guide, explain, and read the mountain with you.

Day 3 — Into the Valley

A contrasting day: lower elevation, longer distance, different landscape character. Lunch at a mountain restaurant or packed lunch on a high ridge, depending on conditions.

Day 4 — Mountain Hut Night

The highlight of most itineraries. We hike to a remote alpine hut, spend the night above 2000m, and experience the Alps without roads, noise or crowds. Dinner and breakfast included at the hut.

Day 5 — Descent & Farewell

A final hiking day bringing the week to a close. Route chosen based on how you're feeling and what you haven't yet seen. Transfer to your onward destination if needed.

Accommodation, restaurant reservations and all logistics are organized by your guide and billed at cost, plus a one-time planning fee of CHF 500. Accommodation style ranges from alpine lodges to mountain huts — your preference shapes the budget.

Reservation fees apply for accommodation and restaurant bookings — CHF 40 per hotel night, CHF 20 per restaurant reservation — billed transparently alongside accommodation costs.

As a reference: a 5-day private hiking week for two, including four nights in quality alpine hotels and one night in a mountain hut, typically ranges from CHF 6'500 to CHF 9'000 total. All pricing is transparent — you receive a detailed quote before confirming.

Switzerland is compact in size and extraordinary in variety. Within a single hiking week, you can move from the high glacial terrain of the central Alps to forested pre-alpine ridges, from remote valley villages to iconic panoramic passes — all within a few hours of each other. The Swiss Alps aren't one landscape; they're dozens, layered together.

Based in Valais and deeply familiar with the whole of the Swiss alpine region, I design itineraries that draw from the best the country has to offer — whether that's the dramatic peaks around Zermatt and Saas-Fee, the quieter trails of Graubünden, the Bernese Oberland's classic grandeur, or lesser-known corners that reward those willing to go a little further off the map. Your week is built around what suits you, not around a fixed geography.

The closest international airports are Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA). Switzerland's rail network is exceptional — virtually every alpine valley is reachable by train, often with panoramic routes that are worth the journey in themselves. I recommend arriving by train wherever possible, and I'm happy to advise on the best connections for your specific itinerary.

For guests flying from the US East Coast, direct flights to Zurich or Geneva are available from New York (JFK), Boston, and Washington DC. West Coast guests typically connect via a European hub.

Please plan to arrive a day before the hiking week begins to allow for jet lag recovery. I can recommend accommodation for your arrival night and arrange a transfer to your starting point if needed.

Accommodation is selected to match your preferences and the route — a thoughtful mix of quality alpine hotels (3-4 star, locally owned where possible) and authentic mountain huts. I handle all reservations. You receive a full accommodation overview with your personalized quote.

Mountain hut nights are an optional but strongly recommended part of the experience: simple, genuine, and unlike anything available in a city hotel.

Breakfast is included at all hotels and mountain huts. Lunch is either packed (for remote routes) or at a mountain restaurant along the way. Evening meals are at hand-picked local restaurants — I make all reservations and stay for dinner when it suits you. Restaurant costs are billed separately.

I accommodate dietary requirements — please mention these when enquiring.

You'll need solid hiking boots (broken in before arrival — this matters), trekking poles (recommended), and layered clothing suitable for variable alpine weather. A detailed gear list is provided with your booking confirmation.

I carry a first aid kit, emergency communication device and weather tools on all tours.

• Flights and international travel to Switzerland
• Accommodation costs (billed at cost, transparently)
• Meals (except where specified at mountain huts)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended — I can advise on suitable policies)
• Cable cars or mountain transport where used

Entry & Visa

US citizens do not require a visa to enter Switzerland for stays of up to 90 days. Switzerland is not an EU member but is part of the Schengen Area — your passport is all you need. Ensure it is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date.

Travel Insurance

Strongly recommended, and worth getting right. Make sure your policy covers mountain activities (hiking at altitude) and — critically — helicopter rescue. In Switzerland, mountain rescue is highly professional but can be expensive without coverage. Many US travel insurance policies exclude alpine activities by default; check the fine print before you travel. We strongly recommend a REGA membership.

Mobile & Connectivity

US phones work in Switzerland. However, roaming charges can be significant depending on your carrier. A local SIM card or an eSIM for Europe (available from providers like Airalo) is an inexpensive and practical solution for a week-long stay.

Electrical Outlets

Switzerland uses Type J plugs (230V). US devices require an adapter — a universal travel adapter covers this. Most modern electronics (phones, laptops) handle the voltage automatically.

Tipping

Unlike in the US, tipping in Switzerland is appreciated but not expected or obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% for excellent service is considered generous.