Hiking Eastern
Switzerland
The Engadine and the Graubunden
11 days
9 nights June 28-July8, 2006
Itinerary
Serene valleys with rushing mountain brooks, dense forests of
larch trees, glaciers with glittering ice shelves and pristine and refreshing
Alpine air await us in the Engadine. We will follow ancient footpaths linking
tiny villages, ruins and lively towns, and hike to passes and summits that
traverse plateaus above sparkling lakes. Then over the high mountain passes to
the Graubunden region and into Poschiavo where the scenery is wild and rugged,
yet very beautiful with absolutely superb hiking in every direction. The
difference between laid-back, photogenic Poschiavo an Italianate town, and, the
Alpine resorts of Sils Maria and Pontresina the same distance the other side of
the pass, couldn’t be more striking. Poschiavo’s tranquil old quarter, just
across the river from the train station, is filled with tall, foursquare
eighteenth-century shuttered mansions in various shades of pastel, their window
boxes overflowing with local carnations, overlooking sunny plazas that are
stone-paved in swirling patterns and ringed with terrace cafés. The place is
perfect for soaking up some sunshine – of which there’s plenty – filling up on
risotto instead of fondue, and savoring a carafe of Valtellina wine from the
Italian regions bordering.
Day 01: 28
June Depart USA overnight to Zurich
Day 02: 29June
Train to Pontresina Possible afternoon hike- meet group and
our guide Martin at Dinner - 3 nights Hotel Steinbock Pontresina
Day 03 30 June Local hikes in Pontresina
Day 04 01
July Local hikes in Pontresina
Day 04 02 July Using lifts and our feet hike mountain passes to
Paschiavo- Luggage transferred to our Hotel Suisse in Paschiavo
Day 05 03 July Local hikes in Poschiavo
Day 06 04
July Local hikes in Poschiavo
Day 07 05
July Hike from Poschiavo over pass to Sils Maria
Luggage
transferred to Hotel Edelweiss Sils Maria
Day 08 06
July Local hikes in Sils Maria
Day 09 07 July local hike- festive farewell
dinner
Day 10 08
July Train transfer to Zurich and flight to USA or onward adventures
General Information
Price Price
$2,295 per person DBL
Deposit is $195.00 at time of booking
Balance
is due 60 days prior to departure
Single supplement $200
All
payments are non refundable
Included
in rate $189 Swiss Rail Card
6 nights accommodation
in the Engadine
-
Hotel Steinbock and Hotel Edelweiss
3 nights at
the Hotel Suisse in Poschiavo
9 breakfasts
and evening meals at hotels
Train to and from Zurich Airport
Services of our private guide throughout the 10 days.
All local service charges and taxes included.
Not
Included Flights to Zurich; Single room supplements;
Lunches; Insurance (medical and accident & emergency cover, including
repatriation expenses to the U.S.A. is essential); Local transportation costs
not covered by the Swiss Rail Card (Swiss card provides 50% discount on most
lifts, postal buses, trains, etc); Tips and gratuities to guide, porters etc;
Items of a personal nature, e.g. drinks, telephone calls etc
Hiking level Hiking will be
moderate mostly grade 3
The
hikes can be altered to meet the need of individual hikers and the weather
Once
our guide Martin gets to know us he will work with us to plan each days
adventure
Grade
3: Up to 1,500
feet of ascent/descent, on way marked paths, Terrain may be steeply inclined
and rough underfoot, with some loose rock. Distances usually about 8 miles, but
will vary depending on terrain.
Detailed itinerary, Insurance Forms and packing list will
be sent after deposit is received.
There are many pre and post trip travel options.
Please contact Doris at (858) 551-5460 or
Doris@doristrips.com for personalization of your
itinerary.