Hiking the Alps

Hiking the Alps

Nancy Bale and her husband Andris Lapins wanted to hike the famous Haute Route in the European Alps, but they weren't interested in a guided trip. "We wanted our experience to be our adventure, not one where we are led about by a guide," says the 51-year-old Bale, a resident of Bainbridge Island, Washington. "We wanted to try to speak the language, mingle with the locals, and have the freedom to relax and take in the sights without being on someone else's time."

They also wanted a good deal. That led them to Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures, which pioneered the concept of self-guided hiking trips (with luggage transfers, customized maps, and pre-booked accommodations) more than 15 years ago. "Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures specializes in inn-to-inn hiking trips throughout the Alps of Western Europe," says Chris Pranskatis, the company's general manager. "We can amend any standard itinerary, or build entirely customized tours from scratch, in order to meet the needs of our guests. In short, you tell us when you want to go, what you'd like to see, and how you like to sleep, and we'll do the rest."

Ryder-Walker's self-guided Hiker's Haute Route lists at $1,625 (compared to $2,800 for the guided version). Bale and Lapins chose the self-guided option. "We were able to utilize all of the knowledge that Ryder-Walker guides had of this area. They coordinated all of the logistics for lodging, luggage transportation, bus schedules, train schedules, plus breakfast and dinner every day. They also provided all of our maps plus very accurate written detail of each day's hike. They even helped us plan our return trip into Paris, so that it would be convenient for us," says Bale. "We considered this trip an excellent value for our money."

Next>> Costa Rica hiking, biking, and rafting