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you are here: Home > Frequently Asked Questions Frequently asked QuestionsGeneral Questions
Types of Trips Offered
Trip Logistics
Difficulty Grades of Trips
General QuestionsWho is Distant Journeys?2009 marks our 22nd year as Distant Journeys. Since hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc for the first over 20 years ago we have each guided it more that 60 times. At the same time we have expanded our offerings to included 17 trips in seven countries. The foundation of Distant Journeys rests on our expertise in adventure-based outdoor leadership and our extensive involvement in creating international hiking experiences. At the heart of what we do are out beliefs in the importance of our relationship to the natural world, the rewards of physical endeavour, and the value of who we are to each other. Our trips are not intended as escapes, but rather as reconnections. Willie unsoeld, a well-known mountaineer, once said that we go to the mountains for a metaphysical fix, for our reassurance that the world make sense and that there is still so much good in it. Who are the guides?Over the last 22 years we have been fortunate to be able to choose our guides from a vast pool of colleagues, who like ourselves have their roots in Outward Bound. Foremost, they are seasoned professionals in the field of outdoor adventure-based leadership, but in the greater part of their lives they are artists, educators, athletes and professionals. They are all exceptional in their ability to connect with people and in their commitment to provide safe and rewarding hiking experiences. They share our love of travel and our belief that great things can happen when you bring a group of people together in the outdoors. Do you have a list of references?We are happy to offer a long list of past participants who will offer honest insight to their experiences. In fact we recommend you ask for references for any company regardless of whether you select Distant Journeys. Do you have a catalog?We have a catalog of our company as well as detailed itineraries of our trips. You can request a catalog using our online request page. Please contact us if you would like more information. How do I register?For immediate confirmation please call us with your credit card during regular business hours Otherwise, you can get the form online:
Alternately, request a catalog to be mailed to you (the catalog includes an application form):
How large are the “small groups”?We actually do keep our groups small, 12 – 14 (usually 12 or less) hikers and 2 guides. We feel this keeps our impact down and allows us to be flexible in the event of poor weather. Small groups allow for more personal attention and help us deliver on the promise of true adventure. It is also a safety consideration. On some of your trips you offer a Swiss Card. What is a Swiss Card?A Swiss Card is good for one month and allows for individual transfer on the first day from your entry point in Switzerland (normally Geneva or Zurich Airports) to the meeting point of the trip for example to Zermatt and from Zermatt to Geneva or Zurich on the last day. It also allows for reductions on lifts, buses and trains in Switzerland. Types of TripsWhat are the differences in the walking and hiking trips?We offer two different types of hiking trips. One is called inn-to-inn or hut-to-hut where we travel on foot to a new destination each night. The other trips we stay at a hotel for several nights in a row and go on day hikes. The hotel-based hikes tend to be less challenging than the hut or inn hikes. Can you describe hut-to-hut hikes?The term “hut-to-hut” means a journey on foot moving from one location to another as opposed to spending several nights in one hotel and going on day hikes and returning to the same hotel. When we travel hut-to-hut we always spend our first and last nights in a wonderful family run hotel. We then travel on foot to our next location and stay either in a hotel, inn or mountain hut, also called a refuge. Some nights we spend 2 nights at the same location. Each hut hike has an entirely different feel, the huts themselves are different, the culture, the food, the hiking etc. No two hut hikes are the same. What are the “huts” like?The mountain huts vary greatly depending on where they are located, but all offer comfortable, though simple sleeping accommodations.Typically the huts are characterized by bunkroom style sleeping arrangements and shared bathrooms facilities. However, depending on the country, location or age of the hut some offer private or semi private rooms. When possible we reserve the most comfortable and private accommodations. What’s an inn-to-inn hike and how is it different from a hut-to-hut hike?On an inn-to-inn hike each day or so we hike on wonderful trails to a different village. We stay in only hotels or inns usually with private baths. On hut-to-hut hikes we also hike to a new village or location and stay at a mix of huts, inns and hotels. What are the hotels and inns like?The hotels and inns where stay are very pleasant 3 or 4 star hotels with private bath baths. They are warm, comfortable and family run and reflect the local character. What are Self-guided hikes?Please see our page about self-guided hikes. Trip LogisticsWhat’s included in the trips?Generally we include the following on all our trips, but please see the specific detailed itinerary for the exact list. All accommodation, all breakfasts, most dinners, group transfers, any cable car, bus, train options as detailed in the itinerary, luggage transfer if any, guides. Extras include optional excursions, lunches, beverages, airfare, items of personal nature (phone calls, laundry etc.) and tips to guides. Roughly allow $150 – $400 in additional expenses depending on length of your trip. What do I need to bring?On registration we send a detailed packing list that describes what items you will need. What about extra luggage I bring, but don’t need for the hike?Any extra luggage you will not need for the duration of the hiking part of the trip you will be able to leave behind at the hotel. On our hotel-based trips we stay in the same hotel for several nights. Each day we go on a day hike and return to the same hotel. When we transfer to a new hotel we transfer all the luggage as well. How do I get to the starting point of the trip?We try to make it as easy as possible to get to the starting point of a trip. Some trips begin with a pick up at the nearest airport or train station (i.e. Geneva Airport; Innsbruck Train Station) , some trip begin right at the hotel. In all cases, on registration we send complete travel and rendez vous information. Can I arrive early?Often participants arrive a day early to catch up on jet lag. We are happy to assist in hotel reservations for longer stays at the starting hotel. Where do the trips end?We try to end the trip at a location from where it is easy to fly back to the US if that is what your travel calls for. We try to avoid ending points in odd or remote locations. Please ask for details on travel as each trip is different and we often can help you navigate around Europe possibly saving you time. What’s the weather like in the Alps?Like any mountain area the weather in the Alps can be fickle, ranging from warm sunny days to winter like storms and everything in between. We don’t have an answer as to when the best weather will be but usually July and August are the warmest months. September can be sunny and warm as well. Consult the trip calendar to find out what trips are available when. Is it true that Europe is really crowded in August?August is traditionally the vacation month in Europe and it can be busy in certain areas. We are careful to offer trips in August that are in more remote areas that do not attract lots of people anytime of the year. The hiking and walking trips are generally away from the busiest mountain areas. Levels of DifficultyHow fit do I need to be?We grade our walking and hiking trips as follows, though please call for more a detailed explanation. We are happy to put you in touch with past participants who will describe their experiences. Easy: 3 – 4 hours daily carrying a small daypack on generally gentle terrain. Distances from 4 – 8 miles. Elevation gain and loss of 500' to 1,500'. Moderate: 4 – 5 hours daily on varied terrain. Distances from 4 – 8 miles. Elevation gain 500' to 1,500' and loss 500' – 1,500'. Strenuous: 5 – 7 hours daily on varied terrain with consistent ascents and descents of 2 – 3 or more hours. Distances from 6 – 11 miles. Elevation gain 2,500' – 3,500' and loss 2,500' – 3,500'. Strenuous Plus: 5 – 8 hours on varied, sometimes challenging terrain with consistent ascents and descents of 2 – 3 or more hours. Distances from 6 – 15 miles. Elevation gain 3,000' – 5,000' and loss 3,000' – 5,000'. Though each day is not strenuous plus, there are some sections that include rough terrain and open and exposed trails. What is elevation gain and loss mean?That is number of feet of vertical rise or descent — hiking uphill or downhill. Naturally hiking uphill is more demanding than hiking on a flat trail. Hiking downhill is often easier, however, long descents can be difficult, perhaps more demanding than hiking up hill. A 3,000' foot ascent is not straight up, but an ascent over several miles. Can you rate your hut and inn-to-inn hikes from most strenuous to easiest?The Norway hikes are the most strenuous hikes, followed by the Haute Route and Monte Rosa. Then Mont Blanc, Dolomites, the Grand Traverse and across the Berner Oberland. England and Provence Inn-to-Inn are graded moderate with some strenuous, but still are essentially demanding hikes. What hiking trips are moderate hotel-based?Walks in Berner Oberland, Dordogne on Foot and some of our Iceland Trips. What are your easiest trips?Walks in the Dolomites and Walks in Provence are our easiest trips. I have heard about hut-to-hut hiking and am interested in trying one. What hut hike would you start with?The Tour du Mont Blanc is our most popular first hut hike. If offers the whole range of accommodations from rustic huts to 3 star hotels. Hiking from France to Italy to Switzerland and back to France is really exciting. |
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