There is no charge for rescheduling guided or self-guided tours prior to 90 days before departure. If rescheduling is not an option then please refer to the following guidelines.

Guided Trips:

• Cancellations more than 90 days prior to tour departure: full refund.
• Cancellations between 45 days and 90 days prior to tour departure: forfeit 25% of the land cost.
• Cancellations within 45 days of tour departure: forfeit 100% of the land cost.

Independent Travel:

• Cancellations more than 90 days prior to tour departure: full refund.
• Cancellations between 45 and 90 days prior to tour departure: forfeit deposit.
• Cancellations within 45 days of tour departure: forfeit 100% of the land cost.

Private Guided Travel:

• Cancellations more than 90 days pior to tour departure: forfeit deposit worth 25% of the land cost.
• Cancellations within 90 days of the tour departure: forfeit 100% of the land cost.

Take a look at the following articles. They offer a comprehensive look at each style.

You Might Like a Guided Tour

You Might Like a Self-Guided Tour

For a full list of trips take a look at our guided and self-guided schedules.

Guided Schedule

Self-Guided Schedule

For guided tours: The cost includes guiding, accommodations, breakfast and dinner, luggage transfer, and all transportation during the tour and incidental to the itinerary.

For self-guided tours: The cost includes two books filled with four-color topographical maps, written hike descriptions, cultural information, and more. (You don’t need to carry both books on the trail). We designed our easy-to-follow materials so that you simply turn to page one and follow the directions. The cost also includes accommodations. Breakfast is offered daily on self-guided trips. Most self-guided tours also include luggage transfer, but a few exceptions exist. Custom tours may differ in what’s included from the standard tours. Please refer to the specific trip page to see what is included and what is not included.

Breakfast is included on all treks.

Lunch is not included in the tour cost simply because we have such an enjoyable selection of available choices. We might visit the local market one day and build a delicious picnic filled with local flavors. We might grab lunch at an alpine mountain restaurant on another day. The flexibility allows us to sample the best in local fare, and it also allows our guests to eat whatever they have a taste for along the trail.

Dinner is included on all guided and private guided treks. Dinner is not included on self-guided treks. Some hotels do offer dinner but it is not included in our tour price. We encourage our self-guided guests to explore local cuisine for dinner and we are happy to provide recommendations in the area.

Most European hotels charge an additional fee for single occupants. We simply pass along this cost, and it’s the reason that we price our tours based on “double occupancy.” We wish that we didn’t have to do it, and in fact, we don’t “mark up” the additional fee imposed by the hotels. Some single travelers save money by booking a double room with another single group member. It can be challenging to find another group member willing to share, but we’re happy to help you try.

The answer is “yes” for ALL guided tours and MOST self-guided tours. The few exceptions to the rule involve remote and/or custom self-guided trips. Please read the following article, What’s the Deal with the Luggage? for more information.

The answer depends entirely upon your trip. If you registered for the Engadine Summit Series than the answer is “yes.” If you signed up for the Hiker’s Haute Route then the answer is “not quite.” For high alpine tours like the Hiker’s Haute Route and Tour du Mont Blanc, you will have your luggage in all locations except for the remote mountain houses and/or huts. Please check our individual tour pages for more details, or inquire about the specific tour that interests you.

The answer to this question depends on the trip. In general, a hut refers to a small mountain building, usually made of wood or stone, that offers a bed and a warm meal to weary travelers. The huts can be very elaborate, and they can also be very simple. In most huts, the accommodations are dormitory style with bunk beds and a communal bathroom. The meals are simple, but the wine flows abundantly. We try to incorporate a hut stay whenever we can because they provide a unique component of alpine culture, and everyone should experience an alpine hut at least once in their lives. These huts are known for their lively atmosphere, aromatic wood paneling, and convivial patrons.

Berghauses, literally translated as mountain houses, can be simple or elaborate affairs. This goes for the Italian rifugios as well. Some of these establishments offer hot showers, private rooms, and extensive menus. Check out the following blog entry for a peek. Please inquire about the the hut or berghaus on your specific tour. For more information on inns in the Alps, read our accommodations page.

Usually no more than 12 guests and two guides, though we occasionally go smaller or slightly larger. Many of our accommodations resemble small B&Bs, so we’re limited by their capacity. We also believe that we can offer better guest service with a smaller guest to guide ratio. Private trips are a different matter. We’ve had as many as 30 guests on one of our private celebrations.

That question is relative, but in general, the alpine hiking season runs from mid June to mid September. However, mild weather conditions, and a few shoulder season itineraries, allow us to extend the hiking season from April to the end of October. Take a look at the following article for a brief look at the advantages and disadvantages of hiking during certain months of spring, summer, and fall. You can also use our trip finder filter to search for trips by season.

Unfortunately, no. You will need to book your airfare separately.  This allows for maximum flexibility. We have had many guests extend their trips and we would be happy to help plan more hikes and accommodations for you if you choose to do this.  Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

No. Please refer to our equipment list. If there is special equipment needed for your trek we will let you know ahead of time.

Yes we do. We’ll send you a list when you register for a trip. You can also get a head start by clicking here.

We have very happy guests and we are delighted to provide references. Please refer to our guest reviews. If you need more, feel free to contact us.

National Geographic named Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures one of the “Top Ten Best Outfitters on the Planet” for hiking and trekking. Telluride Magazine named us “Telluride’s Ultimate Adventure Company,” and we’ve received numerous mentions in the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post and Outside Magazine, just to name a few. Please note just a few of the reasons why the media trusts us with avid hikers and walkers, and why you should too. Please visit our media section and look under, Press Archives: Recent Awards and Stories.