AUGUST 22-27 (BANK HOLIDAY) - SWISS ALPS, KESCH HUT-TO-HUT TREK

Join us in the Swiss Alps to do the spectacular Kesch Trek over the August bank holiday!

Nights - 5. Cost - £589. Accommodation - superb mountain huts & highly rated hostel.

This fantastic hut-to-hut trek offers four days of spectacular hiking in the tranquil Graubünden mountains between the Flüela and Albula passes, over a total distance of nearly 50km. It leads through stunning mountain scenery with wild valleys, rugged peaks, steep rock formations and imposing glacial landscapes.

Our nights will be spent in cozy Swiss mountain huts, each with its own unique character, where we can enjoy delicious hearty meals and stunning views. One hut is situated right in front of a glacier!

Gorgeous landscapes and stunning alpine views will accompany us the whole way. Our trail leads past numerous 3,000m peaks and on the third day, we can even see into the spectacular Engadin region.

This trip is a perfect summer alpine hiking getaway through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Swiss Alps. The trek requires good physical condition but does not involve any technical terrain.

Itinerary:

22 Aug: Arrival in Chur, overnight in a quirky, modern hostel (a former prison!).

23 Aug: Train and bus to the start of the trek at Fluela pass, hike through meadows and pastures towards Grialetsch Hut, where hardy souls can take a dip in one of the nearby mountain lakes (7km, 500m ascent, 300m descent).

24 Aug: Hike over the Sertig Pass (2739m) to the sustainable, award-winning Kesch Hut. Possible detour to the Ravais-ch lakes (13km, 610m ascent, 550m descent).

25 Aug: The toughest but most rewarding day. From the Kesch hut we descend to Alp digl Chant, where we can savor local products. After a steep ascent over the Fuorcla Pischa pass (2800m), we will reach the Es-cha hut (14km, 970m ascent, 1000m descent).

26 Aug: We will descend through a picturesque valley, past the stunning Lake Palpuogna to Preda, from where we take public transport back to Chur, overnight in hostel (15km, total ascent: 100m, total descent: 1000m).

27 Aug: End of trip.

Total length: 50km, total ascent: 2200m, total descent: 2700m.

What is included:

• 2 nights accommodation in a newly converted, modern hostel (shared rooms)
• 3 nights mountain hut accommodation (shared rooms)
• 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners in the mountain huts
• All logistical organisation
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992

What is not included:

• Packed lunches
• Breakfasts and dinners in Chur
• Flights and airport transfers
• Trains/buses to/from the start and finish of the trek (expect to budget around £60 for train and bus tickets)
• Alpine guide. This is a self-guided walking holiday. Please remember that you hike and join our organised itineraries at your own risk. It is important that you understand that you are responsible for your own safety.
• Insurance

Travel:

There are many affordable flight options from the UK to/from Zurich from where Chur can be reached by train. Our recommendation for the most convenient flights is:

Outbound: Thu 22 Aug
British Airways BA714
Departs 12:20 - London Heathrow (LHR)
Arrives 15:10 - Zurich

Return: Tue 27 Aug
British Airways BA717
Departs 18:50 - Zurich
Arrives 19:40 - London Heathrow (LHR)
This gives time to explore Chur/Zurich before your return flight however earlier flights are possible.

There are many other any suitable flights from both Heathrow and London City airports (see more options in the comments section) and it will be easy to meet us at the hostel in Chur on Thu 22 Aug. The hostel is just a ten minute walk from the station. Please take into account the train time table when booking your flights.

The train journey between Zurich Airport and Chur is roughly 1hr 36 with one change in Zurich central station and priced around £15-£20 one way. Service specific tickets can be purchased online but the regional trains do not sell out and so we recommend purchasing your ticket on arrival either online or from the ticket desk at Zurich Airport as this allows for any flight delays.

Payment:

To confirm your place on the trip please use internet banking and use 'KESCH' as your payment reference.

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

Only payment secures your place. Your RSVP is not sufficient for us to hold a place for you. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you.

Important notes:

This trip involves trekking in a mountainous environment along challenging routes. There will be steep ascents & descents involved, on sometimes rough paths. Although not technical you need to carry a small backpack for four days. Therefore the trip is best suited to fit and well equipped hikers with mountain hiking experience.