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The Mountain Travel Sobek Advantage
Experience Counts
Experience Counts
Local is Focal!
First Class Guides
Active, Unique Itineraries
Charming & Comfortable Accommodations
The Most Delicious Cuisine |
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The Mountain Travel Sobek Advantage: The Alps
- 38 years experience. We’ve been offering hiking adventures in the Alps since 1970, and know the best routes, including off-the-beaten-path trails that others simply haven’t discovered.
- Experienced local leaders are your ticket to an “insider’s view” of the region they call home and impart a perspective on the local life and culture as only a native can.
- Vehicle support lightens the load. No heavy packs to carry! Your gear is transported separately to the next hotel. All you’ll need on the trail is a daypack with camera, water, and outerwear. Vehicle support also allows you the opportunity to take a day off from hiking to explore the local culture if you prefer.
- Creature comforts top off every day. Our trips feature accommodations in quaint hotels or mountain inns that are the finest in the locale and reflect a regional ambiance. And be prepared for the well-known gastronomic delights of this part of the world. We adore fine food and wine—who doesn’t?—and the guides know all the best restaurants!
- A trip to match every ability. Choose the trip that’s right for you! From optional easy walks to demanding scrambles, there’s something for every active person on our alpine hiking trips.
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 Experience
Counts
In 1970, only a year after Mountain Travel was
established, two of its three founders, Leo Le
Bon and Allen Steck, led the company's first
climbing trip in the Alps out of Chamonix, France.
At that time, Chamonix was already considered
one of the world's noted mountaineering centers,
and from here the group made ascents of Mont
Blanc and scores of other peaks in the region,
including the Matterhorn, Grépon, and
Aiguille du Midi. Our founders fell in love with
the Alps, and ever since 1970, adventuring there
has been a prominent part of our program.
What does that mean for you? It means you can
join any of our Alps adventures knowing you're
in the best possible hands, with a company that
has more than 30 years of experience and know-how
to ensure a smoothly operated trip filled with
the spirit of adventure.
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 Local
is Focal!
When joining any of our adventures in the Alps,
your English-speaking guide will have his or
her roots in this region. And most of them have
been with us for years. Our more than 30 years
experience adventuring in the Alps have taught
us that there's no one more qualified to lead
your adventure than the locals - their insights
and knowledge of the natural setting as well
as their ability to relate their culture is a
rare opportunity to learn and benefit from a
unique experience.
And who else but the locals would know about
that very special picnic place, the secret trails,
where to find the best views, or the best cappuccino?
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First
Class Guides
So who are your local guides on our Alps adventures?
For our trips around Mont Blanc and the Haute
Route, you will adventure with a team of guides
from the prestigious Compagnie des Guides, a
professional guide association that dates back
to the first climb of Mont Blanc over 200 years
ago. For our other trips in Switzerland, you'll
be joining lifelong members of the Swiss Alpine
Hiking Club. And for our Ticino and Italian Lakes
trip, you'll have the pleasure to be in the company
of Anna Bezzola, a native Swiss/ Italian who
is an expert hiker, gracious, and knowledgeable
about "her" mountains. Let us introduce
you to a few of them:
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Laurent
Langoisseur
Laurent is a relative newcomer to the Chamonix
Valley (he's only lived there a dozen years or
so!). He fell in love with these mountains and
became a mountain guide with the prestigious
Compagnie des Guides. An avid sports enthusiast
and inexhaustible hiker, Laurent's knowledge
of flora, fauna, and geology are a good complement
to his guiding skills. During the winter, he
works as a ski patrol monitor in the mountains
above Chamonix. |
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Anna
Bezzola
Anna was born in northern Italy, grew up in Switzerland,
and has been hiking and climbing in northern
Italy and the Swiss Alps since childhood. In
addition to being multilingual, she is extremely
knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, history,
and customs of the area. Anna has a deep love
for nature and her passion for the mountains
is truly contagious. |
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 Active,
Unique Itineraries
Since we've been exploring in the Alps for more
than 30 years, we know the best destinations
inside and out. Each itinerary is designed to
show you the best of the region, and you'll often
be hiking off the beaten path trails that others
simply haven't yet discovered. Your guide is
familiar with every aspect of the trip and has
the logistics down to an art. And if weather
becomes a factor - they'll always have an alternate
route.
All our alpine adventures are active hiking trips.
But since they range from easy to strenuous,
there's a trip just right for you. And with more
than 30 departures in the summer months, there's
almost no limit to your choices of dates!
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 Charming & Comfortable
Accommodations
If you're the kind of person who loves to spend
all day playing in the mountains but prefer sleeping
in a comfortable bed at night, hiking in the
Alps with Mountain Travel Sobek is THE way to
go. The accommodations on our Alps hiking trips
vary with destinations. As you might expect,
there are good hotels in the towns we encounter,
but more rustic lodging higher in the mountains.
And you should expect to share facilities, including
showers, at some places. But the most important
thing is that all the accommodations we use are
comfortable and reflect the charm of the local
culture, and there is nothing better than winding
up a day of hiking with a hot shower and a great
meal. Who said adventure travel meant roughing
it?
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 The
Most Delicious Cuisine
In addition to great hikes, striking scenery,
and great accommodations, you will also enjoy
delicious food and often fine wines on our Alps
adventures. (After all, you are in France, Italy,
and Switzerland - all countries famed for their
enjoyable cuisine!) Most of our travelers are
also adventurous when it comes to sampling local
dishes, and this often becomes one of the highlights
of the day! And, you will also discover that
slowing down, taking your time, and savoring
a meal is a custom in the Alps that's very easy
to get used to.
Speaking of adventure and food - check out our
Marketing Director's journal about her encounter
with the local food in Italy, or if you feel
pretty adventurous yourself, invite over some
friends and try our recommended Alps
menu!
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For more information and reservations,
please contact:
Mountain Travel Sobek
1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526
Phone: +1-510-594-6000
Fax: + 1-510-594-6001
Email: info@mtsobek.com |
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