Swiss Alps Hike & Yoga Retreat
Val de Bagnes | 11 - 16 August 2024
Join Nina on a hiking route across the magnificent Val de Bagnes in the height of summer. Stay in 5 traditional Swiss ‘cabanes’, savour Swiss farm-to-table cuisine and divine regional wine, harvested in the valleys nearby. We set out from the stunning high altitude ski-resort town of Verbier and navigate our way up to Glacier de Corbassiere, before ending our journey at Lac de Mauvoisin, a breathtaking mountain lake framed by snow-capped peaks. Let us roam wild and free with nothing weighing us down beyond a light backpack with necessities.
Rewild and cultivate presence on a 6 day guided hike in Val de Bagnes
Anticipate a journey with…
Hiking in the Alps
This unique 74km route over 6days has been carefully planned and guided by Nina. We will cover 5000m ascent gain in total, and journey through pristine wilderness. The route follows hiking paths, and varies in vegetation, from forests, to barren rock and shale, to glaciers and grasslands. The Bagnes Valley has fascinating archaeological sites, dating back thousands of years and is a protected nature reserve.
Traditional mountain Cabins
Each ‘cabane’ is typical of Swiss mountain culture, and yet has a unique character and layout. Commonly, there are a series of bedrooms with around 4-8 bunk beds in each room. The dining in a hiker’s hut is friendly and casual, with wooden tables and chairs arranged in a convivial fashion. The owners’ take great pride in decorating their homes, and listen out for tales after dinner of family history and intrigue!
A Rewilding experience
By August the warmth of the summer rays have melted enough snow to make the remote and dramatic hiking paths accessible to us. The evenings are long and mellow, and the mornings bright and hopeful. Wake each morning with the sun and carry only a backpack of necessities with you as you journey through wilderness. This is the perfect time to fill your cup with all that is glorious and wild.
Daily yoga & meditation
Nina will lead the group in yoga and meditation sessions on each day of the hike. Weather depending, we begin the day with a standing meditation and hiker’s stretch. We end the day with a yin or functional hatha yoga session and meditation. On some evenings, if the group wishes, we can also enjoy yoga nidra in the dorm room before sleep. All of this helps you feel fresh, ready and relaxed for your hiking!
Sustainable travel
Hiking is one of the lowest footprint travel activities you can engage in. On a multi-day hike you are walking on foot, and leaving no trace behind you on the trail, whilst contributing to the conservation funds/organisations that maintain the nature reserve. All the mountain cabins we stay in on this hike are 100% off-grid and eco-friendly. A significant portion of the fees we pay the cabins as part of this InRetreat package go towards the preservation of natural wilderness in Val de Bagnes.
Location
Val de Bagnes
Val de Bagnes is a region in the French-speaking Valais canton in southern Switzerland. The valley is situated close to the French and Italian borders with Switzerland, and the highest peak in Europe, Mont Blanc. The valley has a 4400 meter peak of its own, the Grand Combin. The Combin Massif, which includes the stunning Corbassiere glacier, dominates vistas. At the foot of the valley is a large Alpine lake - Mauvoisin - that is the source of a hydroelectric infrastructure that powers communities all the way to Martigny. Most of the valley is protected wilderness with acclaimed hiking and skiing opportunities. Weather in summer ranges at altitude, and will differ from in the valley to on a peak, so prepare for all conditions. Temperature: min. 3 ℃ / 38 ℉ to max. 30 ℃/ 86 ℉.
Accomodation
5 traditional Swiss mountain cabins
After extensive hiking and touring in the Valais Alps, Nina has selected 5 cabanes that are truly outstanding, dotted along our custom hiking route. Each cabane (or, hiker’s cabin) has its own story to tell, with distinctive history and character. Many were built in the late 19th century, and are run by local families or farmers. All are exceptionally remote, situated over 2000m altitude and with stunning Alpine views. Each night, we will sit down together to a simple meal of hearty regional produce and local wine. Each morning, we fuel up on a breakfast of fresh bread, cheese and preserves, butter, museli, yogurt and coffee or tea. Food served in the cabanes is brought up by helicopter and it’s amazing what they manage to rustle up!
This retreat is for you if you:
Are generally fit, active and confident on your feet
Crave a complete nature immersion in protected wilderness
Are comfortable sharing dormitory space with others in hikers cabins
Are seeking a healthy challenge and want to improve fitness
Enjoy and are interested in yoga and meditation
Appreciate hearty, seasonal and simple Alpine cuisine
What you can expect:
A guided hike with days ranging from 4 - 8 hours through varied terrain.
6 days immersed in nature, with stunning scenery
Accommodation in traditional Swiss hiker’s cabins that have dormitories
A physical and mental challenge that will build character and a positive outlook
Daily basic yoga and meditation sessions with Nina
Regional, seasonal Alpine cuisine served in the cabins - simple and honest.
Your InRetreat guide
Nina integrates poetry, personal transformation and unique insights to her practice, enriching body movement with meaning. Her classes are playful, flowing and accessible to all levels, offering an inclusive space where everyone can discover their own personal edge and cultivate presence.
This Retreat in Review
All the retreat details
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5 nights accommodation in traditional Swiss mountain cabins (dormitory rooms; onsite bathrooms, hot water in showers).
6 days guided hiking on a unique route in Val de Bagnes
Breakfast and dinner daily, served at the cabins
Daily guided meditation and yoga classes with Nina
A gondola/cable car pass from Le Châble > Les Ruinettes
Private shuttle van: Mauvoisin > Le Châble
Tourism and conservation taxes.
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All travel to/from Le Châble, Valais, Switzerland
Visas
Snacks and lunch during the day whilst hiking (snacks and lunch can be purchased from the a la carte menus at the cabanes as we go along. Having said this, if you are picky about the type of snacks and lunch you want, then it’s best to bring this with you).
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
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Arrival
Fly into Geneva (GVA), or Zurich (ZRH).
Make your way to Le Châble train station by 11:00. Use the Swiss transport company, SBB, to book your train tickets and navigate the route (their app is excellent). Nina will meet you at 11:00 outside the cable car station at Le Châble gare, which is directly in front of you as you exit the train platform.
For guests arriving the night before, ask Nina for recommendations amongst the excellent places to stay in Le Châble.
Departure
We conclude our hiking route in the Mauvoisin car park at 13:00 on Friday. There will be a private bus shuttle waiting to take us back to Le Châble, arriving at approx 14:00.
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5 night Swiss Alps Hiking & Yoga Holiday
11 - 16 August 2024
€ 1590 p/person
To confirm your booking, a deposit is required
€ 600 deposit p/person
Booking Terms
A non-refundable deposit payment of € 600 is required to secure your spot.
A non-refundable balance payment is required 30 days prior to retreat start date.
If booking within 30 days of the start date, 100% payment is required to secure booking.
Cancellation terms
All payments are non-refundable.
In the event the Swiss Alps Hiking Yoga Holiday is postponed due to Covid-19 related concerns, or unforeseeable natural causes, 100% of payments will be reissued in a voucher to use on future dates for this retreat, or any other of Nina’s retreats in the future.
(Payment refunds do not cover transaction/banking fees)
Contact us with questions about this InRetreat
