Alpine Hiking and Biohacking SIX Night Summer Retreat in the Lötschental Valley, Switzerland in the Footsteps of Dr. Weston A. Price, with chef-author Tania Teschke
July 14-20, 2024
OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP
Discover the majestic alpine beauty and pure traditions of Switzerland’s Lötschental Valley with award-winning cookbook author and wine expert Tania Teschke who will lead you through biohacking, self-discovery, bonding, and inspirational experiences. Follow in the footsteps of Dr. Weston A. Price, as you hike the pristine mountain paths and dip into glacial lakes and streams, while discovering how alpine food, water, herbs, and lifestyle builds health and strength. During the unique 5-day exploration, you’ll stay in a Swiss chalet at 2,000 meters elevation, learn Swiss and French-inspired recipes, learn about the local alpine herbs and flowers with a local guide, learn about local culture with a local guide, visit the Loetschentaler Museum, and sample local cheeses and meats. The alpine sunshine, air, and glacial waters will bring you renewed vitality. You will come away relaxed, stronger, and inspired!
– Replenish by being present in the awe-inspiring Alps at 2000 Meters (6,500 feet) elevation and enjoy a mountain top meditation
– Hike the tree-lines on alpine mountain trails with positive-minded Tania as your guide
– Dip your feet and even swim in glacial lakes and alpine streams– Discover the majestic path of an ancient glacier
– Learn about alpine herbs and flowers from a local expert on an alpine walking tour in the alps
– Build community by sharing your passions and knowledge with group
– Have time for journaling and reflection)
– Learn about local culture and traditions from a local English-speaking expert
– Discover alpine culture, food, and lifestyle in the spirit of Weston A. Price
– Sample local cheeses and charcuterie with local wines
– Discover how and why to prepare nutrient dense foods from Switzerland and France
– Tour the Lötschental Museum
– Learn Swiss and French-inspired recipes and what foods the locals take on hikes
– Experience the history and beautiful towns of the valley
The rusticity and natural beauty of the LötschentalValley provide the perfect background for this biohacking and revitalizing week that celebrates the healthy, traditional foods of the Lötschental and incorporate the Wise Traditions diet of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Tania’s understanding of the location, culture and languages will help you gain a connection to this unique place as well!
Contact Tania for more details: info@bordeauxkitchennaturals.com
Price: $4,885 per person
Rooms assigned on first come basis, two people per room: large bedroom (1 shared bed for two) or small bedroom (2 twin beds)
Trip Price Includes:
Food culture experiences, guided field experiences and hiking, and rotational sharing of cooking: Food culture experiences, field experiences, and rotational sharing of prep, cooking, and cleanup for all participants, led in English.
Accommodations: SIX nights in double room accommodations (couples or roommates) at a chalet in the alpine village of Lauchernalp (Altitude: 6,500 ft, 2000m), above the Lötschental Valley, July 14-20, 2023. Rooms will be assigned on a first paid basis.
Meals: Five breakfasts at the Chalet, one welcome dinner on Arrival (Day 1) at the chalet, 4 hiking/picnic lunches, 5 gourmet dinners including some beverages and local wines at chalet. Each trip participant will help make two meals (prep, cook, and clean up one breakfast/picnic lunch, and one dinner (not necessarily on the same day). More help is welcome, and helping with meals is also a chance to learn about the food/recipes being prepared! Two restaurant lunches and one dinner out ARE included in the Trip itinerary (two bottles of wine per meal for the group, additional alcohol purchases may be done out of pocket and are not included in the Trip). Other visits to cafés and restaurants/hotels/stores for drinks, snacks or meals purchased outside the itinerary are NOT included in the Trip.
Transportation: Participants will need to may their own travel arrangements to and from Switzerland, and to and from airports and Goppenstein train station at the bottom end of the Lötschental Valley. Post bus and gondola rides in the Valley only are included with chalet accommodation.
Trip Price Does Not Include: Round-trip airfare to Switzerland, passports, covid preparations, meals in transit or not mentioned on the itinerary, meals in restaurants or cafés not already included in itinerary, any items of a personal nature, or tips at restaurants or cafés. (Tipping is customary in Switzerland, 10 to 20%.)
What’s So Special about this Trip?
This is not just a hiking trip but a once-in-a-lifetime “back-to-Nature” opportunity to stay in the pristine Lötschental Valley and learn about food and culture in the Swiss Alps, guided by Tania during this 6-night stay, Sunday, July 14 to Saturday July 20, 2024.
Please Note: It may take a few days to adapt to the time difference and altitude (about 6,500 feet elevation, 2000 meters). Join or skip hikes and activities as desired. We have designed the activities to help you ease into the alpine lifestyle! Bringing hiking boots is a must and hiking sticks are recommended (improve arm strength and reduce stress on knees!) I will be happy to guide participants in deciding on flights and arrival times and travel to the Valley!
How Do I Sign Up?
Write to Tania at info@bordeauxkitchennaturals.com to reserve your spot(s).
Payment along with the signed Participation Agreement will secure the reservation!
Because of the limited space, the available 10 spots will fill up fast as of the sending of this email. Please contact Tania by phone or email right before you send in your deposit with the trip participation agreement, and provide a heads up with the number in your party, so we can accurately count the places taken in real time.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
Of course, I hope you don’t have to cancel for any reason, but I know things come up!
A $5,000 deposit per couple/double will secure space on a first come basis, due on or before March 31, 2024. Unfortunately, this deposit is non-refundable after March 31st. The balance for the trip is due on or before April 30, 2024, at which time no refunds will be possible. The deposit will go toward securing the Chalet accommodation, as it is needed in order to hold the Chalet for the dates of the Trip. This is why I suggest buying trip cancellation insurance. Trip Mate, Inc. offers a comprehensive policy in which you can opt to included medical insurance as well.
–Breakfast & packed lunch prep begins at 8am. Breakfast 8:15am-9:00am, cleaned up by 9:15am.
–At 9:30am, Hansjakob Werlen will join us again after breakfast and lead us on a three-hour hike along the Loetschentaler Hoehenweg to Fafleralp, the last village at the end of the Valley nearest the Glacier, where the plaque commemorating Dr. Weston A. Price’s research on nutritional health in the Valley in 1931-32. Traversing Alpine meadows and forests via Weritzalp, we will stop in the picturesque Tellialp for lunch at Restaurant Telli. After a swim (bring your swimsuit if there’s no rain that day!) in the small Alpine lake Schwarzsee, we continue to Fafleralp to find the plaque, and from there we will take the bus back to the gondola station.
–Packing for departure and Dinner at the Chalet. Dinner prep begins at 5:00pm.
Chalet Breakfasts will consist of a combination of eggs, butter, cheese, (fresh bread and jams when possible – bread is available in the grocery shop at the gondola base station. Please note that the gondola runs only every half hour, therefore is sometimes not easy to time, especially during the gondola conductors’ lunch breaks. We will be staying on the alp above the gondola top station, hence morning runs to the grocery store will not be possible if we want to get out and hike. A packed breakfast/lunch will be packed for day of Departure (Saturday, July 20).
Chalet Lunches will consist primarily of local cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolate! Easy to carry “hunter’s” lunches. Each person will pack their own lunch with our supplies each morning right after breakfast before a hike. Some snack foods will be provided, but participants may also buy their own snacks/foods/beverages during the Trip – these are available at the grocery store at the gondola bases station and at the café at the gondola top station.
Chalet Dinners will be warm, gourmet cheese and meat-based meals of Rösti, Pork Roast, Raclette, Käseschnitte, Fleischsuppe (meat soup) and more! Each trip participant will help Tania with table setting, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up two meals – breakfast and dinner. There will be a sign-up sheet once the deposit arrives to plan the meal help for the week. More help is welcome, and helping with meals is also a chance to learn about the food/recipes being prepared!
What about Restaurants?
Two lunches and one dinner out are included in the Trip itinerary. Other restaurant, café and hotel expenses are not included in the Trip, but there will be free time to explore these options by foot on Lauchernalp and by bus in the Valley. Having Swiss Francs in cash for extra snacks and meals and for stops along or after a hike is recommended. Some establishments take Visa credit cards but not all do. Restaurants, shops and hotels in Bern typically do take most credit cards, Amex is not always accepted. Tipping is accepted and welcomed.
MORe FAQs available upon request from Tania at: infor@bordeauxkitchennaturals.com
