Reaching Matterhorn basecamp, at 10,700 feet of elevation, was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
With tired legs and a rush of adrenaline, I took a deep inhale of the thin, crisp air, before hugging a fellow hiker who was overcome with joy in having accomplished her dream of making it to the top.
Switzerland's Matterhorn basecamp hike was the most challenging of the trip, but the views were unbeatable. Photo Credit: EF Adventures
We had just finished easily the most challenging hike we'd tackled -- but also the most rewarding.
Last month, I was invited as a guest to join one of EF Adventures' signature active group tours, Alps Hiking: Switzerland, Italy and France. And as an avid hiker who has experienced a mountain hiking tour in Italy once before -- but who had yet to experience France and Switzerland -- I eagerly accepted.
EF World Journeys is part of EF Education First, which was founded in 1965. The adventure brand, EF Adventures, launched in 2024, and now operates more than 50 active tours across Europe, Latin America and Asia.
The portfolio, which also includes EF Go Ahead Tours and EF Ultimate Break, for guests ages 18 to 35, didn't work directly with travel advisors -- until now. Last week, EF World Journeys announced that it is developing a program to work with travel advisors and will offer 15% commission.
Most of EF Adventures' tours are centered around hiking and biking -- or a combination of both -- though some also offer yoga, paddleboarding, kayaking or ziplining.
During my 11-day trip, our group walked along rolling vineyard trails, up steep mountain passes and through flower-studded valleys. Most hikes were completed in five or six hours (including the time spent getting to and from the trails), which left plenty of free time to rest and explore cafes, shopping corridors and museums along the way.
Hiking through different countries and cultures
A highlight of the trip was getting to taste local foods from three different countries, often at authentic mountain huts overlooking the peaks. Photo Credit: Cassandra Brooklyn
For me, part of the trip's appeal was exploring the Alps region from the perspective of three different countries and cultures. Food was another notable highlight: In Switzerland, full-day hikes were punctuated with potatoes and fondue meals; in Italy, our meals included creamy polenta and tagliatelle with mushrooms.
In France, we packed our own lunches, which often included famous French cheeses, sausage and fresh croissants from local bakeries. And in every country, our guide passed around local chocolates, dried fruit and trail mix to keep our energy up.
Daily routes ranged from four to six miles, with shorter and longer alternatives available with the assist of an expansive network of chairlifts and gondolas. Over the course of the trip, I clocked 44 miles of proper hiking, plus a handful of multimile walks around Zermatt, Switzerland; Chamonix, France; and both Courmayeur and Aosta, Italy. Daily elevation gains ranged from 750 to 2,540 feet.
Our tour leader, Tyson, was exceptional. Having lived in Italy for more than two decades and having extensively traveled throughout Europe, he was a wealth of information and a joy to trek with. In addition to Tyson, local mountain guides joined us for more challenging hikes, including the most technical trail of the trip: a steep, five mile roundtrip climb to and from Switzerland's Matterhorn basecamp.
Having multiple guides also allowed us to break into two smaller groups that hiked at different paces, allowing travelers to complete the route at their own speed.
Though marketed as a 12-day tour, it's important to note that the company considers day one to be the (overnight) flying day, so the trip is actually 10 nights and 11 days. Most of the 10 guests on my tour ranged from 60 to 70 years old, with a handful in their 40s and 50s.
Challenging hikes and ample free time
Many of the hikes were indeed challenging and, at times, the terrain could be a bit technical to traverse (think: steep, rocky, slippery and requiring some scrambling or the use of ropes and rock-mounted footholds). To be able to tackle and enjoy all of the hikes, advisors would do well to recommend that clients be in good physical shape and have a decent amount of hiking experience, regardless of their age.
Most of the hotels, like this one in Montreaux, included spectacular views of lakes and mountains. Photo Credit: EF Adventures
What surprised me most about this tour was its ample free time. I've done adventure hiking trips with quite a few companies, and this trip had far more unscheduled time than I'm used to. It also included far fewer meals in the rate (over the 11 days, it included 10 breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners with beer or wine). This format allowed guests to save -- or splurge -- on meals as they saw fit, and meant the vegetarian, gluten-free and steak lovers in the group all got to seek out restaurants specializing in their favorite fare.
As someone who loves exploring on their own and prefers reading a mystery novel during a quick solo dinner rather than making conversation with a dozen people over a two-hour meal, this format worked very well for me. I also noticed that while I opted to spend free time alone, most guests remained together, whether it be shopping in town, grabbing dinner or visiting the hotel spa.
Our tour leader did a great job of sharing tips for what to do, where to eat and which local dishes to try during our down time, and the EF mobile app made it easy for guests to communicate with each other to make plans.