Challenge Week 2009

Switzerland 2009

Switzerland – Alpine Experience

Day 1 Arrival at Geneva Airport and meet your LEI guides. We will go straight to visit the Patek Philippe

Museum (home to the prestigious Swiss watchmakers) (alternatively, visit the Red Cross Museum or the

HQ of the United Nations in Geneva). Then private transfer to Les Elfes Camp in La Tzoumaz where we

will have our welcome meeting, room check-in and the chance to appreciate the stunning views from La

Tzoumaz. Dinner will be at the LEI Camp.

Day 2 After breakfast, we will hike in the mountains behind La Tzoumaz. The scenery is breathtaking (and

some of the climbs may be as well – or we can choose more sedentary routes). It is a great way to

appreciate Alpine nature on your first full day in Switzerland. Packed lunch provided. We will take the

Senses Trail (weather permitting) which will provide the best appreciation of the local environment.

Smelling, touching, listening are inclusive – tasting is optional! After we return from our trek we have the

chance of many activities in the Les Elfes Camp – table tennis, movies, basketball, soccer, walking in

the village – all with our Les Elfes staff. Before dinner we will visit a typical Swiss farm where, if you

wish, you can help the farmer to milk the Swiss cows! Dinner in our hotel this evening.

Day 3 Today’s main activity is rock climbing. Our professional instructors will focus on safety and technique.

After our packed lunch we will have time to experience mountain biking on one of the many trails. In

winter the trails are ski runs and in the warmer weather they make great biking trails. Dinner at the camp

follow by a night torch walking.

Day 4 Check out from Les Elfes camp and then private transfer to Bern. On the way to Bern we will go to the

Castle of Chillon in Montreux. Afterwards we travel to Lausanne, This beautiful city sits on Lake Leman

(Lake Geneva). We will have a walking tour of the old city centre, including the Cathedral and the most

historic buildings. Lunch will be at your leisure in one of the many cafes. In the afternoon we will visit the

Olympic Museum by Lake Geneva and enjoy the fabulous views across the lake to France. Transfer to

Bern Check in at the hotel and Dinner at the hotel

Day 5 After the breakfast, we will start the day by a visit of Bern, the Swiss capital. The Old Town of Bern has

been featured in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983. Cathedral, Clock Tower, Bear

Pits, Houses of Parliament and Bundesplatz, these and many more sights are key features of Bern.

After lunch, we will visit the Paul Klee Centre. Paul Klee is one of the most significant artists of the first

half of the 20th century. His artistic lifework comprises some 10,000 works. Besides art exhibits, the

Paul Klee Center is also a platform for music, theater, dance and literature and depending on the

programme at the Centre you will have the chance to experience these Arts. Dinner will be in a

restaurant in Bern tonight and overnight in our hotel in Bern.

Day 6 After breakfast, we will leave Bern to travel to Lucerne. The sites of the Old Town, including Chapel

Bridge, give a real taste of central Europe. After lunch at your leisure we will visit Glacier Garden. This

outstanding natural monument includes 20,000 year old gigantic glacial potholes and fossile from 20

million years ago. There is also a confusing Hall of Mirrors and ancient reliefs of Switzerland and

Lucerne. Alternatively, if you have not visited the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva on Day 1 we can

travel to Bienne the metropolis of Swiss watch making, where we will visit the Omega Museum one of

the famous Swiss brand through the collection, preservation, maintenance, protection and exhibition of

objects, documents and accounts related to the company and its activities.

Day 7 Your Swiss tour is not complete without visiting the chocolate and cheese factories. We will go to the

Gruyere area to give us the chance to find out some of the Swiss culinary secrets. In the morning we will

visit a typical Swiss Chocolate factory. Tasting is optional – but delicious. After lunch we will visit the

Gruyere Cheese Factory. There will be retail therapy (shopping!) options afterwards. Dinner in a city

centre restaurant tonight.

Day 8 Depending your flight schedule, transfer to the airport in order to catch your flight back home.

Creativity – Visiting places of cultural, historic and natural importance in both French and German speaking areas of Switzerland.
Action – Living in a non-English speaking country and undertaking outdoor activities in a mountain setting.

Cost Per Student	$20,000 approximately
Number of places available	30
Open to which year groups	8 – 13 all students (including those who are not studying French or German).

For enquiries, please contact Mr Sheridan (simon.sheridan@kgv.edu.hk).