When most people hear the name Rhone, they think of the mighty and beautiful Rhone River of France and the vineyards which lie in its valley. But few even think of the source of the river which lies high up in the mountains of Switzerland and is, in fact, a glacier. Here you can sit in a meadow and see a vast area of ice, snow and rock. Here, tons of ice slowly makes its way down the valley.
Of all the places in the world, this is the area where Winston Churchill chose to vacation. It is an area of pine forests; meadows of wild flowers; clean, fresh air; friendly people; and always the mountains. But, most of all, it is and area of breathtaking beauty. This is a place where Man has learned to live with the forces of nature and the result is splendid.
You will see the Rhone Glacier and the mighty Aletsch Glacier. The Aletsch Glacier is believed to be Europe's longest Glacier with a length of about 13 miles. You will be able to walk alongside the glacier and through the Aletsch forest.
You will visit the many picturesque villages of the area including Munster. Munster is one of the only unspoiled villages in the region. It lies at 1388 meters (approximately 4500 feet) above sea level and is well known for its fine chalets built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In Munster, you will stay at the luxurious Hotel Croix d' Or et Poste.
You will also have a chance to experience one of the true pleasures of the area, a soak in the saline pool in a hotel spa in Breiten. Here you will have a chance to soothe tired muscles and enjoy yourself after an invigorating walk. You should expect to spend from two and a half and five to six hours a day walking, with one day between five and seven hours. The days include frequent breaks for refreshment and just to take in the beauty of Switzerland.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet in Geneva airport at 2 pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred from Geneva airport to Munster (3 hours). In the evening, you will have dinner and a tour briefing at the hotel. Munster is located at the Obergoms valley in the Wallis canton. It is the highest village in the Wallis area and is set in a tranquil location. It is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Münster is the main village in the Goms valley, attractively located at the foot of the rugged Minstergertal valley. Münster is one of the only remaining unspoilt typical villages in the region, lying at 4,500 feet above sea level. The village is particularly notable for its fine 15th and 16th century black wood chalets and traditional storehouses raised on stone mushroom-shaped saddle stones. In Munster, you will stay at the luxurious Hotel Croix d’Or et Poste.
Day 2: Oberwald-Obergesteln-Munster (4 hours). An easy day to start this trip, you are driven in the morning to Oberwald, the last village on the valley floor. You will walk along the high trail taking in views across the valley. The trail is easy to follow among the rare Swiss alpine flowers, overlooking the Goms valley and Rhone glacier. The group then descends halfway to the lovely village of Obergesteln for a typical lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon, you will walk along the trail which follows the River Rhone through pine scented forests.
Day 3: Munster-Fiesch (4 hours). Walk to Fiesch following the higher Goms route, taking in views over the small rustic villages of Ulrichen and Geschinen. The walk is absolutely lovely following pine forest scented trails with wonderful views. You will stop off at two unique alpine restaurants en route for drinks and refreshments. The group follows this trail up to Bellwald, a mountain resort from where you will take a cable car down to Fiesch.
Day 4: Freedom day Today, you have the opportunity to take a train to Zermatt and see the Matterhorn or take a train to Brig and swim in its outdoors spa center and visit this magnificent town. If you prefer walking, you can do the small loop to Fieschertall, a nearby village with a nice restaurant.
Day 5: Fiesch-Breiten (3 hours). You take a cable car from Fiesch to the top of the mountain Eggishorn, at 12,000 feet high it offers great views over the glacier Aletsch, the longest in Europe and its surrounding mountains such as Jungfrau, Monsch and Eiger! You will then take the cable car down to Fiescheralp, a car free resort, for an easy and flat walk to the next resort of Riederalp. From there, the group decides to either take the cable car down to Breiten or walks a steep descending trail through the tiny village of Goppisberg and its honesty bar. You will overnight in Breiten in a true spa hotel with its relaxing saline pool, a perfect location to pamper yourself.
Day 6: Breiten-Aletsch to Glacier-Riederalp (4 hours). Today, you take the cable car from Mörel back to Riederalp at 9,000 feet. This spectacular walk will take you past the impressive Villa Cassel, Winston Churchill’s ex-summer residence and then towards the mighty Aletsch Glacier, claimed to be Europe’s longest and biggest glacier, with a length of almost 15 miles. You can walk alongside the glacier and through the UNESCO classified Aletsch forest before descending to Bettmeralp and back along the gentle path to Riederalp. You can explore the villages of Riederalp and Bettmeralp on your own before descending to Breiten either by cable car or by foot.
Day 7: Breiten-Geneva. Departure after breakfast at 10 am to Geneva airport for your next destination (allow 2.5 hours).
2008 Dates: July 12-18, August 9-15, September 13-19.
Meeting Point: Geneva Airport. Transfers are included at pre-set time.
Difficulty of Walk: Walking mainly on tracks and paths, sometimes steep. Walk between 4 to 6 hours a day with option of shorter walks. Suitable for families.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$2,025 per person, shared; $235 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- 5 guided walking days
- Cable car and train fares
- Guide
- Luggage transfer
- Transfers to/from airport at pre-set time
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Switzerland
Walking Tours
Glacier Tours
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