The hikes are quite challenging. Most are up in the alpine zone-close to glaciers and beneath snowy summits-but you’ll drop down into some lovely green pastured valleys to hike through forests and meadows as well. You’ll cross at least one pass every day, with lots of steep ups and downs, and some of the trails have exposure. Most days you’re on the trail from five to eight hours and cover about ten miles. But each night you’ll be able to rest comfortably in a country inn or small hotel, soaking up the ambiance of picture-postcard villages like Mürren and Kandersteg.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meiringen. Meet with your trip leader in the early afternoon at the hotel in Meiringen. Short hike in the afternoon in the immediate surroundings. Trip briefing and dinner at the hotel. Includes (D).
Day 2: Meiringen - Grindelwald. Transfer to the trail head and start hiking towards the Grosse Scheidegg Pass. This is a gentle hike through forests of fir and rolling pastures, with views of the Wetterhorn above us. Lunch at a mountain restaurant. After lunch a 2 hrs hike takes you to Bachalp Lake. Descend by gondola into Grindelwald. Includes (B,L,D).
Day 3: Grindelwald - Mürren. Short train transfer to the trail head (5,380’), and start hiking about 1 hrs directly below the imposing north face of the Eiger and the summits of the Monch and Jungfrau to our first pass (6,860’) for more outstanding glacier views. Take the steep cable car part way up the mountain and continue hiking on a level path to the beautiful mountain hamlet of Mürren (5,454’). Includes (B,L,D).
Day 4: Murren - Bundalp. After a series of steep switchbacks, we hike along a nice alpine trail to the Rotstock Hut, where you can stop for a hot drink or some soup before setting out for the climb up steep scree slopes to Sefinenfurgge (8,697’). Long descent into the Kiental Valley (4,955’) and up again to Bundalp (6,127’). Includes (B,L,D).
Day 5: Bundalp - Kandersteg. Start with a 3-hr ascent over very steep moraine and scree to Hohturli and Blüemlisalp Hut (9,437’), the highest pass of the trip. Skirting glaciers, descend to Oeschinensee Lake (5,304’) in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, and take a chairlift down to Kandersteg (3,910’). Includes (B,L,D).
Day 6: Kandersteg - Engstligenalp. Take a gondola to Sunnbuel (6,360’). Hike to Rote Chumme (8,750’), where you have extraordinary views reaching as far as the Valais Alps. Continue along the to Chindbettipass (8,734’) crossing a snow field, then make a long descent into Engstligenalp (6,450’). Includes (B,L,D).
Day 7: Engstligenalp - Lenk. Ascend to Ammertenpass (8,135’), from where you take in the views of the Simmental Valley below. Descent into the Simmen Valley (3,680’), where you board the bus that will take you to Lenk (3,663’). Includes (B,L,D).
Day 8: Lenk - Zurich. Take the train to Zweisimmen, where you connect with the train to Bern. Continue to Zurich (earliest possible arrival time is at 9:16 am) and connect with homeward-bound flights. Includes (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- English-speaking hiking guide,
- Hotels in HB,
- Water and coffee/tea with meals,
- Transportation as per the itinerary,
- Luggage transfers,
- Sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare,
- Any transfer to and from the airport,
- Lunches, insurance of any kind (we highly recommend that clients purchase trip cancellation insurance and medical/evacuation insurance),
- Visits to points of interest other than those specified in the itinerary,
- Any expenses related to travel to and from the trip,
- Excess baggage charges,
- Airport taxes (if any),
- Personal expenses (laundry, sodas, wine or other alcoholic beverages, telephone calls etc.),
- Tips to guide,
- Unused transportation to/from the tour or during the tour will not be reimbursed.
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Hiking & Trekking
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