Compare Guided Deluxe Bernese Oberland Traverse by Alpine Hikers vs Switzerland in 8 days - Enchanting Alps & Glacier Scenic Railway - Exoticca Group Sup. by Exoticca

Day 1:

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Eiger or Belvedere

Grindelwald – Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to the Grindelwald, at the base of the famous Eiger North Face.  It’s a scenic trip, passing through farms and along lakes as the mountain giants of the Bernese Oberland get closer and closer.

Although it’s the largest mountain village in the region, Grindelwald is still quite small.  After checking into our deluxe 4-star hotel, you might enjoy a stroll through the village or a drink in the views from a scenic restaurant terrace.  In the late afternoon, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of your group to start the Deluxe Bernese Oberland tour.

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Eiger or Belvedere

Grindelwald – After a hearty breakfast, we’ll take a short bus ride up to the Grosse Scheidegg pass and enjoy sweeping views of the Eiger, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn mountains and of the Grindelwald valley.

With 10,000 vertical feet separating valley from peak, Grindelwald sits at the base of one of the most impressive vertical mountain walls in the world.  Perhaps we’ll detour via the postcard-perfect Bachsee lake before winding back down to Grindelwald.

6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 2750 ft up, 2390 ft down. Please note there are longer and shorter options for most days

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Beausite

Wengen – Today we’ll start with a short train ride out of Grindewald to a mellow mountain inn near the top of tree line.  Our morning today is dominated by great close-up views of the Eiger North Face – perhaps the most notorious mountain wall in the Swiss Alps.

We’ll hike up to the famous Kleine Scheidegg pass under the Eiger North Face, where the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains also come into view.  After a break for lunch, we’ll descend on quiet side-trails with incredible waterfall and glacier views to the car-free village of Wengen for a restful night.

6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 1720 ft up, 2840 ft down

Day 4:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Eiger

Mürren – Our trail from Wengen starts downhill to Lauterbrunnen and then leads past countless waterfalls along the lush Lauterbrunnen valley floor.  After a break for lunch, we’ll hike up a steep trail through a quiet, wooded valley into one of the most spectacular corners of the Alps.

Our trail winds up through sleepy Gimmelwald to Mürren, a postcard-perfect car-free village perched on the edge of a cliff with unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains.  Stay in the impeccable 4-star Hotel Eiger.

5-7 hours, 11 miles; Elevation: 3600 ft up, 2590 ft down

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Eiger

Mürren – There are numerous day hike possibilities around Mürren. One beautiful trail leads up to the Lobhorn hut and nearby Sulsee mountain lake, for superb all-round views.  Shorter hikes traverse the meadows above the town, with numerous mountain inns along the way inviting you to stop and linger.

Or feel free to just unwind in one of the most scenic and relaxing villages in the Alps.  Our hotel has a delightful pool and spa, and the Schilthorn cable car is a memorable day trip to a scenic peak.

5-7 hours, 8-10 miles; Elevation: 1850 ft up, 1850 ft down

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Waldrand Inn

Griesalp – Our trail meanders back into the deep recesses of the Sefinen valley before crossing the first of two major passes, Sefinenfurke, into the tiny hamlet of Griesalp.

A moderate but long climb past Rotstock hut and over the pass, followed by a very steep descent, is rewarded by a friendly welcome at our rustic but pretty inn.  You’ll have a private room and hot showers, and our luggage will meet us at the inn.

6-8 hours, 10.5 miles; Elevation: 3320 ft up, 4180 ft down

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Doldenhorn

Kandersteg – We’ll need an early start for the most challenging day of the tour. Crossing the second major pass, Hohtürli, you’ll hike past glaciers and high mountain peaks to the jewel-like Oeschinen lake – an emerald-green lake surrounded by cliffs that have to be seen to be believed.

For bad weather, or if you simply don’t feel like tackling the pass, you can take a bus around to Kandersteg and enjoy a mellow day hike up to the lake instead. We stay in a deluxe 4-star hotel on the edge of Kandersteg.

7-9 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 4590 ft up, 5350 ft down

Day 8:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Doldenhorn

Kandersteg – For our grand finale, we’ll head up on a quiet path leading south towards the Klus gorge. The power of the Kander river is impressive as you climb through this narrow gorge and emerge into the hidden Gasterntal valley.

This is a picture-perfect hideaway – a small, U-shaped valley, carpeted with wildflowers and guarded by savage cliffs. Waterfalls bursting from the sides of cliffs add to the scenery.  We’ll stop at a mountain inn for lunch and explore the back of the valley before returning by van to Kandersteg for our final celebratory dinner.

5-7 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 1840 ft up, 630 ft down

Day 9:

Meals: Breakfast

Depart – Today we say goodbye to the Bernese Oberland and depart for Kandersteg and our post-tour destinations.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Switzerland? Arrive at your departure airport, ready to catch a flight to Zurich.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Zurich

Touch down in Zurich, famous as a global center of finance on the north shore of beautiful Lake Zurich. Transfer to the hotel, get settled in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Zurich.

Day 3: Zurich - Bern - Thun - Interlaken

After breakfast at the hotel, a 2-hour walking tour of Zurich with a professional guide. Explore the atmospheric Old Town, see the 12th-century Grossmunster cathedral and stroll down bustling Bahnhofstrasse. Discover Paradeplatz, the 11th-century Fraumunster Church and stroll along the river banks at Limmatquai. Afterwards, set off for the Swiss capital of Bern, a small city known for its medieval old town. Upon arrival, enjoy a 2-hour guided city tour with a professional guide. Pass through the old town where you can admire the Zytglogge medieval clock tower, the beautiful Rose Garden and Parliament Square. See the Gothic-style Bern Cathedral and visit Bear Park, named after the brown bear which is the symbol of the city. Later on, pass through Thun before continuing to Interlaken, a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region. Get settled at the hotel and enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery and charming alpine architecture. Overnight stay in Interlaken.

Day 4: Interlaken - Zermatt

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a short panoramic tour with your driver through Interlaken this morning, one of Switzerland's most important resort towns. Later, transfer to Zermatt, in the shadow of the famous Matterhorn mountain! This car-free resort is a natural paradise where you can soak up the tranquillity of the Swiss mountains. Overnight stay in Zermatt.

Day 5: Zermatt

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Zermatt. Admire the majestic silhouette of the Matterhorn or soak up the charming atmosphere of this Alpine town as you wander through its pretty streets, flanked by wooden architecture and chocolate-box style lodgings. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the famous Matterhorn is to take the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway, which reaches a maximum height of 3,100 metres above sea level for spectacular views of the mountain and surrounding scenery!* Overnight stay in Zermatt. * Tickets for the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway can be purchased at the destination. Timetables for the service are available locally.

Day 6: Zermatt - St. Moritz by Glacier Express

Breakfast at the hotel. Prepare for an exciting day ahead as you set off on the famous Glacier Express*, one of the most scenic train rides in the world! Journey through the inspiring landscapes of the Alps as you travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz, an unforgettable journey of around 7.5 hours. Pass through 91 tunnels, across 291 bridges and climb as high as 2033 meters as the Glacier Express crosses the Oberalp Pass. The journey includes a three-course meal and the panoramic windows ensure ample opportunities to kick back and take in the views! Arrive in St. Moritz and transfer to the hotel. St. Moritz is the most luxurious alpine resort in Switzerland so be sure to get out and explore the upmarket eateries and glamorous streets. Overnight stay in St. Moritz. *The possibility to upgrade your seats to first class is available in the next step of the booking process.

Day 7: St. Moritz - Davos - Klosters - Bad Ragaz

Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning to explore St. Moritz at your leisure, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics twice and one of the most prominent ski resorts in Europe. Afterwards, head off to Davos, the highest town in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy this unique town, famous for holding the annual World Economic Forum before heading to Klosters which has a more laid-back atmosphere and boasts plenty of pretty wooden Alpine architecture. Afterwards, head to Bad Ragaz, one of Switzerland's most famous spa resorts. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the Tamina Therme, a spa oasis that harnesses the healing properties of the thermal waters of Bad Ragaz. Overnight stay in Bad Ragaz.

Day 8: Bad Ragaz - Lucerne - Zurich

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave beautiful Bad Ragaz behind you today as you depart to Lucerne, an enchanting Swiss city filled with medieval architecture. Take in the views of Lake Lucerne and see St. Peter's Chapel, the Jesuit Church, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge as you enjoy a 2-hour guided city tour, accompanied by a professional guide. Afterwards, continue your journey back to Zurich. On arrival, get settled at the hotel and enjoy your final evening in Switzerland. Overnight stay in Zurich.

Day 9: Zurich - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* Bid farewell to the charming culture and unforgettable landscapes of Switzerland. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the US.* Arrive in the US and end of your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.