Sherpa Guided and Self-guided Walking Holidays: Bernese Oberland

Swiss Alpine Ice Breaker!

This tour is a great introduction to walking in the Swiss Alps with a variety of walks in two famous regions: The Bernese Oberland and the Mittertal. You begin in the attractive resort town of Meiringen under the famous Reichenbach falls, then walk over the Grosse Scheidegg under the cliff walls of the Wetterhorn to enter the valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen both provide famous views of the great tryptych of mountains Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Finally there is an attractive train journey through the Mittertal Valley to Zermatt and walks in the shadows of Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn.

In the Bernese Oberland perhaps the best views of this stunning region of rock and ice are to be had from the traverse between Schynige Platte and Grindelwald, by way of the Faulhorn and the Bachsee. Few will miss the chance of a ride on the rack and pinion railway which climbs steadily from Kleine Scheidegg through the Eiger to emerge on the Jungfraujoch, at 3475m the highest railway station in Europe, surrounded by perpetual snow. The best walk from Lauterbrunnen (the name derives from the sound of the numerous waterfalls that tumble over the near-vertical sides of the valley) is along the valley to Stechelberg then up to the traffic-free villages of Gimmelwald and Murren, at 1600m the highest village in the Bernese Oberland. For the last two nights of the tour we leave the Oberland and travel by train to Zermatt in the Swiss Valais, at the foot of the incomparable Matterhorn, where there are a number of walks around the beautiful tarns which reflect the mountain like a mirror.

Inn to Inn 8 days	Click here detailed dossier
Duration: 7 nights/8 days Tour Code: JBO Grade: Moderate Day Stages: Minimum 10km, max 24km.	Click here detailed dossier
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2008	Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
Start any day July - September
ESCORTED Dates 2008	Click here for latest ESCORTED prices
EJBO05 Sat 5 July - Sat 12 July EJBO16 Sat 16 August - Sat 23 August	Click here for latest ESCORTED prices

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Accommodation

7 nights/8 days - Our first night accommodation is in Meiringen where we stay in a 3* hotel centrally located. In Grindelwald we stay at a cosy 2* chalet-hotel with a spectacular view of the Eiger and the surrounding peaks. The hotel is a short walk from the train station and the Firstbahn Gondola station. At Lauterbrunnen our 3* hotel, provides views of the famous Jungfrau and of the waterfalls on both sides of the valley. Our 3* hotel in the centre of Zermatt is a typical Swiss chalet style building. This comfortable and informal family run hotel has a pleasant terrace garden and spacious rooms with private facilities.

Note: Luggage transfer throughout tour except on the stage between Lauterbrunnen and Zermatt when you take it with you on the train. (The train ticket needs to be paid for locally and is not included in the cost of the tour).

Sherpa Notes

Arrival
Midday train to Meiringen via Lucern (2.5-3hrs).

Accommodation & Meals
Dinner, B&B 3 nights, B&B 4 nights, in 2 & 3* hotels, with ensuite facilities. Triple rooms available.

Way Marks
Bergweg red/white and Wanderweg yellow waymarks.

End of Tour
The tour ends in Zermatt, take the train to Zurich/Geneva, changing at Brig and Bern enroute. Journey time 4 hours.

Swiss Travel Cards

We recommend that you purchase a Swiss travel card, available from your nearest Swiss state tourist office or from your arrival airport in Switzerland.

This will cover the cost of your travel from the airport to your first hotel and from the last hotel to the airport and will also give you up to half price travel throughout your stay in Switzerland.

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