This one-week guided tour will take you to the heart of the most breathtaking mountain scenery anywhere. Start in Grindelwald at the foot of world-famous Eiger. Then it's on to Lötschental, a hidden valley off the beaten track and with astonishing culture. Please note that we will have our 2013 tour dates shortly.

Then you'll stay in the world-famous hiking center Zermatt, tucked against the Alps' most striking mountain, the Matterhorn. This tour has a little of everything, and is a perfect introduction to the Swiss Alps.

• Jungfrau Region: the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world with the resorts Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren
• Indigenous culture and tradition in Kandersteg and Lötschental.
• Hikes on the foot of the Matterhorn.

• 8 days/7 nights

Tour performed by Baumeler Travel Ltd.

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Individual journey to Grindelwald. Grindelwald lies nestled in unspoilt Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face. The world-famous backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau sets the scene for Grindelwald.

Your personal guide will welcome you at your hotel in Grindelwald and will take you for a stroll around the village.

Dinner in Grindelwald
Overnight at Hotel Kirchbühl**** in Grindelwald

{slide=Day 2: Schynige Platte - Faulhorn - First|red}

Hiking time approx. 5 hrs. 40 min.  Elevation gain: 300m/980f, 400m/1310f

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will take a classical panoramic trail to Europe's oldest mountain hostel. This is a unique panoramic trail above the tree line. On the Schynige Platte one becomes aware of the wonderful contrasts in color between the fern dazzling summits, the green valleys, and the Lütschine and Aare rivers. Well worth a visit are the alpine gardens with over 500 native plants, as well as the two hour round trip with a beautiful view of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz (the two lakes on either side of the town of Interlaken). On the trail from the Schynige Platte to First, we will pass two different mountain lakes, the Sägistal and Bachalp lakes. You will visit Europe's oldest mountain hostel (170 years old) on the Faulhorn and see the breathtaking views of the summits around Grindelwald, as you hike to First. This is a very special hike and well worth the effort.  

Dinner in Grindelwald
Overnight at Hotel Kirchbühl**** in Grindelwald

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Hiking time approx. 6 hrs. Elevation gain: 1146m/3760f, 1146m/ 3760f. (Option: 4 to 5 hrs hike with 800m/2600f altitude)

After a healthy breakfast at the hotel, you will travel by train to Lauterbrunnen and catch the postcar to Steckelberg, our next hike's starting point. From Stechelberg, it's an easy, slightly uphill hike through the wild, romantic valley to Trachsellauenen, with its mountain hotel and restaurant (1hr). The trail then climbs more steeply along the left side of the valley, either via Ammerten to the Hotel Tschingelhorn and on to Hotel Obersteinberg (1 hr), or directly to Obersteinberg via Schurboden and the Tschingel Lütschine. From Obersteinberg, a narrow footpath leads up to the Oberhornsee Lake (2065 m in the Breithorn Nature Reserve (2 hrs). Return route: via Schafläger, with a detour to Läger, directly below the Schmadribach Falls and back to Stechelberg.

Mürren is a beautifully located, sunny, car free resort. The cozy, pedestrian village offers an impressive panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Mürren (1650m/ 5400f) is the highest, permanently inhabited settlement in the canton Berne and is reached by cable-car.

Dinner in Mürren
Overnight at Hotel Eiger****, Mürren

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Hiking time approx. 6 hrs. Elevation gain: 0m/0f, 1564m/ 5130f

Breakfast at the hotel.

The Schilthorn became a world-famous attraction after being conquered by James Bond 007. The cable-car ride to 3000m/ 9840f is itself spectacular. In good visibility the Piz Gloria rotating restaurant, with its viewing terrace, offers a fabulous panorama of 200 summits and 40 glaciers. Your hike today will follow adventure trails from the Schiltorn down into the Kiental. After a 6 hour hike and thousands of unforgettable vistas, you will arrive at Griesalp. A postbus will bring you to Reichenbach and to Kandersteg.

The accommodation tonight is unique! A history of almost 250 years becomes tangible in the charming  Ruedihus. Here you'll discover a chalet with earthy beams, splendid old furniture, and a loving ambience providing a unique tranquility.

Dinner in Kandersteg
Overnight at at Hotel Ruedihus***, Kandersteg

{slide=Day 5: Kandersteg - Lötschental|red}

Hiking time approx. 5 1/2 hrs. Elevation gain: 500m/ 1640f, 300m/984f

Breakfast at the hotel.

The new day begins with a short train ride through the Lötschberg Tunnel. You will leave the Canton Bern and the Canton Wallis will greet you with spectacular view on more than thirty peaks over 4000m/ 13120f altitude.

The hike will continue through pretty countryside to Lauchernalp. What a view! You will hike towards the Langgletscher, right at the end of the Lötschental. Here you will find a place to stay for the night... a haven of peace in beautiful natural surroundings, rustic charm far from daily routine.

Dinner in Lötschental
Overnight at Hotel Fafleralp***, Lötschental

{slide=Day 6: Lötschental - Anenhütte - Zermatt|red}

Hiking time approx. 4.3 hrs. Elevation gain: 700m/ 2300f, 700m/ 2300f

Breakfast at the hotel.

Before leaving the Lötschental you will discover the Anenhütte. A breathtaking path above the glacier will bring you to Guggisee and the modern Alpine Hut Anen.

Leaving the Lötschental by Postbus you will reach the Rhonetal and take the train to Zermatt.

On the Italian border of the canton of Valais in the west of Switzerland, at the end of Nikolaital, lies Zermatt, the village at the foot of the Matterhorn. It is the most photographed mountain in the world. Zermatt epitomizes the image of Switzerland -- high-alpine, awe-inspiring and authentic. Zermatt and the Matterhorn have been visited by mountaineers from all around the world since the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. The air up here is clear, dry, and clean, because since 1947, only electric cars without a combustion engine are allowed to operate in the village.

Dinner in Zermatt
Overnight at Hotel Hemizeus***, Zermatt

{slide=Day 7: Hiking on the foot of the Matterhorn|red}

Hiking time approx. 5.3 hrs. Elevation gain: 850m/ 2790f, 850m/ 2790f

Breakfast at the hotel.

The famous Edelweissweg is well known because here you have the possibility to discover the real Swiss Alpine flower, the Edelweiss. Trift is a beautiful place with a well-known restaurant and Zmutt may be the most lovely village in this area. Wooden Chalets, green fields, and marmots surround you on the trail and high above is the mighty Matterhorn.

Dinner in Zermatt
Overnight at Hotel Hemizeus***, Zermatt

{slide=Day 8: Zermatt - Zurich|red}

After breakfast your guided tour will end. Post tour program can be arranged.

SUBJECT TO ITINERARY AND HOTEL CHANGES!

Hiking times can vary depending on the weather and travel group!

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Guaranteed departures with minimum 2, maximum 16 participants

Rates are based upon Swiss Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass 1st class which is not included in the basic price

==> Buy your rail ticket and/or your pre-/post accommodation directly with us at a special rate (see optional services)

Note: CHF = Swiss Francs

Tours Include

• Accommodation 3-4* hotels and meals as noted in the itinerary
• Tips to porters and drivers
• All cable car rides throughout the tour starting in Grindelwald finishing in Zermatt
• All entrance fees for excursions throughout the tour
• Luggage transport from Grindelwald throughout the tour until Zermatt
• English-speaking travel guide/hiking guide
• Extensive travel documentation

Not included

• International airfare
• Rail ticket
• meals not noted on itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Optional tipping to tour guide

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You can purchase your rail ticket with us at a special rate (prices are per person):

Swiss Pass

Free travel for 4, 8, 15 or 22 days or an entire month. it entitles you to free travel throughout the entire Swiss Travel System. The choice of 12,000 miles of train, bus and boat routes is entirely yours. On top of this, you will receive a 50% discount on the majority of mountain and rail- & cableways and enjoy free admission to more than 400 museums within Switzerland.

Swiss Flexi Pass

Free travel on 3, 4, 5 or 6 selected days and half-price travel in between.

We are happy to assist you with your pre and post Swiss tour travel arrangements whether your plans include Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe.

Note: CHF = Swiss Francs