Active Journeys Switzerland SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Hiking Tour

Bernese Oberland Tour Deep, dark forests end at the foot of rocky peaks, while cows graze under the ancient Tour description Alpine maple trees. Mountain lakes like jewels reflect towering white peaks, and above it all stand the majestic Alps. Welcome to the Bernese Oberland where unsurpassable beauty awaits you. Day 1 Arrive Meiringen You'll discover picturesque villages of richly decorated chalets and guest houses in what Day 2 5 hrs surely is the embodiment of Swiss-style comfort and serenity, all the while exploring the To Grindelwald well marked hiking trails which thread their way through the countryside. Day 3 6.5 hrs To Wengen/Lauterbrunnen On an independent holiday you explore Switzerland at liberty. Hike long distance paths through ever changing scenery. These holidays offer all the pleasure of hiking point to Day 4 7 hrs point. Arrive at a new destination each day without the hassle of carrying a large back- To Griesalp-Pochtenalp pack. We transfer the luggage for you every day. Hiking distances are moderate which Day 5 7.5 hrs allows you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the countryside. Our detailed route To Kandersteg notes, up-to-date maps and our own sketches combined with the official marker posts Day 6 5.5 hrs ensure you enjoy your hike without the worry of finding the routes. To Adelboden

Day 7 4 hrs To Lenk Day 8 End

Tour Details Daily July 1 to September 22 Cost: $2295 per person Single Room Upgrade: $595 Fast Facts

Length: 8 days / 7 nights  Includes hotels with breakfast, always Grade: Moderate / Intermediate with private facilities Starts: Meiringen  Easy access to all hiking trails & shorter routes Ends: Lenk  Luggage transfers, detailed route notes and maps

Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]

ITINERARY Day 1 Meiringen Individual arrival in Meiringen. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon admiring your spectacular setting.

Day 2 Meiringen - Grindelwald The tour starts at 09:45 at the railway station of Meiringen. You will give us your luggage, and catch a ride with the public postal bus to Rosenlaui. Hike across the Big Scheidegg to Grindelwald, with the three Bernese mountains (Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau) in the background. approx. 5 hrs ↑700m, ↓980m

Day 3 Grindelwald - Wengen/Lauterbrunnen Today’s hiking trail leads you primarily up to Kleine Scheidegg. When you reach the summit. Follow the steep path past spectacu- lar Trümmelbach falls, down to Lauterbrunnen (easier option: downhill to Lauterbrunnen via Wengen or train Kleine Scheidegg – Lauterbrunnen). approx. 6½ hrs ↑1200m ↓1400m

Day 4 Wengen/Lauterbrunnen - Griesalp/Pochtenalp Early this morning, the cable railway takes you up to Murren, with its famous revolving restaurant (where the James Bond movie was shot). The trail continues over the snow covered Sefinenfurgge and through breathtaking alpine scenery. approx. 7 hrs ↑2000m ↓1400m

Day 5 Griesalp/Pochtenalp- Kandersteg Today, you are going to hike the Queen’s stage of the tour - the climb to the Bl üemlisalp. After a steep climb to 2,843 m, you will enjoy a lunch at the hut of Bl üemlisalp. Re-energized, you continue on your journey over the Hoht ürli and the moraines of the Bl üem- lisalp’s glacier, down to the lake of Oschinen. This lake is one of the most impressive in the Alps. Continue hiking to Kandersteg, or alternatively, take a chairlift down from Lake Oschinen, and relax while enjoying the sights. approx. 7.5 hrs ↑1450m ↓1730m

Day 6 Kandersteg - Adelboden By mountain railway, you will reach the Allmenalp, and hike further up to the Benderchrinde. At the top, you can enjoy a famous view of the Alps around you. Continue your hike down to Adelboden. approx. 5.5 hrs ↑1350m ↓1170m

Day 7 Adelboden - Lenk Today you end the Bear Trek with a walking tour from Adelboden via Hahnenmoos to Simmental. At the foot of the Wildstrubel you will spend the last night in the beautiful Berner Oberland. approx. 4 hrs ↑1060m ↓1950m

Day 8: Lenk This is where our services end.

Note: It is very difficult to measure distances in Switzerland, as there are numerous trails, shortcuts and offshoots, along the way.

What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? Arrive on your own to Zurich Switzer- The daytime temperature will be warm and sunny. In September, you can expect land (or Paris) then take the train to high 70’s (high 20’s C), and cooler evenings. Sunscreen is a must during the day, Meiringen, trains depart hourly. as is a sweater for the cooler nights. It may rain, so it is recommended to bring some rain gear and good hiking boots (preferably waterproof). Same on the return from Lenk, jour- ney approx. 3 hrs. How many hours of walking a day? Be prepared to walk between 4 to 6 hours daily, rarely on flat terrain. The Swiss Alps can be hilly, however, these are shorter rolling ascents and descents. You Best deal is to purchase a Swiss Pass can always take short cuts using buses, trains and cable cars. which includes unlimited travel on the How fit do I need to be? Swiss Travel System which includes The fitter the better, and some hiking experience is recommended but not re- trains, buses and boats. quired. This is a moderate to intermediate tour for those already hiking as part of there fitness routine. There are some steep ascents and descents on the route. This particular tour starts at a higher altitude and slowly meanders its way down. www.traintickets.myswitzerland.com The average hiking time per day is about 6-7 hours a day.

What are the hotels like? We use 3* accommodations, with twin-bedded rooms, all with private facilities. If you would like to extend your holiday, then we recommend additional nights in Kandersteg and /or Meiringen. Lunches and dinners are not included in the tour cost. However, picnic materials can be readily bought on weekdays in each of the towns and villages we stay at. Packed lunches are available from the hotels if requested the evening before. In the towns there are numerous inns and cafes along the way, which serve lunches. In towns, there will be many choices for din- ner. How to book your holiday

 Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en- tire booking process.

 Download the reservation form from our website and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent immediately.

 Deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Terms & conditions are out- lined on the back of our Reservation Form.

 Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

 We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or directly a travel insurance provider.

 Ensure that you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us for more information on vaccinations, inocula- tions, and fitness requirements.