Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn - delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice - which gives us the energy needed for a full day of inn-to-inn hiking. Soon we'll be out on the trail for 6-8 hours, where often you'll get to choose between an easier or more strenuous hike for the day. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!

We should finish our hike around 4-5 pm, giving you time to wash up and relax. You'll have your own room every night, with private bathroom for all nights except at Obersteinberg. Each evening we'll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are multi-course feasts, featuring local specialties like bratwurst, rösti, or cheese fondue, and will definitely be hearty, filling, well-earned and very delicious.

Day 1 Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to Wengen in the Bernese Oberland. We'll meet and talk about our tour before a welcome dinner at our hotel. (Hotel Schönegg)
Day 2 We'll enjoy spectacular views of the Eiger, Jungfrau and surrounding mountains as we hike from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg and back on alternate trails. Huge glaciers and waterfalls tumble to our feet at Biglenalp as we explore quiet side-trails in this classic mountain region.(Hotel Schönegg)
Day 3 Our trail winds through flowery meadows and dense woods to the lush Lauterbrunnen valley floor. After a break for lunch, we'll hike to a wild and isolated corner of the Lauterbrunnen valley for a memorable night in a remote mountain inn. Obersteinberg is a working farm set in a stunning location. There is no luggage transport, no showers, and no electricity (ceramic washbasins and candles will do). We'll enjoy charming private rooms and a filling and delicious meal... this is always a favorite stop! (Obersteinberg Inn)
Day 4 We can take an optional morning hike to small glacial lake in the back of the valley. Afterwards, a beautiful wooded hike brings us through sleepy Gimmelwald to the car-free village of Mürren, with its unparalleled cliffside views of the surrounding mountains. (Hotel Jungfrau)
Day 5 There are numerous dayhike possibilities around Mürren. One beautiful trail leads up to the local peak, Birg, for superb all-around views, and past a small glacial tarn. Or feel free to just unwind in one of the most scenic and relaxing villages in the Alps. (Hotel Jungfrau)
Day 6 A morning transfer by train brings us to the quiet village of Kandersteg, with time for a dayhike up to a spectacular emerald-green lake surrounded by cliffs, waterfalls, and glacier-clad peaks. We stay just outside town in a fantastic 4-star hotel. (Hotel Doldenhorn)
Day 7 Among the great dayhikes from Kandersteg is a quiet path leading south towards the Klus gorge. The power of the Kander river is impressive, as we climb through this narrow gorge 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. (Hotel Doldenhorn)
Day 8 Today we say good-bye to the Bernese Oberland and depart for our post-tour destinations.

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Arrive:	Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest (flights from the US would depart the day before). The closest airport is Zurich. There is a train station at the airport that will take you to Wengen.
Depart:	Plan departure for the day after your tour finishes at the earliest. Plan on one night at a hotel in your departure city if you have a morning flight (we can help with this). The Swiss Card rail pass is recommended if you have extra travel in Switzerland planned before or after this tour.

Dates don't work? Check out our longer Bernese Oberland tour.

If you're an independent hiker and prefer to go at your own pace, or have travel dates that don't match up with our guided tours, you may prefer to do the Bernese Oberland Highlights tour as a self-guided hiking tour. We offer an 8-day tour at a price of $1590 per person based on two people sharing a double room. This tour can also easily be lengthened or shortened to fit your schedule.

Our self-guided tours include prepaid hotels with breakfast and dinner, a Swiss Transfer Ticket for rail travel to and from the airport or border, hiking maps, detailed route descriptions (including longer, shorter, and rainy day options), instructions for independently sending luggage ahead, and lots of useful information that will help your trip run smoothly.

Not included are lunches, drinks with your meals, extras (such as laundry, phone calls from the room, etc), transportation not covered by your rail pass, or the cost of luggage transport.

In addition, customized guided and self-guided hiking tours are available at surprisingly affordable prices. If you'd like to lengthen or shorten an existing tour, upgrade hotels (or go rustic), or create a customized tour of the Swiss Alps from scratch, let us know. We have extensive experience in many parts of the Alps, and will be happy to work with you to build the hiking vacation that best suits your needs.

Learn more about custom and self-guided tours