We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Switzerland |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.40 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£19.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£25.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£10.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Visas are not required for UK, CAN, AUS, NZ & USA citizens. Other nationalities should consult their travel agent or relevant embassies.
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Walking Grades and Fitness
Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual’s own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated Moderate.
Moderate: Involves some longer walks at low altitudes. (4-6 hrs/day, below 3000m). Some previous hillwalking experience is beneficial, but walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. Tours may contain optional strenuous days, and we would advise that you tone up your fitness before you travel.
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Altitude: On Trek
Gradient Chart
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Climate
The summer is an ideal time for walking in the Alps. As we will sometimes be on high mountain trails there will inevitably be some extremes of heat and cold and the likelihood of rain (which can be heavy) at any time. Temperatures can drop noticeably at night. Please pay special attention to the clothing list we recommend.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of luggage (a zip-up nylon grip rather than a suitcase) and a light rucksack (approx. 30 litres) for personal daily use. A vehicle moves your main baggage between night stops. Total allowance; 30lbs/14kgs Maximum.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack for ‘All tours’ and ‘Mountain Treks’ as listed in our ‘General Information booklet’. The following are essential: good waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, comfortable walking trousers, shorts, sunhat, sun glasses, warm hat and gloves. Jeans are not ideal for walking. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly at night.
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Footwear
Walking boots with ankle support and good tread. ’Trekking shoes’ are not good enough for the walks as they do not give ankle support. In addition, you should avoid cheap boots found in high-street shops that are merely trainers with a higher canvas side sewn on. Make sure that your boots are worn-in and comfortable before the start of the trip. We recommend that you wear/carry your walking boots as hand luggage on the international flight: should your luggage be delayed, your well broken-in boots will be irreplaceable. Trainers or trekking sandals are useful for relaxing in the evening.
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Equipment
A water bottle is essential as are a sun hat and suncream. You may like to bring trekking poles. It is a good idea to line your daysac with a good quality plastic bag. This will go a long way in protecting your gear from any rainstorms we encounter. A small torch can be useful.
Tap water is safe to drink but water sources along the trail may not always be drinkable. We recommend you bring a 2 litre personal water bottle and water purifying tablets. If you dislike the taste of sterilised water, is a good idea to add some powdered fruit juice. Using tap or purified water rather than bottled water will help avoid creating plastic bottle waste. Energy snacks including chocolate and sweets are recommended whilst on trek.
Personal First Aid Kit: The leader will carry a first aid kit, but you must provide your own blister kit, plasters and any pain killers (eg. Paracetamol). See the list in our General Information Booklet.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
The Bernese Oberland is a beautiful mountain region with a dramatic skyline, deep gorges and traditional Alpine villages. Home to snow-capped Alpine giants such as the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch, it forms the longest chain of continuous peaks in the Alps. Yet, despite these obvious attractions, it seems that the Swiss have kept parts of it their secret: with quiet trails, flower-filled meadows and high mountain pastures this is a very special place.
This one-week tour includes 5 days hiking following well-maintained paths to a number of different Alpine ‘chocolate box’ villages. The routes take us across meadows, past crashing waterfalls and along hillsides strewn with colorful flowers. There are panoramic views of impressive mountains, tumbling glaciers and near-vertical rock walls. The finalé of the trip is spent at the head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley: designated a World Heritage Site it is an incredible high-sided glacial valley with innumerable waterfalls and cliffs over 600m high.
We link the three main valleys – Kandertal, Kiental and Lauterbrunnental - with a combination of walking and local trains and our luggage is transported by a support vehicle so you only need to carry a day-sack. Each night is spent in small, family-run hotels and this is a great way to experience Swiss hospitality at its best. Only two of the walks are ‘compulsory’ so you can choose whether to join the proposed walk or to enjoy individual exploration.
For flower enthusiasts, we particularly recommend the June departures when the Alpine flowers are at their most colourful and abundant.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
