Self-Guided Walking in Kandersteg

Self-Guided Walking in Kandersteg

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6 Days From

$1850

Self-Guided Walking in Kandersteg

6 Days Starting and ending in Kandersteg

Visiting: Kandersteg, Allmenalp, Alpbach, Clusa, Oeschinen Lake, Blausee

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W05AF

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

17-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

Cultural, Photography

Activities:

Trekking, Walking

From:
$1850 (USD)

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Kandersteg is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks. This area epitomises the 'chocolate-box' Alps: lush green meadows bright with wildflowers, against a backdrop of rugged, wild mountains, topped with glistening glaciers.



Highlights

  • Breathtaking natural beauty: snow-capped peaks, emerald-green slopes, amazing turquoise lakes, meadows thick with flowers

  • Friendly, family-run hotel with heated indoor pool, sauna and excellent cuisine

  • A walker's paradise with thousands of kms of well-marked trails, stunning Alpine flowers, rare birds of prey

  • Based on our popular 7 night, Classic">https://www.headwater.com/holidays/walking/switzerland/W07AF.htm">Classic Swiss Alps Walk

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Kandersteg

Location: Kandersteg

Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive at the 3 star Hotel Alfa Soleil, well known locally for its excellent

cuisine and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner which is included all week

along picnic or light restaurant lunches. Below is a suggested itinerary for

the week but you are free to pick and choose when and where you walk each

day.



Day 2 : Allmenalp And The Alpbach

Location: Allmenalp, Alpbach

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This easy-going walk to start your week begins with a spectacular cable car

ride (included) up to the Allmenalp, a colourful meadow brimming with rural

mountain charm. There are stunning views across the valley to towering

cliffs, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Continue into the pastures of the

Alpbach, sheltered by a colossal mountain bowl where marmots 'cohabit' with

farmers and their cattle. An afternoon descent of the Alpbach Gorge takes you

down to the valley floor for a relaxed stroll along the River Kander to the

hotel.



Day 3 : The Gasterntal And Klus Gorge

Location: Clusa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This super walk begins with an exhilarating 20-minute minibus ride (fare

included) along a narrow road carved out of the rock wall. The

UNESCO-recognised Gasterntal is Kandersteg's 'hidden valley', with snow-fed

waterfalls splashing down sheer cliff faces. After an optional,

loop-extension further up the valley, you meander down the River Kander,

through woods and open meadows to the Waldhaus Nature Reserve - look out for

lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of orchid. With the

mighty rock walls of the Balmhorn, Tatlishore and the Atels towering high,

follow the spectacular Klus Gorge where glacial meltwater rushes down over

thunderous waterfalls.



Day 4 : Oeschinensee

Location: Oeschinen Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Bernese Oberland,

Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Switzerland. After

a short ride up on the gondola lift (included), follow a marvellous mountain

path up to the Heuberg Viewpoint and picnic spot. The cobalt blue water of

the lake, surrounded by the snow-capped, razor-edged peaks of the Doldenhorn

(3,638m) and the Bluemlisalphorn (3,663m) towering 2,000m above, will be a

lasting memory. Call in at the mountain chalets at Obberbargli and

Underbargli for refreshments and soak up this unforgettable scenery as

bell-toting cows munch at the grass in the pastures below, while dainty

waterfalls trickle down from the Frunden Glacier.



Day 5 : Blausee And The Nordrampe

Location: Blausee

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A gentle hour's stroll takes you down to the Natural Park of Blausee - the

Blue Lake (entry included with short boat ride). Here you can wander through

verdant woodland around the little lake, visit the organic trout farm and

enjoy a drink on the lake terrace. Cross the valley at Kandergrund and pick

up the Nordrampe Bahnwanderweg - a fabulous walking trail that in part

follows the impressive railway as it makes huge loops and swirls through

tunnels along the side of the mountain. Enjoy panoramic picnic spots and

great views up and down the valley as you stroll past the evocative ruins of

the Felsenburg tower. Hillside pastures and shady forest then leads you back

to your hotel.



Day 6 : Leave Kandersteg

Location: Kandersteg

Meals Included: Breakfast

If pre-arranged, return to Zurich via Kandersteg rail.



What's Included

  • Kandersteg guest card (for discounts at local sites and attractions)

  • Free entry to the Blausee (Blue Lake) Nature Park

  • All breakfasts and dinners plus 4 picnic lunches

  • Route notes and maps provided

  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)

  • Regional travel pass for local buses and cable cars

What's Not Included

  • Transfers (if booking a land only package.)

  • Visas

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

Food


All meals are included throughout the trip, including picnic lunches. For
dinner enjoy regional dishes and fine wines in Nico's restaurant.

At the beginning of each set of notes we advise on the lunch situation and
suggest good picnic spots. You can obtain supplies daily from the hotel's
picnic buffet or you can return to the hotel for a light lunch. We suggest
you to carry 1-5 litres water per person, there are often benches for resting
and admiring the views. There are also mountain restaurants with sun-trap
terraces. 

With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small
country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the
Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic
local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream
sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira
sauce), Lammbraten gefullt mit Krautern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork
with sauerkraut, and a selection of colourful salads. Typical desserts
include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelised pear with a rum sabayon)
and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau).

Accommodation

The Hotel Alfa Soleil is a traditional, cosy and family-run hotel on the edge of the village (only 5 minutes' walk from the centre) with a wonderful view over fields to the mountains behind. The restaurant is managed by owner/chef Nico Seiler, has an excellent reputation, and is rated highly by our customers so you will enjoy fine dining whilst staying here. There are 35 rooms on three floors; all rooms are en-suite and have a television, telephone and hairdryer. For the evenings, the hotel has a cosy lounge bar with a pool table and music desk which is open to both hotel guests and the general public. There is also a large lounge area for residents with an open fire where you can relax for a quiet chat or with a book, or to play one of the hotel's board games.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    No visa required for British passport holders.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    6

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum age 8 years people

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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