Trip Notes Trip Code: LTJ Country: Switzerland Amended: March 2013 Edition No: JC 02 2013 Valid from: 01 June 2013-30 September 2013 JUNGFRAU PEAKS & GLACIERS HIGHLIGHTS Some of the finest high level walking trails in Europe Switzerland's most famous trio of mountains: Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau High quality 3 - star hotels throughout - excellent cuisine Thundering waterfalls, rolling glaciers, luxuriant red spruce forest, stunning range of flowers and wildlife Blissfully quiet, traffic-free villages - many with pools SUMMARY This walking holiday explores some of the Alps' most dramatic scenery. The sheer scale of it is breathtaking: the 4000m peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau cloaked in rolling white glaciers tower magnificently over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the deepest U-shaped valley in the world, lined with 73 rushing waterfalls. You're in for a succession of unique experiences: passing so close to the ice-clad flank of the Mönch you feel you can touch it, rambling through meadows fragrant with wolfsbane, trumpet gentian and purple monkshood, being lulled by the sound of tinkling cowbells and deafened by the thundering power of a corkscrew waterfall, venturing into cool dark gorges and contemplating vast heart-lifting Alpine panoramas. Where you stay provides some pleasing contrasts: from the disarmingly pretty car-free village of Mürren, to the bustling world-famous resort of Grindelwald with its two glaciers. Our friendly hoteliers all speak English and will happily advise on routes. The paths and trails are well signposted and way marked, and nowhere in the Alps is there a better provision of mountain lifts and railways, offering almost unlimited walking choices. On the higher slopes, the lammergeier has recently been re-introduced. Look out too for alpine accentor and golden eagle cruising the thermals. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? The walking would appeal to serious, fit walkers who like a challange and dramatic scenery. This holiday has varied walking along the valley bottoms and in the high mountains up to 2700m (8800ft). Ascents of up to 1000m (3300ft) every walking day. The paths are well-made and well used, with excellent signposting. Day 4 includes a narrow path for a short distance when leaving the valley floor, with cables fixed to the rock to assist. If you are unhappy with this you can walk along the valley and take the train from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen (pay locally). A good fitness level is required. Walking boots are essential, and remember that the weather can change quickly in the mountains so wet-weather gear an a compass are also required. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used (if different standards of accommodation are used - see accommodation section below for key to codes), and meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Wilderswil A transfer from Interlaken West train station is included. We will meet you there and take you to your hotel in time for dinner. CH (D) Day 2 Wilderswil to Murren A valley path climbs through oak forest (look out for red deer) to the sleepy hamlet of Isenfluh for the first view of the Jungfrau, over 3000m of ice-clad, rocky wilderness! Walking through meadows dotted with golden hawksbeard, you reach our hotel in Murren with great views over the Eiger and Jungfrau. Walking time 6hr, distance 16km/10mi. CH (B,D) Day 3 At Murren With its pretty pedestrian streets, and stunning views over the Big Three, Murren has inspired famous travellers for centuries. It's easy to laze the day here, or there are various walks, from a fragrant ramble in the Blumental meadow to a hike up Sefinenfurgge pass (2612m). Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) 0845 863 9616 Fax: (44) 020 8673 0779 E-mail: sales@exodus.co.uk www.exodus.co.uk
Car-free Murren is a marvellous mountain village perched on a high, sunny terrace facing the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. It nestles at the foot of the Schilthorn with its revolving Piz Gloria Restaurant, made world-famous by the James Bond film. Rooms here are cosy but modern with television, minibar, cd stereo and hairdryer and with shower rather than bath, and most rooms have a terrace or balcony with views of the Jungfrau and Eiger. The Hotel Bellevue in Wengen was built in 1890. It is situated on the edge of the village in very quiet surroundings with stunning views of the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen valley. Cosy chalet style accommodation is combined with modern comforts. The views from the rooms are incredible. The Alte Post in Grindelwald is a lovely chalet style hotel, located at the foot of the First gondola, with wonderful views across to the mountains. Rooms are furnished with television, direct dial telephone, minibar and safe. Most have a balcony. Alternatively, take the cable car to the James Bond revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn for views over Germany, Italy and Switzerland. CH (B,D) Day 4 Murren to Wengen A long descent past cows munching green meadows (they still cut hay with scythes here) into the Lauterbrunnen valley and the Trummelbach falls, an amazing 'corkscrew' waterfall thundering inside the mountain. Ascending past the Monch, choked with rock and ice, takes you past Agnes and Willi's farm. Why not stop for a cool drink under the shadow of the Jungfrau before arriving in Wengen? Walking time 6hr, distance 18km/11mi. CH (B,D) Day 5 At Wengen You could relax savouring the view over Lauterbrunnen valley from the hotel terrace complete with whirlpool bath (pay locally), but it's a shame not to take Europe's highest railway to the icebound Jungfraujoch (3454m), for a panorama over the Great Aletsch glacier, Germany's Black Forest and the Italian Alps. Alternatively take the Bira cable car for 360o view over the whole region. CH (B,D) Day 6 Wengen to Grindelwald Today's walk over the Kleine Scheidegg Pass follows the footsteps of Goethe, Byron and Tchaikovsky. The ascent enjoys views over the ice walls of the Monch. After lunch, you descend in the shadow of the Eiger's sheer north face - stunning views all round. Walking time 6hrs, distance 18km/11mi. CH (B,D) Day 7 At Grindelwald The most exciting option is to take the cable car to Pfingstegg from where you'll enjoy the most spectacular views of the Grindelwald Valley. You then follow a path hewn out of pink, purple and green marble to the sun trap restaurant terrace at Baregg, an oasis of green in the lower of Grindelwald's twin glaciers. A good chance of spotting ibex on the slopes and golden eagles circling overhead. CH (B,D) Room Upgrades: Room upgrades may be available on request at some of the hotels for a supplement; prices start from an additional 14 per person per night (based on 2 people sharing) - please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices. Please note that upgrades are only available at some of the hotels and not for the duration of the tour. Single Accommodation: All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement of 104 for a single room for the tour duration. KEY TO ACCOMMODATION: We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. CH Comfortable Hotel, Lodge or Gite - twin rooms with en suite facilities, reliable electricity and water supply, good service and some added amenities. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All continental breakfasts and evening meals are included, they will be served at each hotel. Transport Some transfers to starting points will be done by local taxi and sometimes by minibus. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 8 Grindelwald to Wilderswil By gondola to the start of the one of the Alp's most panoramic walks. First stop, Bachsee Lake, then a climb through rocky high-mountains bright with saxifrage to the Faulhorn (2680m), and a heart-lifting panorama over the Bernese Oberland. After lunch in the restaurant, you descend through grassy marmot country to the railway station at Schynige Platte (2067m) to arrive in Wilderswil and your hotel in the timber-clad houses of the old town. Walking time 5hr, distance 16km/10mi or walking time 6hr, distance 18km/10mi. CH (B,D) Day 9 End Wilderswil The tour ends here after breakfast. A transfer back to Interlaken West train station is included for those who are travelling by rail. (B) ACCOMMODATION The Hotel Baren in Wilderswil has been open for 300 years. You will receive a warm welcome here from Herr Muller and his team. The rooms here are simple but cosy alpine style with lots of wood furnishing. This is a mountainous region: average daytime temperatures at Wengen (1274m) and Grindlewald will generally be around 14ºC to 18ºC June to August, a little lower in September. Although the weather is usually bright and sunny, rain can be expected at any time, with 2
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. August being the wettest month. It can be cold in the wind higher in the mountains, so we suggest carrying some warm, windproof layers of clothing. Weather reports can be obtained in all the hotels. JOINING THE TRIP IN WILDERSWIL 9 days, normally start Wilderswil Sat, end Wilderswil Sun Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Wilderswil in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. If arriving into Zurich or Geneva Airports, we recommend you take the train to Interlaken West (via Bern if travelling from Zurich); our standard route is shown below. Please note that for land only travellers train tickets are not included in the price of the tour but we can either book the journey for you or you can purchase tickets yourself. Return fares from Zurich are currently 147 2nd class/ 213 1st class. Return fares from Geneva are currently 167 2nd class. Arrival/departure transfers between Interlaken West train station and the start/end hotel in Wilderswil are included for all clients (land only and flight inclusive) at 15:51 on arrival, and 10:30 on departure (approx. 10 mins) subject to prior arrangement, and can usually be arranged for alternative times free of charge as well. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT +1 Electricity Voltage: 230V 50Hz Recommended Rail Times: Rail from Zurich Airport to Interlaken West (via Bern) 13:40/15:51*. Rail from Interlaken West train station to Zurich Airport 11:05/13:16*. *Rail times are correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change throughout the season. Flights: We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with Swiss Airways from London Heathrow to Zurich (and vice the versa for the return). Please note that the standard flights may occasionally change throughout the season so please enquire for up-to-date details. For flight inclusive travellers a 2nd class return rail ticket between Zurich Airport and Interlaken West train station (as detailed above) is also included in the price of the tour (add approx. 66pp for a 1st class return rail upgrade). Full details of how to reach the start point (including local emergency numbers) will be sent to you as part of your Final Joining Instructions approximately two weeks before departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel 3
Group, Staff and Support As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local agent/representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred from point to point and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative or the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Please note: the point-to-point luggage transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) may apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 12 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF), with an exchange rate of 1.42 to the UK and 1.08 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Changing some money to Swiss Francs (CHF) is essential. Money can be exchanged at all train stations and most banks throughout the country. Switzerland is more cash-oriented than most other European countries. Some establishments (but fewer than before) do not accept credit cards so check first. When doing credit card payments, carefully review the information printed on the receipt. All ATMs accept foreign cards, getting cash should not be a problem. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Lunch is not included in the itinerary, please allow some spending money for this. We recommend approximately 5-15 per lunch. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Trousers Long sleeves cotton tops T shirts Shorts Walking shoes Trainers Socks Fleece Warm jumper Waterproof jacket JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? http://www.exodus.co.uk/community IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) 1582 644 100. Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO Optional items: Walking poles Sunglasses and high factor sun cream Swimwear Thermos flask/water bottle Reading List: Cicerone Walking Guide to the Bernese Alps The Rough guide to Switzerland Lonely Planet guide to Switzerland Lonely Planet Walking in Switzerland. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', 4
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email. 2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5