ALETSCH GLACIER WALK - SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY The Aletsch Glacier is Europe’s longest and largest natural glacier, its impressive size and structure has declared it as a UN World Heritage Site. Our s elf-guided walking holiday stretches from the southern slopes of Jungfraujoch, just beneath the E iger in the Bernese Alps to the dry mountain range in the Valais area. Experience sweeping alpi ne scenery, impressive 360 degree views, forest trails, colourful wild flowers and lush green valle ys. Smell the crisp clean alpine air and sample th e local cuisine on this wonderful week of walking.

Your journey begins in Oberwald, southern Switzerland - the Northern Gateway to the Goms Valley. You start your walking holiday by heading up to the ’Gommer Hohenweg’ which is a haute route that traverses the slopes of the valley. Stunning views and some forest walking take you down to Fiesch which boasts an outdoor swimming pool - the perfect treat after a days walk. Take the cable car up to Eggishorn where spectacular views over the Aletsch Glacier can be seen, the path then continues on to the small car free village of Riederalp where you spend an extra day. Next you head across the new suspension bridge which is a real highlight and follow the route along the slopes of the Foggenhorn to end your journey in Mund, famous all over Switzerland for its production of saffron. You finally head to Brig for your final overnight stop where you can reflect on your wonderful walking adventure.

Fabulous walking combined with traditional 3 star Hotels. Breakfast is provided every morning and an evening meal is also included on 5 nights. Baggage transfer and great backup are of course included to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in the Swiss Alps.

• 360 degree views across the Aletsch Glacier • Wild colourful alpine flowers and lush forest walki ng • Exhilarating walking on the new spectacular suspensi on bridge • Traditional, local swiss cuisine at your overnight accommodation

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US?

Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding walking holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, welcoming accommodation are all guaranteed.

From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows the area intimately. They help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time with their in-depth knowledge of the route, accommodation and must-see attractions.

Self guided walking holidays are the very best way to explore a new destination. Pre booked accommodation, detailed route notes and maps, baggage transfer as necessary and local backup support mean you can relax and enjoy your time walking.

Our Itinerary includes 6 Days walking and 7 Nights in 3 star Hotels. Breakfast is included every morning and 5 evening meals are included.

SUMMARY

What’s Included ? Accommodation : 6 Nights in traditional 3* Hotels all with en-suite facilities. Meals: Breakfast included every morning and 5 evening meals included. Baggage Transfer : Door-to-door baggage transfer included Info Pack : Detailed route notes and maps on arrival and emergency support from our local Swiss partner.

Tour: Aletsch Glacier Walk Code : WSwSAG Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday Price : See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: 2nd July - 17th Sep Days : 8 Days (6 Walking Days) Nights : 7 Nights Start/Finish: Oberwald/Brig Grade: Moderate HIGHLIGHTS

Is It For Me ? If you are looking to escape the daily grind and shake off the cobwebs then why not head to the Swiss Alps. With wonderful and relaxed alpine walking, high on the slopes of the valley, this walking holiday will leave you envigorated and refreshed. Carefully cho-sen accommodation with en-suite facilities make this a walk one not to be missed!

ALETSCH GLACIER

ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Code: WSSAG

Days: 8 (5 Walking Days)

Nights: 7

Grade: Moderate

DAY 1

Arrive Oberwald

Oberwald is located in the South of Switzerland and is easily accessible by train from both Zurich (3hrs) and Geneva (4hrs) - both involve one change of train. There are low cost flights from the UK/Europe to both Zurich and Geneva.

Oberwald is the Northern gateway of the Goms Valley, a rural area with many well preserved villages. Your information pack including route notes and maps will be waiting for you at your Hotel in Oberwald.

Overnight: Oberwald Hotel - Ahorni - DB&B

DAY 2

Walk to Munster - following the ‘Gommer Hohenweg’

Todays walk is an easy start to the week, it follows a delightful track leading up above the valley through open forests where wild flowers are in abundance. You follow the ‘Gommer Hohenweg’ - the haute route that traverses the

slopes of the valley. As you look below you can see the start of the river Rhone heading towards the Mediterranean sea. Your overnight stay is in the delightful village of Munster renowned for its old traditional wooden houses.

Walk: 11 km, 4 hrs, 730m ascent / 680m descent

Overnight: Munster

Hotel - Croix d’Or et Poste - DB&B

DAY 3

Walk to Fiesch

A short ascent back to the ‘Gommer Hohenweg’ and then the route leads off to smaller side valleys with wild rivers and stunning views over snow covered peaks. You soon reach the village of Bellwald which means ‘beautiful forest’, make sure and explore this wonderful village with its fantastic 360 degree views. A short walk takes you down to Fiesch for your overnight stay, if the weather is fair then make sure and enjoy the outdoor swimming pool in the village.

Walk: 19 km, 6 hrs, 800m ascent / 1400m descent

Overnight: Fiesch Hotel - Christania - B&B

DAY 4

Walk to Riederalp

Today starts by either taking the cable car to reach the Fiescheralp which is situated high above Fiesch or if you prefer a challenge - you can walk the steep trail! Relish the wonderful views over to the Reideralp and we recommend taking the cable car further up to Eggishorn (2927m) where you will gain outstanding views over the Aletsch Glacier. Head back down to Fiescheralp and take either the normal route or the slightly tougher route leading to the scenic blue mountain lake (Blausee). The later route provides some fantastic walking along the mountain ridge with more views of the glacier.

Walk: 10 km, 4 hrs, 250m ascent / 450m descent

If you decide to walk via Blausee: 12 km, 4hrs, 410 ascent, 660 descent.

Overnight: Riederalp Hotel - Alpenrose - DB&B

DAY 5

Rest day in Riederalp

There is so much to see and do in this pretty alpine village, you can simply relax and possibly visit the Nature Centre to learn about the area, or you can take the short climb up to the summit of Reiderhorn (2230m) for wonderful views, or discover Aletschwald, the largest forest of mountain pines in Switzerland. The forest is a magical place and contains some of the oldest pine trees in Switzerland.

Overnight: Riederalp Hotel - Alpenrose - DB&B

DAY 6

Walk to Blatten

Today is a real highlight of the week, you start off heading down to an area called the ‘sand’. This area used to be covered by the glacier but in recent years trees and plants have started to grow. Next you head to the newly built suspension bridge for alpine hikers, it’s the longest of its kind and crosses a 50m deep gorge. It provides a real adrenaline rush but if it doesn't look appealing then don't worry there is an alternative route! After the crossing you head up to Belalp where you can take a rest and enjoy the alpine views. You can either take the cable car or walk down to the small village of Blatten for your overnight stay.

Walk: 14 km, 5 hrs, 520m ascent and descent (add 900 m descent and 2-3 more hours if not using a cable car)

Overnight: Blatten Hotel - Massa - B&B

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Arrive Oberwald Walk to Munster Walk to Fiesch Walk to Riederalp Free Day in Reideralp Walk to Blatten Walk to Brig (via Mund) Onward travel

11 19 10

14 13

DETAILED ITINERARY

ALETSCH GLACIER

ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER

DAY 7

Walk to Mund/Brig

You start today by heading back up to Belalp either by cable car or by walking. You then walk along the slopes of the Foggenhorn providing great views down towards the village of Birgisch. The track takes a diversion down to enter the Gredetschtal which is a narrow side valley and the next section of walking is thrilling along some narrow cliffs and sometimes steep terrain. Eventually you reach the village of Mund made famous for its production of saffron, which is usually grown in the middle east. From here you take the post bus to the charming town of Brig for your overnight stay.

Walk: 13km, 4hrs, 150m ascent / 1080m descent

Overnight: Brig

Hotel - Ambassador - D,B&B

DAY 8

Onward Travel

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add additional nights at any point along the walk, please contact us for more details.

Tailor Made Holidays

We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange a tailor made walking holiday.

Grade & Fitness

This walking holiday is graded Moderate. Daily walks are a mixture of alpine paths and forest trails. A couple of days are long and some of the trails are undulating in parts and you may need a head for heights! You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get

the most from this holiday.

Navigation

The routes on this walk are not waymarked but we provide you with detailed route notes and maps to follow each step.

Accommodation

We specifically select your accommodation in local, family run hotels to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in Switzerland. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to give you an authentic experience and use traditional chalet type hotels with wooden interiors and all hotels are on a 3* basis with en-suite rooms.

Alternate accommodation

During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described and details will all be sent to you.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

Solo Walkers

This holiday is available for solo walkers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning and dinner is included on five of your nights. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the trail. Your route notes have

details for each day including rest stops and places of interest.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Getting to Oberwald

Oberwald is located in the South of Switzerland and can be accessed by the following transport:

By Air - You can either fly into Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport (both in Switzerland). Many low cost and charter airlines fly from both the UK and Europe.

From Zurich Airport - You can take a train directly from the airport to Oberwald - (approx. 3hr 30mins, involving a few changes) Train schedules can be found on the Swiss Rail Network.

From Geneva Airport - You can catch a train from Geneva Airport to Oberwald—(approx. 4hrs 15mins, involving a few changes) Train schedules can be found on the Swiss Rail Network

Getting from Brig

Brig is located in southwest Switzerland (The Valais). You can easily reach both Zurich and Geneva Airports by direct train service . The journey times take (2hrs 20 mins) and (2hrs 45mins) respectively. Please check the Swiss Rail network for up to date timetables.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

ALETSCH GLACIER

ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER

Price

Please refer to our website for up to date prices and availability.

Availability

This walking holiday is available from 2nd July to 17th September. It is available daily between these dates.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have suitable travel insurance that covers you for cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. It is always advisable to book insurance as soon as you confirm your holiday.

We operate holidays in some of the most beautiful areas of the world and try to operate in an environmentally aware and sustainable manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S. Responsible travel policy. The full policy is available online and the cornerstones of this policy are:

• Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit

• Action & Advocacy

• Carbon & Communities

• Sensitive & Sustainable

Included

• Accommodation for 7 nights in comfortable 3* Hotels

• 7 breakfasts

• 5 Dinners

• Luggage transport as per itinerary

• Detailed route notes and maps on arrival

• A pre-departure information pack

• 24-hour assistance by phone from our local contact.

• Bus ticket from Mund to Brig on Day 7.

Excluded

• Flights and transfers to first / from last accommodation

• Travel to and from Switzerland

• Travel Insurance

• Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

• Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Optional Extras

• Single room supplement(s) if applicable

• Solo walker supplement if applicable

• Airport transfers

• Additional nights during the holiday.

Once you have read all the information in this factsheet or our website and would like to go ahead with your booking you can book securely online at www.macsadventure.com or by telephone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992" all passengers booking with Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided. This insurance is only valid for packages booked that DO NOT include flights.

Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk

This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers & Lloyds Syndicates.

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA. Members help holidaymakers to get

the most from their travel and assist when things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. www.abta.com

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

HOW TO BOOK

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

ALETSCH GLACIER

ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPES LONGEST GLACIER