Compare Classic Swiss Alps Walk by Exodus Travels vs Taiwan by Bunnik Tours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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0 | Poor
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,300 | $ 3,405 |
| Price Per Day | $ 288 | $ 426 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 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 gefüllt mit Kraütern (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). |
7 Breakfasts and 1 Dinners |
| Description |
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.Breathtaking natural beauty: snow-capped peaks, emerald-green slopes, amazing turquoise lakes, meadows thick with flowers |
For centuries Taiwan was known as Ilha Formosa (The Beautiful Isle), as you will discover for yourself on this incredible journey through modern cities, quaint villages, stunning national parks and serene lakes. |
Day 1 Arrive in Kandersteg
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 with picnics 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 Allenalp
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 the Klus Gorge
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
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
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 Daubensee and Gemmi Pass
The Sunnbuel cable car (included) whisks you up to nearly 2,000m to begin today's walk. Enjoy refreshments at the renowned Schwarenbach Hotel, where Lenin and Picasso have signed the visitors' book. It's then on to the Daubensee and the famous high Gemmi Pass (2,322m), a major Transalpine route first used by the Celts. The extraordinary panorama of the Valais Alps to the south includes the Weisshorn (4,506m) and the Matterhorn (4,478m).
Day 7 The Sudrampe
Today starts with a 25-minute train ride (payable locally) through the Lotschberg mountain rail tunnel (14km long) to Hohtenn. The walk takes you high above a youthful River Rhone, through a landscape of gorges and hidden side valleys - and small hillside villages boasting traditional wooden chalets built on the upper edges of this fertile, vineyard-adorned valley. You follow part of the Lotschberger-Sudrampe railway trail - superb railway engineering, viaducts, tunnels and bridges - but you don't need to be a train buff to enjoy this great little hike.
Day 8 Leave Kandersteg
If pre-arranged, return to Zurich via Kandersteg rail.
Day 1: Arrive Taipei
Welcome to Taiwan and its capital – Taipei! On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour to Longshan Temple, Herb Lane and Dihua Street, ending at one of Taipei’s many night markets.
Day 2: Taipei
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will explore Yeliou Geopark, with its famous rock formations, before visiting the former gold-mining town of Jiufen. Built on a steep mountain slope with quaint streets and tea houses, Jiufen offers stunning views over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3 Taipei
Meals: Breakfast
You will explore more of Taipei today, including the Confucius and Baoan Temples, the National Palace Museum, National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
Day 4: Taipei - Taroko National Park
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Taroko National Park is your destination today. With high peaks, marble-walled canyons and lush vegetation, it certainly lives up to its name: taroko means ‘magnificent and beautiful’ in the indigenous Truku language! You will explore the Eternal Springs Shrine and Gorge Gateway, before enjoying a short hike along one of the many trails through the park. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dance performance with dinner.
Day 5: Taroko Np – Chihpen
Meals: Breakfast
There will be some time at leisure this morning, before you travel along the east coast to Chihpen – known for its hot springs. Along the way, explore the fishing village of Shihtiping, the Stone Steps, Sanxiantai and the Dragon Bridge, plus Siaoyeliou.
Day 6: Chihpen – Kaohsiung
Meals: Breakfast
Today your journey continues to Kaohsiung, via Foguanshan Monastery – the biggest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. In Kaohsiung, travel by ferry to Cijin Island - located in the harbour, and explore its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Spring and Autumn Pavilion.
Day 7: Kaohsiung - Sun Moon Lake
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, you will travel to Tainan - the former capital of Taiwan, and explore the former Dutch outpost of Chihkan Towers and the serene Confucius Temple, before arriving at the beautiful mountain setting of Sun Moon Lake.
Day 8: Sun Moon Lake – Taipei
Meals: Breakfast
Travel back to Taipei this morning via high-speed rail. You’ll visit Lukang and explore Old Market Street, before returning to the airport for your onward journey.
