Highlights of Bernese Oberland

Explore the natural beauty of Switzerland on this tour of the Bernese Oberland, known for its picturesque lakes and impressive Alpine peaks, including the Jungfrau and the Eiger.

• Based in Alpine town of Thun, you’ll explore the Bernese Oberland on Switzerland´s outstanding railway system.
• Enjoy travel on famous mountain rack railway of the Brienz Rothorn Railway. 
• Discover the Swiss capital Bern on a two-hour steam tram tour, seeing the city highlights, as well as exploring the city of Lucerne another must see place with old town squares and world-famous sites.
• Enjoy peaceful boat cruises on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, taking in the stunning mountain scenery.
• Experience unrestricted travel on Swiss trains, trams and buses in tour free time thanks to your complimentary Bernese Oberland Regional Pass.

Wednesday 6 May

London to Thun via Basel

You travel First Class by Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. From Paris, you join another train to Basel in Switzerland and finally a local service from Basel to Thun.

You check into your hotel for 7 nights and have the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner is at your own arrangements. (B)

Thursday 7 May

Lake Thun cruise and time in Thun to explore

Breakfast is served at the hotel before taking a morning two hour cruise from Thun to Interlaken West. The deep blue Lake Thun is set amid the spectacular mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland and a boat trip on the largest lake in the Bernese Oberland is an experience to remember. You will enjoy wonderful views of the mountains, historic castles, as well as romantic lakeside towns. You return to Thun by train for a guided tour of the old town. This guided walking tour through Thun's charming old town and up to the Schlossberg, will allow you to discover the town’s rich history, diverse culture, and stunning lakeside setting. This makes the town a truly unique and fascinating place to explore. (B)

Friday 8 May 

Mountain peaks of Stockhorn and Niesen 

After breakfast at the hotel you join a train from Thun to Erlenbach Im Simmental and take the cable car up to the summit of the Stockhorn. At the summit you can enjoy the amazing views of the snow-covered high Alps including the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Blüemlisalp to the south, and over the Swiss Plateau from the north side panoramic viewing platform. You return to Elenbach Im Simmental and then travel by train to Mülenen. There is an opportunity to ride the nostalgic 1910 funicular up to the peak of the Niesen. The Niesen is one of the most famous peaks of the Bernese Oberland, not least because of its iconic pyramid shape and the wonderful location high above Lake Thun. The 360° panorama is stunning, offering you a view over the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, as well as over the Bernese Mittelland all the way to the Jura. You return to Thun by train and have an evening of leisure to dine as you wish. (B)

Saturday 9 May  

Brienz Rothorn rack railway with sausage experience and Lake Brienz cruise

Today you take a morning train to Brienz via Interlaken and ascend to the Brienz Rothorn by steam cogwheel. During a stopover on the idyllic Planalp, the engine driver will serve sausages freshly prepared in the boiler of the locomotive.They are accompanied by a crispy rack of bread and a refreshing soft drink. During the summer, the small steam locomotives push the red panoramic coaches from Lake Brienz up to the Brienzer Rothorn. The panoramic view from the 2350-metre summit will be one of many highlights of this tour. The view over the Bernese Alps, Lake Brienz and the Grimsel area is magnificent, as is the vista of Mounts Pilatus and Hoghant.

You then return to Brienz and join a lake cruise back to Interlaken, where you return by train to Thun. Again you enjoy dinner at leisure in this beautiful town with a wide range of restaurants and cafes. (B)

Sunday 10 May 

Day at leisure 

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, you have the opportunity to use your Bernese Oberland Pass and explore all it has to offer. You might choose to visit Kandersteg, Brig or a range of other interesting towns and places of interests. Dinner can be enjoyed at leisure in a location of your choice. (B)

Monday 11 May

Panoramic train to Lucerne – Time at leisure or optional guided city tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you travel by train from Thun to Interlaken Ost, here you board the panoramic train to Lucerne in 2nd class. You will have time in Lucerne to explore the amazing city. Here you can enjoy some free time at leisure or you have the choice to take the optional Lucerne guided tour and visit the world-famous sights, such as the Chapel Bridge with the octagonal water tower and the KKL Lucerne (Culture and Convention Centre) and discover hidden alleyways and lively Old Town squares. The 1.5 hour tour will give you an unfamiliar view of the city of Lucerne. Hidden corners and alleyways, lively squares and the favourite places the people of Lucerne enjoy. You return to Thun by train and once again enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B)

Tuesday 12 May 

Bern – Switzerland’s capital city

Today you travel by train to the Swiss capital, Bern, for a two-hour tour of the city by legendary steam tram. The metre gauge 0-6-0 tramway locomotive pulls a classic wooden carriage with open-ended balconies. You will pass many of Bern’s historic landmarks, including the famous Zytglogge clock tower.

In the afternoon there is a guided tour of the city and time to visit the shops along the arcaded walkways, or the famous Bear Park and nearby River Aare. Later, you take a service train back to Thun and your final evening dinner in this beautiful town (B)

Wednesday 13 May 

Return to UK

After breakfast it is time to say your farewells and travel to Basel, before changing trains and continuing to Paris via Strasbourg. There you transfer to Paris Gare du Nord and take a Eurostar service back to London St. Pancras International. (B)