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A small group of like-minded people led by two immensely knowledgeable guides immersed themselves in the fabulous natural history of the Swiss Alps and enjoyed a memorable week of friendship and warm hospitality in a high alpine village. From our superb hotel base we explored the stunning mountain environment around us and rejoiced in seeing a huge variety of birds, flowers and animals many of which we had never seen before. We had used Naturetrek before so we were very confident that we would again enjoy supreme efficiency, thoroughness and all round excellent service. Travel arrangements were clear and straightforward throughout, the choice of accommodation was outstanding and the expertise and organisation of the two gentlemen in charge of our itinerary was second to none. They were always willing to go the extra mile especially when obtaining and preparing our picnic lunches - a culinary highlight.
B.J. Cumbria, Jun 23
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Valais - Highlights of the Swiss Alps
Tour Code: CHE04An 8-day holiday to the traffic-free village of Bettmeralp, high in the Swiss Alps, in search of the region's varied wildlife and spectacular mountain scenery.
£2,995 (Inc flights)
£2,745
Highlights
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Summary
Situated in the canton of Valais, the charming car-free village of Bettmeralp is our base for this single-centre holiday. From our family-run hotel we will explore the beautiful forests, valleys and high peaks of the surrounding mountains in search of the region’s varied wildlife. We will make daily excursions on foot, and by cable cars and chairlifts, looking for alpine flowers in the meadows above our hotel as well as butterflies such as Alpine Grayling, Mazarine Blue and Titania’s Fritillary. We will also take time to enjoy some of the area’s special birds, including Black Redstart, Serin and Fieldfare around the village, and high-altitude species such as Ring Ouzel, Citril Finch and Alpine Chough on the mountain slopes above.
- Enjoy 7 nights in a family-run hotel in the car-free village of Bettmeralp
- Spectacular scenery in Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Alpenrose, Mountain Avens & Globeflower, plus Alpine Marmot near our hotel
- Varied butterflies including Alpine Grayling, Mazarine Blue & Titania’s Fritillary
- Look for Alpine Accentor, Snowfinch, Nutcracker & Red-backed Shrike
- Follow the famous ‘Glacier Express’ train line to visit Zermatt & the Matterhorn
- Wonderful displays of primulas, orchids & gentians
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
Grade B. All excursions are on foot, with walks of up to around 6 miles each day. We use mountain lifts to ascend, so most walks are over undulating ground, or downhill.
The Swiss canton of Valais, in the heart of the Alps, is home to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Europe and an abundance of natural history. The charming, car-free village of Bettmeralp will be our base for the week, and from our family-run hotel we will explore the beautiful forests, valleys and high peaks in search of the region’s varied wildlife. Above the village lies the stunning Aletsch Glacier, and we will enjoy spectacular views of this during our week’s stay. The glacier’s 27 billion tons of ice slowly flows down into Valais from the dramatic slopes of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks and lies within the 825- square-kilometre UNESCO ‘JungfrauAletsch Protected Area’, the first World Heritage Site to be designated in the Alps.
After a short flight to Geneva we travel by efficient Swiss rail, following the mighty Rhône along the length of the valley, before completing our journey by cable car, for this is the only way to reach Bettmeralp. Each of our daily excursions will be on foot, covering up to 6 miles each day, though we will make full use of the efficient network of mountain cable cars and chair lifts to thoroughly explore the area and avoid trekking uphill where possible! At this time of year the meadows above our hotel are not only home to colonies of comical Alpine Marmots, but will also be filled with a stunning array of alpine flowers, and so this is where we will begin our explorations on our first morning in Valais. Species such as Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala), Alpine Clematis (Clematis alpina), Globeflower (Trollius europaeus) and Mountain Houseleek (Sempervivum montanum) are common, and there should be an abundance of Primulas and Campanulas, as well as numerous orchids and gentians. We will also look for some of the rarer alpine specialities, such as Dark Vanilla Orchid and Alpine Rock-jasmine. The sun should bring out a wide variety of butterflies in the meadows, including Common Swallowtail, Alpine Grayling, Alpine Heath and numerous blues and fritillaries. Bird walks around the village may produce Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, Citril Finch and Cuckoo, whilst a visit to the adjacent Aletsch Forest provides us with the opportunity to look for such highlights as Black Redstart, Firecrest, Crossbill, Crested Tit, Nutcracker and Red-backed Shrike.
On at least two days we will use the cable cars to ascend to over 2,600 metres, where the views across the Aletsch Glacier are simply stunning. Whilst taking a moment to appreciate the mountain vista, we can look for Alpine Accentor, Snowfinch and, with a little luck, we might see a Golden Eagle soaring overhead. Walking from the cable-car station we will soon see some of the high-altitude specialist flora which may include Glacier Crowfoot, Ranunculus glacialis, Glacier Mouse-ear, Snowdon Lily and St. Bruno’s Lily. On another day we will enjoy a change of scene and make our way down through stands of Larch and Norway Spruce into the picturesque Rhône Valley. Here the hillsides are cloaked in stunning hay meadows, and at this time of year many of the higher fields have not yet been cut, enabling us to find species such as Alpine Thistle, Viper’s-bugloss, Bladder Campion, Carthusian Pink, Queen-of-the-Alps and Wood Scabious. In the warm and sunny valley we should also find a different array of butterflies from the higher altitudes, including Dryad and Marbled White.
Having enjoyed views of the mighty Matterhorn from our hotel during the week, on one day we will descend into the valley and join the final section of the famous ‘Glacier Express’ railway line, taking us up to the opulent mountain resort of Zermatt and the Matterhorn itself. Continuing on the cog-wheel mountain railway up to the Gornergrat at 3,089 metres, we will pause here to appreciate the stunning view across the Gorner Glacier towards the Matterhorn, and the panoramic view of the other twenty-eight 4,000-metre peaks that are visible from this part of the Alps. Once we have had our fill of enjoying the scenery, we will turn our attention back to the flora and fauna. Here the stony turf should be rich in early spring alpines including the brightly coloured Alpine Toadflax, Short-leaved and Alpine Gentians (Gentiana brachyphylla and G. alpina) and Bird’s-eye Primrose, whilst the high alpine birds include Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit and, of course, the characterful Alpine Choughs that are certain to be eager to share our picnic lunch!
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in a very comfortable, family-run hotel in the delightful Swiss village of Bettmeralp. All rooms are en-suite. Superior rooms with south-facing balconies and fantastic views towards the Matterhorn are available for an additional £140 per person. Two single rooms are available without supplement, plus one superior single for an additional £140.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
Reviews
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Visiting Bettmeralp meant visiting an entirely new part of Switzerland and getting an insight into the high alpine flora as well as its birds and other wildlife. Being with an expert on alpine flora made an important difference as I found out when on my own on the other side of the same alpine range. I have been travelling with them for over 10 years so I guess that shows that they have delivered an excellent holiday experience.
K.A. Northumberland, June 22 -
The Valais region of Switzerland has the most stunning scenery, including from our lovely family run hotel in Bettmeralp. The service provided by the efficient Swiss rail network and cable car/ski lifts was first class. The aim of the tour was to visit the area near and far from Bettmeralp to observe the spring flowering alpine meadows and take note of any passing bird and butterfly life around. There were opportunities to see several mammals that are present in this area and have expert leaders on hand to guide us to all places of interest and impart their knowledge on aspects of bird, flower,etc., identification. Early morning bird walks were undertaken from the hotel to see and hear the abundant birdlife nearby in the forest.
A.D. Nottinghamshire, June 19 -
All the travel arrangements worked well and the hotel was excellent. The scenery was spectacular and whole group got on well together.
J.R. Hertfordshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Bob Elliot
Bob enjoys leading groups and helping people to enjoy the natural world, which serve as a welcome antidote to his challenging day job as Director for OneKind, an animal welfare charity based in Edinburgh. Bob is an experienced naturalist with extensive knowledge of wildlife, nature conservation and animal welfare issues both in Scotland and internationally.
Bob was born in North Yorkshire, and spent much of his childhood in the Yorkshire Dales. His passion for nature led him to join the Harrogate and District Naturalists Society, in which he soon became a prominent member. His career in nature conservation started with two head warden posts on the Farne Islands before moving to Scotland to work for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), undertaking Countryside Ranger/Naturalist roles at lowland sites in Dumfries and Galloway. A promotion to Countryside Manager for the Highlands and Islands meant overseeing the work of Rangers, as well as being involved with wider countryside management. His work involved the management of reserves including the mountainous areas of Glencoe, Kintail, West Affric and Torridon, and iconic islands such as Iona, Canna, Fair Isle and St Kilda. Bob also managed the Countryside Ranger and Warden Service for Scotland's first National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, before joining the RSPB in 2007. Bob was the head of the investigations and species protection team for the RSPB for 14 years, fighting wildlife crime both in the UK and internationally. He is now the Director for OneKind, an animal welfare charity based in Edinburgh, which exposes cruelty and persecution to Scotland’s animals via investigations, research and campaigning.
Bob has much experience with wildlife overseas, having taken trips to Antarctica, Peru, South Africa and Europe. Bob has assisted in a vulture feeding project in the Spanish Pyrenees, Iberian Lynx watching in Spain and the nest monitoring of Bearded Vultures in France and Spain. In recent years he has worked on trips to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Switzerland and the Scottish Islands, including St Kilda and Fair Isle. He's an expert on birds and mammals, and has specialist knowledge of birds of prey and seabirds, as well as field experience of using camera traps and remote surveillance techniques.
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[description] => Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides
There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?
- All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
- All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
- We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?
- Travel with a group of like-minded people
- Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
- Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.
Our specialist recommends...
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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