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Switzerland
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If you're looking to combine the delights of alpine birdwatching with a little gentle walking and a wider appreciation of the natural world, this trip is for you. Alpine Accentor and Snowfinch await - perhaps even Rock Partridge, too - on this spectacularly scenic week based at a single hotel in the beautiful Val d'Herens.
Switzerland is rightly famous for its stupendous upland scenery and crisp mountain air. The southern Valais region that borders with Italy is one of the most beautiful, and a prime location for alpine birding. Crested Tits and Western Bonelli's Warblers frequent the forests, boldly-spotted Nutcrackers conceal themselves amongst the pines, and the trills of handsome 'red' Common Redpolls rise above flower-filled alpine meadows.
From Geneva, we follow the mighty Rhône valley to reach our base in the picturesque Val d'Herens, which is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve. With no changes of hotel to worry about during our stay, here we shall be free to devote ourselves to some of the most spectacular birding and landscapes in all Switzerland: from the glaciers at the head of the lovely Val d'Herens itself, east to the famous Gornergratt with its majestic views of the Matterhorn. In mid-June, the weather in the Alps is typically warm with plenty of sunshine and our aim will certainly be to make the most of this! The woods and mountains around about our hotel are the perfect place to start. Fieldfare, Red-backed Shrike and Serin are to be found in the gardens and hay-meadows around town, Dippers bob and we'll listen for the chatter of Siskins in the treetops as we start to explore. On one day, we plan to travel to Zermatt and take the mountain railway up to the Gornergratt. If the visibility is good, we shall enjoy uninterrupted views across the glaciers towards the iconic chiselled peak of the Matterhorn. Up here, at an elevation of around 3000 metres, we'll watch for Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor, while playful Alpine Choughs may even feed from our hands! Should visibility on the high tops let us down, we'll find birdwatching at lower levels, along the floor of the Rhône valley, is equally rewarding with the likes of Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Nightingale, Marsh Warbler and Golden Oriole awaiting our discovery. From Common Eider to Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush to Water Pipit, birding in the Swiss Alps is full of surprises. On most of our previous trips we have enjoyed superb views of the elusive Wallcreeper and we have even been lucky to see Lammergeier and Rock Partridge here in the past! Add the prospect of as many as seventy different species of butterfly on the wing - from Mazarine and Amanda's Blues, through Mountain Dappled White and Clouded Apollo, to Niobe and Asian Fritillaries - and you have all the right ingredients for a wonderful holiday. With easy paced walks and plenty of invigorating Swiss mountain air, this tour offers a splendid introduction to alpine birds and wildlife. This will be our ninth visit to the Swiss Alps in summer. |
Price: £ 1,565
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Geneva, all accommodation and meals, minibus transport; mountain railway excursion to the Gornergratt, entrance fees, tips, airport taxes, bird and butterfly checklist, and services of the leader/s.
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Accommodation: We stay at a small, quaint and friendly family-run 2-star hotel in the quiet rural town of Evolene - at the heart of the Val d'Herens. Rooms are simple but all have en suite facilities.
Meals: All included in the tour price. Continental-style breakfasts served at the hotel, with dinners taken at a local restaurant within a short walk from our hotel. A mix of picnics and Gasthof lunches. Walking: The Rhône valley is relatively flat and the going is easy. Elsewhere, our walks are not strenuous, but expect some uphill stretches - all taken at a gentle pace, with our itinerary being carefully planned to avoid arduous hikes. Swiss alpine trails are well-marked and generally in good condition. Stout walking shoes or lightweight boots with good corrugated soles for grip recommended. Leaders: Brian Small & John Muddeman Numbers: Max. 12 clients
Click here for a full, printable itinerary |
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