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    [name] => The Swiss Alps in Summer
    [code] => CHE06
    [slug] => the-swiss-alps-in-summer
    [description] => 
Situated in the canton of Valais, the picturesque and historic town of Evolène in the Val d’Hérens, which is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve, is our base for this single-centre holiday. From our family-run hotel we explore the Alpine meadows and forests of the surrounding mountains in search of the region’s varied wildlife. With daily excursions to thoroughly explore the valley, the group will enjoy walks amongst fine scenery, pine forests and rich pastures, home to birds such as Nutcracker, Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, Snowfinch, Alpine Chough and much more. The butterflies are equally spectacular and we hope to find many fritillaries - including Asian, blues – including Alpine, whites and ringlets. A handful of longer drives take us to Zermatt and Derborence, as well as reserves along the Rhône Valley for a breeding colony of Bee-eater.  There will be plenty of time to relax and stroll about Evolène too, enjoying the local Black Redstart, singing Serin, Fieldfare and even Red-backed Shrike around the town.

Nutcracker, Golden Eagle, Willow Tit & Firecrest possible from hotel grounds
Stay in a family-run hotel in the picturesque village of Evolène
Mountain birds such as Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper & Citril Finch
Varied butterflies including Alpine Grayling, ‘clouded yellows’ & Asian Fritillary
Superb range of ‘blues’ – Mazarine, Large, Damon & Alpine
Mountain meadows full of alpine flowers, including Edelweiss, primroses & orchids
Led by expert naturalist guides

    [introduction] => An 8-day holiday to the Swiss Alps in search of birds, as well as butterflies and other wildlife, amongst some spectacular mountain scenery.
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Although Switzerland covers an area of only 41,000 square kilometres, it has a great wealth and diversity of landscapes and cultures.
Bordered to the north by Germany, the south by Italy, the east by Austria and the west by France, the Swiss countryside is home to the highest mountains in Europe, spectacular waterfalls and numerous lakes set within flower-filled Alpine meadows.

The Swiss people also display a character and way of life all of their own. Each of the surrounding four countries has, over time, influenced and shaped the adjacent Swiss population, creating the series of overlapping cultures which typify Switzerland. This is especially true in the heart of the Alps where the French, German, Italian and Romanish cultures meet. 
 
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                    [title] => Holiday Details (CHE06)
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The sun-bathed canton of Valais sits along the Swiss-Italian border and hosts some of the most spectacular scenery and highest mountains of the Alps, running from the Matterhorn in the east to Mont Blanc in France to the west. The Val d'Hérens, midway along the Rhône Valley, is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve, managed using traditional methods and without chemicals, and it is here that we will base ourselves for a full week to enjoy the best of the Swiss Alps' birds, butterflies, stunning scenery and other natural history.
Our tour begins with a short flight to Geneva, before we drive around the north shore of Lake Geneva itself. From the town of Sion, we head south into the Val d'Hérens and the picturesque town of Evolène, our base for the week. We will keep our daily itinerary flexible to take best advantage of the weather each day, taking a series of short drives, walks and a few longer excursions to explore further along the valley. There will always be the option of a pre-breakfast stroll around Evolène, and every morning brings something different as we walk about the historic buildings. Before we even leave the hotel grounds we are likely to hear Black and Common Redstarts, Serins and Firecrests singing, and watch the busy Crested and Willow Tits coming and going. Dippers are found on the local stream and Red-backed Shrikes feed in the nearby fields.
We begin our week with local visits south along the valley to Arolla and Ferpècle. Following the track slowly from 2,000 metres up to 2,500 metres, we can expect a fine range of alpine birds and butterflies — along with spectacular views! The Arolla Pines and birch scrub are home to raucous Nutcrackers, with well-grown young in June that call and fly ahead of us as we walk. Crested Tits and Crossbills can be found amongst the trees and just occasionally a Black Grouse may flush from the Alpenrose beneath. Higher up, Tree Pipits sing from prominent perches, and Lesser Redpolls, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrush may all be found. On a sunny day, amongst the many butterflies, we will look for Alpine Grayling, Alpine Heath, Mazarine and Alpine Blue, and a number of fritillaries — Heath, False Heath and Small Pearl-bordered amongst the most common.
Higher up, the alpine meadows are filled with Globeflowers and Birdseye Primrose, Alpine and rare Red-billed Choughs dance above the meadows, and the alarm call of Alpine Marmot may alert us to the presence of a Golden Eagle or possibly Lammergeier quartering the slopes. Glanville or Alpine Marsh Fritillary can be found by the trackside, accompanied by numerous Chequered Skippers and Little Blues, as well as day-flying moths.
The Grande Dixence Dam is also a short drive from the hotel, and we will take the brief cable-car ride to the top. After looking for Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor, we descend by foot along a well-made track, with good opportunities to see both Chamois and Alpine Ibex. Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor may be found on the cliffs, Golden Eagle and maybe Lammergeier pass overhead, plus Ring Ouzel, display-flighting Water Pipits and chattering Lesser Redpolls are all likely. Water Ringlet and Peak White can be found amongst the scree, while plants include Snowdon Lily, a variety of primroses and possibly Edelweiss.
Longer excursions during the week will include a drive to Zermatt, where we will take the mountain railway up to the Gornergrat at around 3,000 metres and enjoy the stunning panoramic views, as well as a morning near Leuk along the Rhône Valley bottom, where the stars of the show will surely be the Bee-eater colony that nests here. Our final excursion will be to the 'hidden valley' at Derborence; a spectacular drive to a wonderful setting, where we walk round a blue alpine lake, checking in particular for Lammergeier. This is a spot where they often breed, and we have an excellent chance of seeing them. Enjoying a relaxed walk and lunch, we should find many interesting butterflies — Chequered and Glandon Blue maybe — and birds like Citril Finch, Goshawk and Black Woodpecker.
Finally, at the end of a busy and varied week, we must make our way back to Geneva Airport in time for the short flight home to the UK.
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We will be staying in the charming and comfortable, family-run Hotel Hermitage in the delightful Swiss town of Evolène, which has been in the hands of the very friendly and helpful family Gaspoz for many years. All rooms are simple, yet comfortable and have en suite facilities, with a bath/shower. 
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All meals are included in the cost of this holiday (except for any meals or snacks you require during travel to and from Switzerland), from the evening meal on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8. Evening meals will be two courses, normally consisting of a salad style starter and a main course.
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The main focus will be on special Alpine birds, but we will also enjoy the butterflies, plants, dragonflies, insects and, of course, the amazing landscape.
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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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A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.
Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists 
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age
Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!
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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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The Swiss Alps in Summer

Tour Code: CHE06

An 8-day holiday to the Swiss Alps in search of birds, as well as butterflies and other wildlife, amongst some spectacular mountain scenery.

£2,795

Flight Inclusive

£2,595

Land Only

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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1 Itinerary 5 Tour Reports

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Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Carbon Footprint

451kg CO2e

With International Flights

222.8kg CO2e

Tour Only

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Highlights

• Nutcracker, Golden Eagle, Willow Tit & Firecrest possible from hotel grounds
• Stay in a family-run hotel in the picturesque village of Evolène
• Mountain birds such as Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper & Citril Finch
• Varied butterflies including Alpine Grayling, ‘clouded yellows’ & Asian Fritillary
• Superb range of ‘blues’ – Mazarine, Large, Damon & Alpine
• Mountain meadows full of alpine flowers, including Edelweiss, primroses & orchids
• Led by expert naturalist guides

Summary

The sun-bathed canton of Valais sits along the Swiss-Italian border and hosts some of the most spectacular scenery and highest mountains of the Alps, running from the Matterhorn in the east to Mont Blanc in France to the west. The Val d'Hérens, midway along the Rhône Valley, is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve, managed using traditional methods and without chemicals, and it is here that we will base ourselves for a full week to enjoy the best of the Swiss Alps' birds, butterflies, stunning scenery and other natural history.

Our tour begins with a short flight to Geneva, before we drive around the north shore of Lake Geneva itself. From the town of Sion, we head south into the Val d'Hérens and the picturesque town of Evolène, our base for the week. We will keep our daily itinerary flexible to take best advantage of the weather each day, taking a series of short drives, walks and a few longer excursions to explore further along the valley. There will always be the option of a pre-breakfast stroll around Evolène, and every morning brings something different as we walk about the historic buildings. Before we even leave the hotel grounds we are likely to hear Black and Common Redstarts, Serins and Firecrests singing, and watch the busy Crested and Willow Tits coming and going. Dippers are found on the local stream and Red-backed Shrikes feed in the nearby fields.

We begin our week with local visits south along the valley to Arolla and Ferpècle. Following the track slowly from 2,000 metres up to 2,500 metres, we can expect a fine range of alpine birds and butterflies — along with spectacular views! The Arolla Pines and birch scrub are home to raucous Nutcrackers, with well-grown young in June that call and fly ahead of us as we walk. Crested Tits and Crossbills can be found amongst the trees and just occasionally a Black Grouse may flush from the Alpenrose beneath. Higher up, Tree Pipits sing from prominent perches, and Lesser Redpolls, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrush may all be found. On a sunny day, amongst the many butterflies, we will look for Alpine Grayling, Alpine Heath, Mazarine and Alpine Blue, and a number of fritillaries — Heath, False Heath and Small Pearl-bordered amongst the most common.

Higher up, the alpine meadows are filled with Globeflowers and Birdseye Primrose, Alpine and rare Red-billed Choughs dance above the meadows, and the alarm call of Alpine Marmot may alert us to the presence of a Golden Eagle or possibly Lammergeier quartering the slopes. Glanville or Alpine Marsh Fritillary can be found by the trackside, accompanied by numerous Chequered Skippers and Little Blues, as well as day-flying moths.

The Grande Dixence Dam is also a short drive from the hotel, and we will take the brief cable-car ride to the top. After looking for Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor, we descend by foot along a well-made track, with good opportunities to see both Chamois and Alpine Ibex. Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor may be found on the cliffs, Golden Eagle and maybe Lammergeier pass overhead, plus Ring Ouzel, display-flighting Water Pipits and chattering Lesser Redpolls are all likely. Water Ringlet and Peak White can be found amongst the scree, while plants include Snowdon Lily, a variety of primroses and possibly Edelweiss.

Longer excursions during the week will include a drive to Zermatt, where we will take the mountain railway up to the Gornergrat at around 3,000 metres and enjoy the stunning panoramic views, as well as a morning near Leuk along the Rhône Valley bottom, where the stars of the show will surely be the Bee-eater colony that nests here. Our final excursion will be to the 'hidden valley' at Derborence; a spectacular drive to a wonderful setting, where we walk round a blue alpine lake, checking in particular for Lammergeier. This is a spot where they often breed, and we have an excellent chance of seeing them. Enjoying a relaxed walk and lunch, we should find many interesting butterflies — Chequered and Glandon Blue maybe — and birds like Citril Finch, Goshawk and Black Woodpecker.

Finally, at the end of a busy and varied week, we must make our way back to Geneva Airport in time for the short flight home to the UK.

Focus

The main focus will be on special Alpine birds, but we will also enjoy the butterflies, plants, dragonflies, insects and, of course, the amazing landscape.

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Outline Itinerary

Day

1

Fly Geneva, transfer Evolene

Days

2 - 7

Daily excursions from Evolene

Day

8

Transfer Geneva & depart

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Itinerary Map

What's Included?

Food

All meals are included in the cost of this holiday (except for any meals or snacks you require during travel to and from Switzerland), from the evening meal on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8. Evening meals will be two courses, normally consisting of a salad style starter and a main course.

Accommodation

We will be staying in the charming and comfortable, family-run Hotel Hermitage in the delightful Swiss town of Evolène, which has been in the hands of the very friendly and helpful family Gaspoz for many years. All rooms are simple, yet comfortable and have en suite facilities, with a bath/shower.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary

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Tour Reports

June 2025

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June 2024

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June 2023

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June 2022

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June 2022

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Dates & Prices

2027

Wed 16th - Wed 23rd Jun

SPACES £2,795

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Flight Inclusive

£2,795

Land Only

£2,595

Single Supplement

£195

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

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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.

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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!

Why Choose Naturetrek?

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