Adventourus Active Vacations

7 day single centre Guided tour

ON THE TRAIL OF HEIDI AND THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE ALBULA RAILWAY

   Parc Ela, which opened in June 2006, stretches for over 600 square kilometres and is a common project shared between the 21 Cantons (districts) of Switzerland. A third of the nature park comprises expansive unspoiled landscape such as the glacier in the Kesch region and the area surrounding the Piz Ela. However, moor land and floodplains, protected forest and meadows also belong to the park.

    In addition to the natural attractions, Parc Ela is also home to castle buildings and the Albula rail line, a candidate for UNESCO world heritage listing.

- Experience for lovers of nature, alpine flora and wild animals

- A discovery trip through Heidi's home country

- Explore the nature trail along Albula railway

Your travel guide greets you at 4.30pm for a welcome drink in the hotel. We familiarise ourselves with the area and its cultural features during a relaxed walk around the village and then enjoy meal in the hotel. How about a Swiss cheese fondue ?

Hike: 4h00

Relaxed ascent high above Lake Marmorera to the picturesque Alp Flix beneath the Piz d'Err. "Marenda" (snack) from a sheep farm that produces delicious sheep cheese and offers other products produced inhouse.

Walk to the Lais Blos and subsequent climb through a mystical landscape to Lai Nair and onto the village of Rona.

Day 3: Rhätische Railway nature trail

After visiting the Mistail, one of the oldest Carolingian churches in Switzerland and a delicious lunch in Preda, we walk in the Albula valley on the Rhätischen railway nature trail, passing 100 year old tunnels and viaducts, to Bergün. The stretch of rail track is a masterpiece of railbuilding and is a rightful candidate for UNESCO world heritage.

A romantic mountain pasture is the starting place for our walk. We climb up to Ziteil, the highest place of pilgrimage in Europe, and enjoy the unique views. On the way back down into the valley of Julia, the scene changes between mountain forests and summery alpine pastures.

Return by chairlift to Savognin.

Hike: 4h30

We set off early in the morning! A diverse wilderness observation tour in the Val d'Err will teach us much of the fauna of Parc Ela. A large number of rock types give us an insight into the multifacted nature of the goelogy. We strengthen ourselves on a relaxing Alp with a fine alpine cheese. The evening is spent in a small inn in the mountain village of Stierva, where we enjoy the homemade Capuns.

Hike: 5h30 - 6h00

A tour of king! Our lengthely walk brings us to a solitary alpine landscpe at the foot of the Piz Mitgel, to the idyllic Lai Tigiel and on the Pass digls Orgels at 2699m above sea level. We rise above the Ela cabins into the picturesque Bergün. Our return trip by rail and post van allows us to recover from the efforts of the day.

Hike: 3h00

Finally, we enjoy a rejuvinating high altitude trek with resplendent views of the mountain environment of the Surse and delight at the lush summer alpine flora. In the early afternoon we make our individual onward journey by post van to St Moritz.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

TBA

Guaranteed departures with a minimum of just 2 persons!! Maximulm 20 participants.

- 7 nights in a typical Swiss mid-class hotel, rooms with private facilities

- Buffet breakfasts and 3-course dinner each day (+2 "Marendas" : cold snack eaten outdoors)

- Welcome and farewell drinks

- Gratuities in hotel / restaurants / cabins

- Guided hiking

- Trips by rail, cable car, mountain railways, and post van (half charge discount basis)

- Transfer by minibus as per the programme

- Entrance tickets and tours as per the programme

- Guided wilderness observation tour

- English and German-speaking travel guide / hiking guide

- Extensive travel documentation

MODERATE TO CHALLENGIN: The daily walking times will range from 3h30 to 6 hrs. On mountain and rambling paths. Ascents and descents of up to 850/1320m altitude. Surefootedness and good condition essential.

Hiking times can vary depending on the weather and makeup of travel groups. 

We can supply Swiss Rail transfers from either Zurich or Geneva airports to Savignon and from St Moritz at a cost of CAD$136 per person.