Itinerary
We will be living with Scouts from around the world and will have most meals in the Dining Hall at the Chalet. We have been able to secure indoor accommodations in the Kander-Lodge, a comfortable, modern alpine lodge with twin bedrooms and private bathrooms. The only equipment required is a good pair of over-the-ankle hiking boots (KISC requires all boots to have ankle support), a day pack, and rain gear. The total cost of the trip, including airfare, transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions is $2,500. This does not include incidentals such as souvenirs, snacks, etc. An initial deposit of $500 is due to Troop 1 by Friday, October 15, 2021 in order to secure accommodations at the Scout Centre. Our itinerary is below (subject to change).
Saturday, July 2
Depart JFK Airport on Emirates to Milan, Italy. The flight departs at 10:20 pm; our group will meet at JFK Airport's Terminal 4 at 7:00 pm.
Sunday, July 3
Arrive in Europe and take a bus from the airport to Domodossola on the Swiss border, then the train to Kandersteg. We should arrive at the Scout Centre just before 6 pm. After check-in, we will have dinner in the Scout Centre Dining Hall. Following dinner, we will participate in the International Evening at the Chalet, a fun opportunity for fellowship in which Scouts share the traditions of their home countries.
Monday, July 4
Blausee Hike: Easy
Hike to Blausee, an easy downhill hike to the beautiful blue lake and its fish hatchery, where we will have lunch, then take the bus back to Kandersteg. We'll then spend a relaxed afternoon visiting the town of Kandersteg.
Tuesday, July 5
Gasterntal Hike: Easy
Hike up the Kander valley to the Gasterntal. We will have lunch at the top of the valley, then hike back to Kandersteg. In the evening, we will participate in the Messenger of Peace BBQ at the Chalet. This will be followed by a Leader gathering for the Troop 1 leaders.
In the evening, we will participate in the Kander Challenge on the Sports Field followed by the Light Trail at the Chalet.
Wednesday, July 6
All-Scouts party and barbecue at the Kandersteg town swim center followed by Swiss Culture night at the Kandersteg village school with performances of Swiss folk music and dancing put on by the town of Kandersteg.
Thursday, July 7
Oeschinensee Hike: Challenging
Hike to the Oeschinensee, a spectacular turquoise Alpine lake fed by glaciers from the mountains above. Lunch at Oeschinensee followed by tobogganing at the Oeschinensee Rodelbahn. An advanced group may take the optional hike up to the Swiss Alpine Club's Blülmisalphütte (subject to availability, extra cost) where we will have dinner and overnight.
The rest of the group will return to Kandersteg via cablecar and can again participate in the Kander Challenge on the Sports Field followed by the Light Trail at the Chalet.
Friday, July 8
Excursion by train to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Old Town, the Bärenhaus (Bear House), the Swiss Parliament, the Zytglogge, Bern's 13th century clock tower, the Berner Münster cathedral, and the Einsteinhaus, where Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905 and conceived E=mc2, which changed the world. We will have lunch in Bern then take the train back to Kandersteg. After dinner, we will join the All-Scout Campfire for a marvelous evening of song and skits with Scouts from around the world.
Saturday, July 9
Bunderspitz Hike: Moderate
Hike to the Bunderspitz Peak.
Sunday, July 10
Sunday Flag Break and Meet Up at the Sports Field. International Sports Afternoon and International Evening at the Chalet.
Monday, July 11
Allmenalp Hike: Moderate
Hike up to the Allmenalp, the mountain behind the Scout Centre which dominates Kandersteg. On our way, we will purchase artisanal cheese from the cheesemakers who bring their cows to the high pasture for the summer, and will end with at stop at the café by the cable car station. The cows are very friendly and our Scouts had a good time meeting them last time. We will have lunch on the Allmenalp then return to Kandersteg via cable car.
Tuesday, July 12
Hike to Gemmipass and Schwarenbach
The longer version of this hike is quite arduous so we will split this into two legs. Stronger hikers can do both legs:
Schwarenbach Hike: Moderate
Hike up to Schwarenbach, halfway to the Gemmi Pass which is at the border between the cantons of Bernese Oberland and Valais. Cablecar up to Sunnbuel, then a nice gradual hike up to the Berghotel Schwarenbach (Schwarenbach Mountain Hotel), lunch nearby then hike back to Sunnbuel and cablecar back down to Kandersteg.
Gemmipass Hike: Challenging
A group of advanced hikers will hike the remaining 3 miles to the Gemmi Pass which has a spectacular view over the Canton of Valais and the Rhône River, which originates in Switzerland and meanders all the way to Arles in France.
We will conclude the day with the Kander Challenge on the Sports Field and the Light Trail at the Chalet, as we did on Tuesday, July 5.
Wednesday, July 13
On Wednesday morning we will take the train back to Milan's Malpensa airport, then will return to New York by air.
For more information, please contact us.
