Bern day trip from Lucerne: Emmental cheese & Kambly biscuits

Medieval Bern, Alpine valleys, and the farms where Swiss cheese is still made by hand

This small-group day trip from Lucerne travels through the Entlebuch Valley and into Bern's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, with stops at the Kambly biscuit factory and a working Emmental dairy where you watch cheesemaking and taste the result. The tour runs about nine hours with a professional English-speaking guide, minibus transport with air conditioning, and a maximum of 16 travelers. Children are welcome from age six.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bern day trip with Emmental dairy visit

• Board minivan in central Lucerne
• Pass through Entlebuch Valley UNESCO Reserve
• Stop at Kambly Experience for biscuit tasting
• Explore Bern Old Town with guide
• Free time for lunch or shopping in Bern
• Visit Emmental dairy and watch cheesemaking
• Sample Emmentaler cheese
• Photo stop at nearby dairy farm
• Return to Lucerne with scenic views

The experience

You board an air-conditioned minibus in central Lucerne and head into the countryside, passing through the Entlebuch Valley: a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its moorlands and Alpine flora. The route climbs through Upper Emmental, where you stop at the Kambly Experience, one of Switzerland's largest biscuit producers, to watch how the sweet treats are made and taste several varieties. From there the minibus carries you to Bern, the medieval capital, where your guide walks you through the Old Town's cobbled streets and red-roofed buildings, pointing out landmarks like the 100-meter spire of Bern Minster, the parliament building, and the clock tower overlooking the Aare River. You have free time afterward to eat lunch on your own or shop.

The second half of the day takes you deep into Emmental's patchwork of pastureland and traditional dairy farms. At a working show dairy, you watch as ingredients are mixed and worked by hand (the ancient process that makes Emmentaler AOP), and you taste the finished cheese. A photo stop at a nearby dairy farm follows before the return journey to Lucerne, where on clear days the drive offers views across the green Alpine pastures toward the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The guide drops you at the same central Lucerne location where the day began.

What’s included

• Transportation in an air-conditioned minibus with free Wi-Fi.
• a guided walk through Bern's UNESCO Old Town with a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
• entry and a biscuit tasting with drink and samples at the Kambly Experience.
• a visit to a working Emmental dairy with cheese tasting and a photo stop at a nearby farm.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Best of Switzerland Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable spending a full day mostly on a minibus and walking through Bern's Old Town, and prefer a small group of 16 where your guide can give personal attention rather than a larger coach tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Kambly Experience and what happens there?

Kambly is one of Switzerland's biggest biscuit producers, located in Upper Emmental. You visit the factory to see how the biscuits are made, then taste several different varieties as part of the tour.

How does the Emmental dairy visit work?

At the show dairy, you watch as cheesemakers work the ingredients by hand to make Emmentaler AOP, the traditional Swiss cheese. At the end you sample the finished cheese and get a photo stop at a nearby farm.

How much walking is involved in Bern's Old Town?

Your guide leads you through the medieval streets and shows you key landmarks like Bern Minster and the parliament building. The exact distance depends on which sites your guide emphasizes, but you should have a moderate level of physical fitness for the day.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in Bern to eat at a restaurant or café of your choice at your own expense, or to shop for souvenirs instead.

What's the group size on this tour?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 16 people, keeping it small enough for personal attention from your guide.