Interlaken Half-Day Tour by Private Car: Caves, Waterfalls & Villages

Summary

Discover Bernese Oberland’s Hidden Corners with a Local Guide

You’ll see famous Swiss villages, waterfalls you can walk behind, glacier-fed caves, and peaceful mountain towns—all with a friendly local who knows every shortcut and story along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The day started with our guide pulling up right outside our hotel—no scrambling for buses or checking train times. We set off toward Grindelwald first, windows down to let in that crisp mountain air. The Eiger’s north face loomed ahead, and honestly, it’s hard not to stare. Our guide pointed out the Wetterhorn too, which I’d only ever seen on postcards before. In Grindelwald itself, we passed a bakery where the smell of fresh bread drifted out onto the street—locals were already queuing up for their morning loaf.

Lauterbrunnen was next, tucked between those sheer cliffs that make you feel tiny in the best way. You hear water everywhere—there are 72 waterfalls in this valley alone. We stopped at Staubbachfall; you can actually walk behind the falls when it’s warm enough. The spray is cool on your face and there’s this constant low rumble from the water hitting rocks below. Our guide told us Goethe wrote a poem here—never thought I’d stand where he found inspiration.

We hopped back in the car and took the cable-car up to Gimmelwald. It’s quiet up there—just cows with bells and houses covered in flower boxes. No cars allowed, so you really notice how peaceful it is. There were kids from all over playing near one of the old wooden barns while someone played guitar nearby.

Trümmelbach Falls was wild—literally inside the mountain, roaring glacier water echoing through tunnels and platforms carved into rock. You ride a lift partway up; my shoes got splashed more than once but it was worth it just to feel that power up close.

Afterward, we wound along Lake Thun to reach St. Beatus Caves. The path inside is well-lit but still feels mysterious; stalactites hang overhead like icicles that never melt. It smells damp and earthy deep inside—our guide explained how these formations took millions of years to grow just a few centimeters.

Back in Interlaken itself, we had time for a stroll between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. There are shops selling Swiss chocolate (I caved) and plenty of places for coffee or something stronger if you want to sit and watch people go by. All day long, our guide adjusted plans based on what we wanted—no rush anywhere, just real local stories and hidden spots I’d have missed on my own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Interlaken and Surrounding Highlights

• Visit Grindelwald village and mountain views
• Explore Lauterbrunnen Valley and waterfalls
• See Staubbachfall waterfall from behind
• Cable car to Gimmelwald Alpine village
• Tour Trümmelbach glacier waterfalls underground
• Explore St. Beatus Caves near Lake Thun
• Discover Interlaken town and shopping

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Kids can join easily—strollers are fine in most places and there’s lots they’ll enjoy seeing.

Can I customize which stops we make?

Absolutely—the itinerary is flexible so just let your guide know what interests you most.

Are entrance fees included?

No, entrance fees aren’t included but your guide will help arrange tickets if needed at each site.

How much walking is involved?

You can choose how much walking you do; some sights involve short walks but nothing too strenuous unless you want more hiking.

What’s included

Your private car (with unlimited distance), local driver-guide who knows all the best spots, hotel pickup/drop-off, fuel costs covered, plus help planning your perfect route—it’s all included so you can relax and enjoy every moment.