Switzerland Sample Tour

Welcome to Switzerland! We suggest arriving in Zurich prior to this day so you have time to walk the timeless streets of old town Zurich. First thing in the morning we will meet for an orientation breakfast and depart from Zurich by vehicle to the Alpstein mountain range of northeast Switzerland. We will check into our hotel in the village of Appenzell and set off immediately on our first adventure. We will embark on a dreamlike hike taking in a stunning mountain, Saxer Lucke, before continuing on to Falensee Lake. We’ll enjoy a hearty lake side lunch at a local mountain hut. We would suggest trying a local favorite: A steaming plate of rosti smothered in Appenzeller cheese. We’ll then return to the hotel to rest or do some sightseeing at one of the nearby castles.

After breakfast, we will embark on a hike that epitomizes the incredible vistas of the Swiss Alps. It starts with a cableway ride to some historic cultural stops. We’ll pass through the Wildkirchli Museum caves and stop at the must-see cliff-side Aescher restaurant. We will spend the rest of the day hiking across magnificent terrain with views spanning to three countries filled with wildflowers, lakes, and massifs. You will pass mountain farms that make the famous Appenzell cheeses from their herds of cows freely grazing on the slopes. We’ll end the day with dinner beside Seealp Lake before returning to our hotel

We’ll take a slower pace today as we leave Appenzell for the famed Lauterbrunnen Valley and the cliff top village of Murren where we will lodge for the next two nights. On our way we will stop at a picturesque spot in Lucerne wherewe will have lunch beside the river. The scenic drive will continue on past the blue waters of Lake Brienz and Staubbach falls. We will take the tram to Murren and check into our hotel. We’ll take the cogwheel train to Allmendhubel for a number of walking trail options or after an easy wildflower loop you can opt to take the cogwheel back down. We will enjoy dinner at a top restaurant with valley and mountain views of the famous Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger.

You will feel like you’re on top of the world with today’s hike. We will take the aerial cableway up to Piz Gloria atop the Schilthorn peak for 360 degree views. We’ll then hike down past the jade green Grauseeli lake to a mountain farm where we will eat lunch. We’ll then continue on to an amphitheater of around 40 waterfalls and a glacier. It’s a hike of non-stop epic views. We will then end up in the village of Gimmelwald where we can tram or hike back to Murren. The rest of the evening is free to rest, shop, and enjoy another delicious dinner.

Today we’ll take a break from the trails and spend the day seeing some sights. We’ll start at Trummelbach Falls and see the awesome power of water slicing through mountain. We’ll then continue on to Castle Spiez and the surrounding grounds. The quaint town of Iseltwald on Lake Brienz is the perfect dock to take an evening ferry ride. After time spent on the lake, we will drive on to Grindelwald and check in to our hotel.

After a hearty breakfast we’ll disembark to Grindelwald for a half day hike. We’ll be whisked to the top of First Peak (7,100 feet) via gondola. Then, we will make our way along rolling hills to Bachalpsee, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes, surrounded by a staggering backdrop of jagged snow‐covered peaks and cascading glaciers. We stop for lunch along the route enjoying majestic views of the Eiger’s north face. The views the other direction down towards Interlaken’s Brienz and Thun Lakes is equally impressive. The second part of our day will include a ride on the Jungfraujoch train to the “top of Europe” to take in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the Aletsch Glacier and panoramic vistas. After a wonderful dinner, enjoy some shopping in the Grindelwald city center.

This morning we’ll take the scenic 2.5 hour drive to Zermatt where the Matterhorn looms high in the sky. On our way we will stop in Kandersteg and visit Lake Oeschinen for a lift ride to a leisurely walk around the lake. We’ll then take the Lotschberg car train through the mountain toward Zermatt. After checking into the hotel and enjoying lunch, we embark on a hike around tiny hamlets with the Matterhorn overhead. For the evening we will enjoy another hike where we take the cableway up and hike down through the quaint village of Findeln for a first class dinner in one of its gourmet restaurants. The area is photogenic with its steep sloped meadow, aged hay barns, chalets, and a tiny white chapel with the Matterhorn to admire in the background.

Today we’ll take the Gornergrat Railway, the most popular Zermatt excursion for its outstanding views. We’ll take a pleasant hike to Rifflesee Lake where epic views ‘abound. See the Matterhorn mirrored in the still waters before descending back down into town. Take time to relax or explore Zermatt before our farewell dinner.

Depart early for the airport for all departures today.

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