Swiss Grand Alpine Tour 6D/5N or 7D/6N

Lucerne old bridge - public domain photoDiscover Switzerland departing from Zurich. You will explore the Bernese Oberland with Interlaken and Berne, then through idyllic Gruyeres to Lac Leman and Geneva, feel the enchantment of Zermatt, discover the Swiss Riviera in the Tessin Canton and see Engadina before returning to Zurich. You also have a choice to add either the famous Glacier Express train (going directly from Zermatt to St. Moritz instead of visiting Lugano) or an extra day excursion to the Jungfraujoch!

The Glacier Express, which follows the route Zermatt-Brig-Andermatt-Chur-Davos/St-Moritz is a fascinating 7½-hour rail journey over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp pass (2,033m/6,670 ft). Experience the Swiss Alps in all their breath-taking magnificence from the comfort of your seat in the panorama car: unspoilt mountain forests, lush Alpine pastures, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys with their rich traditions stretching back hundreds of years. On this journey you can treat yourself to the culinary delights of the stylishly appointed dining car by requesting seat and dining car reservations (they are essential) for an additional cost. Commentary during the trip.

The Jungfraujoch is not only one of Switzerland’s most attractive excursion destinations and vantage points. It has also proved to be an excellent location for a wide variety of research projects. The high altitude, clear air and easy access by mountain railway are ideal conditions for a wide range of scientific work. The Jungfraujoch is also a small village not lacking in the appropriate amenities for its guests. Europe’s highest post office is at your service.

Three itineraries are available for this program, the regular Grand Alpine Tour (6D/5N), the Grand Alpine Tour with Glacier Express (6D/5N) and the the Grand Alpine Tour with Jungfraujoch – Top Of Europe (5D/4N)

Zermatt at night - public domain photo Departures Swiss Grand Alpine Tour: every Monday, from Apr 27 to October 12, 2009.
Departures Swiss Grand Alpine Tour with Glacier Express: every Monday, from April 27 to October 12, 2009.
Departures Swiss Grand Alpine Tour with Jungfraujoch: May 10, 24. June 7, 21. July 5, 19. August 2, 16, 30. September 13, 27. 2009.
Departure Location: from Swissôtel Zurich, Am Marktplatz, 8050 Zurich departure at 8.30 a.m. - check-in at our desk in the lobby starts at 8.00 a.m.

Included Services: 5 or 6 nights in selected first class hotels typical of the area, ensuring every comfort and the best food. All room with private bath or shower. porterage at hotels, service charges and taxes included Buffet breakfast at the hotel and dinners only where indicated in the tour program. Our tour guide will be happy to recommend local Restaurants. Service of friendly multi-lingual guide Transportation by deluxe bus with air conditioning, reclining seats, toilet, stereo equipment and microphone. experienced and careful drivers Hotel taxes Extras which are mentioned in the pertaining itinerary, such as cable car to Mount Titlis, visit to cheese factory In Gruyeres, glacier express train, etc., are included in the tour price

Not Included: Optional tours Airfare and airport taxes Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc. Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program

Glacier Express - photo courtesy of Swiss Tourist BoardRegular Itinerary

  • Day 1 Zurich - Lucerne - Mt. Titlis - Interlaken - Monday - We leave Zurich at 8.30 a.m. A short drive takes us to the city of Lucerne where we visit the Lion Monument and walk over the 14th century wooden bridge, time at leisure for shopping and sightseeing. At noon we proceed to the mountain resort of Engelberg. A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis brings you up into the high alpine region with its glaciers and eternal ice enjoy a magnificent ride in the world’s innovative revolving ‘ROTAIR’ gondola. (Take a warm sweater along). In the afternoon we cross Brunig Pass to the Bernese Oberland and reach the village Brienz, where we will see woodcarvers at work. We continue to the holiday resort of Interlaken at the foot of Jungfrau mountain. Overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL - dinner is on your own.
  • Day 2 Interlaken - Berne - Gruyeres - Geneva - Tuesday - We leave Interlaken in the morning and drive along beautiful Lake of Thun to the Swiss capital, Berne. The city is attractively set on a steepsided curve of the River Aare and backed by the majestic Alps. A city tour to the Old Town includes the Clock Tower, Kramgasse, and the 15th century Cathedral of St. Vincent. A drive south takes us to the scenic dairy farmlands, to Gruyeres. A beautiful hilltop town, preserved against time, which could be the magical setting for fairytales with its impressive, medieval Castle. An informative visit to a factory of delicious milk product is a further highlight of our day. We continue our drive to the Vaud Riviera and reach Geneva, the most cosmopolitan city of Switzerland. Overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL - dinner on your own.
  • Day 3 Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt - Wednesday - We start with a city-tour of Geneva this morning. We will show you the beautiful parks along the lake, the old town with its cathedral, the unique town-hall and the European seat of the United Nations. In the late morning we leave Geneva and drive to Lausanne and Montreux. We pass by Chillon Castle, the 13th century fortress made famous by Lord Byron’s poem. In the afternoon we proceed through the Valais, the valley of the river Rhone with its orchards and vineyards. At Täsch we will board a cogwheel train that takes us to the mountain resort of Zermatt at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. Dinner and overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL
  • Day 4 Zermatt - Nufenen Pass - Lugano - Thursday - Morning at leisure in Zermatt - admire the quaint old farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. After noon board the train to Täsch where our bus is waiting to take us over the breathtaking Nufenen Pass into the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, to the garden city of Lugano. Overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL - dinner on your own.
  • Day 5 Lugano - Lake Como - Maloja Pass - St. Moritz - Friday - We leave Lugano and drive along the scenic road to Gandria where we cross the border into Italy. Along the romantic shores of Lake Como we pass by Menaggio and reach Chiavenna in the lovely Breggaglia Valley. In Castasegna we re-enter to Switzerland and drive thirteen hairpin bends over the Maloja Pass. Passing by crystal blue Lake Sils and Silvaplana we reach the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz in the late afternoon. (Italian Visa necessary for some nationalities). Dinner and overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL.
  • Day 6 St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich - Saturday - We leave St. Moritz in the morning and cross the Fluela Pass to reach Davos. In the capital of Principality of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, there will be time for lunch and for sightseeing. This tiny country with the mighty castle, which is the home of the present Prince and his family, attracts visitors from all over the world. In the afternoon we will return to Zurich through the Toggenburg region with its picturesque farmhouses.
    Arrival in Zurich at approx. 5 p.m.

Morcote on Lake Lugano - public domain photoItinerary with Glacier Express

  • Day 1 Zurich - Lucerne - Mt. Titlis - Interlaken - Monday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 2 Interlaken - Berne - Gruyeres - Geneva - Tuesday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 3 Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt - Wednesday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 4 Zermatt Thursday - Full day at leisure in Zermatt - admire the quaint farm houses and barns in their unique style, do some shopping, relax or take an optional cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Dinner and overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL
  • Day 5 Zermatt - Glacier Express Train (Unescorted) - St. Moritz - Friday - Today you will travel on the legendary ‘Glacier Express Train’. You board the train in Zermatt in the morning and a magnificent traveling day is ahead of you. Seated in a comfortable first class compartment, you will pass by breath-taking mountain scenery, sown covered peaks, meadows with wild flowers and tiny old villages. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the world-renowned mountain resort of St. Moritz. Dinner and overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL
  • Day 6 St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich - Saturday - Same itinerary as per regular program.

Itinerary with Jungfraujoch

  • Day 1 Zurich - Jungfraujoch-Top Of Europe - Interlaken - Sunday - We leave Zurich at 8.00 a.m. for an unforgettable Alpine tour to the majestic world of the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe at 3′454 m /11′333 ft. A guided coach tour takes us to the magnificent mountain world of the Bernese Oberland. In Lauterbrunnen we board the cogwheel train for the most interesting mountain train trip via Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the famous Eiger North Face to Jungfraujoch - Europe’s highest railway station. Today’s highlights include the beautiful Ice Palace, the Sphinx Observation Hall overlooking the Aletsch Glacier (Switzerland’s largest glacier) and the snow-capped peaks of the neighboring countries, in the late afternoon check-in at your hotel in Interlaken. Overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL - dinner is on your own.
  • Day 2 Interlaken At Leisure - Monday - Today’s day is at your leisure. Interlaken is located between the lakes of Thun and Brienz, at the foot of the towering trio of the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau. A perfect place to relax, or to do some sightseeing and shopping along the Höhenstrasse, the boulevard street in Interlaken with nice restaurants, elegant Fashion, Watch and Jewelers shops. Interlaken is ideally located for many excursions. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern motorship or one of the renovated stately steamers on Lake of Thun, or visit to Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (near Brienz) a unique museum offering a fascinating insight into Swiss rural dwellings and lifestyles dating back several centuries with some 90 buildings to be visited. Overnight at FIRST CLASS HOTEL - dinner is on your own.
  • Day 3 Interlaken - Berne - Gruyeres - Geneva - Tuesday - You join the passengers of the Regular tour and continue with the same itinerary.
  • Day 4 Geneva - Montreux - Zermatt - Wednesday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 5 Zermatt - Nufenen Pass - Lugano - Thursday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 6 Lugano - Lake Como - Maloja Pass - St. Moritz - Friday - Same itinerary as per regular program.
  • Day 7 St. Moritz - Vaduz - Zurich - Saturday - Same itinerary as per regular program.

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Europe, Switzerland, Educational, Cultural, Join-In Tour, Classic Visit


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