Upon arrival at Zürich Airport, you can take a train directly to Lucerne, where our hotel is just a short walk from the station. You’ll meet the other tour members at 12:30 pm, after which we take a local train to Stans to ascend the nearby Stanserhorn.
The journey to the summit begins on a historic funicular railway dating back to 1893, followed by a ride on the ultra-modern double-decker, open-air CabriO cableway—the only one of its kind in the world. At the top, we’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Central Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne below, and the massive Titlis Glacier to the south. A short walk around the summit offers 360° vistas and the chance to encounter the local marmots that make their home here. We then descend for the return train ride to Lucerne, completing a memorable day in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Overnight in Lucerne. (D)
We travel east to St. Gallen aboard the Voralpen Express, gliding through Switzerland’s storybook countryside of rolling hills, pastures, and charming villages. In St. Gallen, we step back in time with a visit to the magnificent Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its world-famous library—one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. After absorbing the city’s rich history and architecture, we return to Lucerne with lasting memories of Switzerland’s tranquil pre-Alpine landscapes. Overnight in Luzern (B), Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Lucerne tonight.
In Lucerne, we board the Lucerne–Interlaken Express for a spectacular lakeside journey through the heart of the Central Swiss Alps. As the train climbs the Brünig Pass with the aid of its cogwheel system, sweeping views of rugged peaks and deep valleys unfold around us. Descending into the Bernese Oberland, we stop in Brienz to board a boat for a relaxing cruise across the turquoise waters of this glacial lake. Upon arrival in Interlaken, there’s the option to take a funicular up to Harder Kulm, where panoramic views of the surrounding Alps await. From there, a short train ride carries us into the enchanting Lauterbrunnen Valley—a dramatic landscape often said to have inspired Tolkien’s vision of Rivendell. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen (BD)
A short tram ride takes us to the car-free village of Mürren and onward to the Schilthorn, famous as the filming location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The summit has been remodeled with spacious observation decks, offering breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, and other towering peaks of the Bernese Alps. We then descend by cable car into the glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen Valley, often called one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Here, Trümmelbach Falls—ten tiered underground waterfalls fed by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau glaciers—thunder through tunnels and channels carved in the rock. Finally, we walk—or take a bus—through the valley, where sheer cliffs rise 2,000 feet above us and 72 waterfalls cascade into the lush valley below, completing one of Switzerland’s most dramatic alpine experiences. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen (BD)
The GoldenPass Express travels from Interlaken to Montreux along one of Switzerland’s most scenic train routes. The train stops in charming towns such as Gstaad, Château-d’Oex, and Montbovon, before descending through historic vineyards to the lakeside resort of Montreux. From Martigny in the Rhône Valley, we board the Mont Blanc Express, a cogwheel railway built between 1899 and 1906. Crossing into France, the trains navigate steep slopes—up to 200% in Switzerland and 90% in France—offering breathtaking views along the way. Our journey ends in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak. Famous for hosting the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, Chamonix is still a hub for outdoor adventures year-round. Overnight in Chamonix, France (BD)
Chamonix is a vibrant and stylish mountain resort. Stroll its cobblestone streets and lively plaza, enjoy the excellent restaurants, browse international brands in its many shops, or simply relax with a coffee or gelato at one of the outdoor cafés. The town’s most popular mountain excursion is the Aiguille du Midi, a must-see destination for over 60 years. In just 20 minutes, the cable car carries us from the center of Chamonix to over 12,600 ft above sea level, offering some of the most breathtaking Alpine views imaginable. Overnight in Chamonix, France (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Chamonix tonight.
From Chamonix, we return to Switzerland’s Rhone Valley, the largest and deepest valley in Europe, with the Bernese Alps to the north and the Matterhorn and the other highest peaks of the Swiss Alps to the south. We take the fabled Simplon Tunnel to Domodossola, Italy, to board the Centovalli Express train, a slow journey between villages and nature, with direct service to Locarno, Switzerland. Along the way, we’ll relive one hundred years of railway history while crossing over 83 bridges and traveling through 31 tunnels —all in two hours. Overnight in Locarno (BD)
Locarno blends Alpine charm with a Mediterranean atmosphere, featuring a scenic lakeside promenade lined with palm trees. We’ll enjoy a lake cruise on Lago Maggiore, passing the lake’s picturesque islands and elegant lakeside villas, followed by time in the charming village of Ascona for lunch. Back in Locarno, we’ll ascend via funicular and cable car to Cardada, then take a chairlift to the summit of Cimetta for breathtaking panoramic views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Overnight in Locarno (BD)
Our return to Zürich is sped by traveling through the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest train tunnel in the world. After exiting the tunnel on the north side of the Alps, we’ll enjoy the onward journey to Zürich, most of which is along the shore of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), Lake Zug (Zugersee), and Lake Zürich (Zürichsee). In the afternoon, the group will visit the famous Lindt Home of Chocolate, a museum and interactive adventure for chocolate lovers. Overnight in downtown Zürich (BD)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking off for onward destinations. It is only a 10-12-minute train ride to get to Zürich airport; however, we recommend not booking a flight before 8 am if possible. The first train departs downtown Zürich at 4:30 am, and the next one is at 5:02 am, when they start running every 10-15 minutes. (B)
We rate this trip as easy to slightly moderate because this is an ACTIVE tour. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and maybe uphill). There are additional hiking and walking options available for those wanting more activity. You should also be able to handle your luggage to get to the trains when needed. One day, you will take a cable car to an elevation of 12,600 feet, and you should be able to handle staying at this elevation for a couple of hours.
Walking: In addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, uneven terrain, and cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time, and you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get into some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: Be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also, note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes, as benches at train stations are not in good supply.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the bags.
