Compare Self-guided Jungfrau + Matterhorn by Alpine Hikers vs Paris to Geneva, Milan and Rome Tour by Discovery Nomads
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,190 | $ 1,868 |
| Price Per Day | $ 322 | $ 187 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners |
Complimentary breakfasts in some hotels |
| Description |
The Jungfrau + Matterhorn tour provides perhaps the perfect combination of pretty villages and premier hikes in Switzerland. Start in Mürren, and continue on to Grindelwald, Saas Fee and Zermatt, on one of our signature tours. You’ll stay in comfortable and classy hotels in each village, enjoying some of the finest hiking in the Alps by day, returning to the same hotel each night, and will travel between villages on scenic train and bus rides. This tour encompasses most of the main sights that you won’t want to miss, such as the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Matterhorn mountains, and many small, off-the-beaten-path places as well, such as the dramatic scenery of relatively-unknown Saas Fee. |
Take a trip through France, Switzerland and Italy, explore the unique cultures, try a different gourmet cuisine, see the stunning architecture of the cities and admire the breathtaking scenery of Grand Canal in Venice. |
Day 1: Mürren
Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train Mürren. There is a train station in both the Zurich and Geneva airports, and transferring to Mürren will be an easy introduction to Swiss precision and friendliness.
The trip itself is incredibly scenic, and takes about 4 hours. Mürren is an idyllic, car-free village, perched atop a sheer 3000ft. cliff above the waterfall-filled Lauterbrunnen valley (picture Yosemite with a Swiss village on top). You’ll have a chance to breathe the fresh mountain air and listen to the tinkle of not-so-distant cowbells before dinner, and settling in to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Mürren
One of our favorite hikes starts in town, and gently meanders up the hills to the pastoral setting at Spielboden.
Here you cross the Schiltbach stream, and start a steep and invigorating ascent to the local peak of Bryndli. Take your lunch enjoying birds-eye views of Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen valley, perhaps with a soaring golden eagle for company. From here the trail levels off, and becomes a relaxing stroll through flowery meadows to a quiet alpine hut at Bogangen. The trail back leads over a small ridge for more great views, before dropping back down to Mürren.
Day 3: Mürren
The Upper Lauterbrunnen valley curls back beneath the white-capped Breithorn – considered by many to be the most perfect mountain in the region.
It’s also a nature preserve, and contains many wonderful hiking trails. One of our favorites takes you to the small farm at Obersteinberg, where the proprietors keep cows and make cheese by the same simple methods that have been used for centuries. This part of the valley also contains some of the area’s prettiest waterfalls.
Day 4: Mürren
Start with a morning stroll through the sleepy village of Gimmelwald.
From here a wooded trail leads down past impressive waterfalls to the floor of the Lauterbrunnen valley. After a relaxing picnic lunch, a flat hike leads through the center of this amazing valley. 3000′ cliffs tower on either side, bursting with some of Switzerland’s most famous waterfalls. After arriving in the town of Lauterbrunnen, transfer by cable car back to Mürren.
Day 5: Grindelwald
Leaving Mürren, a 1 hour train ride brings you to the classic resort village of Grindelwald.
Fronted by the impressive rock wall of the Bernese Alps, the ridge behind Grindelwald hosts some of the greatest panorama hiking in the Alps. The Bachalpsee, a small glacial lake, provides the perfect mirror for enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery. Follow less traveled trails through rocky fields and old pine forests to this lake and other favorite viewpoints.
Day 6: Grindelwald
Another energetic hike takes you right into the heart of the Grindelwald mountains.
It starts with a densely wooded climb to the impressive Gletscherschlucht – a steep narrow gorge gouged out by the lower Grindelwald glacier. From here, your path continues up, out of the woods, along an airy trail to Bäregg. This sunny perch sits in a cirque among the mountains, and is a wonderful place to watch birds soar as avalanches crash onto the glacier far below.
Day 7: Saas Fee
After breakfast, you’ll say good-bye to Grindelwald, and board the train and then bus for Saas Fee, a high, car-free village in Switzerland’s southern Valais region.
In Saas Fee, a beautiful balcony walk through larch forests gives a great introduction to this glacier-ringed valley. We stay in the center of town in a comfortable hotel.
Day 8: Saas Fee
In Saas Fee, quiet wooded trails lead to the remote Allmagelleralp, where we lunch at an historic hut before looping back to town.
Day 9: Zermatt
Leaving Saas Fee, transfer to Zermatt, the lively mountain village at the base of the Matterhorn.
You’ll have a chance to take a short hike, visit the alpine museum, or spend the rest of the day exploring town. Zermatt also hosts some of the best hotels in Switzerland, with luxurious pools and spas and world-class cuisine.
Day 10: Zermatt – Walking through the village takes you past 400 year-old houses and into the history of this fascinating town.
From there, one trail takes you up to the Findeln glacier, hiking through larch forests and passing numerous small lakes with the Matterhorn towering in the distance. Afterwards, enjoy exquisite food and great Matterhorn views from your hotel.
Day 11: Zermatt
Taking quiet trails through fields and forest, you have a range of choices up to the wide ridge of Gornergrat, past marmots and small glacial lakes, to what has to be one of the finest viewpoints in Europe.
Once you gain the ridge, the jumbled mass of the Gorner glacier stretches out before you, and behind that, Dom, Monte Rosa, the Breithorn, and the Matterhorn form a spectacular backdrop.
Day 12: Zermatt
There are many peaceful trails criss-crossing the larch forests outside of Zermatt. One favorite leads across a suspended wooden walkway through a narrow river gorge.
After a thrilling (but safe) walk through the gorge, you’ll emerge and continue on to the enchanting, centuries-old hamlets of Zum See and Zmutt. Perhaps you’ll make the strenuous climb to the Schwarzsee lake, or even up to the Hornli hut (a sort of Matterhorn base camp) to enjoy fabulous, close-up views of the Matterhorn and and a sweeping look back at the valley below.
Day 13: Depart
After breakfast, you’ll say adieu and leave for your post-trip destinations.
Day 1-3 Paris
Today you will explore fascinating Paris and check this beautiful city from the Eiffel Tower and in the evening you will have free time to explore the nightlife of the city. On the next day you will have sightseeing tour around Paris and visit Louvre museum.
Hotel: Novotel Paris or similar.
Day 3 Geneva
In the morning you will travel by train to Switzerland. Discover this small city of Geneva that lies at the southern tip of expansive Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, the city has views of dramatic Mont Blanc.
Day 4-6 Milan
In the morning you will travel to Milan and have a guided tour to the beautiful Duomo Cathedral. Enjoy shopping on Via Montenapoleone and in the evening go to the opera of La Scala (please purchase tickets in advance).
Hotel: Starhotels Anderson or similar.
Day 6-8 Venice
You will have a guided tour to the Doge's Palace. Additionally visit the Accademia Gallery and Basilica di San Marco, take a vaporeto to Murano and Burano, gondola ride along Venice canals or visit Guggenheim gallery.
Hotel: LaGare Venezia MGallery by Sofitel or similar.
Day 8-10 Rome
Explore the history of Rome on a walking tour, see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona. On the next day you'll have an excursion to Vatican and visit the Colosseum. And do not miss the amazing Italian food, wine and nightlife.
Hotel: UNA Hotel Rome or similar.
