Compare Self-guided Jungfrau + Matterhorn by Alpine Hikers vs Switzerland in 8 days - Enchanting Alps & Glacier Scenic Railway - Exoticca Group Sup. by Exoticca

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: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Switzerland? Arrive at your departure airport, ready to catch a flight to Zurich.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Zurich

Touch down in Zurich, famous as a global center of finance on the north shore of beautiful Lake Zurich. Transfer to the hotel, get settled in and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Zurich.

Day 3: Zurich - Bern - Thun - Interlaken

After breakfast at the hotel, a 2-hour walking tour of Zurich with a professional guide. Explore the atmospheric Old Town, see the 12th-century Grossmunster cathedral and stroll down bustling Bahnhofstrasse. Discover Paradeplatz, the 11th-century Fraumunster Church and stroll along the river banks at Limmatquai. Afterwards, set off for the Swiss capital of Bern, a small city known for its medieval old town. Upon arrival, enjoy a 2-hour guided city tour with a professional guide. Pass through the old town where you can admire the Zytglogge medieval clock tower, the beautiful Rose Garden and Parliament Square. See the Gothic-style Bern Cathedral and visit Bear Park, named after the brown bear which is the symbol of the city. Later on, pass through Thun before continuing to Interlaken, a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region. Get settled at the hotel and enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery and charming alpine architecture. Overnight stay in Interlaken.

Day 4: Interlaken - Zermatt

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a short panoramic tour with your driver through Interlaken this morning, one of Switzerland's most important resort towns. Later, transfer to Zermatt, in the shadow of the famous Matterhorn mountain! This car-free resort is a natural paradise where you can soak up the tranquillity of the Swiss mountains. Overnight stay in Zermatt.

Day 5: Zermatt

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Zermatt. Admire the majestic silhouette of the Matterhorn or soak up the charming atmosphere of this Alpine town as you wander through its pretty streets, flanked by wooden architecture and chocolate-box style lodgings. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the famous Matterhorn is to take the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway, which reaches a maximum height of 3,100 metres above sea level for spectacular views of the mountain and surrounding scenery!* Overnight stay in Zermatt. * Tickets for the Gornergrat Cogwheel Railway can be purchased at the destination. Timetables for the service are available locally.

Day 6: Zermatt - St. Moritz by Glacier Express

Breakfast at the hotel. Prepare for an exciting day ahead as you set off on the famous Glacier Express*, one of the most scenic train rides in the world! Journey through the inspiring landscapes of the Alps as you travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz, an unforgettable journey of around 7.5 hours. Pass through 91 tunnels, across 291 bridges and climb as high as 2033 meters as the Glacier Express crosses the Oberalp Pass. The journey includes a three-course meal and the panoramic windows ensure ample opportunities to kick back and take in the views! Arrive in St. Moritz and transfer to the hotel. St. Moritz is the most luxurious alpine resort in Switzerland so be sure to get out and explore the upmarket eateries and glamorous streets. Overnight stay in St. Moritz. *The possibility to upgrade your seats to first class is available in the next step of the booking process.

Day 7: St. Moritz - Davos - Klosters - Bad Ragaz

Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning to explore St. Moritz at your leisure, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics twice and one of the most prominent ski resorts in Europe. Afterwards, head off to Davos, the highest town in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy this unique town, famous for holding the annual World Economic Forum before heading to Klosters which has a more laid-back atmosphere and boasts plenty of pretty wooden Alpine architecture. Afterwards, head to Bad Ragaz, one of Switzerland's most famous spa resorts. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the Tamina Therme, a spa oasis that harnesses the healing properties of the thermal waters of Bad Ragaz. Overnight stay in Bad Ragaz.

Day 8: Bad Ragaz - Lucerne - Zurich

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave beautiful Bad Ragaz behind you today as you depart to Lucerne, an enchanting Swiss city filled with medieval architecture. Take in the views of Lake Lucerne and see St. Peter's Chapel, the Jesuit Church, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge as you enjoy a 2-hour guided city tour, accompanied by a professional guide. Afterwards, continue your journey back to Zurich. On arrival, get settled at the hotel and enjoy your final evening in Switzerland. Overnight stay in Zurich.

Day 9: Zurich - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* Bid farewell to the charming culture and unforgettable landscapes of Switzerland. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the US.* Arrive in the US and end of your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.