The Best of the Swiss Alps for Day Hikers - The Matterhorn, Sparkling Glaciers, and Chablais Wine Country

If you want to see the best of Switzerland, but aren't a hardcore hiker, look no further! We've designed this adventure for the traveler who wants to enjoy all the consummate views, fine accommodations, and delectable food and wine the Swiss Alps are known for-but at a relaxed, leisurely pace. You'll still discover it on foot (because, after all, that's the best way to experience the mountains), but the hikes are easier, with Switzerland's funiculars, cable cars, gondolas, and cog trains making short work of the hard ascents and descents. Our exclusive itinerary takes you high in the mountains for extraordinary views of peaks and glaciers and into valleys where grapes are grown for the finest of Swiss wines. A bit of well-earned sweat during the day, clean sheets and eiderdown comforters at night! Who would have thought hiking could be so civilized?

Activities

5 days easy to moderate hiking (max. elev. 10,506'), easy touring

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike the very best of Switzerland, including the Bernese Oberland, Valais, and the Swiss wine country of Chablais near Lake Geneva!
• Feast your eyes on fantastic scenery-a wonderland of peaks and glaciers, including the Matterhorn!
• Alpine hikes are facilitated by Switzerland's famous and efficient funiculars, cable cars, and cog trains-perfect for holiday hikers!

2010 Prices
$3,495 (5-16 members)
$3,995 (4 members)
$4,295 (3 members)
$600 single supplement

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Zurich End Location: Geneva Best time to go: June, August

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Zurich – Kandersteg

  Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland, and travel by train to Kandersteg (3,858'), a popular summer and winter resort.

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  Day 2 : Oeschinensee Lake

  Take the chairlift to Oeschinen and hike to beautiful Oeschinensee Lake (5,177'), surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Descend to Kandersteg.

• Day 3 : Gastern Valley

  By bus to Eggeschwand, then hike along the Kander River through a wild mountain valley with stunning views of magnificent glaciers. Return to Kandersteg, then take the train through the Lötschberg tunnel to Zermatt in Valais canton.

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  Day 4 : Three Lakes Hiking Tour and the Gornergrat

  Take the funicular up to the Sunnegga (7,619') and hike through alpine meadows with views of idyllic and inviting lakes. From the Riffelalp (7,362'), board the train to the Gornergrat station (10,506'), a scenic overlook. Terrific alpine scenery en route includes the 4,000-meter peaks of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn, and Monte Rosa. Return by train to Zermatt.

• Day 5 : Zmutt

  By funicular up to Furi (6,217'), then hike to Zmutt (6,447'), a hamlet at the foot of the Matterhorn with picturesque wooden buildings.

• Day 6 : Chablais

  Travel by train to Aigle on the eastern banks of Lake Geneva in the wine production area of the Chablais. After tasting some of the superb wines and visiting the local castle, you'll visit several wine-growing villages, including Yvorne. Continue to La Tour-de-Peilz.

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  Day 7 : Hike to Rocher-de-Naye – Montreux

  By train and cable tram to Sounloup (3,826') for a scenic hike over the Chemin des Narcisses, with panoramic views of the Alps, Lake Geneva, the mountains of Jura, and more. Continue to Montreux and tour the old part of the town, then return to La Tour-de-Peilz.

• Day 8 : Depart

  Travel by train to Geneva and depart.

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  Hotel Victoria Ritter

  
  
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  Butterfly Hotel

  The Best Western Hotel Butterfly, a superior three-star hotel, is situated in a quiet and sunny spot, in the center of car-free Zermatt.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Roland Kimmerle

  Roland has been a part of MTS for 7 years. He holds a PhD in geography and English and is outstanding at reading maps – he can make out the contour lines of a map in the actual terrain! Roland is an excellent mountaineer and bicyclist and is currently employed by the Swiss government and involved in a project on the subject of flood prevention in the Berner Oberland (Bernese Highlands).

• Theresa Moser

  Theresa is a remarkable woman and has been with MTS for 8 years. A trained and professional ballet dancer, she co-organizes the annual International Dance Festival in Zurich, offers yoga classes for adults and children and works as a life guard at the Seebad in Zurich (a spa and beach on Lake Zurich). Her expertise in first-aid and CPR and her skills in mountaineering make her a wonderful tour guide, a position she loves above all.

• Agnes Zellweger

  Agnes has been with MTS for 5 years. She is a grade school teacher and competes in alpine contests such as half-marathons and triathlons in the mountains. Agnes is a skilled and successful mountaineer and mountain-cyclist. Both her mental as well as her physical strength are unique.

• Pascalina Wullschleger

  Pascalina has guided tours through the Swiss Alps for MTS for the last 15 years. Her degree in psychology with a focus on adolescent psychology provides her with superior people skills. To her, being a tour guide combines a welcome challenge with change from her demanding job as a psychologist.

• Bruno Hahn

  Bruno has been a professional tour guide with MTS for approximately 20 years. As a former 17-year Swissair pilot, Bruno completed countless long-distance flights before becoming a leader on the ground. Before then, he was honored with the special license of Patrol Leader for the Swiss Army in the high mountains, allowing him to guide troops of soldiers through the mountainous areas of Switzerland. Bruno has guided trip for us in the Bernese Oberland, Valais, Engadine Valley, along the Haute Route, and the North Face.

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