Explore Switzerland 6 Nights / 7 Days
Explore Switzerland with Zed Safaris Ltd
Day 1
Arrival at Zurich airport
Meet English speaking assistant inside customs after passport control to hand over travel documents and escort you to the train Second class train from Zurich airport to Lucerne
Walk to the hotel
Afternoon private guide for walking tour of Lucerne
Note:
- Direct trains
- Duration of train ride: approx. 1 hour
- No seat reservation possible
The world-famous, historical city of Lucerne lies in Switzerland in the heart of Europe. Because of its central location right on Lake Lucerne, which is surrounded by grand mountains like Mount Titlis at 3000 meters high or the impressive Mount Pilatus, Lucerne is considered to be the “Switzerland in Switzerland”. You will find everything here: the lake, the mountains, the city – a distinctive consonance of nature and work of man, which has been preserved and carefully developed for centuries. Lucerne – the metropolis of Cental Switzerland, the culture and convention city with a warm-hearted way of life. You will learn important, humorous and interesting facts about Lucerne’s history, churches, bridges, narrow streets, towers, squares and, of course, Lucerne’s trademark – the Chapel Bridge with Water Tower. During your sightseeing you will be shown the most important sights as: The 14th century Chapel Bridge with its Water Tower, part of the city’s fortifications and Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge. The the Baroque Jesuit Church and nearby Franciscan Church from the 14th century. Continue to the Spreuer Bridge with its ‘Dance of Death’ paintings, on to the Musegg Wall with the rampart walls built in 1386. See the Old City Squares with historical buildings, the Town Hall in Italian Renaissance style with open arcades facing the River Reuss. Go on to the Hof Church, the main Cathedral and also the most important Renaissance Church in Switzerland, see the Lion Monument, memorializing the Swiss Guards who defended the Royal Palace in Versailles during the French Revolution. Also see the KKL – Lucerne’s Culture and Convention Center of the Parisian architect Jean Nouvel.
Day 2
Breakfast at hotel
Excursion to Mount Rigi – unescorted
Walk to train station
Second class train to Arth-Goldau
Cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm and to Vitznau
Second class boat to Lucerne
Mt. Rigi – “The Queen of the Mountains” – so much loved by famous author Mark Twain! Travel by train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau (40 minutes) from where you ascend by the Arth-Rigi Railway which started operation in 1875. In 1907, the electrified service on the Goldau-Kulm mountain route was inaugurated. The Arth-Rigi-Railway was the first standard gauge rack-and pinion railway in Switzerland which changed to electric traction After 45 minutes you reach Rigi Kulm (1800m/5900ft). “My aim is to enable people to view the beauty of our glorious land from up high” declared engineer Nicklaus Riggenbach, in 1863! There is plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to stroll along one of the many footpaths and to breathe the pure “Swiss air”. Descend by another cogwheel train to Vitznau, the oldest mountain railway track in Europe, opened in May 1871. From Vitznau you take the boat back to Lucerne enjoying a leisurely cruise on Lake Lucerne with many interesting sights as Buergenstock, the Richard Wagner Museum etc.
Note:
- Duration of excursion: approx. 4 – 5 hours
- This tour can also be operated in the opposite direction
Day 3
Breakfast at hotel
Walk to train station
Second class train from Lucerne to Zermatt
Transfer to hotel by hotel electro taxi
Note:
- Change of trains in Bern and Visp
- Duration of train ride: approx. 3 hours 14 minutes
- Seat reservation from Bern to Visp
This legendary resort is presided over by the mighty Matterhorn, the world’s most famous rock. The Matterhorn is a natural pyramid glittering in the sun and is the European Alps’ most photographed mountain. Zermatt, a car-free village, has been able to retain the character of a traditional, idyllic Alpine village. Even the architecture has by and large remained unchanged. Zermatt is a car-free resort and visitors can breathe deeply in the bracing air of this high altitude village, located between 1,620 m / 5,314 ft and 3,820 m / 12,530 ft. All modern facilities, as expected of a Best of the Alps resort, are available and excellent hotels and gourmet restaurants meet the expectations of even the most discerning guests. Nine mountain railways and ski lifts make the area around Zermatt the biggest summer ski area in the Alps. All of the highest Alpine peaks can be seen from this Swiss town. A rack railroad whisks visitors to the Gornergrat (3,089 m) and the cosy Kulm Hotel Gornergrat, built of stone with Swiss pine interior, is the Swiss Alps’ highest hotel. It offers breathtaking views from 3,100 m
above sea level. In the warmer months, the scenic beauty of the Alps can be enjoyed on 400 km of hiking trails. For mountaineers there are 36 peaks of 4,000 meters waiting to be climbed.
Day 4
Breakfast at hotel
Excursion to Mount Gornergrat – unescorted
Note:
- Duration of excursion: approx. 4 hours
If you want to discover the dazzling beauty of the Alps, you’ll soon realise that the trip to Gornergrat is a “must- see” excursion. Its sunny viewing platform, accessible all year, makes the Gornergrat ridge a top destination, and not just because of its altitude. Surrounded by 29 peaks rising to above 4000 m and by Switzerland’s greatest mountain and second longest glacier in the Alps, it offers a spectacular mountain panorama second to none. For more than 100 years the Gornergrat Bahn has been making the ascent to the panoramic mountain a truly unique and wonderful experience. From Zermatt, the popular holiday resort in the Valais, Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel railway departs daily every 24 minutes, climbing to the Gornergrat 9.339 km away. The train crosses impressive bridges, galleries and tunnels. In the midst of idyllic forests and alpine meadows, past rocky gorges and tarns. Accompanied by the majestic mountains, first and foremost by the Matterhorn.
Day 5
Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to train station by hotel electro taxi
Second class train from Zermatt to Interlaken
Transfer to hotel by horse-drawn carriage with orientation tour of Interlaken
Note:
- Change of trains in Visp and Spiez
- Duration of train ride: approx. 2 hours 15 minutes
- Seat reservation from Visp to Spiez and from Spiez to Interlaken
Interlaken lies at the foot of the world-famous Jungfrau Mountain in the very heart of Switzerland between the Lakes of Thun and Brienz. Interlaken is one of the best known and most popular summer holiday resorts in Switzerland, outstandingly well-equipped to cater to the needs of visitors. Some of the castles have disappeared, and some remain, but the feeling of the past, of gentler times and quieter days, is still very much a part of the town. For Interlaken isn’t a city, it is a town – a town where traffic moves leisurely through lovely streets and past unhurried strollers on the Höheweg, Interlaken’s version of the Champs-Elysees. The Höhematte, 700
yards long, is a pedestrian paradise of shops, hotels and sidewalk cafes, interrupted only by inviting gardens. For a comfortable excursion through this quaint town, take a horse-carriage ride. You will view the mountains, the lakes, the endless beauty of Switzerland; all are at your fingertips in this comfortable, inviting, and elegant town.
Day 6
Breakfast at hotel
Full day excursion to Jungfraujoch – unescorted
This excursion takes you to the very heart of the Bernese Alps – from the green valleys to the glistening, eternal snow fields and glaciers encircling the mighty “Eiger” (13′026 ft/ 3970m), “Mönch” (13′449 ft/ 4099m) and “Jungfrau” (13′643 ft/ 4158m), which form an imposing nucleus of the Alpine Region. Walk to Interlaken Ost station and take the train into the Waterfall Valley of Lauterbrunnen where you change and board the train to Jungfraujoch. The railways of the Jungfrau Region are under unified management and comprise an electrified, highly efficient transport system. For those technically interested: there are different gauges, also gradients up to 25%. The highlight, of course, is the spectacular ride through the tunnel (4.4 miles long) cut into the rocks of the “Eiger”. The travelling time from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch is approx. 2 1/2 hours each way. At Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, you can visit the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Terraces – reached by lift affording breathtaking view of the Aletsch Glacier, the largest river of ice in Europe. Refreshment or a meal can be obtained at the Jungfraujoch Restaurant “Top of Europe”. After approx. 2 ½ hours you will return to the mountaineering village of Grindelwald, the winter sports and mountaineering centre. Enjoy the
view on the mighty mountains, before returning to Interlaken.
Note:
- Duration of excursion: approx. 8 – 9 hours
- In view of the altitude we recommend warm clothing, robust footwear and sunglasses
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel
Walk to train station
Second class train from Interlaken to Zurich airport
Departure Zurich airport
Note:
- Change of trains in Bern
- Duration of train ride: approx. 2 hours 15 minutes
- Seat reservation from Interlaken to Bern and from Bern to Zurich airport
Accommodation
Day 1 – 3 – Lucerne – Hotel Waldstätterhof
1 standard double room
The Hotel Waldstaetterhof is located by the railway station, and is also close to the lake, the old
town and the culture and congress centre. The nostalgic and stylishly renovated building
originates from the turn of the 20th century. Daily dishes created from ingredients fresh from the
market are available in our alcohol-free restaurant. Alcoholic drinks are available for private
parties. Rooms are not air-conditioned. Fans in rooms possible.
www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch
Day 3 – 5 – Zermatt – Hotel Walliserhof
1 standard double room
Hotel Walliserhof is a first class hotel built in typical Valaisan chalet style. It is located in the
heart of the village, 200 m from the train station and a few walking minutes from the cable cars
that take you up to the world famous viewpoints and ski slopes. In our cosy Stübli, the elegant
grill room or our terrace towards the Bahnhofstrasse we serve regional as well as international
cuisine. All the rooms at Hotel Walliserhof are equipped with bathtub, WC, hairdryer, bathrobe,
TV, radio, self-dial phone, mini bar, writing desk and safe, (mostly with balcony). They are ideal
for tourists who want to enjoy the typical ambiance of the area as well as for people who prefer
to stay in the city center. A fireplace can be found on the ground floor in the lounge.
www.reconline.ch/walliserhof
Day 5 – 7 – Interlaken – Hotel Goldey
1 standard double room
Almost certainly the best choice in town! The Hotel Goldey is in a sunny and quiet setting on the
banks of the River Aare, only five minutes on foot from the centre. Sauna, massage, free hotel
bikes and free entrance to the nearby public indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Swiss
hospitality from your host Andreas Kuchen and his team. The restaurant at the Hotel Goldey is
reserved for the hotel guests. In the evenings, a delicious 3-course menu is served.
Reservations can be made on a daily basis. Massage (appointments on request), sauna, free
hotel bikes, free entrance to public swimming pool (indoor and outdoor).
www.goldey.ch
Included in our rate:
Flights DAR-ZRH-DAR
Accommodation as mentioned above including breakfast, service charge and taxes
- Day 1 – assistant at Zurich airport
- Day 1 – second class train tickets from Zurich airport to Lucerne
- Day 1 – private guide for walking tour of Lucerne
- Day 2 – tickets for excursion to Mount Rigi
- Day 3 – second class train tickets from Lucerne to Zermatt
- Day 3 – seat reservation from Bern to Visp
- Day 3 – transfer to hotel by hotel electro taxi
- Day 4 – tickets for excursion to Mount Gornergrat
- Day 5 – transfer to train station by hotel electro taxi
- Day 5 – second class train tickets from Zermatt to Interlaken
- Day 5 – seat reservation from Visp to Spiez and Spiez to Interlaken
- Day 5 – horse-drawn carriage ride in Interlaken (30 minutes)
- Day 6 – tickets for excursion to Jungfraujoch
- Day 7 – second class train tickets from Interlaken to Zurich airport
- Day 7 – seat reservation from Interlaken to Bern and Bern to Zurich airport
- Swiss Half Fare Cards
Price:
US$ 2,895 Per person sharing.
For more information please write to us at safaris [ at ] zedsafaris.com.
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