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SCENIC GUIDED ALPS BY RAIL TOUR - 8/16-8/27/2026 - 11 DAYS

THE GRAND TRAIN TOUR OF SWITZERLAND!!!!

Imagine the spectacular alpine scenery through the panoramic "vista" windows that run from your elbow to the ceiling while you sit comfortably in your first-class Swiss rail seat. Your eyes gazing effortlessly on the beautiful Swiss Alp peaks, the sparkling lakes, lush flowered meadows, historic castles, the iconic profile of the Matterhorn, deep-cut glacial valleys, vineyards, gushing white water streams, magic mountains flanked by enormous glaciers. 


Europe's Finest Rail System

The legendary trains of Switzerland are among the finest in the world and the Swiss have perfected making mountains accessible. Their ingenious network of trains, rack railways, trams, and funiculars easily puts you in the midst of the most spectacular glaciers in the Alps and the highest peaks in Europe.

Mountaintop Excursions

You will also get to ascend the Gornergrat above Zermatt to arrive at an alpine panorama, where you are surrounded by more 4,000-meter peaks than anywhere else in the Alps. Then you will get to ride through a tunnel in the Eiger to arrive at the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.

All in First-Class Comfort

Enjoy the Swiss Alps in the comfort of your first-class rail car, and in the company of Swiss rail experts. You'll discover the scenery, history, and engineering that have made Switzerland's rail system the finest and most popular in the world. We do our best to book 1st class seat reservations but please note that at times due to availabilty it is possible to ride in 2nd class.

Glacier Express and Other Scenic Journeys

You'll ride on the most legendary of alpine railway journeys—The Glacier Express—and discover the charms of other scenic routes such as the Bernina Express and the GoldenPass Line.

Trip Highlights

  • Ride the most legendary alpine railway journeys such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Line, and along the Gotthard route
  • Travel in first-class comfort in panoramic cars that are air-cushioned and air-conditioned, and on all of Switzerland top scenic rail journeys
  • Experience the legendary Glacier Express as it crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels on an unforgettable journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt
  • Ascend snowy Jungfrau by cog railway to Europe’s highest railway station and overlooking the Alps’ longest glacier

VIDEOS Click here!

YOUR RAIL ADVENTURE IN ONE MINUTE!

Our tour in 11 days!

ITINERARY

B - Breakfast D - Dinner

Aug 17, 2026- Zurich

Arrive in Zurich and take the train to Lucerne (1 hr). Afternoon excursion to either Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi to enjoy the views high above Lake Luzern. (D)

Overnight Lucerne - Hotel: Continental Park

Aug 18, 2026 -Lake Lucerne

Ride a historic paddle steamboat along the Wilhelm Tell express route to Fluelen on Lake Lucerne. In the afternoon you will take a train to Lugano which is along the Gotthard express route where you will arrive in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland called Ticino. (BD)

Overnight Lugano - International Au Lac

Aug 19 2026 - St.Moritz

Ride the Bernina Express bus through Lake Como to Tirano Italy. Change to the Bernina Express train to complete your journey to St. Moritz. (BD)

Overnight St. Moritz, Hotel Schweizerhof


Itinerary Continued

B Breakfast D Dinner

Aug 20, 2026- St Moritz

Day in St. Moritz to enjoy mountain excursions such Diavolezza, Muottas Muragl or Piz Nair. (BD)

Overnight St. Moritz - Hotel Schweizerhof


St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley. It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, has the Cresta Run, a world-championship bobsled run made of natural ice, and an outdoor Olympic ice rink. Its frozen lake hosts polo, cricket and  horse racing on ice. Ski and snowboard areas and there are well-groomed cross-country ski trails.

Aug 21, 2026 - Zermatt

Ride the legendary Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt (8 hours). Along the way, you cross over 291 bridges and pass through 91 tunnels. (BD)

Overnight: Resort La Ginabelle

Zermatt is a mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing and hiking. The town, at an elevation of around 1,600m, lies below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutique shops, hotels and restaurants, and also has a lively après-ski scene. 

Aug 22, 2026 Zermatt

Take the classic cogwheel railway from Zermatt to the Gornergrat (10,285 feet) with the best views of the Matterhorn. Visit the Matterhorn Museum. (B)

Overnight:  Resort La Ginabelle


Itinerary continued

Aug 23, 2026 - Gruyeres

Take the train to Montreux that sits on Lake Geneva. Afternoon to visit to the Chillon Castle or take a boat ride on Lake Geneva. (BD)

Overnight Hotel de Gruyeres

Gruyères is a medieval town in the Fribourg canton of Switzerland. It's known for production of the cheese of the same name. The 13th-century Château de Gruyères is a hilltop fortress with a multimedia history show and ornate rooms. Inside the small St. Germain Castle, the H.R. Giger Museum shows artwork relating to the film “Alien.” 

Aug 24, 2026 - Grindelwald

Ride the scenic GoldenPass line to Interlaken and on to Grindelwald. (4 hours). Afternoon to explore the village of Grindelwald. (BD)  Overnight Hotel Kreuz & Post

Grindelwald, is a popular gateway for the Jungfrau Region, with skiing in winter and hiking in summer. It's a base for mountain-climbing ascents up the iconic north face of Eiger Mountain. Gletscherschlucht, a glacial gorge just outside Grindelwald, features paths with interpretive signage, waterfalls and striated limestone walls.


Aug 25, 2026 - Grindelwald

The Jungfrau railway takes you to the Alpine crossroads of Kleine Scheidegg. From here, a dramatic cog-wheel climb takes you into a tunnel through the Eiger on an ascent to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. (BD) Overnight Hotel Kreuz & Post


Itinerary Continued

B Breakfast, D Dinner

Aug 26, 2026 - Zurich

Morning in Grindelwald and afternoon train to Zurich 

Over night Zurich Radisson Blu (BD

Aug 27, 2026 - Zurich

Onward Departure  (B)

PRICING & INCLUSIONS

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PER PERSON

$8095 PER PERSON

SINGLE

ADD $1295 FOR PER PERSON RATE OF $8095

Book Now

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • The services of two experienced Alpenwild trip leaders from the tour start in Lucerne and the tour ends in Zürich.
  • 10 nights’ accommodation in conveniently located, independently owned 3 and 4-star hotels.
  • Meals, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 11. Please note that lunches are not included. B=Breakfast, D=Dinner as noted on itinerary above. Note that dinner on day 6 in Zermatt is not included. Guests can enjoy dinner on their own that one night.
  • 1st Class Swiss Rail Travel Pass (15 consecutive days) that will provide all rail travel in Switzerland, including the Goldenpass, Glacier and Bernina Express trains.
  • All excursions as indicated on itinerary above.
  • 5 Luggage transfers: from Lucerne to Lugano, Lugano to St. Moritz, Zermatt to Gruyères, Gruyères  to Grindelwald, Grindelwald to Zürich. Guests will take their bags on the Glacier Express train from St. Moritz to Zermatt.
  • Tour documents with arrival instructions, hotel & contact information, packing list, etc.
  • Pre-trip telephone support with our experienced Alpenwild staff to answer your questions and  provide insider tips to make your Swiss Alps hiking adventure as rewarding as possible.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Airfare
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Lunches
  • Dinner on day 6 in Zermatt
  • Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone calls, room service)
  • Travel Insurance

PAYMENT POLICY

A $500 per person deposit and completion of the Tour Reservation form is due at the time of booking to guarantee your space and the price quoted above. Please note that all hotels are subject to availability and pricing may fluctuate if we are unable to secure the rooms as indicated. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. By submitting your $500 per person deposit, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

CANCELATION POLICY

  • Cancelations made more than 90 days prior to departure are refundable less a $100 per person service fee. Cancelations made more than 90 days prior to departure are refundable less a $100 per person service fee.
  • Cancelations made between 90 and 45 days prior to departure are subject to a $1000 per person cancellation penalty.
  • Any cancelations made fewer than 45 days prior to departure are completely not refundable.
    Changes made en route are subject to a service fee. Cancelation of individual room nights or non-use of prepaid meals are not refundable. Pre-paid train tickets, excursions, and hotels nights are subject to additional penalties. Final payment for your trip is due 90 days prior to your trip departure. If payment has not been made by this date, we reserve the right to cancel your trip reservations.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

  • Alpenwild Adventures are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as easy, but ACTIVE. You should be in good physical condition and able to walk to and from the train stations, up and down stairs, and handle your own luggage on/off the trains.

Contentinal Park Lucerne

International Au Lac Hotel

Hotel Schweizerhoff

Resort la Ginabelle

Hotel de Gruyeres, Gruyeres

Hotel Kreuz & Post, Grindelwald

Radisson Blu Zurich Airport

WHAT TO PACK?

This packing list is a great start for your planning and packing for a Switzerland sightseeing tour. It's ideally suited for Alpenwild trips such asScenic Alps by Rail and Cheese, Chocolate and the Alps. If your travel plans involve more strenuous hiking or trekking, on a trip such as the Haute Route or and inn-to-inn walking tour, you'll want to refer to either our Alps Hiking or Trekking packing list, which are designed specifically for hikers and trekkers in the Alps.  

But even if you're not planning on doing some serious hiking on your vacation in the Alps, you can still expect to be outdoors and doing some walking, although not on mountain trails, so packing the right items will enable you to have a more enjoyable trip. For train travel and walking around towns and villages, the key is casual comfort. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that are easy to pack and wear, and wash if needed. In the evening you'll be eating dinners in the hotel or at restaurants around town. You may want to wear something other than what you've been wearing during the day, but is still casual and not really very dressy. While we make some specific recommendations below, your own personal preference, experience, and comfort are ultimately the most important factors in deciding what to bring.


Packing List:

When selecting clothing, think about dual-purpose clothes and about layering for warmth and keeping dry. It is better to have several layers you can take off and put on one at a time versus one heavy layer. Up on the high mountain peaks it can be cool, especially if the wind is blowing. You won’t be outside for too long, but this is when your layered clothing will come in handy (also knit hat, gloves, jacket). If you are sensitive to cold or traveling during the early or late season tours, a lightweight down jacket or similar is also recommended.


Recommended Clothing & Footwear

  • 1 pair comfortable walking shoes with a sturdy sole and good traction (preferably waterproof)
  • 1 pair comfortable lightweight shoes or sandals for evenings and days without much walking
  • 3-4 pair casual pants in cotton blend (easier to wash/dry and better than jeans). Must be comfortable when sitting for many hours in trains or walking around towns.
  • A pair of capri-pants, shorts, or pants with zip-off legs can be useful for hot conditions
  • 4-5 short-sleeve shirts in easy-wash, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant fabric
  • 2-3 long-sleeved shirts that can be worn on their own or over the short-sleeve shirts for layering
  • Casual outfits for the evenings 
  • Underwear and socks – can handwash halfway through tour
  • Raincoat & Sunhat with a brim (It is likely to encounter both rain and sun, so be prepared!)
  • Zip-up fleece jacket or softshell jacket. A light sweater is also useful for additional layering
  • Knitted hat and a pair lightweight gloves (for mountain excursions)
  • A lightweight puffy jacket for spring and fall tours
  • Swimsuit – we stay in some hotels with great pools
  • Sleepwear

Recommended Gear

  • Water bottle (water is free and safe to drink in Switzerland!)
  • A daypack to carry your valuables, railpass, water bottle, raincoat, snacks, sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen, etc.
  • Personal Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc. Hotels have hair dryers, shampoo, and soap. Not all hotels provide washcloths so you may want to bring your own if needed
  • Personal medication as prescribed, in the original packaging with your name on it – remember to pack your meds in your carry-on luggage in case your suitcase gets delayed
  • Simple first-aid supplies such as Band-Aids, blister aid, Neosporin, Ibuprofen, etc.
  • Laundry soap for handwashing clothes at hotels. 
  • Swiss plug adapter (Europlug–type C)
  • Chargers for phones/electronic items


Try not to pack too much. Most people choose to check a suitcase for the transatlantic flight and use their small backpack as a carry-on piece. Make sure you have your rail passes & passport handy as you will need these upon arrival.

ALPENWILD - our tour operator

About Alpenwild

Our Philosophy

1. We Specialize in the Alps

It's our passion and our expertise, and has been for over three decades. We know the trails and the towns inside and out. We know the hoteliers and their rooms, and restauranteurs and their menus. We don't guide on any route we haven't done many times before. Our expertise gives you a richer, more enjoyable experience, and makes better use of your time, whether you're on a guided or self-guided tour.

2. Personal Service:

For most tours we meet you at the hotel on the first day of the tour and are there to help throughout your stay. We provide a thorough and complete orientation, so you are fully prepared to make the most of your Swiss vacation or Alps hiking adventure. Your expert trip leader is with you for the entire trip. Alpenwild trip leaders, employees, and office staff are empowered to do whatever they can for our customers and guests—before, during, and after the tour.

3. All-Inclusive Pricing:

The price includes all ground transportation (lifts, funiculars, trains, shuttles) and includes a full array of activities every day. Meals are served at excellent restaurants and hotels, and focus on local cuisine. You'll enjoy the entire trip without any out-of-pocket expenses other than personal items (souvenirs, beer and wine at dinner, or a special treat)

4. Luggage Transfers:

We shuttle your bags so you can bring everything you need and still travel light during the day. At night your bags are waiting for you at the hotel. You're on vacation to enjoy the Alps, not to schlep bags.

5. Low Overhead = Great value:

We have a small office in the US and an efficient operational base in Switzerland. We lock in prices with trusted hotels, restaurants, and shuttle operators long before the tour begins.  We pay our hotels and suppliers directly in Euros or Swiss Francs, thereby avoiding the costly currency exchange experienced by other tour operators. As a result, you get a great value for your vacation dollar.

6. Experienced Guides:

Our Trip Leaders, both European and American, know where you'll find the best photos, most fascinating wildlife, the edelweiss on the remote mountain slopes, and the best stream crossings. We can point you toward the best bakeries, local cheeses, concerts, festivals, and special events. You'll see and discover things that you would never have encountered traveling on your own or with other less experienced guides.

7. Proven Reliability:

We know the routes and the escape routes. We know where to go on a rainy day and how to take maximum advantage of a sunny day. We know the hut and hotel managers and they bend over backward for our guests.

8. Small Group Size:

You'll typically travel with a group of 6-12, although we can offer a customized guided tour for as few as 2 guests. You'll enjoy intimate hotels, wonderful personal connections, and the fun that comes in traveling with like-minded friends.

9. Flexible:

When you travel with an experienced guide you're not the one worrying about rerouting in changing weather or finding accommodations and a shuttle if a change in plans is required. Our guides have the ability, experience, and authority to make changes based on weather, route conditions, and the needs of our clients. This means you get the best possible experience no matter what the weather or route conditions may be.

10. Price Guarantee:

We guarantee our prices in advance, so the vacation price we quote you in November is the price you pay in August. We don't leave you wondering what the final cost will be based on how many show up for the tour. Unlike some tour operators who "float" the exchange rate, then cancel the tour or increase the price if the fluctuation doesn't work in their favor, we have never changed the price once someone is on deposit. It's our commitment to you.

11. Accessible:

Our team of experts is easily accessible in the US to help with travel arrangements and special requests before, during, and after your trip. In Switzerland, we're just a local phone call away, ready to help at a moment's notice. When you're in the Alps you'll be in contact with our on-site guest support and operations team. For guided guests, they are with you throughout the trip. For self-guided guests, they are just a local phone call away.

12. Cutting-Edge Communications:  

Our guides are equipped with smartphones which enable them to instantly access weather, train schedules, make restaurant reservations, and handle other services on the trail. When necessary, our guides also carry satellite phones or other means of emergency communications.

13. Delicious Local Cuisine:

Great cuisine takes center stage on Alpenwild tours. We love delighting our guests with our "secret finds"—some of the finest restaurants in the Alps. Many of our meals allow you to order a la carte. You're not given the basic tourist menu at the hotel where we stay. Instead, every meal is an exciting new culinary adventure. We're also experienced in helping guests with special dietary needs (gluten-free, keto/paleo, vegetarian, allergies) find great food choices for their special requests.

14. Additional Services:

Arriving early? Staying for a few extra days? That's great. Most of our guests do some sort of independent pre- or post-tour travel. And we are happy to help with these custom arrangements and individual travel plans.

15. Individualized:

 Most of our tours have two guides, so we're often able to provide options. 

16. Owner Operated:

We own the operation. With us, there is no middleman. An Alpenwild hiking vacation in the Swiss Alps, train journeys, the Dolomites. or Slovenia is like a family vacation with your best friends in the mountains.

17. Arrival Options:

You can plan your arrival for either Geneva or Zurich and we will send you a railpass to speed your arrival to the hotel on the first day of your tour.

Contact Us

Please call or email us if interested!

We are local in Encanterra, Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin

Your Travel Designers - Cathy Hoffman & Associates - Cruise Planners

239-433-0000 choffman@cruiseplanners.com

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Video

Alp by Rail! Great intro to some of our train rides!

Say something interesting about your business here.

Alpenwild your tour operator!

Great introductory video to Alpenwild and their amazing tour guides.  Our group will have TWO guides!

Video on how to take the trains in Switzerland

Note your train tickets are pre purchased.  You will have a guide with you most of the journey!   Helpful getting you on the train fro the Zurich airport to the train across the street!

 Independently Owned & Operated Travel Franchises

FL ST# 39068 • CST# 2034468-50 • HST# TAR-7058 • WA ST# 603-399-504

Copyright © 2020 Your Travel Designers - Cruise Planners Hoffman/Zelnio & Associates - All Rights Reserved.  choffman@cruiseplanners.com 


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