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- Destination: Switzerland
- Duration: 11 Days
- Tour Type: Join-in
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is an immersive 11-day journey showcasing Switzerland’s most spectacular landscapes, historic towns, and world-famous scenic trains. Traveling by comfortable panoramic coaches and iconic trains, you will visit Zurich, St. Gallen, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Montreux, Interlaken, Lucerne, and the breathtaking Swiss Alps. From the thundering Rhine Falls to medieval old towns and pristine alpine lakes, this classic tour offers the perfect combination of nature, culture, and sightseeing.
Experience Switzerland’s legendary trains — the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and GoldenPass Express — each offering dramatic mountain passes, glacial valleys, and picture-perfect villages. Enjoy authentic local experiences such as Swiss cheese tasting in Appenzell and wine tasting overlooking Lake Geneva. With well-paced sightseeing, free days for optional excursions, and stays in alpine resorts, the Grand Tour of Switzerland is ideal for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers seeking a complete and unforgettable Swiss adventure.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Zurich
Arrival
2
Zurich - St. Gallen
Rhine Falls, Abbey Library in St. Gallen
3
St. Gallen - St. Moritz
Cheese Tasting at the Appenzell Show Dairy
4
St. Moritz - Lugano
Bernina Express Train
5
Lugano - Zermatt
Glacier Express Train
6
Zermatt
Free Day With Optional Excursion to the Gornergrat
7
Zermatt - Montreux
Wine tasting at the Domaine Bovy
8
Montreux - Lenk
GoldenPass Express Train
9
Lenk
Free Day With Optional Excursion to the Glacier 3000
10
Lenk - Lucerne
Free Time in Lucerne
11
Lucerne
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Zurich – Discover Switzerland’s Cultural Heart
Welcome to Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and the perfect starting point for the Grand Tour of Switzerland. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed introduction to Swiss urban life. Zurich blends medieval charm and modern sophistication, making it an ideal gateway for travelers. Wander through the cobbled streets of Old Town (Altstadt), discover centuries-old guild houses, cathedrals, and hidden courtyards, or stroll along the elegant Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe’s most famous shopping streets. If time permits, relax beside Lake Zurich, where scenic promenades offer stunning views of the surrounding hills and the distant Alps.
Optional Experiences: Evening river cruise on Lake Zurich, dinner at a traditional Swiss restaurant.
Highlights: Arrival in Zurich and hotel transfer, Explore Zurich Old Town (Altstadt), Stroll along Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, Views of Lake Zurich and surrounding hills
- Zurich
- Day 2: Zurich – Rhine Falls – St. Gallen
After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive through Switzerland’s rolling countryside to the dramatic Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. Feel the spray, hear the thundering waters, and take incredible photos of this natural wonder. Continue to St. Gallen, a historic town famous for its rich cultural heritage. Explore the Old Town with its painted façades and narrow streets, then visit the UNESCO-listed Abbey Library, home to over 160,000 ancient manuscripts, and marvel at its baroque architecture.
Optional Experiences: Guided tour of textile museums in St. Gallen, local café visit for Swiss pastries.
Highlights: Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, Guided walking tour of St. Gallen Old Town, Visit UNESCO-listed Abbey Library
- B
- St. Gallen
- Day 3: St. Gallen – Appenzell – St. Moritz
Travel into the picturesque countryside of Appenzell, renowned for Swiss traditions, colorful wooden houses, and rolling green hills. Visit the famous Appenzell Show Dairy, witness traditional cheese-making, and enjoy tasting freshly made Swiss cheese. Continue through scenic alpine valleys, winding roads, and historic mountain passes as the scenery gradually transforms into the spectacular Swiss Alps. Arrive in St. Moritz, an elegant alpine resort celebrated for luxury, pristine lakes, and breathtaking mountain panoramas.
Optional Experiences: Explore alpine trails, take a lakeside walk around St. Moritz, visit local artisan shops.
Highlights: Appenzell Show Dairy visit and Swiss cheese tasting, Explore traditional Swiss village of Appenzell, Scenic Alpine drive through valleys and passes, Arrival in luxury resort St. Moritz
- B
- St. Moritz
- Day 4: St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano (Bernina Express)
Today is one of the highlights of the Grand Tour — the iconic Bernina Express. Board this panoramic train and travel along UNESCO-listed railways, crossing soaring viaducts, glacial lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Descend spectacularly into the Italian-speaking town of Tirano, where you can enjoy lunch and explore its charming streets. Continue to Lugano, where Swiss elegance meets Mediterranean flair. Stroll along Lake Lugano, explore palm-lined promenades, and experience the relaxed southern ambiance.
Optional Experiences: Scenic boat ride on Lake Lugano, visit Parco Ciani, enjoy Swiss-Italian cuisine.
Highlights: Bernina Express scenic train journey, UNESCO-listed railway experience, Glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, Explore Tirano and travel to Lake Lugano
- B
- Lugano
- Day 5: Lugano – Andermatt – Zermatt (Glacier Express)
Depart Lugano and cross the historic Gotthard Pass, one of the most famous Alpine routes. Stop in the charming village of Andermatt and enjoy a local lunch with stunning mountain views. Continue aboard the Glacier Express, the world’s slowest express train, renowned for breathtaking panoramas of alpine gorges, deep forests, rivers, and snow-draped peaks. Arrive in Zermatt, a car-free village dominated by the majestic Matterhorn, offering some of the most iconic photo opportunities in Switzerland.
Optional Experiences: Hiking near Zermatt, spa at hotel, guided Matterhorn viewpoint tour.
Highlights: Gotthard Pass scenic drive, Glacier Express panoramic train ride, Alpine forests, gorges, and snow-capped peaks, Arrival in Zermatt and Matterhorn views
- B
- Zermatt
- Day 6: Zermatt – Leisure Day or Gornergrat Excursion
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Zermatt, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery. Explore local shops, browse Swiss watches and chocolates, or relax at a café with Matterhorn views. For an unforgettable experience, take the Gornergrat cogwheel train, climbing to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and surrounding glaciers.
Optional Experiences: Hiking trails, photography tours, mountaineering introduction.
Highlights: Leisure day in Zermatt, Optional Gornergrat cogwheel train excursion, Panoramic Matterhorn & glacier views, Explore Zermatt village
- B
- Zermatt
- Day 7: Zermatt – Montreux – Lake Geneva Region
Travel to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, passing dramatic alpine landscapes and vineyard-covered hills. Arrive in Montreux, a refined lakeside town with mild climate and elegant promenades. Enjoy a wine tasting at Domaine Bovy, with sweeping views of terraced vineyards, the lake, and surrounding mountains. Discover Montreux’s historic town center and lakeside walkways.
Optional Experiences: Sunset boat cruise on Lake Geneva, visit Chillon Castle.
Highlights: Scenic journey from Zermatt to Montreux, Wine tasting at Domaine Bovy, Lake Geneva and vineyard views, Explore Montreux lakeside promenade
- B
- Montreux
- Day 8: Montreux – Interlaken – Lenk (GoldenPass Express)
Board the GoldenPass Express, one of Switzerland’s most scenic train journeys, traveling through vineyards, alpine meadows, and forested hills. Stop in Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with free time or an optional excursion to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Europe’s highest railway station. Continue to Lenk, a tranquil alpine village surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.
Optional Experiences: Paragliding in Interlaken, hiking in surrounding alpine trails.
Highlights: GoldenPass Express scenic train, Explore Interlaken between Lake Thun & Lake Brienz, Optional Jungfraujoch excursion, Arrival in alpine village of Lenk
- B
- Lenk
- Day 9: Lenk – Leisure Day or Glacier 3000
Relax and enjoy a leisurely day in Lenk, exploring walking trails or using hotel facilities. Adventure seekers can opt for Glacier 3000, featuring cable car rides, suspension bridges, panoramic viewpoints, and snow activities such as tobogganing or alpine hiking.
Optional Experiences: Mountain biking, snowshoeing, glacier photography.
Highlights: Leisure day in Lenk, Optional Glacier 3000 excursion, Cable car rides and suspension bridges, Panoramic Alpine snow views
- B
- Lenk
- Day 10: Lenk – Lucerne
Travel through the scenic Brünig Pass, offering alpine lakes and mountain vistas, to Lucerne, a city known for medieval architecture and lakeside charm. Explore the Chapel Bridge, Old Town’s colorful facades, and enjoy leisurely walks along Lake Lucerne with panoramic mountain views.
Optional Experiences: Lake cruise, Swiss Museum of Transport visit, local chocolate tasting.
Highlights: Scenic Brünig Pass drive, Explore Lucerne Old Town & Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne and mountain views, Cultural and historical city exploration
- B
- Lucerne
- Day 11: Lucerne – Departure
After breakfast, conclude your Grand Tour of Switzerland. Depart Lucerne with lasting memories of scenic train rides, majestic Alpine landscapes, historic towns, and the unparalleled natural beauty of Switzerland.
Highlights: Departure from Lucerne, Final scenic views of Swiss Alps and lakes, Memories of scenic trains and iconic towns
- B
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