We meet you before noon at the train station in Chur and transfer to Thusis, situated at the northern entrance to the spectacular Viamala Gorge on the Hinterrhein River. This small town is fast becoming quite popular to hikers and bikers alike with its ideal location giving access to a network of more than 350km of trails. Our warm up hike takes us to the Viamala Gorge, which translates «bad road», which for centuries has enjoyed a unique mythical status. Your guide is sure to share in some of the folklore. This natural monument with its rock walls reach up 300m and once inspired the thoughts of the famous philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to sum up its fascination: «I shall write nothing about the terrible magnificence of the Viamala gorge. It makes me feel as if I had never really known Switzerland before 

At one time this natural monument was probably the most feared section of the historic transit route known as the Via Spluga between Thusis and Chiavenna. Nowadays, it is a «must see» for tourists. Our modest hike is highlighted by the 321 stone steps that lead us safely down into the depths of the gorge, where a rocky gallery and visitors' platform offer fascinating views.

Hotel: The only hotel in the village is a “several hundred-year-old” guest house that is the meeting point for the local farmers to have a drink in the evening.  Very simple and whatever modern conveniences are lacking are made up for with traditional authenticity (shared bath/floor).

Lodging: 3-star in Town near the Gorge along the Hinterrhein

After breakfast we transfer up to the base of the village Alp (marked by a wooden cross & the highest point of any Swiss village.)  After a visit to a hut that could have been Heidi’s (and where we cut the summer grass) we start our hike up to the ridge of the Heinzenberg.  From here we enjoy views over the peaks toward St. Moritz and into Switzerland’s steepest valley, Safiental.

On a spectacular trail along this Alpen crest we hike to the sound of echoing cowbells and make our way through fields of traditional wild flowers to a pass where embedded crystals are known to be legendary. We then have the choice of continuing our hike or mounting the bikes for a downhill ride through the tiny farming hamlets scattered along small quiet roads.  These paths are both highlighted by a continual magical view of the Alps that surrounds the Graubunden.  Once back at the village we stay you have the option to drive to a small nearby village where we can soak in the hot waters of a beautiful outdoor thermal spa before dinner.

A short drive takes us over the San Bernardino Pass--a very important route into the Italian side of Switzerland. Once over the pass you’ll notice extreme changes in vegetation and village architecture. Our destination is the magnificent Lago Maggiore a large pristine lake lined with palm trees in an atmosphere reminiscent of the Italian Riviera.  With the majestic Alps towering above the chestnut covered hills that surround this idyllic lake we boat across to Ascona for a look around town before boarding the panoramic train for a special ride through the Swiss & Italian Alp mountain region known as the hundred valleys (Centovalli).  These narrow carved breathtaking valleys are still only accessible by a small, windy road or by this train. Once again the diversity of Switzerland is displayed.

Once we arrive in the German-speaking region of the country, we board a gondola for a ride to our lodge situated high above the rushing Rhone River where incredible views of the majestic Alps surround us.  A casually walk along a mountain path gives us our first look at Aletsch glacier (Europe’s largest. On a clear day we can see the Matterhorn to the south and the peaks of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau to the north.  

Lodging:  A nice 3*** modern chalet with a cozy restaurant and large rooms. Enjoy the sunny terrace with beautiful views.

We meet our expert mountaineering guide who equips us with cramp-ons and discusses the use of the ropes to aid us as well as other safety procedure for hike atop the glacier.  This is an easy trek that you will never forget and are sure to talk about for many years to come.  There are no elevation changes during this hike atop the solid ice glacier path. With the south face of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau as well as several high peaks surrounding you, you will mostly marvel at the sounds and sights this glacier produces.

As our journey continues across the glacier with the blue, white and gray painted peaks of the Alps surrounding us our guide educates us on the history of the Aletsch glacier and the geology of the immediate region. During this trek you’ll never tire of the splendid beauty and may even befriend an Alpendohle, the alpine crow that manages to survive almost anywhere in the mountains. 

With the morning sun edging its way over the surrounding peaks embark on a short transfer that brings us to the end of the Matter Valley—well at least as far as cars are concerned.  Because a visit to Switzerland would not be complete without seeing the famous Matterhorn peak, which is best seen from the car-free center of the Valaisan Alps, Zermatt.

Here tens of thousands of hikers gather here each year and since high peaks, large glaciers and sheer cliffs cut off the upper Matter valley on three sides, most walks are circuits returning to Zermatt.  As everyone is boarding the train to catch their first glimpse of the legendary Matterhorn we take a unique approach to entering this renowned valley.  As your luggage is transferred, you bike along the quiet paved fire road where no cars dare to tread.  

Once in town we park the bikes and embark on a hike up to Schwarzsee and the following day with countless superb hikes available we have the luxury of selecting the path that best suits our group.  The evening is free to wander about and enjoy this lively town.

Lodging: Very friendly lodge with views of the Matterhorn in the old town of Zermatt. Dinner: In town free night.

We leave the high Alps so that we may explore the beauty of the lakes of the Mittelland (an 80-km-wide basin hemmed in between the Jura and the Alps).  This French-speaking region of Switzerland is renowned for its medieval lakeside castles and villages. We have the option to visit one of the well-known Swiss winery hamlets of the Sion region for a tour and optional tasting.  This remarkable village has a very nice wine museum and is known to produce some of the finest wine in the world. 

We then tour the historic Chateau de Chillon, a 13th century medieval thick walled fortress that was said to have inspired Dumas to write the Count of Monte Cristo. The sail dotted lake almost appears surreal as green, vine-covered hills and the Mont Blanc Massif as its final backdrop surround it. 

As the day progresses we lunch in Montreux, host of the famous international summer Jazz festival before. This is an idyllic sight to relax and enjoy the quaint lakeside setting, go for a ride along Lake Geneva.

Lodging: 3-star in Montreux

We have the option to change the pace with a bike ride or continue to hike at your pace and distance.  We tour the picturesque lakes and lakeside villages of the region. You begin by exploring the vegetable growing countryside on your way to the first of three lakes we explore.  We visit the tiny island and location of a medieval monastery before leaving the shores of Lake Biel for the wine growing community within the nearby foothills dotted with tiny castles and medieval town centers surrounded by their original protective walls. 

This little touch of France invites us for a stop at one of the wine caves for a tasting before continuing on to the shores of our next Lake, the imposing Lac Neuchatel.   After a visit of this remarkable town and its fabulous castle, we ferry across Neuchatel Lake then climb the highest point within the region, Mont Vully.  The ride to the top is rewarded with superb views of the distant Alps and the scenic vine-laden shores of three nearby lakes. Our down along the shores of Lake Murten through the local vineyards and forest brings us back to the lakeside just below our hotel—inviting us for a swim.

Lodging: 3*** in the medieval, car free part of town overlooking the lake. The hotel entrance is within the town, the other side opens up towards the lake. Garden. Outstanding American style breakfast buffet.

Have you ever wondered how the holes are created in the Swiss Emmentaler cheese?  We have the transfer to a small village where we first tour a cheese making facilities, then learn how to make it by doing it ourselves. Once it has aged enough, it is sent to your home for tasting--pretty cool, even for us Swiss.

After lunch we bike through the famous Emmental cheese region. The quiet farm road we ride takes us along green, rolling hills that distinguish itself with the unique architecture of massive storybook wooden farmhouses.  Each structure features a grandiose, overhanging roof that is ornately carved and painted, then at times, adorned with local words of wisdom. Passing through tiny farming hamlets brings us down to the river in which the valley gets its name, the River Em. We continue along the shores of this serene river into the tiny capital of this cheese region.

Lodging: 3**** in the medieval center of Luzern.

Transportation Logistics

The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding.

Trains to Chur (tour start) from Zurich: ~1.5 hour

Zurich HB: Dep 10:12 am Arrival Chur: 11:53 am