Swiss Alpine Family Adventure
Swiss Alpine Family Adventure
- 8-day adventure designed for travelers of all ages
- Explore Switzerland’s Alps by foot, bicycle, zip line, and train
- Ride the historic Glacier Express
Expedition Details
Head into the magnificent Swiss Alps on a family adventure that combines hiking and biking with legendary train journeys. Stay in two stunning mountain villages: Zermatt, within view of the iconic Matterhorn mountain; and Pontresina, in beautiful Engadine Valley. Wind through the mountains on a historic train, hike beneath the Matterhorn, and ride the highest chairlift in Europe among spectacular snowcapped peaks. Discover Alpine wildlife with a naturalist, visit a cheese factory, and sample Swiss chocolate on this expedition designed for explorers of all ages.
Trip Highlights
- Board the historic Glacier Express for a breathtaking journey across 291 Alpine bridges and through 91 tunnels in Switzerland.
- Bike along pristine lakes, ride a zip-line, and hike in the shadow of the Matterhorn’s craggy peak.
- Join an alpine guide for a walk on Morteratsch Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the eastern Alps.
- Listen to mountaineering tales from an expert climber, and meet a naturalist to learn about Alpine wildlife.
Itinerary – 8 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Zurich, Switzerland/Zermatt
Depart on an overnight flight to Zurich. Arrive the next morning and board a train to the charming Alpine village of Zermatt, where cars are not allowed. Check into our lovely hotel and gather for a delicious welcome dinner.
Hotel National (D)
Day 3 — Zermatt
Today meet a local mountaineer at the Matterhorn Museum to hear tales of the early ascents of the highest Alps. This afternoon embark on an Alpine adventure, crossing rope bridges and soaring through the valley on a zip-line course designed for all ages. Later, walk to a nearby knoll and search for the lights of the Hörnli Hut, a remote structure built as a respite for those climbing the Matterhorn.
Hotel National (B,D)
Day 4 — Zermatt/Gornergrat Glacier
Hop onto a rack-railway train for a ride high above Zermatt to one of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Admire a breathtaking vista that includes Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gornergrat Glacier. Then hike through the forest past Alpine lakes to Riffelalp where we will catch the train back to Zermatt. Stroll down Zermatt’s famous main street on the way back to the hotel, stopping to sample varieties of fine Swiss chocolate along the way.
Hotel National (B,D)
Day 5 — Glacier Express/Pontresina
Climb aboard the Glacier Express, the most famous train in the Alps! Keep your eye out for the twisted peak of the legendary Matterhorn as we make our way to the charming town of Pontresina. On the way we cross three high-mountain passes and 291 bridges, and pass through 91 tunnels.
Sporthotel (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Pontresina/Engadine Valley/St. Moritz
Explore Engadine Valley by bicycle this morning. Ride along Silvaplana Lake to the Maloja Pass to take in sweeping views before continuing to St. Moritz. You may also choose to travel to this fabled town by train. This afternoon, take a chair lift up to Alp Languard where we join a naturalist for a nature walk and learn about the plants and wildlife of the Alps.
Sporthotel (B,D)
Day 7 — Morteratsch Glacier
This morning visit Morteratsch Glacier, one of the largest glaciers of the eastern Alps, and set out on a glacier walk with an Alpine guide. Then stop at a local cheese factory to see how Swiss cheese is made and have lunch. Celebrate your adventure with at a special fondue dinner tonight.
Sporthotel (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Zurich/U.S.
After breakfast, return to Zurich in time for your flight home.
(B)
