Top of Switzerland (GoldenPass)

It is possible to organise a stay in France (Paris > Zurich = 4h TGV Lyria) or in Switzerland before the start of the tour.

DAY 1: ZURICH (SWITZERLAND)

Individual arrival in Zurich.
Free time in the old town , just a short walk from the main station.
You'll discover historic squares with their fountains, stroll along the Limmat, browse Swiss boutiques, art galleries and river beaches. In the Fraümunster church, admire the mystical stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
Overnight in a hotel in Zurich.

DAY 2: ZURICH - LUCERNE (Train)

The first stage of your train journey in Switzerland takes you to Lucerne in just 40 minutes.
Charming and pleasant, the city of Lucerne is situated at the foot of the mountains, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. It is famous for its medieval centre, its frescoed facades and its 17th-century covered wooden bridge, the Kapellbrücke, decorated with magnificent illustrated panels. You can also visit the Glacier Garden, a fascinating geological record of the ages of the earth, and salute the Mourning Lion, the "saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world", according to Marc Twain.
Overnight in a hotel in Lucerne (B)

DAY 3: MONT RIGI (rack railway + boat

Your first day at altitude. Whenever you like, get to Lucerne station and take the short regular train ride (27 mins) to Arth - Goldau. From here, a cogwheel train takes you up to the "Queen of the mountains", Mount Rigi (1,798 m). An incredible view awaits you: more than 13 lakes on the horizon.
You begin a short hike down the Rigi Kulm and stop off at the Alp Chäserenholz farm and cheese dairy.
Continue downhill on foot to Rigi Kaltbad, a mountain village.
Meet your train a little further down: this is the world's first cogwheel railway! Inaugurated in 1871, it offers spectacular panoramic views on the way down.
You arrive in Vitznau, a Swiss resort nestling in an idyllic bay at the foot of the Rigi. From here, you embark on a cruise.
Your last trip of the day is on a panoramic boat across the magnificent Lake of the 4 Cantons to Lucerne.
Overnight in a hotel in Lucerne (B)

DAY 4: LUCERNE - INTERLAKEN (Luzern - Interlaken Express train)

Departure from Lucerne. In the morning, you board the first of the 3 trains in the GoldenPass Line: the Luzern-Interlaken Expreess. This modern, panoramic train winds its way up the Alpine pastures towards the Brünig Pass, offering splendid views of the surrounding mountains.
As the Luzern-Interlaken Express winds its way through the rolling countryside of the Bernese Oberland, you can admire the Giessbach waterfall and other cascades, the peaks on the horizon and the lush landscapes of green or snow-covered Switzerland, depending on the season.
After less than 2 hours in the heart of Swiss nature, you reach the town of Interlaken, which, as its name suggests, is located "between two lakes", Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Check-in at the hotel, free time.
A number of visits are possible to personalise your stay in Interlaken: hiking, climbing the Harder Kulm by funicular to the panoramic platform, visiting the charming medieval town of Thun (bus or boat included in your pass), lake cruise (included in your pass), visit to the St Beatus caves, etc.
Overnight at the hotel in Interlaken (B)

DAY 5: JUNGFRAUJOCH - TOP OF EUROPE

Second day devoted to the Swiss high mountains: Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe.
Since 1912, Swiss trains have been crossing the Eiger and Mönch mountains to reach the highest station in Europe: situated at an altitude of 3,454 m, the Jungfraujoch station is often referred to as the "Top of Europe" or the "roof of the world". The ascent to this high-altitude station is splendid. It takes two hours on three different trains.

On site, a lift takes you up to the observatory, an international mountain research station. From the panoramic observation platform, you can see the Aletsch glacier, flanked by peaks over 4,000 metres high. You won't find a more impressive view anywhere else.

Lunch at your leisure in one of the 4 restaurants on site.
The return journey takes the new Eigerexpress triple-cable gondola.
Return to Interlaken Ost, free time.
Overnight at the hotel in Interlaken (PDJ)

DAY 6: INTERLAKEN - GSTAAD (GoldenPass Express train)

Departure from Interlaken. You will try out the second train on the GoldenPass line, the GoldenPass Express. This new train, due to open in 2023, crosses the Simmental to the Zweisimmen valley, a small, unspoilt piece of Switzerland.
On board, you'll discover the Bernese Oberland: typical brightly-coloured chalets huddle around white churches and bear witness to the opulence of the region. The GPX, as it's called, is brand new: metallic dark blue, very elegant, and capable of handling the changing track gauges that occur at Zweisimmen: a real technical feat.
You arrive in Gstaad, a little corner of paradise surrounded by mountains.

The day is free. Take the opportunity to visit Saanen, a typical Swiss village 6 minutes away by bus.
Overnight at the hotel in Gstaad (B)

DAY 7: GLACIER 3000 - MONTREUX (GoldenPass - Belle Epoque train)

This is your third day in the Swiss mountains, as you set off for Glacier 3000.
Leave your luggage at the hotel reception. This final ascent, by no means the least impressive, brings your stay in the Swiss mountains to a close.

From Gstaad Banhoff station, free shuttle buses leave several times a day to take you to the village of Les Diablerets in 30 minutes. From here, take the Glacier 3000 cable car.

Here you are at the highest excursion point in the Lake Geneva region, Glacier 3000. The "view point" offers a breathtaking panorama of the 3 most famous peaks in the Alps: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Jungfrau. Your ticket includes most of the activities on offer, such as the View Point, the Ice Express chairlift, the Fun Park, Glacier Walk... You won't want to miss Glacier 3000's most impressive attraction: the Peak Walk by Tissot, a long bridge suspended between two peaks. Adrenalin guaranteed!

Back to Gstaad. Stroll around for a while and collect your luggage: the last leg of your GoldenPass Line tour takes place on board the most romantic of Swiss trains: the GoldenPass Belle Epoque.

Your train departs at around 5.30pm. You'll love the interior and bodywork, inspired by legendary trains such as the Orient Express. The GoldenPass-Belle Epoque brings a touch of retro elegance to your journey, while offering a fantastic view thanks to its panoramic windows.

You leave the Alpine forests behind, cross the Jaman tunnel and descend to Lake Geneva.
Enjoy an incredible sunset before reaching the palm trees of Montreux, in an almost southern atmosphere. The contrast is striking. Check-in at the hotel, evening at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel (B)

DAY 8: MONTREUX

In Montreux, free time for personal discovery, including a visit to the adorable Château de Chillon.
End of your great stay in Switzerland (B)

An additional stay in Switzerland or France can be arranged on request.

swiss mountain train (ref.)

Swiss Mountains Tour: Top of Switzerland - PRICES

• In a 3* hotel

Price in double/twin room: from €1,965 / person
Single supplement: from €725 / person

• In a 4* hotel

Price per double/twin room: from €2,265 / person
Single supplement: from €1,085 / person
1st class supplement: € 290 / person

Price guide, may vary according to season

Regular Swiss train

• Zurich > Lucerne

MOB GoldenPass trains

• Lucerne > Interlaken : Luzern-Interlaken Express
• Interlaken > Gstaad: GoldenPass Express
• Gstaad > Montreux : GoldenPass Belle Epoque

Swiss mountain trains

• Mont Rigi - from Lucerne: regular train (27 min) + cogwheel train + cruise
• JungFrau / Top of Europe - from Interlaken: scheduled train
• Glacier 3000 - from Gstaad: shuttle bus + cable car

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• Swiss Travel Pass 2nd class for the entire route according to the programme
• Booking of the GoldenPass Express train
• GoldenPass Belle Epoque train reservation
• Jungfraujoch return ticket (traditional route on the outward journey / fast route on the return journey)
• Glacier 3000 pedestrian ticket
• Public transport in all the towns on the route
• Accommodation in city-centre hotels of the chosen category
• Breakfasts (B)
• Electronic travel documents

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International transport
• Hotel taxes (to be paid locally)
• Lunches and dinners
• Guide for excursions
• Private transfers between train stations and hotels if necessary (most of the time the hotels are located not far from the train station)
• Any insurance
• 1st class train supplement