The Swiss Alps

in 7 Days

Morning: Your journey begins with a guided transfer from Zurich into the heart of central Switzerland. En route, you stop in Einsiedeln for a private cheese-making experience, where local producers share traditions that have shaped alpine life for centuries.

Afternoon: After a traditional Swiss lunch, visit Einsiedeln Abbey – the largest monastery in Switzerland. Its scale and baroque interiors offer a surprising sense of calm before the road continues toward Lake Lucerne.

Evening: Arrive in Lucerne and settle into the Mandarin Oriental. A gentle lakeside walk or quiet drink overlooking the water rounds off the day beautifully.

Morning: The day begins with a guided city tour. Walking through the Old Town, your guide brings context to the painted façades, medieval squares, and hidden corners that most visitors pass without noticing. Highlights include Chapel Bridge, the Musegg Wall, and the Lion Monument. A ride on the Gütsch funicular lifts you above the rooftops, offering panoramic views across the lake and surrounding mountains.

Afternoon: After lunch in Lucerne, the focus shifts upward with an afternoon excursion to Mount Pilatus. Ascending by mountain transport, the scenery changes quickly from lakeside calm to alpine terrain with spectacular views.

For those seeking something more active, optional experiences such as the summer toboggan run or rope park can be arranged, while others may prefer a quiet walk or coffee with a view.

Evening: As the light softens, you descend back to Lucerne. The evening is unstructured by design, leaving space for a lakeside stroll, a relaxed dinner, or simply returning to the comfort of the Mandarin Oriental.

Morning: Leaving Lucerne behind, the journey south unfolds as a scenic transfer rather than a simple drive. The first stop is Flüeli Ranft above the Sarneraatal valley. It’s known to be the place of peace where people find inner freedom. 

Afternoon: Continuing through alpine landscapes, you pause at Lake Lungern. Lunch is served at the Grandhotel Giessbach, dramatically positioned above the Giessbach Falls. Afterward, a gentle walk allows you to appreciate both the falls and the lake below.

The route then leads to Brienz, a village renowned for its woodcarving tradition. A short guided walk takes you through its most picturesque alley – officially recognised as one of the most beautiful in Europe – where carved balconies and flower boxes create a distinctly Swiss atmosphere.

Evening: Before arriving in Interlaken, we’ll have a quick stop by Lake Brienz before transitioning into the Bernese Oberland. An optional visit to Trauffer’s woodcraft workshop can be included for those interested in Swiss folk traditions.

Arrival in Interlaken follows, where you check in and settle into the next stage of this Switzerland itinerary, with the surrounding peaks now firmly setting the scene.

Morning: Day 4 is dedicated to one of the most iconic high-altitude experiences in the Alps and a defining moment within many Swiss Alps tours. You travel by mountain railway through alpine forests, gradually climbing toward Jungfraujoch – the Top of Europe. The ascent itself is part of the experience, each section revealing a different layer of the landscape.

Afternoon: At Jungfraujoch, you step into a world of ice, snow, and expansive views. Time is spent exploring the Ice Palace, walking along panoramic terraces, and enjoying lunch at the Crystal Restaurant. For those who wish to be more active, an optional guided hike along the Eiger Trail begins at Eigergletscher, following a scenic path toward Kleine Scheidegg beneath the famous north face.

Evening: The afternoon slows with dessert and views at Kleine Scheidegg before descending by train to Grindelwald. A gentle village walk and a stop at the town’s best bakery offer a grounded contrast to the morning’s altitude, before returning to Interlaken for the night.

Morning: This day focuses on one of Switzerland’s most instantly recognisable landscapes. A guided journey leads into Lauterbrunnen Valley, known as the valley of 72 waterfalls. A relaxed village walk introduces Lauterbrunnen’s layout and history, with time at Staubbach Falls to appreciate its scale and setting.

Afternoon: From Lauterbrunnen, you travel by mountain railway to Wengen – a car-free village perched high above the valley. A guided walk connects a series of viewpoints, each offering a different perspective across the Jungfrau region. Lunch is reserved at the Deck Restaurant, where local dishes are served with alpine views that encourage you to linger a little longer.

Evening: The pace softens in the afternoon with a return to Interlaken and time to enjoy the spa facilities at Victoria Jungfrau. This quieter pause balances the more active days and allows the landscape to settle in before another evening in Interlaken.

Morning: Leaving Interlaken behind, the route south reveals a different side of the Alps. The first stop is Spiez Castle, overlooking Lake Thun, where historic walls frame wide lake views. From here, the journey continues to Blausee, a small alpine lake known for its striking clarity and calm woodland setting.

Afternoon: Lunch is enjoyed in Kandersteg at Restaurant Rendez-Vous, before continuing through the Lötschberg region toward Täsch. Here, a VIP shuttle with a special permit transports you directly into car-free Zermatt – a rare privilege that removes the usual transition between town and village.

Evening: A guided walk through Zermatt introduces its layout and heritage chalets beneath the Matterhorn. The evening concludes at the Riffelalp Hotel, high above the valley, where crisp mountain air and quiet surroundings mark a shift into the final alpine chapter.

Morning: The final day opens with a scenic journey on the Gornergrat Railway, one of Switzerland’s most celebrated mountain railways. As the train climbs, views expand across glaciers, ridgelines, and some of the highest peaks in the country.

Afternoon: At the summit, there’s time to enjoy the panoramic viewpoints before descending to Rotenboden. Those who wish can take an optional guided hike to Riffelberg, following a gentle alpine trail with ever-changing perspectives. Lunch is served at the Riffelhaus, where mountain scenery and traditional dishes provide a fitting farewell to the Alps.

Evening: A private transfer returns you to Zurich or Geneva, concluding this Switzerland travel itinerary. For those not quite ready to leave, extensions in Zermatt or elsewhere in Switzerland can be arranged.