THE SUSTAINABLE TRANS-ALPINA 2

Detailed interactive map of Switzerland

DESCRIPTION :

A sales manual to sell a crossing of the Swiss Alps by public transport from Geneva to Zürich (or vice versa), with 9 summits that offer the most beautiful views of France and Switzerland 
Period : May to October  

INTRODUCTION :

You don't want to or can't cross the Swiss Alps like the famous trail runner Diego Pazos, because has he had time to admire them?

You don't want to or can't hike the Via Alpina, because 20 days is a long time?

So go on the Swiss Trans-Alpina between Geneva and Zurich, only by public transport, because you are also green!

Switzerland has a transport infrastructure that is unique in the world, due to its density, variety, quality, and comfort.

So, between Geneva and Zurich, you can reach the two cities via Chamonix, Montreux, Gstaad, Interlaken and Lucerne by crossing the Alps with the opportunity to reach between 6 to 9 summits by cable car or cogwheel train, all linked by train, post bus and steamboat. It will take you from 3 to 12 days, or more if you want to stay for a while at one or two wonderful historic 5* palaces like those of Montreux or Gstaad. Or, you also can add several days’ stay in a historical 4* or 3* hotel in Chamonix, Mürren, Rosenlaui, Giessbach, Stans, or Lucerne.

The reachable 9 peaks are Aiguille du Midi (3’842m), Rochers de Naye (2’042), Glacier 3000 (Diablerets), Schilthorn (2’970m), Jungfraujoch (3’454m), Brienzer Rothorn (2’350m), Stanserhorn (1’898m), Pilatus (2’128m) and Rigi (1’797m).

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HIGHLIGHTS :

• An extremely varied program allowing you to appreciate the most scenic regions of France and Switzerland 

• Comfortable hotels, mostly historic, always ideally located

• Varied and adapted means of transport depending on the route (train, cogwheel train, post bus, steamboat, cable car)

• Journeys on the most legendary cogwheel trains: Mont-Blanc Express, Rochers de Naye, Jungfraujoch, Brienzer Rothorn, and Pilatus.

• Exceptional discovers at Tibet Art and Rosengart Museums

• The opportunities to experience balloon and paragliding  

• A tailor-made program that can be easily adapted according to your wishes

PROGRAM :

Day 1 : Geneva – Chamonix – Mont Blanc – Montreux
At the foot of Europe's highest mountain.

In 90 minutes by coach, along the picturesque valley of the Arve river, you arrive in Chamonix. A meeting point for mountain lovers from all over the world, the town has much to offer. When its first visitors arrived in the 18th century, hostelries opened and the city took on its heritage of tradition and modernity that we know today:  churches and chapels, Belle Époque palaces, Art-deco facades, chalets… It’s also where technical wizardries such as the construction of the Montenvers Railway or the Aiguille du Midi cable car have been achieved. In the center of town, if you look up, you'll see it everywhere: Mont-Blanc, 4810m of rock, snow, ice, and reverie - the highest mountain in Europe. 

The highest cable car in Europe will take you to snowy heights. As soon as you arrive in Chamonix, take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to 3842m to enjoy an exceptional view. The view of the surrounding mountains and the Chamonix valley is breathtaking!

1,000M of emptiness under your feet

100% thrills

100% security

From terrace 3842, “Le Pas dans le Vide®” is a unique technological feat in the world! More than 1000 m of void under your feet, in this "box" glazed on 5 sides. Chills guaranteed!
 

After such a wonderful experience, you will take a panoramic tiny train for a magical crossing of the Trient Valley, between rocks and forests, wild gorges, and authentic alpine villages to Martigny.

A link between plain and mountain, France and Switzerland, the Mont-Blanc Express has linked Chamonix to Martigny for more than a century.

Savor grandiose landscapes in the heart of unspoiled nature. The promise of a spectacular escape.

From Martigny, the regular train will drop you at Montreux.

You will stay at Le Montreux Palace 5*, very famous because the Russian writer Vladimir Nabokov lived here from 1966 up to his death in 1977.
Overnight at hotel Montreux Palace 5*

Day 2: Montreux – Excursion Chillon - Rochers de Naye

Today, you will have time to visit this charming city and the nearby castle of Chillon and to make the excursion to the Rochers de Naye by cogwheel train to admire the view on the lake.
Overnight at hotel Montreux Palace 5*.

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Day 3: Montreux – Gruyeres – Gstaad

Departure with the 1 metric gauge train, the famous Montreux - Oberland - Bernois (MOB) first to Gruyères. 

There you will assist at the fabrication of the famous Gruyere cheese, and have a visit of the castle set amidst a magnificent landscape. Gruyères Castle takes you on a journey through eight centuries of history and legends.

Amongst various attractions, the wonderful Tibetan Art Museum, one of the most important in the world, might interest you. (https://en.tibetmuseum.ch/).
Then, return to Montbovon to take the MOB again up to Gstaad: the landscapes are charming, dotted with small villages.

Arrival in Gstaad and transfer to your Palace, a luxury hotel from the very start. 
Overnight at the Gstaad Palace 5*.

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Day 4: Gstaad, excursion to Glacier 3000

Today, you will reach the top of the Diablerets peaks by cable car, call also Glacier 3000. 

Enjoy a deep breath of fresh air on the Peak Walk, the suspension bridge at the summit of the Alpes Vaudoises, or to find some peace and quiet, you can set off on the Glacier Walk trail, a hike in the snow that is accessible for everyone, to arrive at the Refuge de l'Espace restaurant - design by the world’s famous architect Mario Botta - and its breathtaking viewing point.  

Paragliding is also possible, as well as balloon, to make a beautiful early morning flight above Gstaad and Saanen.

Overnight at the Gstaad Palace 5*

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Day 5: Gstaad – Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen – Grutschalp – Mürren 

From Gstaad, you will embark again on MOB train to Zweisimmen, then to Spiez and Interlaken. Continuation from the same plateform to Lauterbrunnen, a famous city located at the foot of 17 waterfalls, so many times painted since centuries.

From there, a bus can drop you at the Trümmelbachfälle. The spectacular waterfalls fed by meltwater from the Jungfrau glaciers are unique in that they are located inside the mountain. An elevator installed in the rock gives access to the entrance to the galleries. 

Back to Lauterbrunnen, you will take a cable car that will take you to Grütschalp, from where you will take a train to reach the resort of Mürren.

The town of Mürren, delightfully peaceful traffic-free village, is positioned opposite the giants represented by the Eiger, the Mönch, the Jungfrau, the Breithorn and then the Gspaltenhorn group.

Overnight at the Hotel Eiger 4*, an historic hotel located in the heart of the pedestrian village of Mürren, offering a splendid view of the surrounding landforms, indoor swimming pool and spa.

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Day 6:  Mürren, excursion to the Schilthorn  

Set off to conquer the Schiltorn, in four stages, along the 7,000 meters of cables making it easy to climb 2,103 meters of vertical drop to reach the "Piz Gloria".
Built in 1969, the restaurant located at an altitude of 2'970 meters was the first revolving restaurant in the world. It was used as the setting for several scenes of the James Bond film "In the service of his Majesty". You will enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Jungfrau massif, the Jura and Mont Blanc, especially from the passageway launched above the void.
At your return in Mürren, you will have time to walk along the main road full of terrasses and some handicraft shops. 
Overnight at the Hotel Eiger 4*

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Day 7: Mürren – Lauterbrunnen – Junfraujoch – Grindelwald – Rosenlaui

Take the Jungfrau Railway train to Jungfraujoch, the most beautiful lookout and adventure platform in the Alps (learn more on the Jungfrau Railway here). 

You will make a brief stopover at an altitude of 3,000 meters, in order to acclimatize yourself but also to observe a typical high mountain landscape. The train will then make a final ascent along the steep walls of the Eiger, reaching Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 meters above sea level. You will dive into the fascinating world of snow and high-altitude glaciers. A magnificent panorama will be offered to you, with the Aletsch Glacier in particular in the background.

If you are not too breathless, it is possible for you to make a marked hike with a slight difference in altitude, allowing you to reach the Mönschjoch hut (allow +/- 50 min. per trip). A small catering is available on site.

On the return, you will stop at the Kleine Scheidegg pass to embark on a bright new cable car which will drop you directly at Grindelwald.

Then depart by post bus to Rosenlaui, crossing the Grosse Scheidegg pass.

Overnight at the Hotel Rosenlaui 3*, in a Belle Époque atmosphere.
 

Day 8: Rosenlaui – Meiringen – Brienz – Giessbach

Shortly after your breakfast, set off to explore the gorges of the Rosenlaui Glacier, which have delighted nature lovers for more than a century.

A secure path lasting 45 min. skirts powerful waterfalls, romantic caves and strangely shaped rocks. 

After that healthy walk, the post bus will bring you down to the city of Meiringen, and from there the train to Brienz to take a steam boat to reach the famous Giessbach place. For the final leg of your journey to the hotel from “Giessbach See”, take our historical funicular railway.
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Giessbach.
 

Day 9: Giessbach – Brienz’s Rothorn – Sörenberg – Giswil – Stans 

At departure, you will let your luggage to a private vehicle going directly to your evening’s hotel. After a short cruise to Brienz, you will take place aboard the venerable steam train, built in 1892, which reaches in one hour the top of the Rothorn, located at 2350 meters above sea level. You will enjoy a breathtaking panorama including the Bernese Alps, Lake Brienz, the Grimsel area, but also the mount Pilate. 

From the summit, on the opposite site of the mountain, a cable car will lead you down to the famous Entlebuch valley. This is where Switzerland's largest and most numerous marshes are found, as well as flora and fauna of international importance. It is therefore not surprising that Entlebuch has been designated by UNESCO as the first biosphere reserve in Switzerland (learn more on the Entlebuch here). 
Then you will board a post bus to reach Giswil and Stans, along the scenic route overlooking the Sarnen and Lungern lakes.
Overnight at the Hotel Paxmontana 4*, an Art Nouveau establishment.
 

Day 10: Stans – Stanserhorn – Mount Pilatus – Lucerne  

Take the small train to Stanserhorn.

It is indeed a brand-new cable car with an upper deck allowing visitors to admire a fantastic 360° panorama. You will reach the Stanserhorn and its 1900 meters above sea level. Before your eyes stretch 100 kilometers of alpine chain, ten lakes; the view is as fascinating as it is unique. Let yourself be carried away by the romantic atmosphere of the Rondorama revolving restaurant and, why not, enjoy a delicious candlelight dinner, the opportunity to celebrate a birthday (in this case, you will spend the night in Stans).
On the return in Stans, you will take train or bus to Alpnach to embark with the cogwheel train to the summit of Mount Pilatus. 

The massif, which dominates the entire region from an altitude of 2,128 meters, undoubtedly stimulates the imagination (an option is to spend the night at the top of the mountain). Then, you will take the cable car on the opposite side to  join the famous touristic city of Lucerne.
Overnight at the Hotel Des Balances 4*, located on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

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Day 11: Lucerne

We no longer present the city of Lucerne, notably with its famous Chapel Bridge dating from the Middle Ages and its painted triangular panels, considered to be the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe.

You will have the whole day at your disposal to take advantage of the many attractions to discover as you wish. Here are some suggestions:

The famous Transport Museum is about 20’ walk from your establishment (pleasant walk along the lake. Possibility to get there also by bus).

As another alternative, you can also contemplate the Rosengart Collection, located in the old building of the branch of the Swiss National Bank. It brings together more than 200 paintings, notably the most important private collection in the world of Paul Klee but also of Pablo Picasso, with whom the owners forged bonds of friendship. It also includes works by more than 20 Masters of the 19th and 20th century, including Cézanne, Monet and Matisse.

Huge circular painting (112x10 meters) located on Löwenplatz, a European cultural monument and symbol of Switzerland's humanitarian tradition, the Panorama Bourbaki combines personal destinies, political events, the history of art and culture, media and everyday life. 

Do you want to climb the Rigi, considered the queen of the mountains? You will have a day pass allowing you to use most of the public transport in the area. You also might decide to spend few more days in Lucerne to visit so many spots (on request).

Overnight at the Hotel Des Balances 4*.

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Day 12: leave Lucerne to your next destination
Today, you leave Lucerne to your next destination by train, steamboat, or postal bus, depending on your choice :

Lucerne – Zurich or 

Lucerne – Gotthard tunnel – Lugano – Milano or

Lucerne – Berne – Lausanne – Geneva or

Lucerne – Altdorf – Klausen pass – Glaris – Chur – Albula pass – Saint Moritz – Bernina pass – Tirano – Lugano – Milano

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Note

This itinerary is tailor-made and can be adapted according to your wishes, your budget, and the time that you want to spend on your holidays.

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