Highlights
- Hike Grindelwald's winter Alpine landscapes in snowshoes
- Sled the Alps' highest sled run on Mount Gornegrat
- Hop over the border to France to ski on fresh snow in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
- Indulge in rejuvenating spas at Zermatt and Chamonix
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Zürich (Switzerland), Drive to Engelberg, Trip to Mount Titlis | Engelberg |
| Day 2 | Drive to Grindelwald, Snowshoe Hike | Grindelwald |
| Day 3 | Drive to Zermatt, Sled on Gornegrat, Relax at CBD Spa | Zermatt |
| Day 4 | Drive to Chamonix (France), Ski Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Relax at QC Terme Spa | Chamonix |
| Day 5 | Trip to Mount Aiguille du Midi, Transfer to Geneva, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Zürich (Switzerland), Drive to Engelberg, Trip to Mount Titlis
Grüezi! Welcome to Zürich, Switzerland. Pick up your rental car and drive two hours south to Engelberg to kick off your five-day exhilarating winter escape. After checking in to your hotel, head to the Titlis Valley Station for a 20-minute journey to Mount Titlis's 9,908-foot (3,020 m) summit on first the Xpress gondola and then the Rotair—a revolving cable car with 360-degree panoramic views of the Alps.
At the mountain's peak, grab a slice of pizza from the highest pizzeria in the world, then wander through the Titlis Glacier Cave, 33 feet (10 m) below the glacier's surface. Catch a ride on the Ice Flyer chairlift, peering deep into icy crevasses as you pass over Titlis Glacier to Glacier Park. Cross the Titlis Cliff Walk—the highest suspension bridge in Europe (not for the faint-hearted), or go snow tubing down a run on a rubber ring.
End your day with a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through Engelberg, followed by dinner and chocolate fondue at one of the restaurants near the monastery.
Day 2: Drive to Grindelwald, Snowshoe Hike
Escape the crowds on the slopes and discover the peaceful side of the Alps on a half-day snowshoe hike. Have a hearty breakfast of brötchen, käse, and schinken (bread rolls, cheese, and ham), then drive 1.5 hours to Grindelwald and meet your guide. Strap on snowshoes, grab your poles, and trek through deep, fluffy snow, following your guide along untouched mountain trails, through tranquil forests, and over snowy Alpine meadows.
Enjoy magnificent vistas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau as you savor traditional glühwein and Swiss cheese fondue in a charming mountain restaurant, then cap off the experience with an exhilarating 45-minute sled ride, whizzing past frozen waterfalls back down to Grindelwald where you'll check into your hotel for the night. Afterward, explore this charming village on foot and marvel at its twinkling lights and snow-covered cottages sprinkled through the valley.
Day 3: Drive to Zermatt, Sled on Gornegrat, Relax at CBD Spa
Rise early and drive 3.5 hours to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, for today's exciting sledding adventure. After settling into your hotel, catch the cog railway up Mount Gornegrat to Rotenboden Station for an adrenaline-packed ride on the Alps' highest and most scenic sled run. Rent a sled in the village and enjoy multiple runs on this thrilling 10-minute descent.
Choose from several modern or traditional restaurants in Zermatt for lunch. Then, relax and revive your tired muscles at CBD Spa in the Schlosshotel. Breathe in herbal aromas as water and hot air caress your skin in the hemp sauna—the only one in Zermatt. Follow up with a massage, steam bath, or natural treatments before retiring to your hotel for dinner and a mug of hot chocolate.
Day 4: Drive to Chamonix (France), Ski Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Relax at QC Terme Spa
Hit the road and drive 2.5 hours to Chamonix, France, for the ultimate skiing adventure with the magnificent 15,774-foot (4,809 m) Mont Blanc as your backdrop in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley. Carve through the snow, tackle jumps in the snow park, or snowboard in deep powder on the legendary pistes. Alternatively, fine-tune your skills in the valley's diverse lower-altitude ski slopes before stopping for hot soup at a mountain restaurant.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Trip to Mount Aiguille du Midi, Transfer to Geneva, Depart
At daybreak, meet your guide at the cable car station in Chamonix, the historic gathering point for climbers since the 1950s, for a half-day adventure to the mythical Aiguille du Midi. Ascend by cable car to the mountain's 12,605-foot (3,842 m) peak for 360-degree views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. Marvel at the white paradise of glaciers and eternal snow while your guide shares insights and anecdotes of the great Alps and their adventurers.
At the summit, explore the museum showcasing the remarkable stories of mountaineers and climbers who faced these incredible peaks, including the iconic Vallée Blanche Descent—an impressive 9,186-foot (2,800 m) vertical drop. Then, if you're brave, grab a photo on the famous "Step into the Void" glass platform for a thrilling souvenir.
And now, it's time to say goodbye! Drop off your rental car in Chamonix and take a 1.5-hour bus ride to Geneva Airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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