Best of Switzerland





Get your nature (and cheese) fix – Swiss style
An eight-day jaunt through the countryside and cuisine of Switzerland is the ideal way to see (and taste) all things Swiss. This small nation packs a punch with its mountainous landscapes, glacial lakes, picturesque cities and food staples that are so tough to beat. Beginning in Zurich, travel in comfort by train to lakeside Lucerne, the stunning Swiss Alps and cheese-obsessed and chocolate-stuffed Bulle before finishing in the nation's quaint capital, Bern. Here, the outdoors has never looked so good and the chocolate has never tasted so smooth, so it’s time to sample it all yourself.
4.6
30 reviewsStart: Zurich, Switzerland
End: Bern, Switzerland
- Duration
- 8 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer, Rail
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Choose your own adventure with two free days in the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. You can take these days as relaxed or as thrill-seeking as you want from your hotel homebase surrounded by mountain views.
- Find out why the Swiss are known around the world for their cheese and chocolate, with opportunities to sample both in La Gruyere region.
- Your locally based group leader will provide expert advice on how to make the most of your free time, as well as giving you orientation walks around each place so you can get your bearings.
- Take in the breathtaking alpine views from the summit of Mt Pilatus with your small group, reached via the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
- With plenty of free time to explore at your own pace in Bern, you’ll discover why this city is considered one of the most beautiful and laidback capital cities in the world.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Welcome to Switzerland! There's much to see and do in Zurich, so we recommend you book some additional nights prior to the trip's start. This afternoon, meet your group at 6 pm in the hotel lobby for an important welcome meeting. Afterwards, take an evening orientation walk with your leader around Zurich to take in the river and lakefront by night.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Zurich - Orientation walk
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you're going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, get a taste of the world-renowned Swiss rail system – efficient and punctual – as you head to Lucerne, a small city known for its mountainous backdrop on the pristine Lake Lucerne. The city is a popular destination for those visiting central Switzerland thanks to its proximity to many outdoor activities, its breathtaking natural beauty and historic architecture. On a walking tour with your leader, take a walk past 15th-century frescoed houses and across covered wooden bridges and climb to the top of the medieval towers along the city walls for spectacular views of this picturesque city and its surroundings. In the tiny streets of the old town (Altstadt), there’s often a craft market and dozens of shops full of unique handmade goods.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lucerne - Orientation Walk
- Lucerne - Spreuer Bridge - Free
- Lucerne - Church of St Leodegar - Free
- Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport - CHF62
Please note that our accommodation in Lucerne does not offer ensuite facilities. Bathrooms are shared among guests occupying one floor.
It's tour time! Hop on the Golden Pilatus tour – a roundtrip journey across Lake Lucerne to the summit of Mt Pilatus and back to town via boat, rail and gondola. From the shores of the Reuss river in Lucerne, hop on a steamboat ride along the lake to Alpnachstad, where you'll board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which takes you to the summit of Mt Pilatus at 2132 metres. Walk up to the various viewpoints or just park yourself on the panoramic viewing platform and enjoy some lunch (and perhaps even a yodelling or alphorn demonstration if you're lucky). From here, travel down the other side of the mountain via gondola. Opt to walk back to the city centre or hop aboard a public bus for an evening at your leisure.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lucerne - Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
On today's excursion you will take a steep cogwheel railway up Mt Pilatus, so a good head for heights will help. The views are unparalleled.
Today, travel to the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps and enjoy a couple of free days in this picturesque mountain paradise. From your homebase in the village of Grindelwald, you've got a tonne of optional activities to choose from. With trains and cable car routes throughout the valley, it's quite easy to access viewpoints and hikes of all levels from the valley floor to mountain peaks. One of the popular spots is Grindelwald First, accessible by a cable car ride, you can embark on the First Cliff Walk, an adrenaline-pumping walkway that clings to the side of the mountain. You might also opt to ride the rails from Grindelwald through the village of Kleine Scheidegg to board the train to Jungfrauroch, aka the Top of Europe, home to the highest railway station in Europe at nearly 3500 metres. Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are easy day trips, too. In Lauterbrunnen, you could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. Happy exploring!
- Hotel (2 nights)
- Breakfast (2)
- Lauterbrunnen - Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe) - CHF250
- Lauterbrunnen - Schilthorn Mountain - CHF86
- Lauterbrunnen - Trummelbach Falls - CHF12
- Jungfrau region self-guided hike - Free
If you would like to visit Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, we advise you to speak with your leader at the beginning of your trip, as they may be able to organise discounted group fares depending on the number of travellers interested.
This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. After lunch, hop on a quick local train to Gruyere, where you will first visit La Maison du Gruyère, a renowned cheese factory where you can learn about the traditional methods of making the famous Gruyère cheese. Then, head to a local fromagerie to savour delicious cheeses during a tasting session. Conclude your culinary excursion with a visit to a local chocolate shop, where you can treat yourself to a delightful tasting of Swiss chocolates.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bulle - Cheese tasting in a local fromagerie
- Bulle - Chocolate tasting in local chocolate shop
Travel to Bern – Switzerland's capital and arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. After checking into your hotel, grab a quick lunch and follow your leader on an orientation walking tour. Head to the Old Town, explore the area where Einstein lived and developed his Theory of Relativity at the start of the 20th century and stop to check out Parliament House. Visit the famous Zytglogge - Bern Clock. On a guided tour, examine the gears and apparatus of the old clock, which dates back to the 15th century, with many original parts still in operation. Watch the perfectly timed figurines closely and don't miss out on the panoramic view of Bern from the top. In the evening, why not get some of your crew together to explore the food and drink scene in Bern – from typical Swiss dishes to worldwide cuisine, Bern is a great place for dining.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bern: Orientation Walk
- Bern: Zytgoggle Guided Tour
- Bern - Rose Garden - Free
- Bern - History and Einstein Museum - CHF18
- Bern - Minster (Cathedral) - Free
- Bern - Museum of Fine Arts - CHF10
With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave any time after breakfast. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Bern, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
- Breakfast
Please note that most international flights out of Switzerland depart from Zurich, Basel or Geneva, all of which are within a two-hour train ride of Bern. We do not offer any departure transfers on this trip as public transport is very efficient and the cost for private transfers would have been excessive, but your leader will be happy to help you organise your onward travel.
Inclusions and activities
7 breakfasts
Train, Public bus, Boat, Cable car, Cog railway
Hotel (7 nights)
- Zurich - Orientation walk
- Lucerne - Orientation Walk
- Lucerne - Boat Cruise & Mt Pilatus Golden Circle Tour
- Bulle - Cheese tasting in a local fromagerie
- Bulle - Chocolate tasting in local chocolate shop
- Bern: Orientation Walk
- Bern: Zytgoggle Guided Tour
- Lucerne - Spreuer Bridge - Free
- Lucerne - Church of St Leodegar - Free
- Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport - CHF62
- Lauterbrunnen - Jungfraujoch (The Top of Europe) - CHF250
- Lauterbrunnen - Schilthorn Mountain - CHF86
- Lauterbrunnen - Trummelbach Falls - CHF12
- Jungfrau region self-guided hike - Free
- Bern - Rose Garden - Free
- Bern - History and Einstein Museum - CHF18
- Bern - Minster (Cathedral) - Free
- Bern - Museum of Fine Arts - CHF10
This trip generates 11 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- Some of Switzerland’s best scenery is found on walks, which can be quite steep and long. While this trip itself doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to take part in all activities. During the trip, you have the option to hike the trails in the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau region.
- The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Swiss trains are a fast (and punctual) way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however, can sometimes be quite busy. You may need to make exchanges in between to reach your destination. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train and storage space for luggage on trains can be quite limited, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.
- Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
- On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel Montana
Konradstrasse 39
Zurich
SWITZERLAND
Phone: +41 43 366 60 00
Description
Hotel Montana is a 3-star boutique accommodation located in the heart of the city. All major attractions are only a short walk away. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a 24 hour reception, lounge bar, tea & coffee making facilities in each room, daily newspapers and free luggage storage should you arrive before your room is ready.
Instructions
Zurich International Airport (airport code ZRH) is approximately 10 km north of central Zurich. Taxis are available outside the arrival hall, however your best bet will be one of the frequent suburban trains. They leave every 10 minutes, and take about 20 minutes to Zurich Central railway station. From here it is a 3minute walk to Hotel Montana. Take the exit near platform 18 and then cross the street at the traffic lights. Walk up Radgasse street (behind Vorbahnhof Restaurant), then turn left into Konradstrasse. Hotel Montana will be on your left.
Pre booked arrival transfer from Zurich airport: If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact our operator on their emergency number.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your agent for further information.
2. Please provide your date of birth at the time of booking so that we can secure train tickets for you.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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