Upon arrival by train to Zurich, your driver and guide will meet you on the platform for your transfer to Lucerne. The journey takes about 1 hour.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Lucerne is the gateway to Central Switzerland. Founded on the banks of Lake Lucerne in the 6th century, the city grew up around the Sankt Leodgar Abbey, initially built in 840. The city first gained prominence as a stop along the Gotthard trade route and then eventually as a seat in the Swiss Confederacy. Today, as the most populous city in Central Switzerland, the city is a nexus of business and culture for the region, with several world-class museums and theaters for its residents to enjoy.

Today at 10AM, meet your guide for a short overview tour of the center of Lucerne.

Your walk will take you through some of the beautiful town squares, lined with historic homes decorated with frescoes. Make your way to the water, where you will cross the medieval Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). The bridge, centerpiece of the city, spans the River Reuss where it meets the lake. Initially built in 1365, it is the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world.

Later, you will visit a local Chocolate Atelier where you will learn about the process of creating this delicacy – you will even be able to make your own chocolate bar! (Duration: 90 minutes)

After time at leisure for lunch (arranged independently), meet your driver (at around 2PM) for the transfer to the Swiss Museum of Transportation. Through interactive exhibitions, the Swiss Museum of Transport shows the development of mobility and transport on road, rail, and water. They even have an entire section dedicated to air and space travel! As well as the museum, the facility offers various other experiences, such as the Media World and the planetarium.

Today, enjoy a day outdoors! Your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel at 9AM and transfer you to Kriens, where you will board the gondola and cable car to Mount Pilatus.

Mt. Pilatus standing tall has captured the imagination and been setting of countless lore and legends. Said to be the ancient home of dragons, from the very top one has a panoramic view of the 73 Alpine peaks, jagged and lining the sky like a dragon’s teeth. The views from this mountain are breathtaking, covering the whole Lake Lucerne region. Once your reach Frakmuntegg station, your will reach the fun park – here there are numerous activities for everyone to enjoy!

Tickets for the activities based on the ages mentioned below are included.

Rope Park – Parkours with stations to climb, balance and zipline through the woods. Adults and 8-year old and up.

Adventure Pilu – The dragon PILU, the mascot, will take the smaller ones on a journey between tree tops. Children from 4-8 years old, using a safety device.

Toboggan – Slide on the summer toboggan while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Adults and 6-year old and up.

Later, enjoy some time at leisure for lunch (payable locally) and explore the top of the mountain, before heading down by cogwheel to Alpnachstadt. There you will board a boat that will take you to Lucerne (arrival 5:45PM).

This morning, your guide and driver will meet you for your day trip to Affoltern and the Emmental region, the birthplace of Emmental cheese.

Upon arrival in Affoltern, you will have a guided tour of the main cheese factory. You will explore the different rooms and learn about the famous Emmental. Once you reach the production area and the cellars, you will get to make your own!

Under expert supervision, you will process 40 liters of milk into 5kg of curd cheese. The actual process takes about an hour – the cheese requires an additional hour of pressing until it is ready for you to take home.

Right afterwards, continue your cheese adventure by cooking a delicious fondue! You will be using Mammut, Vacherin, Raclette and Emmental cheese which will be served along with potatoes, bread, pickles and fruit. Bon appetit! (White wine, mineral water and coffee are included with lunch).

After lunch, your guide will take you to visit a local farm to learn interesting facts about dairy farming in the region, and you will end the day with a horse carriage ride through the picturesque landscape.

Arrival in Lucerne will be at approximately 6PM.

Today you will head south towards the beautiful Jungfrau region. Your destination will be the charming town of Grindelwald, located on the side of the Eiger mountain.

Grindelwald is one of the most popular destinations in the area that has been attracting visitors since the end of the 18th century. Alpinism developed in the region in the mid-19th century, when local mountain guides climbed the peaks with mostly English tourists.

Walking trails, ski resorts, mountain climbing and lookout points are all easily accessible thanks to the extensive rail and cable car system. From here you can reach the highest train station in Europe – Jungfraujoch, your destination today!

Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel and freshen up before meeting your guide to board the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch via Kleine Scheidegg. (Train passes and entrance fees are included).

The panoramic ride take will take you to Europe’s highest train station, located at 11,300 feet. Here you can access the observation deck to admire the surrounding mountains – Jungfrau and Mönch, and the glaciers. Visit the Ice Palace, the Alpine Sensation moving walkway, and even the highest chocolate store in Europe!

Return to Grindelwald for an evening at leisure (you will get back to your hotel at around 4:45PM).

Note: Young children should swallow regularly during the descent from the mountain (drinking, sucking on a bottle) to prevent ear irritation. Please pay attention to the dropping temperatures once on the top, and bring sunglasses and sunscreen with you.

Today, you will enjoy a later start and some time at leisure.

In the afternoon, transfer to Brienz and visit one of the wood carving factories in the area, where you will be welcomed for a workshop. A wood-carver will show you the perfect way to create and paint your own cow! Drinks and local cheese will be served along. If you wish, you can enjoy a little walk in the village before returning to Grindelwald.

Note: Touring will be arranged accordingly based on the Mass schedule (TBA in the spring)

Today at 10AM, your guide and driver will take you to Trummelbach to visit the beautiful gorge falls. Enjoy a walk through the gorge of this unique site in Europe. Melting water from the walls of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau formed 10 glacial waterfalls that carry 20,000 liters of water per second through the caves. This powerful stream has carved all kinds of rock formations resulting on a spectacular sight!

Continue your tour towards Lauterbrunnen, where you will enjoy some time for lunch (payable locally). Ideally located in one of the most picturesque valleys, between mountain peaks and rock faces, this town boasts over 70 waterfalls and it’s surrounded by smaller valleys and meadows. Lauterbrunnen is actually one of the largest nature conservation areas in the country. The Staubbach Falls, one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe, plunges from almost 1,000 feet high.

Afterwards, head towards Interlaken where you will participate in a chocolate atelier at a chocolate laboratory! Each guest will receive an apron, a hat and all the ingredients to try the techniques and learn the tricks of tempering chocolate by melting, pouring and filling the molds. During the master class, you will be able to eat as much chocolate as you can, and you will of course make your own creation!

Note: Since the chocolate needs about an hour to cool down, you will return to pick it up prior to the transfer back to Grindelwald.

Next, transfer to the funicular of Harder Kulm. This view point is located 4,300 feet above sea level, overlooking the Interlaken alluvial plain, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. It is also the perfect spot to admire the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.

This afternoon your hiking guide will meet you for a light hiking journey to the mountains. You will enjoy a picnic during your expedition, and some time at leisure to enjoy nature and the vistas.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Exeter Services
Guide
Hotel
Schweizerhof Grindelwald