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The best of Switzerland’s Mountains, Lakes, Glaciers & Waterfalls
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Swiss Lakes and Mountains, relax on lake cruises, travel the world’s steepest cog railway and marvel at amazing scenery as this tour takes you through the very best of the Alps.
Switzerland offers a wide variety of scenery which delights the tourist all year round. You don’t have to travel far to see beautiful forests, lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, valleys and snow-capped mountains. Three fifths of the country are covered by the Alps and this tour focuses on the best of the lake and mountain scenery in the country.
The first stop in Switzerland is Lake Lucerne in the central area of the country. Here the lake forms a complicated shape with bends and arms reaching from the centre of Lucerne into the mountains. From here we travel to Lugano, a glacial lake on Switzerland’s south-east border with Italy. Moving on to the upper Rhone Valley we spend time in Raron and from our campsite we have numerous possibilities for sightseeing, including an option to visit “Aletsch Glacier”, the largest in the Alps.
From Raron we continue along the River Rhone to Martigny, nestled in an elbow on the river among vineyards and orchards. The cultural capital of the Valais canton, Martigny is home to the Museum of St Bernard Hospice and the legendary dogs that spent the winters there. During our stay we will travel on the “Mont Blanc Express” train on an amazing journey through the “Trient Gorge” to Chamonix where the adventurous among us can ascend Mont Blanc.
Finally, the tour reaches Lauterbrunnen, in the Bernese Oberland. Our site lies below the Staubbach waterfall in the Valley of the 72 Waterfalls and within sight of the Eiger and the Mönch. Here we will travel by train through the Bernese Alps to the Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, stopping off at the North Face of the Eiger to take in the spectacular views of the High-Alpine wonderland of ice, snow and rock
Day One – Sunday 3rd September
The tour starts in the charming Swiss town of Lucerne and our campsite is located close to the center and borders the famous Lake of the same name. Just a two-minute walk from our site can be found the sandy “Lido Beach” offering superb views of the Lake and Mount Pilatus. Later today day we meet at the Tour Director’s van for welcome drinks and a tour briefing.
Day Two – Monday 4th September
This morning we will board our boat at the ferry terminal located adjacent to our campsite, for a full day’s excursion to Mount Pilatus. We start with a ninety-minute cruise on Lake Lucern to Alpnachstad from where we board the worlds “Steepest Cog Railway” to be transported to the top of Mount Pilatus. Reaching the summit, we have a group lunch with “Panoramic Views” and free time to admire the amazing scenery before descending by cable car. Once back in Lucerne you can take a wander in town or return directly to the campsite by foot or local bus.
Day Three – Tuesday 5th September
A free day. The town centre can be reached by a walk along the lakeside footpath, or is just a short bus or boat ride away and there are numerous opportunities for you to spend your time today. You could also choose to visit the amazing “Museum of Transport” located adjacent to the campsite or catch a boat from the jetty for another cruise on the lake, this time stopping off at one or more of the many lakeside villages.
Day Four – Wednesday 6th September
We move on today to our next campsite near Lugano. En-Route you will have the opportunity to travel through the Gotthard Tunnel or over the famous Pass. 107 Miles
Day Five – Thursday 7th September
This morning, will be collected by coach from our campsite to travel into Lugano for a cruise on the lake. We disembark our boat on the opposite shoreline where we will have lunch in a lakeside restaurant. After lunch we visit the “Customs Museum” before rejoining our boat for a cruise to the village of Gandria. Here we have free time for exploration and refreshments before returning to Lugano and later, our campsite.
Day Six – Friday 8th September
Free day. There are numerous opportunities for sightseeing direct from our campsite and the local railway station is just a short stroll away.
Day Seven – Saturday 9th September
A spectacular drive today takes us on the lovely route along the north shore of Lake Maggiore and over the Simplon Pass with wonderful views from the parking area at the top. Our destination is the Rhone Valley campsite at Raron which is surrounded by superb mountain views and shops & restaurants just a fifteen-minute walk away. 109 miles
Day Eight – Sunday 10th September
A day of leisure in Raron where there are many opportunities for independent excursions. This evening we will get together to enjoy a tasty “Raclette” meal accompanied by local “Valais” wines.
Day Nine – Monday 11th September
An optional excursion with the Tour Directors (at your own cost) to the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO protected site. Covering an area of about 46 square miles, at its thickest it is estimated to be around 3,300 feet deep. Surrounded by high Alpine flora and fauna the glacier is renowned for its natural beauty. This trip is at its best in good weather with clear visibility so will be offered either today or tomorrow, dependent on the local weather conditions.
Day Ten – Tuesday 12th September
A Free day, you may choose today to explore some more of the amazing local scenery. There are excellent cycle paths and walking opportunities
Day Eleven – Wednesday 13th September
Today we have just a short drive to our next campsite at Martigny. There will be time to visit some local vineyards en- route if you wish. 42 miles
Day Twelve – Thursday 14th September
A fifteen-minute walk takes us to Martigny railway station and the Mont Blanc Express for a ninety-minute ride in the direction of Chamonix, up into the breathtaking heights of the Trient Gorge. You will see waterfalls, majestic peaks and the wonderful glacier of Mont Blanc. Once in Chamonix you may choose to ascend Mont Blanc by cable car (not included in the tour) or perhaps just enjoy your free time shopping and sightseeing before we return by train to Martigny in the late afternoon.
Day Thirteen – Friday 15th September
A free day. In the evening there will be a Group Buffet arranged by the Tour Directors.
Day Fourteen – Saturday 16th September
We leave Martigny today and drive to our final Swiss campsite at Lauterbrunnen. Located on the edge of the village, beneath the Staubbach waterfall our campsite nestles in the Jungfrau Mountains; the towering peaks of the Eiger and the Mönch are clearly visible. 124 miles
Day Fifteen – Sunday 17th September
A free day. The village is within walking distance and contains an interesting museum and art gallery. Railway and cable car tickets are available from the campsite office for self-exploration into the mountains. This evening we will have dinner in the campsite restaurant.
Day Sixteen – Monday 18th September
A spectacular train journey through the Bernese Alps today to the highest railway station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch at an elevation of 3,454 m. On the way up the train will stop at the Eiger north face, the Eiger glacier and the Sea of Ice where observation windows offer spectacular views of a High-Alpine wonderland. Once at the summit we have ample free time for sightseeing and to make your own lunch arrangements before we return to Lauterbrunnen. It would be wise to ensure that you have warm clothing and comfortable shoes for today and don’t forget your camera!
Day Seventeen – Tuesday 19th September
Free day. From our campsite you can reach the summit of the Schilthorn at 2970 meters above sea level and marvel at the spectacular panorama. As part of the Schilthorn experience, you can visit to the interactive “James Bond” exhibition and the “Piz Gloria” rotating restaurant.
Day Eightteen – Wednesday 20th September
Free day and an opportunity to explore the Valley of the 72 Waterfalls or to a make a visit to the stunning Trummelbach Falls, featuring 10 glacier waterfalls inside a mountain. In the evening we will have our Farewell Dinner which will give us an opportunity to reflect back on our time in Switzerland.
Day Nineteen – Thursday 21st September
The tour ends this morning.
PRICE TOUR DEPOSIT £250
Motorhome with 2 people – £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person – £0000
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 18 Campsite nights with hook-up
- Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
- Drinks Reception, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners with Wine and a Buffet
- Entrance Fees as per the itinerary
- Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Director’s travelling in their own motorhome
Excursions, Events & Meals
- Welcome Reception, Introductions & Tour Briefing
- Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus “Golden Trip” excursion including Lake Cruise, Cog Railway, Cable Car and Lunch
- Lake Lugano Cruise including Lunch
- Dinner comprising typical Swiss “Raclette” Meal accompanied by Local Vaiais Wines
- Excursion on the famous “Mont Blanc Express” to Chamonix
- Buffet Evening with Wine
- Dinner in Campsite Restaurant at Lauterbrunnen
- Excursion to Europe’s “Highest Railway Station” in the Bernese Alps
- Farewell Dinner with Wine.
- Optional Excursion (at your own cost) with the Tour Directors to the Aletsch Glacier
This tour starts in Lucerne Switzerland, but if you would like to travel from the UK at the same time as the Tour Director on the outward journey, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf
OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE
- Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
- 4 X additional Campsites with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Wednesday 30th August followed by France, Germany and Lake Lucerne
- Dinner in German Campsite
- Tour information pack with suggested routes + GPS Co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE
Motorhome with 2 People @ £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 Person @ £000