ViaCook 8 days / 7 nights Grindelwald - - - Zermatt

Guided Hiking Tour Grindelwald – Zermatt The Gemmi pass is the oldest link between the Bernese and Alps - and the heart of the ViaCook, a long-distance journey following the trail of the British tourism pioneer Thomas Cook. Start and end destinations are the very famous and amazing mountain resorts of Grindelwald and Zermatt.  Grindelwald with its world famous mountain chain Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau  The car-free mountain resort Zermatt at the foot of the  Leuk castle with its cupola by Swiss architect Mario Botta, has won international acclaim  The Gemmi pass with the new viewing platform

Package price : Date / Rates 2014 Basic price in a Single room Small group double room supplement surcharge (2-5 Paxs) Price per person CHF CHF CHF 12-19 July 2-9 August 1950 160 500 23-30 August Services Including :  accommodation and meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)  English-speaking tour guide  tips to porters and drivers  luggage transport  bus-, train and railwayrides (based on half fare card or Swiss Pass)

Services Excluding :  International airfare  meals not noted on itinerary  all drinks  travel insurance  optional tipping to tour guide

Travel Programme Saturday Welcome to / Grindelwald Individual journey to Grindelwald. Grindelwald lies nestled in unspoilt Alpine landscape at the foot of the Eiger north face. The world-famous backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau set the scene for Grindelwald. Your personal guide welcomes you at your hotel in Grindelwald and takes you for a stroll around the village. D, Hotel Kirchbühl****, Grindelwald

Sunday Schynige Platte – Faulhorn – First Hiking time approx. 5 hours 40 min / up 300 m/980 f / down 400 m/1310 f A classical panoramic trail to Europes oldest mountain hostel. A unique panorama trail above the tree line. On the Schynige Platte one becomes aware of the wonderful contrasts in colour between the firn dazzling summits, the green valleys and the Lütschine and Aare rivers. Well worth a visit are the alpine gardens with over 500 native plants, as well as the 2 hours round trip with a beautiful view onto the lakes of Thun and Brienz. On the trail from the Schynige Platte to First we will pass two quitely different mountain lakes, the Sägistal- and Bachalp lakes. A visit to Europes oldest mountain hostel (170 years old) on the Faulhorn and the breathtaking views of the summits around Grindelwald, as you carry on to First, make this hike unique and well worth the long effort. The trail is completely natural and expectantly rough. B, D, Hotel Kirchbühl****, Grindelwald

Monday Piz Gloria – Kiental – Kandersteg Hiking time approx. 6 hours / up 0 m/0 f / down 1564 m/5130 f The became a world-famous attraction after being conquered by 007. The cable-car ride to 3000m/ 9840f is itself spectacular. In good visibility the «Piz Gloria» rotating restaurant, with its viewing terrace, offers a fabulous panorama of 200 summits and 40 glaciers. Our hike today follows adventures trails from the Schiltorn down into the Kiental. After a 6 hours hike and thousands of unforgettable sceneries we arrive at Griesalp. A postbus brings us to Reichenbach and to Kandersteg. Your accommodation tonight is unique! A history of almost 250 years becomes tangible and at your fingertips in the honourable Ruedihus. Here you can discover the »Good Ol' Days« for yourself. Earthy beams, splendid old furniture and a loving ambient provide you with the tranquillity we so often miss. B, D, Hotel Ruedihus***, Kandersteg

Tuesday Kandersteg – Gemmipass – Leukerbad Approx. 15 Km / 9 miles The mule trail along the historic Schwarenbach mountain hotel to the tranquil waters of the Daubensee with its dizzy twists and turns. From the Gemmi Pass we take the modern cable car to Leukerbad. B, D Hotel Alfa Leukerbad

Wednesday Zermatt Approx. 1-2 hours By train to Zermatt. On the Italian border of the canton of Valais in the west of Switzerland, at the end of Nikolaital, lies Zermatt, the village at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world. Zermatt epitomises the image of Switzerland: high-alpine, awe-inspiring and original. Zermatt and the Matterhorn has been visited by mountaineers from all around the world since the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. The air up here is clear, dry and clean, because, since 1947, only electric cars without a combustion engine are allowed to operate in the village. In the afternoon after our stroll through the village, we take the Gornergrat Bahn and reach its sunny viewing platform which is accessible all year. The train crosses impressive bridges, galleries and tunnels. In the midst of idyllic forests and alpine meadows, past rocky gorges and tarns. Accompanied by the majestic mountains, first and foremost by the Matterhorn. B, D, Hotel Hemizeus***, Zermatt

Thursday Hiking on the foot of the Matterhorm Hiking time approx. 5 hours 30 min / up 850 m/2790 f / down 850 m/2790 f The famous Edelweissweg is well known because here you have the possibility to discover the real Swiss Alpine flower, the Edelweiss. Trift is a beautiful place with a well known restaurant und Zmutt is may be the most lovely village in this area. Wooden Chalets, green fields, marmots on the way and above the mighty Matterhorn. B, D, Hotel Hemizeus***, Zermatt

Friday Departure After breakfast our guided tour ends Individual onward journey.

SUBJECT TO PROGRAMME AND HOTEL CHANGES! Hiking times can vary depending on the weather and travel group.

For enquiry please call 22 430 430 / [email protected] /

www.europerail.hk