Compare Trekking Mont Blanc by G Adventures vs Switzerland: Europe's Crown Jewel 2021 by Tauck
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 10 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 2,039 | $ 7,590 |
| Price Per Day | $ 204 | $ 690 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 9 breakfasts, 5 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
Experience the rarified air of Europe as you trek the Alps from France to Italy and Switzerland along the Tour du Mont Blanc. This challenging hiking circuit will reward you with mesmerizing views of glaciers, steep valleys, and, of course, Mont Blanc itself. Travel across high passes and through Alpine meadows, recharging at night with delicious mountain cuisine in simple refuges. Challenge yourself to conquer one of the world's premiere hiking routes, uncovering the alpine heart of Europe on this incredible active adventure. |
Explore picturesque mountains, sparkling lakes and fashionable Swiss cities including Lausanne, Interlaken, St. Moritz and Lucerne... travel by cogwheel train and funicular in the Alps, by private boat on an alpine lake, and by rail in a domed observation car aboard the Glacier Express... |
Day 1 Chamonix
Arrive at any time.
Our circuit begins and ends in Chamonix, France. This evening is our first opportunity to try out some of the best Alpine specialities in a typical restaurant, such as Cheese fondue, Tartiflette or Raclette accompanied with some famous "Vin de Savoie" wine.
Day 2 Chamonix/Les Contamines-Montjoie
Travel to Les Houches and enjoy a 24km (15 mi) hike through the stunning countryside to Les Contamines and savour a delicious dinner in the evening.
We set off this morning after breakfast for our first day of hiking. We'll take the bus to the village of Les Houches, where we begin with a cable car ride to Bellevue. From here on a clear day you’ll enjoy great views of the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Range, before beginning our hike to Les Contamines.
Day 3 Les Contamines-Montjoie/Les Chapieux
Hike the challenging 18km (11 mi) from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux.
Day 4 Les Chapieux/Courmayeur
Pass glacial lakes on the 23km (14 mi) trek from Les Chapieux to the Italian town of Courmayeur.
Day 5 Courmayeur
The picturesque mountain town of Courmayeur is an ideal backdrop for a free day. Opt to ride a cable car to Pointe Helbronner or go for a day hike.
Today we have a scheduled rest day to put up our weary feet or take the opportunity to enjoy the lovely town of Courmayeur and La Saxe. Enjoy an optional dinner with the group and our leader to taste some of the Italian Alpine specialities offered in Courmayeur's many atmospheric restaurants.
Day 6 Courmayeur/Val Ferret
Hike the 14km (8.6 mi) from Courmayeur to the Italian Val Ferret. It's a steep climb but the rewarding views are worth it.
Day 7 Val Ferret/La Fouly
Embark on a long, steep hike of 20km (12.5 mi) followed by a stay in the Swiss mountain village of La Fouly.
Day 8 La Fouly/Trient
After a short bus journey to the picturesque village of Champex, follow the "Bovine Way" and trek 16km (10mi) from La Fouly to Trient.
Day 9 Trient/Chamonix
Enjoy a final day of trekking 14 km (8.7mi) over the Col de la Balme to the Chamonix valley.
Day 10 Chamonix
We suggest booking your flight no earlier than 12:00 if you would like to leisurely enjoy your last morning in Chamonix. Please keep in mind that Geneva is approximately 2 hours away.
Please note that most international flights depart from Geneva Airport, and you will need to allow at least 3 hours prior to your departure time to travel from Chamonix to Geneva. For this reason, our suggested 12:00 flight departure time is not mandatory, but recommended to allow a leisurely final morning on tour.
Day 1 Arrive Geneva with included transfer to Lausanne
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Lausanne Palace. A transfer is included from Geneva International Airport to Lausanne Palace in Lausanne; the drive takes you through the vineyard country high above Lake Geneva to your hotel in Lausanne, overlooking the north-central shore of the famous lake. Meet your fellow Alpine travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Lausanne Palace
PORTOFCALL : Lausanne, Switzerland
Day 2 Meadows & mountains, from Chillon to Gruyères and Zermatt
Get set for a day filled with spectacular scenery, regal lakeside châteaux, quintessential Swiss villages and snowcapped mountains! Lord Byron made Château de Chillon, a celebrated château on the shores of Lake Geneva, famous in his epic poem, The Prisoner of Chillon. Visit it today en route to Gruyères, known for its cheese, where you'll spend some free time and enjoy lunch. A cogwheel train from Taesch takes you high into the mountains to the car-free resort town of Zermatt for a two-night stay at your historic grand hotel.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
PORTOFCALL : Zermatt, Switzerland
Day 3 Climb to Gornergrat by cogwheel train & view the Matterhorn
Travel higher into the mountains by cogwheel train today to Gornergrat (elevation is 10,225 ft.) for spectacular views of the legendary Matterhorn. Coffee or an apéritif is sublime before heading back to Zermatt (either by train the entire way, or including a hike with a naturalist, your choice) and visiting the Matterhorn Museum. Return to your fabulous hotel to spend the rest of the day as you please.
MEALS : B
LODGING : Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
PORTOFCALL : Zermatt, Switzerland
Day 4 La dolce vita at Lake Maggiore in Italy & Lake Lugano in Switzerland
Descend by rail from Zermatt, then head through the majestic Simplon Pass en route to Italy’s Lake Maggiore. After lunch in Stresa, a private water taxi to Isola Bella, owned by the noble Borromeo family, provides the opportunity to visit their impressive 17th-century palace and gardens, created in the shape of a ship. Back in Switzerland, head to Lake Lugano and a two-night stay.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano
PORTOFCALL : Lugano, Switzerland
Day 5 A lovely day in lakeside Lugano
Get to know Lugano – a gem of a lakeside resort town – first on a walking tour, then aboard a private wine tasting cruise on Lake Lugano. Following lunch at a local grotto restaurant, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore on your own. There is much to see, do and savor here in and around Lugano, and your Tauck Director will have many pleasurable activities to suggest, from checking out the Via Nassa to calling on little coastal villages like Gandria or Marcote by boat.
MEALS : B, L
LODGING : Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano
PORTOFCALL : Lugano, Switzerland
Day 6 Across the Alps to St. Moritz
Journey through an ever-changing, wonderfully scenic landscape as you cross between Italy and Switzerland along the old Roman Via Regina, relishing views of Lake Como before climbing into the mountains and crossing the Maloja Pass. A highlight is the scenic road to glamorous St. Moritz, with its lovely vistas of sparkling lakes and mighty mountains. Enjoy accommodations tonight at one of Switzerland's truly grand hotels.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains
PORTOFCALL : St. Moritz, Switzerland
Day 7 Glacier Express Alps rail journey & a private funicular to a mountaintop dinner
Ride Switzerland's world-famous Glacier Express high into the Swiss Alps today and view majestic mountains from the comfort of a panoramic domed observation car, traveling past silver streams, massive peaks, lush valleys and glacial lakes. Disembark the train in Andermatt for a scenic drive leading to a two-night stay at a historic hotel surrounded by Alpine beauty in Interlaken that's rejuvenating... and a real pleasure. Late afternoon, enjoy another Tauck Exclusive – a private ride on the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm (or Harderkulm) viewpoint, overlooking Interlaken and Unterseen, for dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views of the spectacular scenery below.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 8 To the Top of Europe & the Jungfraujoch
In a section of the Bernese Oberland known as Switzerland's "jewel in the crown," climb through the Alps by cogwheel train, via the renowned mountain station at Kleine Scheidegg, to the Jungfraujoch... accompanied by a local guide who provides commentary during your ascent. Here, at over 11,000 feet – which truly feels like the "Top of Europe" – you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace; take time to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch! Spend the remainder of the day as you please back in the Alpine resort of Interlaken.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
PORTOFCALL : Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 9 Through the Bernese Oberland to Bern and on to Lucerne
Depart Interlaken and drive through more of the Bernese Oberland, bound for Bern. Switzerland’s capital is noted for its charming architectural styles; explore the Old City of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a "Taste of Switzerland" buffet lunch at Bern's Bellevue Palace, continue to Lucerne, one of Europe's premier cities, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Stop at the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) en route to your home, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, for the next two nights. A historic landmark built in 1845 and ideally located in the heart of Lucerne's Old Town, the hotel was a recent recipient of The Milestone Award, Swiss tourism's top accolade. Under the project titled "Wo Luzern Geschichte(n) schreibt" (Where Lucerne writes history/stories), every guest room has been allocated a guest with a unique story. They include great personalities such as thinkers, artists, politicians, athletes, musicians and crowned heads as well as unknown guests, whose stories are part of the hotel's history.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 10 Explore Lucerne and enjoy a special farewell evening
While a thoroughly modern, culturally rich city, lakeside Lucerne retains much of its Old World charm and a strong sense of its history, as you'll see for yourself on a guided walking tour and time to explore on your own today. Surrounded by an Alpine panorama, stroll over its medieval covered wooden bridges and discover the many Renaissance and Baroque fountains that dot the city – along with many wonderful galleries, shops and cafés. Late afternoon, join us for a boat ride across the lake that brings us to a special farewell dinner at the popular restaurant Seehotel Baumgarten – a fabulous way to end your Tauck Switzerland journey!
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 11 Journey home
Tour ends: Zurich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern to Zurich Airport, an approximate travel time of 60 minutes. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland
