Day 1 - Arrival in Zurich and Travel to Interlaken

• Morning : Flight and Trains
• Arrive in Zurich and purchase the Berner Oberland Train Pass at the station (approx. $550 for 2 tickets). This will cover the majority of your train, bus, and gondola travel in and around the Jungfrau region.
• Take a train from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Bern (roughly 1 hour).
• Then, continue on a scenic train ride to Interlaken Ost (approx. 1.5 hours), enjoying the stunning landscapes as you enter the Swiss Alps.
• From Interlaken Ost, take the bus to your hotel to drop off your bags (Bus 103 comes every 30 minutes).

• Afternoon : Explore Interlaken
• After dropping your bags, take a stroll around the town. Walk along the Aare River, visit the Interlaken West area, and enjoy the views of the mountains surrounding the town.
• Options if time allows today:
• Take a boat ride on Lake Brienz to Brienz (be sure to check the schedule for Giessbach Falls). This 1.5-hour boat trip offers incredible views of the lake and mountains.
• Brienz: Explore Brunngasse street, one of the most scenic streets in Switzerland, known for its traditional wooden houses and flower-filled balconies.
• Brienzer Rothorn Railway for a short ride up the mountain (last train at 4:36 PM). If you’re running short on time, you can skip the boat ride and take this scenic train ride instead.

• Evening: 
• Return to Interlaken and relax at Harder Kulm (if time permits). You can take the funicular to Harder Kulm for stunning panoramic views of Interlaken and the surrounding mountains. Consider having dinner here.

• Head back to your accommodations
• We stayed at Hotel Walida in Bönigen near Lake Brienz (a cozy, low-key place)

 

Day 2 - Grindelwald & First Adventure 

• Morning:
• Travel to Grindelwald: After breakfast, take a short train ride (about 30 minutes) from Interlaken to Grindelwald.
• Explore Grindelwald: Stroll through this picturesque mountain village, known for its wooden chalets, stunning views, and access to nearby hikes.
• Take the Grindelwald First gondola up to the First mountain station.
• Once there, walk the First Cliff Walk (get there early to avoid crowds). The cliff walk offers dramatic views of the surrounding peaks.

• Afternoon:
• Bachalpsee Hike: From Grindelwald First, take the trail to Bachalpsee Lake. The hike takes around 1 hour 15 minutes each way, offering gorgeous views of alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks.
• Picnic by the Lake: Pack a lunch or snacks to enjoy at the lake (bring water and some energy bars for the hike).
• Adventure Activities: You have the option of taking the zipline down from First or riding the Mountain Carts or scooters for a fun downhill adventure.
• Alternatively, visit the Pfingstegg gondola station to experience the mountain coaster or zipline.

• Evening:
• Head to the Grindelwald Canyon for a relaxed visit and stunning views of the gorge.
• Dinner at Hotel Belvedere: Enjoy a fondue gondola experience for dinner, offering an unforgettable Swiss fondue experience in a gondola overlooking the mountains (reservation required).

• Head to your accommodations
• Stay in Grindelwald: A recommendation of ours is Central Hotel Wolter

 

 

Day 3 - Lauterbrunnen Valley & Murren 

• Morning:
• Early Start for Lauterbrunnen: Take a morning train to Lauterbrunnen, located at the base of dramatic cliffs and home to stunning waterfalls.
• Take the gondola to Mannlichen (20 minutes) for the Royal Walk, which provides magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
• From Mannlichen, take the gondola to Wengen and enjoy a walk to the church for an even more panoramic view of the valley.

• Afternoon:
• Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls: Return to Lauterbrunnen and visit some of the valley's famous waterfalls, such as Staubbach Falls and Trummelbach Falls (the latter is inside the mountain).
• Stechelberg Gondola to Mürren: Continue by train and gondola to Mürren, a charming car-free mountain village, and stop in Gimmelwald along the way for a peaceful alpine retreat.

• Evening:
• Return to Grindelwald in the evening via train, ready for your next adventure.
• Stay in Geneva: Drive or take a train to Geneva in the evening (approx. 3 hours). 

• Head to your accommodations
• Try out Hotel de Geneve for a comfortable night (approx. $150 per night).

 

Day 4 - Geneva City Exploration

• Morning:
• Explore the vibrant city of Geneva. Start with a visit to Lake Geneva. Walk along the lakeside promenade, and enjoy the views of the Jet d’Eau fountain.
• The Old Town: Wander through Geneva’s charming Old Town with its narrow cobblestone streets, the St. Pierre Cathedral, and Maison Tavel, the oldest house in the city.

• Afternoon:
• International Geneva: Visit the United Nations Office and the International Red Cross Museum, both located in the modern district of the city.
• Alternatively, visit the Patek Philippe Museum for a glimpse into the history of Swiss watchmaking.

• Evening:
• Dinner by the Lake: Enjoy dinner at a lakeside restaurant, such as Café du Soleil, where you can try Swiss specialties like fondue.

• Head to your accommodations
• Spend another night in Geneva. Time to rest and prepare for your next destination tomorrow!

 

Day 5 - Montreux and Rochers-de-Naye

• Morning:
• Day trip to Montreux: Take a scenic train ride to Montreux, located on the shores of Lake Geneva (approx. 1-hour journey).
• Stroll along the Montreux Lakeside Promenade, famous for its flowers, sculptures, and beautiful views of the Alps.

• Afternoon:
• Rochers-de-Naye: Take the cogwheel train from Montreux to the top of Rochers-de-Naye, where you can visit the Montreux Alpine Garden and enjoy panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
• You can also visit the Marmot Park on top of the mountain for a wildlife experience.

• Evening:
• Return to Geneva in the late afternoon or evening for another peaceful night and dinner in the city

• Head to your accommodations
• Spend another night in Geneva.

  

Day 6 - Day Trip to Zermatt

• Morning:
• Early train to Zermatt, home of the iconic Matterhorn. (Approx. 3.5 hours by train).
• Explore the village of Zermatt, which is car-free and surrounded by the majestic Swiss Alps.

• Afternoon:
• Take the Gornergrat Railway to the Gornergrat Summit for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.
• Optionally, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe, for panoramic views and snow sports.

• Evening:
• Return to Geneva for a restful evening and overnight stay, taking in a last rest before heading home tomorrow.

• Head to your accommodations
• Stay in Geneva

  

Day 7 - Departure from Geneva

• Morning:
• Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and spend the morning in Geneva for any last-minute sightseeing or shopping.

• Afternoon:
• Depart from Geneva and head to the airport for your onward journey.

 

 

This extended 7-day itinerary allows for a more leisurely exploration of the Jungfrau region, Geneva, and the surrounding alpine areas while incorporating some scenic train rides, mountain excursions, and Swiss culture. Enjoy your Swiss adventure!