Classic Glacier Express GEJ20

Itinerary

Days 1-2 – Chur

After meeting at our St Pancras Departure Office, we board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by train to Strasbourg for an overnight stay. The following day, we continue to Basel and then on to Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town.

Please Note: For departuresGEJ2003, GEJ2007, GEJ2008 & GEJ2013you will overnight in Colmar

Day 3 – The Bernina Express

Today’s excursion takes us on the historic Bernina Express – a railway journey on the superb Bernina Line that passes mighty glaciers, rushing mountain streams and flower-filled Alpine meadows. The railway line is over 100 years old and has been rewarded with UNESCO World Heritage status as a testament to the incredible civil engineering that was required to create the line, as well as for the breathtaking scenery through which it travels.

From Chur we head south, travelling through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the instantly recognisable Landwasser Viaduct, an architectural treasure. The track clings to the mountainside as we wind our way above deep ravines and past idyllic waterfalls. Looping and spiralling through the rugged landscape of the Engadine Valley, our ascent takes us through the Albula Tunnel and over the Bernina Pass to an altitude of more the 7,000 feet.

We then begin our descent towards colourful Poschiavo, entering the Italianspeaking region of Switzerland before arriving at our destination. Pastel-coloured houses line the streets of picturesque Poschiavo, where we have time for lunch before our journey in the opposite direction, arriving back in Chur in time for dinner.

Day 4 – At leisure in Chur

Your day is free to explore historic Chur and the surrounding region. Today is the perfect opportunity to discover the area by mountain railway, using your included Swiss Travel Card for 50% fares. The wild, rugged and rocky landscape of the glorious Graubnden region is waiting to be discovered, with superb railway journeys available from Chur that take you over, around and across the dramatic valleys that make this one of Switzerland’s most attractive cantons.

Day 5 – Aboard the Glacier Express to Brig

We board the iconic Glacier Express today, often referred to as ‘the slowest express train in the world.’ Leaving Chur, we leave behind the rocky landscape of the Graubnden canton as we journey towards sunny Valais.

The journey lets us experience some of the most impressive Swiss landscapes as the train traverses meadows, vineyards, and dense forests, with snowcapped peaks forming the backdrop of the entire journey. We travel along the beautiful Rhine Valley, crossing the Rhine Gorge or the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’ – as tourists often fondly call it. We climb up to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of our journey at 6,670 feet. From here we descend past hamlets before crossing the Furka Pass via the Furka Base Tunnel, and into the Rhne Valley. During our journey, we enjoy a 2-course lunch on the train.

The final part of our journey on the Glacier Express takes us through the expansive vineyards that line the surrounding hillsides of Brig. Brig is a historic town in the Valais canton and dates back to the Roman era. With a little free time here, the cobblestones of the Stadtplatz are well worth visiting, capped by the remarkable Stockalper Palace – built in the 17th century by a prosperous silk merchant.

Day 6 – To Zermatt

Today we visit the charming, car-free resort of Zermatt. We join a narrow-gauge train, heading south through picturesque vineyards and alongside the River Rhne to Visp. From here we join the mountain track for the steep ascent to Zermatt. The train clings to the track as we wind left and right, ascending past tiny hamlets that together form the region’s village communities. The approach to Zermatt takes us through eight tunnels and across 42 bridges, the gradient of the ascent requiring cogwheels to be engaged. Finally, we reach the grandiose scenery of Zermatt, nestled below the tilted peak of the instantly recognisable Matterhorn.

In Zermatt, you are free to spend your time as you choose. One option that you will find hard to resist is an ascent to the summit of the Gornergrat by funicular railway (payable locally). Running for just under six miles, the route travels from Zermatt to the summit of the Gornergrat, some 10,135 feet above sea level. From here, there are uninterrupted views of the Matterhorn, a pyramid set against a crisp Alpine sky.

Day 7 – At leisure in Brig

Your day is free to explore this beautiful region, using your GRJ First Class Swiss Travel Card which gives 50% reduction on rail fares. We particularly recommend travelling along the Rhne Valley to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Here you can join the GoldenPass Line panoramic train to make the spectacular trip to the chic winter resort of Gstaad, a favourite destination of the rich and famous. Alternatively, a journey on the Centovalli Railway across ‘a hundred valleys’ is an excellent choice for the day.

Day 8 – Spiez Castle

Today we travel to Schloss Spiez or Spiez Castle, in the town of Spiez, overlooking the waters of Lake Thun. A Swiss heritage site dating as far back as the 10th century, this impressive castle and its decorative gardens play host to us as we wander its halls and enjoy the Alpine sunshine. In a special moment, we sit down to a wine tasting against a spectacular backdrop of mountains and the lake’s blue surface.

Day 9 – Return to London

Today we begin our journey home, walking to the station for the high-speed rail service to Paris via Geneva. Once in the French capital, we transfer to the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

Please note

Please note: One of the excursions on this tour is at high altitude. If you have any medical conditions or concerns that could impact this part of the tour, we recommend you seek medical advice and talk to us. We want to make sure that any holiday you book is right for you.