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Guided Classic Eiger to Matterhorn

Hike among the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains on a short inn-to-inn tour with a luxurious finish in Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn.

Guided Classic Eiger to Matterhorn

Hike among the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains on a short inn-to-inn tour with a luxurious finish in Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn.

    Support
  • Guided Group,
    Style
  • Inn-To-Inn,
    Activity Level
  • Moderate to Challenging,

The Eiger and the Matterhorn are the two most iconic mountains in the Alps. Stunning rock walls, fascinating histories, quaint villages… it’s all here.

The Eiger anchors the Bernese Oberland – fairytale Swiss Alps – an area filled with wildflowers, waterfalls, and quiet trails to remote alpine inns. Get away from it all. The Matterhorn highlights the southern Alps, a region packed with the highest peaks in Switzerland, and the best hotels in the Swiss Alps. Zermatt is the perfect base to indulge in a bit of the good life.

Can you have it all? We say yes. On our Eiger to the Matterhorn tour, you start with a classic inn-to-inn hike through the fabulous Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau region staying in comfortable village hotels with 1 memorable night in a cozy mountain inn. Then top it off with 3 luxurious nights in Zermatt and the unforgettable Matterhorn. This tour gives you the chance explore our favorite hidden corners, but with time to and space to relax and enjoy. Live it up!

Our guided tours are all guaranteed… if you sign up, the trip is going. Our guides will help you find the right pace and learn a bit about the culture, the flowers, and the history the Alps. They’ll make sure you catch the right train – first class on this trip – and that luggage gets to the right room. If you want to truly relax and not worry about a thing, our guided Classic Eiger to Matterhorn is a great combo of inn-to-inn adventure with pampered luxury.

 

See our Self-guided version

    Length
  • 9 days, 8 nights
    Departures
  • Jun 4 – Jun 12, 2024
  • Jul 20 – Jul 28, 2024
    Cost
  • $4795 Per Person
  • $800 Single Room

Itinerary At a Glance

Day 1-2

Grindelwald and Eiger

The Eiger trail hike above Grindelwald gets you up close and personal with one of the Alps’ most stunning mountain walls. Enjoy the ambiance of Grindelwald and a comfortable room at night.

Days 3-5

Tschingelhorn and Murren

Next we hike through the waterfall-filled Lauterbrunnen valley to a cozy inn hidden at the far end of the valley. It’s like walking back in time, simple and authentic to one of our favorite spots anywhere. Then it’s on to car-free Murren, a paradise for hikers, surrounded by trails and views.

Days 6-9

Zermatt and Matterhorn

Finally we hop on a scenic Swiss train to Zermatt, the one-of-a-kind mountain village at the base of the powerful Matterhorn. Enjoy a luxurious stay in our favorite 4-star hotel and explore the myriad trails of the Matterhorn region.

Included

Your tour will be led by an experienced Alpinehikers guide, with guided hikes daily. You’ll stay 4 nights in 3-star hotels, 3 nights 4-star hotels, and 1 night mountain inn. Your tour includes a 2nd class 3 day Swiss rail pass for travel.  All transfers to and from trailheads are included and luggage transfers to all village hotels are also part of your tour. All breakfasts, picnic lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Grindelwald

Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to the Alpine village of Grindelwald, stunningly set at the base of the massive Eiger, one of the most famous and dramatic mountains in the world.

Grindelwald is truly breathtaking, and one glance around will tell you that you’ve arrived in the Alps. Enjoy the view from you hotel when you arrive, or simply stroll through town. We’ll meet in the afternoon and enjoy dinner together this first night as we talk about the trip to come.

Arrival: Zürich or Geneva. Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. There is a train station in both the Zürich and Geneva airports, with hourly departures for this region.  Travel time, 3 hrs (Zürich) or 4 hrs (Geneva)

Hotel Gletschergarten
  • Dinner

Day 2

Grindelwald, hike the Eiger Trail

Today we’ll explore the Grindelwald valley and hike to the famous Kleine Scheidegg Pass. If conditions are right, we can take the Eiger Trail right to the base of the mountain, with countless waterfalls cascading off its vertical cliff faces.

The entire day is dominated by great close-up views of the Eiger North Face – perhaps the most notorious climb in the Swiss Alps.  Return to Grindelwald for a 2nd night under the spell of the Eiger.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 1100 ft. up, 3100 ft. down

Hotel Gletschergarten
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 3

hike to Tschingelhorn inn

We’re heading out on an adventure today. Our trail winds through flowery meadows and dense woods to the lush Lauterbrunnen Valley floor. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is reminiscent of Yosemite Valley, with numerous waterfalls cascading down either side of the valley. Truly an unbelievable sight.

After a break for lunch, we’ll hike to a wild and isolated corner of the Lauterbrunnen Valley for a memorable night in a remote mountain inn. Tschingelhorn is a simple mountain inn set in a stunning location, looking across the valley at the Jungfrau Mountain, Rottal Glacier, and numerous impressive waterfalls. There is no luggage transport, but we’ll enjoy charming private rooms (bathroom and shower down the hall) and a filling and delicious meal… this is always a favorite stop!

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8 miles; Elevation: 2940 ft up

Tschingelhorn Inn
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 4

hike to Mürren

We have a couple of trail options today – the first, a panoramic climb over a high ridge with breathtaking views in every direction, the second, a beautiful wooded hike filled with waterfalls. Weather and our own mood will help make the choice, but they are both great.

Both trails lead to the Sefinen valley then up through sleepy Gimmelwald to the car-free village of Mürren, with its unparalleled cliffside views of the Eiger, Jungfrau and other surrounding mountains. Stay in the comfortable 3-star hotel.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 6 miles; Elevation: 2440 ft up, 2580 ft down

Hotel Drei Berge or Edelweiss
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 5

Mürren, hike the Blumental valley

There is so much to see and do around Mürren, our favorite village in the Alps. One great option is the undulating balcony walk above Mürren. Hike through the appropriately-named Blumental (flower valley) to a rustic mountain restaurant, with postcard-ready views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains across the valley.

If you’d like a break from hiking, today would be a great day to visit either the Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch. Both mountaintop stations are easily accessible from town. You won’t have time for both, so you’ll have to make a hard choice, but there are no wrong answers here! Dinner will be on your own tonight to explore in Mürren.

HIKE: 4-6 hrs, 10 miles; Elevation: 1970 ft up, 1970 ft down

Hotel Drei Berge or Edelweiss
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 6

train to Zermatt, hike to Zmutt

After breakfast, we’ll hop on the train for trail beautiful ride to Zermatt, the historic village at the base of the Matterhorn, the most iconic peak in the Alps, maybe in the world. It’s nice to start with a walking tour of the village that takes you past 400 year-old houses and into the history of this fascinating town.

Afterwards, take a short hike above Zermatt for views of the surrounding mountains, perhaps to the centuries-old hamlets of Zum See and Zmutt – beautiful, bucolic hamlets with 1st-class restaurant and unbeatable views. Finally, we’ll return to the wonderful spa and friendly reception at the Hotel Europe.

HIKE: 4 hrs, 5 miles; Elevation: 1420 ft up, 1420 ft down

4-star Hotel Europe
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 7

Zermatt, hike to Hörnli hut

When you visit Zermatt, the gravitational pull of the Matterhorn is strong.  And it’s also a fanstastic hike.  Start with the gondola up to Schwarzsee – there will be enough hiking afterwards.

At Schwarzsee, you emerge on ridge high above town and make the steady climb up to the Hornli hut (a sort of Matterhorn base camp) to enjoy fabulous, close-up views of the Matterhorn and and a sweeping look back at the valley below. It’s not a huge hike, but the elevations are quite high and you can take it slow. Stop for lunch or a drink at the hut, take in the views, appreciate where you are. Stunning.

HIKE: 6-8 hrs, 6 miles; Elevation: 2230 ft up, 2230 ft down

4-star Hotel Europe
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 8

Zermatt, hike to scenic Gornergrat ridge

Start with a cogwheel train high above town today. Taking a quiet trail through scenic meadows, we’ll hike away from the crowds on a favorite trail to Gornergrat, past marmots and small glacial lakes, to what has to be one of the finest viewpoints in Europe.

From here, the jumbled mass of the Gorner Glacier stretches out below you, and behind that, Dom, Monte Rosa, the Breithorn and the Matterhorn form a glacier-clad wall separating Switzerland and Italy.

Enjoy one last night of exquisite food and great Matterhorn views from your hotel on the outskirts of Zermatt.

HIKE: 5-7 hrs, 7 miles; Elevation: 3290 ft up, 2090 ft down

4-star Hotel Europe
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 9

depart

After a beautiful week, today you say good-bye to the Matterhorn and depart for your post-tour destinations.

Departure: Zürich or Geneva. It is 4 hrs from Zermatt to Zürich or Geneva by train.  Trains start at 6 am if you need an early start, and leave frequently throughout the day.

  • Breakfast

What's great about this tour

  • Great options for easier, moderate or epic days
  • A short 5 day inn-to-inn plus 3 nights based in Zermatt
  • 3-4 star hotels 7 nights, 2nd class train journeys
  • Enchanting stops like Tschingelhorn and off-the-beaten-path trails
  • Epic mountain scenery… the Eiger, Jungfrau, Matthorn and more
  • All departures guaranteed. No minimum group size.
  • Our two favorite regions

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