Switzerland: Hiking, Gondolas, and Alpen Peaks

Location: Europe
Duration: 9 Days
Price: From $6295
Activity Level: High Energy

Switzerland: Hiking, Gondolas, and Alpen Peaks

Location: Europe
Duration: 9 Days
Price: From $6295
Activity Level: High Energy

Overview

Join an adventurous group of women to explore Switzerland’s alpine trails, including mountain cable cars and yodeling contests. Discover Appenzell’s medieval charm with its painted wooden houses and historic town hall, and explore St. Gallen’s traffic-free old town, with its UNESCO-listed Abbey precinct. Hike through scenic mountains, learn to make traditional gingerbread, and marvel at Lucerne’s stunning cityscape, featuring the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and more. Enjoy breathtaking views from Furenalp, and immerse yourself in Swiss culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Embrace new challenges and experiences on this memorable hiking tour of Switzerland.

Main Attractions

Hike the Swiss Alps

Trek through the Swiss Alps from Appenzell to Mount Titlis, soaking in stunning scenery and authentic Swiss culture.

Cable Cars & Toboggans

Enjoy thrilling rides on cable cars and toboggans, adding excitement to your alpine adventure.

Swiss Hospitality & History

Discover local hospitality in charming villages and coffeehouses, and explore Swiss history with visits to monasteries, farmhouses, Lucerne, and St. Gallen’s Cathedral.

Switzerland_Map_2024
Switzerland_Fondue_Media
Women in truck
Buildings in switzerland
Women smiling
Eating a meal in switzerland
Switzerland_Fondue_Media
Women in truck
Buildings in switzerland
Women smiling
Eating a meal in switzerland

Itinerary

Switzerland hills

Arrive in Appenzell

Arrive at Zürich International Airport (ZRH) and meet your guide for a scenic 90-minute drive to Appenzell. Enjoy an introductory walk through this charming Swiss town, famous for its well-preserved heritage. Conclude the day with a lively welcome dinner, where you’ll bond with fellow travelers and share your excitement for the Swiss adventure ahead.

Meals dinner
women hiking in switzerland

Explore Appenzell’s Outdoors

Start with a train and bus journey to Gontenbad, then hike through picturesque meadows to Jakobsbad. Experience a thrilling toboggan run before taking a gondola up to Mount Kronberg, followed by a scenic hike to Schwägalp with breathtaking valley views. After a day of adventure, enjoy dinner on your own in the heart of Appenzell. Walking Time: 5.0-7.0 miles; 3.5-5.0 hours; 720 ft elevation gain; 1,550 ft elevation descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch
Buildings near the shore of the lake in Rapperswil

Discover St. Gallen

Travel to St. Gallen to explore its historic old town with a local guide. Visit the stunning Baroque Cathedral and the Abbey Library, home to ancient manuscripts. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant, then return to Appenzell for a free evening and dinner on your own, with time to reflect on the day’s discoveries. Walking Time: 2.0 hours

Meals breakfast, lunch
A tray with eight rectangular gingerbread cookies, each embossed with different designs and decorated with almonds, displayed on parchment paper.

Hike and Learn in Appenzell

Hike from Weissbad to Ebenalp, passing through the dramatic Wildkirchli cave and stopping at the Aescher guesthouse, which is built into the mountainside. Return to Appenzell to learn how to make traditional “Appenzeller Biber” gingerbread and enjoy an evening of Swiss music and the Talerschwingen game, immersing yourself in local culture. Walking Time: 3.0-3.5 miles; 2.5 – 3.5 hours; 3,000 ft elevation gain; 535 ft elevation descent.

Meals breakfast, dinner
View through a covered bridge overlooking a river, with water flowing over a small dam and historic buildings lining the banks under a cloudy sky.

Travel to Engelberg

Bid farewell to Appenzell and drive to Lucerne, where you’ll visit a paper cutting expert to learn about this traditional craft. Enjoy a guided walk-through Lucerne’s historic and scenic streets before continuing to Engelberg. After checking into your hotel, take a brief introductory walk through the village, followed by a group dinner. Walking Time: 2 – 2.5 hours

Meals breakfast, dinner
A red cable car travels over a grassy landscape with mountains in the background.

Engelberg Adventures

Take the cable car to Ristis-Brunni and hike to a mountain hut, where you’ll experience the “Kneipp Cure” by treading water to boost circulation. Hike back to Ristis, enjoy lunch on your own, and then take a gondola back to Engelberg. Finish the day with dinner at the hotel, sharing stories from your adventure. Walking Time: 3.0-3.5 miles; 2.0-2.5 hours

Meals breakfast, dinner
Person standing beside shelves stacked with round cheese wheels in a storage room.

Hike and Explore Furenalp

Travel by public bus to Furenalp and hike over alpine meadows along the Engelbergeraa River, taking in stunning panoramic views. Stop at local alps to sample coffee and handmade cheese. After a leisurely lunch in Furenalp, return to Engelberg for a free evening and dinner on your own, reflecting on the day’s picturesque scenery. Walking Time: 6.0-6.5 miles; 4.0 – 4.5 hours

Meals breakfast, lunch
A group of hikers poses on a green mountain trail with a waterfall and rocky peaks in the background under a clear blue sky.

Mount Titlis and Zurich

Ride the “Rotair,” Europe’s only revolving cable car, to the summit of Mount Titlis for panoramic views and explore the Ice Cave. Opt for the TITLIS Cliff Walk or a scenic hike to Stotzig Egg. After lunch, drive to Zürich for a city tour and a farewell dinner, celebrating the end of your memorable Swiss journey. Walking Time: 1.5 hours

Meals breakfast, dinner
A person stands on a grassy mountain trail, wearing a backpack and looking up at the sky. The background features green hills and a cloudy sky.

Depart Zurich

After breakfast, transfer to Zürich airport for your flight home, saying goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends and the stunning Swiss landscapes you’ve explored. Reflect on the unforgettable experiences and adventures shared throughout this remarkable journey.

Meals breakfast
Idyllic landscape of Swiss

Accommodations

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

Three-story building with an orange facade, labeled "Löwen." White-framed windows, floral decorations, and a hanging sign. A street and benches are in front.

Hotel Löwen

Set right next to the automobile-free center of Appenzell in a contemporary – yet traditional – family-run hotel with quiet, relaxing rooms. Enjoy local specialties in the cafe or on the sunny terrace enjoying views of the local mountains.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, TV & radio, safe, Wi-Fi

A large hotel with a traditional design, featuring red shutters and several balconies. It has Swiss flags on the roof and is set against a backdrop of mountains and clear blue sky.

Hotel Bellevue Terminus

This traditional hotel is located in the center of Engelberg, not far from the train station and a bus stop. Creative international cuisine is served in the restaurant, and various bars in the hotel invite you to unwind after a rewarding day. The cable cars and the pedestrian zone of Engelberg are just a short walk away.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, cable / satellite TV, safe, Wi-Fi

Switzerland_FredHotel

Fred Hotel (or similar)

Centrally located and managed with great care and attention to details, the Fred Hotel Zürich is the ideal starting point to explore the city of Zürich.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, safe, air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi

What People Are Saying

I recently returned from Switzerland where we hiked and took in the beautiful scenery. The group of women I had the pleasure of traveling with were fun, fit, welcoming and positive. Each day was so much fun I’ve already signed up for two more AdventureWomen trips.

What People Are Saying

This Swiss adventure exceeded all my expectations! From the breathtaking alpine hikes to the charming villages and delicious local cuisine, every moment was a delight. Highly recommend this journey for anyone seeking a blend of adventure and cultural immersion!

What People Are Saying

The trip to Switzerland was a dream come true. Each day was filled with incredible hikes, fascinating cultural experiences, and stunning scenery. I especially enjoyed learning about traditional Swiss crafts and the local hospitality in quaint villages. The guide was knowledgeable and made the entire trip seamless and enjoyable.

Dates & Pricing

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Jun 30 Jul 8
Space Available
$6295*
Standard Room, Single
$7195 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$6295 total, $800 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2025 Optional Single Accommodation: $900

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Jun 15 Jun 23
Space Available
$6795*
Standard Room, Single
$7795 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$6795 total, $800 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2026 Optional Single Accommodation: $1000

Arrival: Arrive at Zurich International Airport (ZRH) before 12:00 PM on Day 1.

Departure: Depart Zurich International Airport (ZRH) after 12:00 PM on Day 9. One group transfer is included after breakfast (time TBD); private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.

What's Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • One group transfer on arrival and departure
  • Activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • English-speaking guide(s) throughout the trip
  • All gratuities except for the head and local guides

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Switzerland
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for the head and local guides

FAQs

Absolutely! We happily welcome all women regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference, as long as you are physically capable of doing the activities on your chosen trip. Our guests range from 18-85+! It is important to us to talk to each guest to make sure each woman chooses the right trip for her physical ability and interest.

You can process your registration on our online booking system or over the phone. Most deposits are $800. In many cases, and unless otherwise indicated, your deposit is transferable if you notify us in writing 120 before your trip departs.

Be sure to check the ‘What’s Included’ section of the trip you are interested in. Once you get to the departure city and meet the group, we often include most meals, all accommodations, all activities (although there might be an optional activity at an additional cost), transportation while on the adventure, qualified local guide(s) and some trips also include an AdventureWomen Ambassador. Our trips do not include airfare to/from the arrival and departure cities. However, internal flights are included in some itineraries so please read the itinerary carefully.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it! Many of the women who travel with AdventureWomen come solo. For those that do not choose a single supplement, we pair you with a roommate. Usually, when we change accommodations on a trip, we will change roommates if we can, so you get a chance to know others in our group. A limited number of single supplements may be available for an additional charge.

That depends entirely on the trip! AdventureWomen adventure travel trips are rated according to the physical fitness level demanded by the included activities.

  • Moderate: These adventures exercise your mind more than your body and are designed for women who prefer a leisurely, less rigorous experience. For example, you could walk up to 2 miles per day through cities and villages, stand in museums for a few hours, relax on a boat, or view wildlife from a vehicle.
  • Active: Adventures that get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition where you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking manicured nature trails or kayaking calm waters.
  • High Energy: These adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing.
  • Challenging: Adventures that get your heart rate pumping, these are demanding yet deeply rewarding and designed for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. You should be in excellent physical condition, and be able to hike up to 10 miles, in steeper, more rugged terrain.