Swiss Grand Tour – September 16 – 27

Day 1 Luzern
Meet at 1PM at our hotel, break out the bikes and ElliptiGos for a leisurely ride ’round the “must do” sights of this 14th century city. Then sight-see on your own before our happy hour meeting
back at the hotel followed by our first dinner as a group.

Day 2 Ride 1 28 miles to Schwyz
First along the quay, then riding suburban streets we leave Luzern behind. Bike lanes and cycle tracks take us around Lake Luzern, Vierwaldstaetersee (Lake of the Four Forest Cantons in German). Occasionally climbing we hug the shoreline. Lunch on your own, perhaps in Gersau, on our way to historic Schwyz.

Day 3 Ride 2 18 miles to Altdorf, rail to Lugano
The myth of William Tell, embodiment of Swiss defiance of outside rule, lives on in Altdorf. But enroute we pass a palpable icon of Swiss spirit, Victorianox, home of the Swiss Army Knife. After a good browse we board our train for the southern canton of Ticino.

Day 4 Ride 3 27 miles to Locarno
The Swiss city of Lugano sits on its own namesake lake; Locarno lies at the north end of Lago Maggiore. Between them is a finger of the Lepontine Alps and the Vedeggio River. Riding upstream we find areas of original pastureland, then an exciting descent on the highway– or an optional Roman road– gives vistas of the
Ticino River valley and Lago Maggiore beyond.

Day 5 Ride 4, 31 miles, 3,000′ to Domodossola, rail to Montreux
Westward today along the Melezza river, discover the Alps as few Americans see them. At 6 miles, beyond the town of Intragna,
hike down to the Roman Bridge, built in 1578. At 12 miles
cross into Italy; rest by the pilgrimage church in Re and
continue to the summit. Descend through galleries
and tunnels to the hub city of Domodossola,
catch a late afternoon train to Montreux.

Day 6 Montreux
Relax in this French speaking town of elegance and music. Stroll the lakeside to the Castle Chinon, explore the secret WW2 fortress
across the street. Play James Bond in the Casino or hop a
famous paddlewheel streamer on Lac LeMan. Dinner
with our group tonight will be memorable.

Day 7 Ride 5, 29 miles, 2,100′ to Greuyeres
Four flat miles along the lakeshore, then 5 miles and 1,600′ takes us to the rural plateau above. Farms and villages roll by. We skirt
the town of Bulle then break for a tour and tasting of,
what else?, AOP Gruyeres cheeses. A final 200′
climb brings us inside the medieval walled
town of Greuyeres.

Day 8 Ride 6, rail, and ride 39 miles to Interlaken
A quick 4 miles to catch our rail connection to Zweisimmen followed by mostly rural and farm roads down to Spiez on Thunersee. Ride lakeside before turning cross the Aarle River to our hotel,
surrounded by pastureland in the outskirts
of Interlaken.

Day 9 Ride 7, 8 miles to Gruetschalpbahn
A leisurely roll into the fantasyland of Lauterburnnen Valley. Water-falls and snowcapped peaks make this everyone’s picture perfect Swiss landscape. Ride the Bergbahn to Greutschalp then the
tiny train to Murren, perched 2,000′ above the valley floor.
This afternoon hike, take a funicular up the Shiltgrat at
sunset just stare at the mighty Schwartzmoench
mountain across the valley.

Day10 Murren
A day in the Alps as we usually think of them: majestic, starkly beautiful, utterly beguiling on foot. A Bergbahn offers a quick
ascent to the Shilthorn summit for a glass floored ThrillWalk.
Enjoy splendid hike down the Bluemental valley. Stop
for hot cider or a cold beer at a farm or Gaestaette
on the way. Walk beneaththe Spurtz waterfall
to Gimmelwald… and then there’s the
via ferratta.

Day 11 Ride 8 12 miles to Interlaken
Ride the Stechelberg Bahn to the valley floor, hop on your bike for our last ride in Switzerland, back to the hotel in Interlaken, But
en route you may want to tour this quaint but very touristy
town for pictures along the river, lunch or, heaven forbid!,
a new watch. Enjoy the spa at our hotel before our fare-
well dinner with new friends.

Day 12 auf Wiedersehen
A leisurely breakfast before bidding good bye to all– ’till next year!
From either Interlaken West or East train station cities and
airports are just an hour or two away.

Wandervogel Tours Terms and ConditionsReservations and Deposits

Reservations can be made via our website with a $200 per person deposit. Payments using a credit card are processed by PayPal

We prefer payments made with a check made payable to Wandervogel BTA and mailed to 2400 Calle Monte Carlo, San Clemente, CA 92672

Deposits are fully refundable through February 28. Thereafter refunds are subject to our cancellation policy below.

Trip prices are per person based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement fee for individuals in a single room.

Once you book your trip, the price is guaranteed

Price covers land costs only; they do not cover air fare or other transportation to and from the trip.

ElliptiGo and Bike Rental fees are not included in the trip price.

Price includes hotels, breakfasts and luggage transfers. Consult the specific trip itinerary for additional items included in the trip price.

Your reservation for our tour is an acknowledgement and full acceptance of our Terms of Service.

Cancellation Policy

Wandervogel’s acceptance of your registration for this tour is subsequent to your agreement to pay the remaining balance in full.

If you must cancel your tour reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the terms outlined in the chart below.

Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including but not limited to weather, terrorism, civil unrest, epidemics or the threat thereof, personal, family or medical emergencies or force majeure. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.

Cancellation of tour because of travel restrictions for Americans in our tour destination

We will be reviewing the feasibility of operating tours If the borders are not open for travel 60 days prior to the tour start. If the trip must be postponed, you will be given a 100% refund of your trip deposit paid less any PayPal fees incurred (3% per transaction).

Cancellation Fees (per person)

Days Prior to Tour Scheduled Start Date

90+ days prior to tour start – 25%

15 to 44 days prior to tour start – 50%

0 to 14 days – 90%

Trip Insurance

We encourage tour participants to consider purchasing Travel Protection plans for your trip.

Trip insurance policies can cover: Airline Tickets, medical emergencies, etc.

Invoice Payments

Deposits and Reservations can be made via PayPal using a credit card.

All subsequent invoice payments are payable by check, please.

If you prefer to pay your invoice via PayPal using a credit card, a 3% processing fee will be added to your invoice.

Invoice payments are due by the dates listed on your invoice.

Liability Release

Participants are required to sign the Liability Release Form with which they are provided for any event they attend.

Due to the fluid situation with Covid-19, we reserve the right to update these policies at any time and without prior notice.

$3,099 per person, double occupancy.
Price is subject to currency fluctuations and amenity adjustments before departure.
Included in the price per person are:
* 11 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels
* 11 breakfasts
* 5 dinners select hotels or restaurants
* Our own van large enough for 10 ElliptiGos plus bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
* SOS support en route
* Route finding and leadership on the road
* 6 ElliptiGo 8C’s available as of this posting
first come, first served $249 for the duration of the tour
* Hybrid, road, and E-bikes available prices vary

Looks like something you’d like to do?
Please contact Pete directly: [email protected]
or call anytime: 949 492 5737