Trip Overview

Join an active group of adventurous women who have been bitten by the hiking “bug” to explore Switzerland’s exhilarating alpine trails together while also discovering other things quintessentially Swiss: mountain cable cars, gingerbread, medieval churches, and even a Swiss yodeling contest.

During your adventure, you’ll get to know your expert Swiss guide, who will lead you and help you imagine life on the mountainside, far above the beautiful valleys below. You’ll also meet incredible individuals on your journey who will help make your experience a fun and personally fulfilling adventure. They’ll cheer you on as you step outside your comfort zone, embracing new challenges in your own distinct way!

Appenzell

Appenzell is one of the most legendary towns in Switzerland. The center of town is well preserved and has finely painted wooden houses and some stone buildings dating from the 16th century, including the town hall, which is now a local museum. The “Landesgemeindeplatz” is the square where annual outdoor voting takes place.

St. Gallen, the compact metropolis of eastern Switzerland between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland, has a charming, traffic-free old town. Colorfully painted oriel windows are a town feature. The Abbey precinct with the cathedral and Abbey Library has been accorded a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Hike into the mountains, and learn to make traditional gingerbread.

Experience Lucerne, the “City of Lights” Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, has a view of an impressive mountainous panorama. Lucerne ranks amongst the world’s prettiest cities. Contributing to Lucerne’s cityscape alongside the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower are the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Mill Bridge, the Lion Monument, the KKL culture and convention center, and a host of other local sites. Finally, standing just over 6,000 ft above sea level, the village of Furenalp boasts spectacular views and a beautiful waterfall.

Don’t miss this adventure-rich hiking tour of Switzerland featuring her most scenic and beautiful views, culture, and cuisine.

Main Attractions

  • Soak in Swiss culture, cuisine, and countryside as you hike your way through the Swiss Alps from Appenzell to Mount Titlis
  • Enjoy riding cable cars and toboggans
  • Experience local Swiss hospitality in villages, coffeehouses, mountain huts, and local pubs
  • Take a stroll through Swiss history on visits to monasteries, farmhouses, Lucerne, and St Gallen's Cathedral

What You'll See and Do

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Bicycling
  • Cable Car Ride
  • Cave Tour
  • Cooking Class
  • Cultural Exploration
  • Cultural Performances
  • Handicrafts
  • Hiking
  • Historical Sites
  • Local Delicacies
  • Natural History
  • Photography
  • Spa Element
  • Walking
  • Women-To-Women Exchanges
Browse Detailed Itinerary

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If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

The AdventureWomen itineraries are subject to change depending on the chosen departure date. To view a specific departure itinerary, simply click on the "Browse Detailed Itinerary" button above and select your date.

Day 1

Arrive in Appenzell

Arrive at Zürich International Airport (ZRH) by 12:00pm. For those arriving in the morning, make your way through customs and collect your luggage. You will find your guide with an AdventureWomen sign in the Arrivals Hall. For those arriving the day before, meet your guide at 12:00pm at the airport (exact location TBD). You will leave as a group for the 90-minute drive to Appenzell at 12:30pm.

Enjoy an introductory walk through Appenzell with your guide.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman in your trip is excited to explore Switzerland!

Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Löwen

Day 2

Appenzell

Take the train followed by the bus to Gontenbad this morning. Walk on a high plateau on trails through meadows and moors to Jakobsbad (2,850 feet).

Experience a fun toboggan run at the bottom station in Jakobsbad before traveling up to Mount Kronberg by gondola. After a light lunch at a mountain hut, hike from Kronberg Mountain (5,450 feet) to Schwägalp. You will have magnificent views of the valley along the way.

Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Walking Time: 5.0-7.0 miles; 3.5-5.0 hours; 720 ft elevation gain; 1,550 ft elevation descent.

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hotel Löwen

Day 3

Appenzell

After breakfast in Appenzell, take the train to St.Gallen. Enjoy the views along the way!

Explore the old town of St. Gallen with a guide this morning. Visit the Cathedral, built in the late Baroque period, and the Abbey Library, which contains manuscripts dating back to the 8th century. Enjoy lunch with your group at a local restaurant.

After lunch, enjoy some free time in St. Gallen before you return to Appenzell, where you will have the rest of the evening on your own.

Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

Walking Time: 2.0 hours

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hotel Löwen

Day 4

Appenzell

From Weissbad, hike up to Ebenalp (5,000 ft) through the prehistoric cave of Wildkirchli. Stop at the Aescher, an amazing guesthouse built directly into the side of the mountain. Lunch will be on your own en route today.

Take the cable car back to Wasserauen, and then take public transportation back to Appenzell.

Learn how to make the traditional “Appenzeller Biber,” a traditional gingerbread with honey and nuts.

Enjoy dinner and Swiss music with Talerschwingen. Yodeling has its origins in the call from mountain to mountain – the way locals used to communicate from Alp to Alp. The central theme of this music is the love of nature. The Talerschwingen is a game – the player holds a bowl in the palm of their hand, and a coin is thrown in. The player has to run the coin along the edge of the bowl in spirals without the money flying out of the bowl. Try your hand!

Walking Time: 3.0-3.5 miles; 2.5 – 3.5 hours; 3,000 ft elevation gain; 535 ft elevation descent.

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Löwen

Day 5

Appenzell to Engelberg

Say farewell to Appenzell this morning and drive to Lucerne. Stop in a small village along the way, meet with a female paper cutting expert, and learn about this traditional handicraft. You can even try your own hand at cutting the silhouettes!

Enjoy a guided walk through Lucerne, the “City of Lights.” Enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Engelberg this afternoon. After checking in to your hotel, take a brief introductory walk through the village.

Enjoy dinner with your group at the hotel tonight.

Walking Time: 2 – 2.5 hours

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Bellevue Terminus

Day 6

Engelberg

Ride the cable car to Ristis-Brunni (5,610 feet) this morning. Walk from Ristis to the Brunni. Arrive at a hut and experience the special “Kneipp Cure” by treading water. It helps your circulation. Hike back down to Ristis and enjoy lunch on your own before taking a gondola back to Engelberg.

Enjoy dinner with your group at the hotel tonight.

Walking Time: 3.0-3.5 miles; 2.0-2.5 hours

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Bellevue Terminus

Day 7

Engelberg

Travel by public bus to Furenalp station, where you will begin your hike over alpine meadows along the river Engelbergeraa up to Furenalp. Take in the stunning panoramic views along the way as you pass by many small alps where you can buy some coffee or handmade cheese right from the farmer!

After lunch at a local restaurant in Furenalp, travel back to the Valley Station by gondola and then take a public bus back to Engelberg where you will have the rest of the evening and dinner on your own.

Walking Time: 6.0-6.5 miles; 4.0 – 4.5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hotel Bellevue Terminus

Day 8

Engelberg to Zurich
Take a cable car part of the way on the “Rotair,” Europe’s only revolving cable car, up to Mount Titlis (10,000 feet). It is the highest point in central Switzerland, offering breathtaking views of the Alps. Visit the Ice Cave in the glacier. If you’re ready for a little adventure, take a short walk on the TITLIS Cliff Walk, a spectacular suspension bridge that sits at almost 10,000 feet above sea level. If you’d rather avoid the heart-pounding 150-step journey on the bridge, you can instead enjoy a 40-minute walk to the Stotzig Egg where you can take in amazing views of the Central Swiss Alps.

After lunch on your own, drive to Zürich and enjoy a 60-minute city tour.

Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening and celebrate the end of an exceptional AdventureWomen trip!

Walking Time: 1.5 hours

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Walhalla Hotel (2024 departures), Fred Hotel or similar (2025 departures)

Day 9

Depart Zurich 
Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the Zürich airport for your flights home.

Depart Zürich International Airport (ZRH) after 12PM today. One group transfer is included after breakfast (time TBD); private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee

Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Traveling to Switzerland



Arrival and Departure Information

 

June 16, 2024 Departure

Arrival: Arrive at Zurich International Airport (ZRH) before 12:00PM June 16, 2024

Departure: Depart Zurich International Airport (ZRH) after 12:00PM on June 24, 2024. One group transfer is included after breakfast (time TBD); private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.

 

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. If you’d like to do anything prior to or following the AdventureWomen trip, we’d be delighted to help you arrange any trip extensions you’re interested in.

Note: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last-minute registrants, we must release hotel rooms two to three months prior to departure! Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Preparation and Packing  

Please use the following guides as a reference when preparing for your adventure. We also encourage you to adapt the guides to your travel style as well as the destination’s forecasted weather.  

Gratuities  

Gratuities are a personal decision and are at your own discretion based on your level of satisfaction with the service provided. Gratuities are dependent upon the number of guests on your departure, and they vary greatly from trip to trip. As a general reference, AdventureWomen suggests you plan for 60-75 CHF (or more) worth of gratuities for this adventure. Specific tipping recommendations for your trip will be provided to you closer to your departure date and may fluctuate due to inflation, exchange rates, and the number of travelers on your trip. 

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the United States must have a passport valid for six months beyond your travel dates with at least two blank facing pages. If you do not have a passport, please apply now!

Activity Level

We rate this trip as High Energy. Our High Energy adventures are designed for women who enjoy more of a physical adventure 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 rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing. Please note that this is a general description of what you might encounter; for specific details about your trip, please consult the itinerary.

We recommend training before your trip (with your doctor’s permission) to make the most of your adventure. With this itinerary in mind, we have a partnership with Trailblazer Wellness, a woman-owned, women-run company that will design an individualized fitness plan just for you! Best of all, AdventureWomen guests get a 10% discount with the code AVW. Learn more on the Trailblazer Wellness website.

Health Considerations

Make an appointment with a travel clinic, as they may have recommendations for vaccines and medications based on the destination as well as your age, health, and past vaccination history.

For more health information, go to www.cdc.gov/travel and navigate to the page about Switzerland.

How to Register

Call the AdventureWomen office at (800) 804-8686 to determine space availability and register for this trip. We can complete your registration, including taking your credit card deposit over the phone.

If you prefer, you can register online by clicking “Sign Up for this Trip” on the trip page.

Please be sure to read the AdventureWomen policies before registering!

Forms and Final Payment

The deposit for this trip is $800, and is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Once you book, you will need to fill out and return to AdventureWomen:

  • Information Form
  • Booking Conditions Form
  • Copy of Flight Information
  • Copy of Issuing Page of Passport (Photo Page)
  • Supplement Health and Safety Form

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen in a cash form (check, money order, or wire transfer). A maximum of $1,500 per person can be put on a credit card, which includes your deposit.

June 16, 2024 Departure: Final Payment Due Date: March 18, 2024

 

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

What's Included

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 head and local guides

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

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Accommodations

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: Shampoo, soap, hair dryer; TV & radio, safe, ifi

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: Soap, shampoo, hair dryer; electricity, Wifi

Walhalla Hotel (2024 departures)

Enjoy your stay in a modern hotel located near Zürich's main train station.

Amenities: Shampoo, body wash, electricity, Wifi

Fred Hotel or similar (2025 departures)

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, Wifi, air conditioning, TV

 

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary