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Magic Switzerland (Magic Travel Services GmbH) · Individual rail tour

Graubunden Summer Highlights

Six-day Swiss Alps rail journey through Graubunden with Bernina Express

Illustration of Graubunden Summer Highlights

Magic Switzerland's Graubunden Summer Highlights is a six-day, five-night self-guided rail tour through the Swiss Alps that begins in Celerina and ends in Chur. The centerpiece is the Bernina Express, which carries you along the UNESCO World Heritage Albula-Bernina route through dramatic Alpine scenery in the heart of Graubunden. You stay in four-star hotels in three locations, spending two nights each in Celerina and Flims-Laax, then one night in Chur. Day 2 takes you by cable car to Mt. Diavolezza, where you look out over the Morteratsch Glacier and surrounding ridges. The Bernina Express journey, accomplished on Day 3, covers the route in two hours from Pontresina to Chur before you continue by postal bus to Flims-Laax. Day 4 includes a guided tour of the Rhine Gorge on an open-deck panorama bus and a visit to Lake Cauma; Day 5 offers a choice between the Pradaschier summer toboggan or a trip to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. This tour suits independent explorers, repeat rail travellers, and photographers who want Alpine scenery without a full daily guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 includes a 4 to 5-hour train transfer from Milan Airport to Celerina; a private transfer to Tirano is offered as an alternative.
  • The from-price excludes international flights, local city taxes (approximately CHF 5 to 7 per night), and the Milan-to-Tirano transfer.
  • Day 5 offers two independent activity choices (toboggan or bear sanctuary) but no itinerary detail for how your day is structured; confirm the sequence with Magic Switzerland.
  • Some days are largely self-guided; the Rhine Gorge tour on Day 4 is guided, but most other activities are your own plan.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Celerina

    Arrival - Transfer to the Upper Engadine

    Arrival at Milan Airport. Rail transfer to Tirano and further on the Bernina Express route to Celerina in the Upper Engadin (4-5h). Or private transfer to Tirano where you board the train to Celerina.

  2. Day 2overnight: Celerina

    Mt. Diavolezza with Glacier views

    Self-guided excursion to Mt. Diavolezza for views of the surrounding mountain scenery and the Morteratsch Glacier. Free time in the afternoon, possible visit to St. Moritz or an artisan Alpine cheese dairy.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Flims-Laax

    Bernina Express - Flims-Laax

    Scenic ride by Bernina Express on the UNESCO World Heritage Route Albula-Bernina to Chur (2h). Transfer by postal bus to Laax (45min). Free time to explore.

  4. Day 4overnight: Flims-Laax

    Rhine Gorge - Lake Cauma

    Guided tour of the Rhine River Gorge, the Swiss Grand Canyon (summer season, small panorama open-deck postal bus). Visit to Lake Cauma with its turquoise waters.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur

    Pradaschier Summer Toboggan or Arosa Bear Sanctuary

    Transfer by postal bus to Chur (45min). Self-guided excursion to Churwalden for the Pradaschier toboggan, the longest summer toboggan in Switzerland, combined with excursion to Lenzerheide. Option for mountain biking or a day trip to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary.

  6. Day 6

    Departure

    Departure for Zurich or Eastern Switzerland (Appenzell) with possible stop at the Landquart Fashion Outlet.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cable car to Mt. Diavolezza for views of the Morteratsch Glacier and surrounding peaks.
  • Day 3Bernina Express scenic ride along the UNESCO World Heritage Albula-Bernina route to Chur.
  • Day 4Guided tour of the Rhine Gorge, described as the Swiss Grand Canyon, on a summer panorama open-deck postal bus.
  • Day 4Visit to Lake Cauma with its turquoise waters, available for swimming.

Included

  • 2 nights in Celerina, 4* hotel, standard double room with private facilities, breakfast
  • 2 nights in Flims-Laax, 4* hotel, standard double room with private facilities, breakfast
  • 1 night in Chur, 4* hotel, standard double room with private facilities, breakfast
  • Seat reservation Bernina Express from Pontresina to Chur
  • Swiss Travel Pass Flex 4 days, 2nd class
  • Engadin Card
  • Tickets for Mt Diavolezza included with the Engadin Card
  • Private guide for a half-day tour of the Rhine Gorge
  • Service charge and taxes

Not included

  • International flights
  • Local city taxes, app. CHF 5-7 per person/night
  • Transfer from Milan to Tirano
  • Meals and activities not mentioned in above itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a seat reservation on the Bernina Express from Pontresina to Chur and a Swiss Travel Pass Flex covering four days of 2nd-class rail travel in Switzerland.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is a self-guided tour. Magic Switzerland provides a custom itinerary, hotel directions, and activity suggestions, but you travel and explore on your own schedule. Day 4 includes a guided half-day tour of the Rhine Gorge.
Which train is featured?
The Bernina Express, which runs the UNESCO World Heritage Albula-Bernina route from Pontresina to Chur in approximately two hours.
What hotels are included?
Four-star hotels in each location: two nights in Celerina, two nights in Flims-Laax, and one night in Chur, each with a standard double room, private facilities, and breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
You will ascend Mt. Diavolezza by cable car, take a guided walk through the Rhine Gorge, visit Lake Cauma, and make optional excursions to a toboggan run or bear sanctuary. Postal buses connect some destinations; expect moderate walking on self-guided days.
What is not included?
International flights, local city taxes (approximately CHF 5 to 7 per person per night), the transfer from Milan Airport to Tirano, and meals and activities not listed in the itinerary.

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