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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Walking Tour

Walk & Tour: Glacier Express, Zermatt & Engadine

Swiss walking tour from London via Glacier Express to Zermatt and Engadine

Illustration of Walk & Tour: Glacier Express, Zermatt & Engadine

Great Rail Journeys operates this 9-day escorted walking holiday, departing from London St Pancras and returning there 9 days later, taking in two of Switzerland's most celebrated mountain regions. The journey begins with a morning Eurostar departure to Paris, then continues by rail to Dijon before heading south into the Alps. You spend three nights in Täsch, the base for exploring the Matterhorn on guided walks of varying difficulty, with free time to roam using a Swiss Half Fare Card that grants 50 percent discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. On Day 5, the highlight, you board the Glacier Express for a full-day journey in first class to Celerina, with a two-course lunch served at your seat as you pass through alpine passes, gorges, and UNESCO-listed valleys. The second three nights are in Celerina, a historic spa hotel beside a river in the Engadine Valley, where further guided walks and free exploration days are built around access to local mountain railways via the Engadine Guest Pass.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: September 2026. Confirm availability and book early.
  • Lunches are included only on the Glacier Express day (Day 5); other lunch meals are at your own cost on free days.
  • Day 4 dinner in Täsch is independent, not with the group.
  • Maximum group size is 24, which may limit the intimate atmosphere on some walks.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Dijon

    London to Dijon by First Class rail

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras. Eurostar Plus class to Paris with a light meal, then coach transfer to Gare de Lyon and First Class rail to Dijon. Check in to hotel near the station, followed by first dinner together at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Täsch

    Arrival at our first base, Täsch

    After breakfast, rail journey from Dijon to Lausanne crossing the Jura region and Mont-d'Or tunnel, then along Lake Geneva shores via Montreux and Martigny through the Rhône Valley to Visp. Short breathtaking rail journey to Täsch through the Matter Valley with wildflower meadows, alpine forests and waterfalls. Check in to four-star hotel surrounded by mountain peaks, dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Täsch

    Matter Valley views on beautiful hikes

    Guided walks in the Zermatt area with a choice of two grades. Option A (3mi/4.8km): train to Zermatt then cable car to avoid hard ascent. Option B (5.3mi/8.5km): travel to Zermatt, ascend by funicular and cable car to Blauherd at 8,664 feet. Both routes end in Zermatt with time to soak up views before returning to hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Täsch

    At leisure in the Matter Valley

    Free day to explore using the included Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounts on mountain railways and cable cars). Options include the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to the Alps' second largest glacier, cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gorner Gorge walk, or the Matterhorn Museum. Dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Celerina

    Aboard the iconic Glacier Express to the Engadine Valley

    Board the Glacier Express from Täsch for a scenic day of first-class travel. Two-course lunch served at seats while admiring dramatic landscapes including the Oberalp Pass, serene lakes, the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', Chur, the Albula Valley (UNESCO-listed), the curved Landwasser Viaduct, and on to the Engadine Valley. Arrive at Celerina, check in to historic four-star spa hotel beside a river, dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Celerina

    A choice of walks in the beautiful Engadine

    Guided walks in the Engadine Valley with expert local guides. Option A (5.2mi/8.3km): walk to Lei Gravatscha and into the Albula Valley, starting with a bus ride from hotel to Samedan. Option B (8mi/13.3km): level path beside the River Inn to Samedan. After returning to hotel, time to relax and use spa facilities. Dinner at the riverside hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Celerina

    A day at leisure in the Engadine

    Free day using the Engadine Guest Pass for free travel on local mountain railways, cable cars, buses and trains. Options include visiting Zuoz, Samedan, Lavin, Muottas Moragl by funicular for views of St Moritz and Upper Engadine lakes, or cable car via Marguns and Corviglia to Piz Nair (nearly 10,000 feet). Alternatively, use Swiss Half Fare Card on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express route to Poschiavo or Tirano.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Colmar

    By rail to Colmar

    After breakfast, travel back along the Albula Line to Landquart, change to Basel, then First Class rail across the French border to Colmar in Alsace. Hotel is right outside the railway station. Dinner at a local restaurant in this charming town of colourful half-timbered houses and flower-lined waterways.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the train from Colmar to Paris in First Class, then Eurostar Plus class with a light meal back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Guided walk in the Zermatt area with choice of routes: the shorter option uses train and cable car to avoid hard ascent; the longer route climbs by funicular and cable car to Blauherd at 8,664 feet, with Matterhorn views throughout.
  • Day 5Full day aboard the Glacier Express from Täsch to Celerina in first class, with a two-course lunch served at your seat while passing the Oberalp Pass, Chur, the UNESCO-listed Albula Valley, the Landwasser Viaduct, and into the Engadine.
  • Day 6Guided walk in the Engadine Valley beside the River Inn or into the Albula Valley; afterwards, time to use the spa facilities at the riverside hotel in Celerina.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel (London to Paris and return)
  • First and Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Expert walking guides with recognised qualifications
  • Carefully planned walking routes (3.0–8.3 miles / 4.8–13.3 km per day)
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (aboard the Glacier Express)
  • 6 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Täsch to Celerina
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • Engadine Guest Pass (free travel on mountain railways, cable cars, local buses and trains in the valley)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Transfers, local transport (including cable cars), entrance fees and permits for guided walks

Not included

  • Cancellation and travel insurance
  • Lunches on non-included days
  • Dinners on free evenings (e.g. Day 4 in Täsch)
  • Optional attractions and additional excursions at own cost
  • Personal spending money

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and return, SNCF First Class rail through France, Swiss Federal Railways, the Glacier Express in First Class, and the Albula Line. All rail fares are covered.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from departure to return, plus expert walking guides with recognised qualifications at each destination.
Which trains are ridden?
Eurostar Plus (London St Pancras to Paris), TGV/SNCF First Class (Paris to Dijon, Colmar to Paris), Swiss Federal Railways (Dijon to Täsch), the Glacier Express in First Class (Täsch to Celerina), and the Albula Line (Celerina to Landquart).
What are the hotels?
Porta Cervino in Täsch, a four-star hotel for 3 nights, and Chesa Rosatsch in Celerina, a four-star spa hotel for 3 nights. A hotel near the station in Dijon for 1 night and a hotel near the station in Colmar for 1 night are also included.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walks range from 3 to 8.3 miles per day. Day 3 offers two grades: Option A is 3 miles with cable car assist; Option B is 5.3 miles with funicular and cable car to 8,664 feet. Day 6 offers two grades in the Engadine.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, lunches on non-included days, dinners on free evenings (such as Day 4 in Täsch), and optional attractions at own cost.

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