Arrival day in Zürich. If you are traveling from the US, most flights arrive in the morning. This will give you the opportunity to explore the city a little bit or relax with a short nap. We will meet up in the evening for a welcome dinner and experience local Swiss cuisine. Overnight in Zurich. D

After breakfast we will say goodbye to Zürich and head towards Alpnachstad (approximately 1 hour drive), from where we will take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Pilatus (elev. 6,950 ft). We will spend the day photographing the breathtaking views, exploring the various lookout points, and enjoying the summit. Overnight near Interlaken - 2 nights. B,L,D

After a relaxing breakfast we will head towards the picturesque mountain village of Kandersteg (45 min drive), with a few potential stops along the way in the Bernese Highlands. From Kandersteg, we will take a cable car up to Lake Oeschinen. Here we will spend the rest of the day taking in the beautiful mountain views and landscapes. Overnight near Interlaken. B,L,D

Today’s journey takes us further south where we will catch a train in the town of Täsch (approx. 1.5 hour drive) and then board a train to the world famous and car-free mountain village of Zermatt. Here, we will ride the highest cogwheel open-air railway in Europe to Gornergrat. At this elevation of 10,240 feet we are rewarded with even more spectacular views of the world famous Matterhorn and surrounding mountains. If the weather cooperates, an opportunity for astrophotography may be in order. Overnight at Kulmhotel Gornergrat.  B,L,D 

If the weather is favorable, we’ll make the trek downhill to Lake Riffel (1.5 miles / 1,140 ft downhill) for sunrise, where we will see the morning light bounce off the Matterhorn and its reflection perfectly framing our shot. From there we will continue to take in the panoramic views and landscapes as we make our way back to Gornergrat for a late breakfast via train (0.5 mile / 270 ft elevation gain from the lake to the train station) and then back down to Zermatt. Here we will be able to enjoy the surrounding scenery and a different view of the Matterhorn.  After lunch, the afternoon is free to self explore, head out on some nearby trails or relax, before we meet again for dinner. Overnight in Zermatt - 2 nights.

 B,L,D 

We will spend the day admiring the Matterhorn from various points around Zermatt. A cable car ride up to Sunnegga and further on to Blauherd and Rorhorn will give us plenty of opportunity to enjoy the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Zermatt. B,L,D 

Today we will return to Täsch via train and continue our journey to Bettmeralp (approx. 1 hour drive), another car-free mountain village located in the Aletsch Arena, and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. We will take a cable car from the Rhône Valley up to Bettmeralp. Overnight in Bettmeralp - 2 nights B, L, D

Today we will spend the day exploring the longest glacier in Europe, Big Aletsch Glacier, and soak in Bettmeralp’s beautiful landscape. Weather permitting, we’ll take the Bettmeralp Gondola up to Bettmerhorn. Overnight in Bettmeralp. B,L,D 

Our Swiss photography adventure comes to an end after breakfast in Bettmeralp. We bid you auf Wiedersehen and safe journeys home. B