Optional Tours for Purchase - AO Trips

The tour begins as your guide escorts you via train to the summit station of Schynige Platte. The starting point for this hike is located next to the restaurant just above the summit station. There are people who claim that you get the best view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on the Schynige Platte panorama hike. After the start at the Bergrestaurant, you pass the Tuba lookout point in the direction of Loucherhorn. At the Grätli signpost, turn right and walk past the huts of Oberberg to the starting point. The Bernese Alps with the triumvirate are always in sight, not to forget the summer mountain flora and Lake Brienz – a lot of Switzerland all at once.

On top, there is a mountain restaurant where you can enjoy a snack or light lunch and then follow your guide for an easy 1.5 hours hike (1.9 miles).

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes and money for lunch.
• INCLUSIONS: Guide for the hike and round-trip train transportation to/from the Schynige Platte
• EXCLUSIONS: Food and Beverage (you will have free time to purchase lunch or snacks on your own)
• RESTRICTIONS: Not available on group 12. Once you arrive at Schynige Platte, this is an easy 1.5-hour hike.
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild, must be able to walk for 1.5 hours (1.9 miles), part of which is at an incline.
• TOUR TIME: 11:10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (approx. 6 hours)
• PRICE: USD $143.00 per person
• MINIMUM 10 / MAXIMUM 20 per guide

Fly with us to the world-famous trio, the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. Hold your breath as you come ever closer to the awe-inspiring Eiger North Wall. Take home unforgettable impressions of the sheer size and steepness of this massive mountain and the bizarre shapes of the glacial ice avalanches on the Mönch and Jungfrau.

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sunglasses, hat, comfortable layered clothing.
• INCLUSIONS: Round-trip transportation to the helicopter base, 12-15-minute helicopter flight
• RESTRICTIONS: Tour is subject to weather conditions at the discretion of the pilot and official authorities.
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild (includes higher elevations)
• TOUR TIME: 1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. (2.5 hours)  
• PRICE:  USD $385.00 per person
• MINIMUM 3 / MAXIMUM 6 per minivan (Minimum 3/Max 4 or 5 per helicopter)

Today, we will take you to the eternal snow. Guests will be transferred to the valley station, where they will take the cable car (2 cable car rides up and back) to the glacier, located at 9000 feet. Once you arrive to the top, the following activities will be organized for the guests: 

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• Snow bus tour: This is one of the easiest ways to move on the glacier. With the snow bus you do a tour of approx. 15 minutes and you can have a look at the impressive landscape around you.

• Peak Walk and Suspension Bridge: The Peak Walk by Tissot is the highlight of the glacier adventure: It connects the smaller peak (View Point) with the 5 meters higher main peak (Scex Rouge) and takes all guests to incredible heights. The 107 meters long and 80 centimetres wide suspension bridge offers a stunning view onto the Alps: Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are visible from the bridge and offer grandiose views, far off into the distance. The suspension bridge is free of charge and open year-round subject to weather conditions.

OPTIONAL TO DO ON OWN:

• Alpine Coaster: 520° circles, 10 somewhat steep curves, 6 waves and 3 jumps promise action-packed speeds of up to 40 km/hour on a one kilometer stretch. The Alpine Coaster will quickly raise your adrenaline level and get your heart beating hard! You will experience weightlessness up to 6 meters above the ground on this high-flying adventure. You determine the speed with the brake lever and how many times you want to go down the toboggan run. Note: Alpine Coaster will not be available in October.

After all this exercise and fresh air, we will organize lunch in the famous Botta Restaurant, designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta. Many fine delicacies - from small snacks to local specialties from the three cantons Bern, Waadt and Wallis - await guests in the alpine restaurant - in addition to a stunning panoramic view on as many as about 20 alpine peaks. 

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Dress in layers and bring a winter jacket or fleece jacket (packable jackets work well). Temperatures will be drastically different at top of the mountain. (20’s – 30’s degrees Fahrenheit) We also suggest a hat, scarf and gloves along with shoes/boots that are appropriate for walking in snow and on ice that can get wet from walking through snow. No sandals or flat-soled tennis shoes.  Money/credit card to buy souvenirs.
• INCLUSIONS: Round trip transfer to Col de Pillon, bottled water on transfer, guide to accompany group, round trip cable car ride up to Glacier 3000, 2 course lunch and non-alcoholic drinks during lunch, optional activities at the top: snow bus ride (including ski lift down to glacier), peak walk and suspension bridge.
• EXCLUSIONS: Alpine Coaster is not included in the tour, however, tickets can be purchased on own once at the top if the Alpine Coaster is in service. (it will not be available in October). Souvenirs can be purchased at the gift shop.
• RESTRICTIONS: Activities at the top is subject to weather conditions and will be operational at the discretion of official authorities. If a certain activity is not operational – there will be no refund.
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild – Moderate (some optional activities can be a little strenuous like walking in the snow on a glacier and climbing into the snow bus) includes higher elevations.
• TOUR TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.    (6 hours, 15 min)
• PRICE: USD $330.00 per person
• MINIMUM 20 / MAXIMUM 40 per coach/guide

To visit Lausanne is to see both city and countryside. The tour will include the modern commercial center, the Supreme Court of Switzerland, the Old Town with its historic buildings such as the University, the magnificent 13th century Gothic Cathedral and the 14th century Château St. Maire with its "Disneyland" towers and turrets. Through Ouchy, the harbor of Lausanne, you will have a splendid view of the Chablais Mountains. Note: Part of this tour is a walking tour that involves going up and down hills.

After the Lausanne city tour, the group will go to the Olympic Museum for a guided tour. The Olympic Museum, the world's most comprehensive repository of written, graphic and visual information related to the Olympic Games, opened in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1993.

Through the display of art, historical objects, documents, videos and artifacts relating to the Olympics from Ancient Greece to the modern Games, the museum examines the union of sport, art and culture which Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Games, termed "Olympism".

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Dress in layers, comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Money to buy souvenirs or food and beverage.
• INCLUSIONS: Round trip transfer to Lausanne, bottled water on transfer, guide to accompany group, tickets to the Olympic Museum
• EXCLUSIONS: Souvenirs can be purchased at the gift shop. Food and Beverage to be purchased on own.
• RESTRICTIONS: Lausanne is a very hilly city. Be prepared to walk up and down hills. 
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate (involves walking up and down hills).
  • Note: on Groups 20, 4, 5, 11 and 12 – this will be offered on Day 7
• TOUR TIME: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.    (5 hours)
• PRICE: USD $176.00 per person
• MINIMUM 20 / MAXIMUM 40 per coach/guide

A daily herd of goats that makes its way down the main street to the sound of bells, gaily painted wooden carriages drawn by sturdy horses, a village of chalets and rustic hotels with flowers on each balcony, no automobiles, no pollution, and all this towered over by the unmistakable triangular 14,690 feet high mountain of Matterhorn. For the connoisseur, the description is instantly Zermatt, the tiny 5,300 feet high town in the Valais, an international Alpine Metropolis regardless of size with a name synonymous with mountaineering.

Guests will enjoy a panoramic train ride from Visp to Zermatt. (Note: panoramic train will not be available for groups 11 and 12)

Upon arrival in Zermatt, guests will enjoy a walking tour through the village and will have a chance to discover the unique architecture, the history of the mountain village and its customs.

Lunch will be at leisure and guests can enjoy one of the many options available in Zermatt: from a light meal to a gastronomic experience.

ADD ON OPTION FOR ZERMATT:

HELICOPTER: As an additional possibility, guests will be able to enjoy an unforgettable flight around the Matterhorn by helicopter. You will be able to register for this option in advance.

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Dress in layers and bring a winter jacket or fleece jacket (packable jackets work well). Temperatures can be cold in the higher elevations. (20’s – 30’s degrees Fahrenheit) Suggest also sunglasses, a hat, scarf and gloves along with shoes/boots that are appropriate for walking in snow and on ice. Money/credit cards to buy souvenirs.
• INCLUSIONS: Round trip transfers using motor coaches and train to Zermatt, bottled water on coaches, guide to accompany group, walking tour of Zermatt. For an additional cost, an optional activity could include a helicopter ride for an up-close look at the Matterhorn.
• EXCLUSIONS: Food and beverage (lunch/snacks), souvenirs to be purchased on own. The panoramic train to Zermatt is not included on groups 11 and 12.
• RESTRICTIONS: Helicopter ride is subject to weather conditions at the discretion of the official authorities.
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild – Moderate (includes high elevations)
• TOUR TIME: 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.   (9 hours, 45 minutes)
• Groups 20, 1-10:
  • PRICE:  Basic Tour USD $286.00 per person
    • With Helicopter Ride   USD $594.00 per person (min 4/max 5)
• Groups 11 and 12:
  • PRICE:  Basic Tour USD $253.00 per person
    • With Helicopter Ride: USD $561.00 per person (min 4/max 5)
• MINIMUM 20 / MAXIMUM 40 per coach/guide

ANOTHER OPTION TO DO WHILE IN ZERMATT DURING YOUR FREE TIME:

GORNEGRAT BAHN TRAIN:

Since 1898 Switzerland’s first electrically-powered cogwheel train has been bringing passengers up to Gornergrat (3,089m). The trip takes just 33 minutes from the center of Zermatt.  The valley station is only 50m from the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway’s station.  The Gornergrat Railway works 365 days a year to let you get the best views of the Matterhorn.

NOTE REGARDING ZERMATT SUMMER SKIING:

Summer Skiing in Zermatt is only available in the mornings.  You will need to depart Montreux on an early morning train in order to get to Zermatt early enough to have a few hours to ski before the slopes close around noon. Stop by the A-O Trips hospitality desk for information on how to get to Zermatt for summer skiing.

The picturesque Lavaux wine-growing region on Lake Geneva has been recognized as a world heritage site by Unesco, stretching from Lausanne to Vevey and Montreux, presents some of the most famous vineyards in Switzerland that all share one of the most amazing vineyard views in the world. Impressively situated on steep, terraced hillsides, it rises up from the lake between Villette and St. Saphorin with a slope that can reach up to 65%. In this region, helicopters must sometimes be used during the harvest period to collect the grapes.

Switzerland is the only country to fully exploit the special qualities of the Chasselas and to produce, from this one grape, a surprising diversity of delicate white wines. The Vaud is Switzerland’s second largest winegrowing region. It is best known for its fresh, fruity white wines produced from the Chasselas grape. Their delicate and varied aromas reflect the different soils of the region.

Swiss wine is very difficult to find in the U.S.A. as most of the wine made in Switzerland does not get exported. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy two Swiss wine tastings. You will have the opportunity to purchase your favorite wine from the Vinery tasting to take home with you.  You can take 2 bottles in your checked luggage).

The tour will include a first stop at the Lavaux visitor centre where guests will get an introduction to this unique wine area followed by a tasting. A second wine tasting will then be organized in a wine estate, with gorgeous views on Lake Geneva.

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Comfortable clothing. Closed toe shoes are recommended for the Vinery tour. Bring cash (preferably Swiss Francs but will also accept US Dollars) to purchase additional wine (if desired).
• INCLUSIONS: Round trip transportation to/from Lavaux Valley, Visitor Center and Vinery, guide to accompany group, bottled water on the transfer, entry and tasting at the visitor center, wine tasting at a local vinery including 3 wines, cold cuts and cheese.
• EXCLUSIONS: Dinner / Food and Beverage other than what is noted in Inclusions.  Bottled wine to take home.
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild
• TOUR TIME: 3:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.    (3 hours 45 minutes)
• PRICE: USD $187.00 per person
• MINIMUM 20 / MAXIMUM 28 per coach/guide

You will be received by a famous chocolate maker in his atelier in Vevey. You will visit the production site, get information about the production of chocolate and its origin, how to taste and discover a good chocolate, tasting and discovery of different chocolates with various tastes.

In the end, you can even demonstrate your talent for making your own chocolate tablet. A fun and interesting experience. Now that you are an experienced chocolatier, explore the chocolate shop and purchase chocolate souvenirs to take home with you.

After the tour, you will do a short walking tour of the surrounding area in Vevey before heading back to the hotel in Montreux. For those who want to explore Vevey more extensively, they will have an option of staying in Vevey and making their own way back to Montreux via taxi or use your complimentary transportation pass to take the bus for the short ride back to Montreux.

• WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Cash in Swiss Francs or credit card to purchase additional chocolate or souvenirs in Vevey.
• INCLUSIONS: Round trip transportation to/from Vevey, guide to accompany tour, Chocolate workshop including your own souvenir chocolate tablet that you make.
• EXCLUSIONS: Additional chocolates, souvenirs can be purchased.  Food and Beverage (not listed in inclusions)
• ACTIVITY LEVEL: Mild – Moderate (involves some walking).
  • Note: on Groups 20, 4, 5, 11 and 12 – this will be offered on Day 5
• TOUR TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.    (3 hours)
• PRICE: USD $176.00 per person
• MINIMUM 20 / MAXIMUM 30 per coach/guide