Day 1

Travel by Eurostar and TGV Lyria to Lucerne. Stay for two nights in a centrally located hotel in the historic Old Town.

Day 2

Today's included excursion takes you to Mount Pilatus (2,023 m), Lucerne's famous local mountain. Travel by boat across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad (boat service operates from mid-May to mid-October), then ascend on the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Enjoy magnificent views over Lucerne and Lake Lucerne. Return via cable car to Kriens, followed by a short bus journey back to Lucerne.

Day 3

Travel on the Luzern–Interlaken Express to Interlaken. The route passes Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern before climbing the Brünig Pass using rack-and-pinion railway sections. After descending to Meiringen, continue along the northern shore of Lake Brienz to Interlaken. Stay here for two nights.

Day 4

Travel via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch (3,454 m), Europe's highest railway station. Along the way, stop at the Eiger North Face viewpoint. At the summit, visit the Ice Palace, enjoy the eternal snow and admire spectacular views across the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps.

Day 5

Travel from Interlaken along the southern shore of Lake Thun to Spiez. Continue on the Lötschberger to Brig before ascending the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Zermatt. Along the way, pass the famous Randa and Täsch rockslide areas. Stay in Zermatt for two nights.

Day 6

Today you travel on the cogwheel railway to the Gornergrat (3,089 m), with magnificent views of the Matterhorn and 29 peaks above 4,000 metres, including the Dente Blanche, Monte Rosa and Dufourspitze. Three vast glaciers stretch out below. Spend time at the historic Kulmhotel or relax on the panoramic terrace.

Day 7

Travel via Brig and the scenic Lötschberg route to Basel. Continue by TGV Lyria and Eurostar back to London, or your preferred railway station in Great Britain.

12-day Rail Tour

Difference from the 7-day rail tour:

• 1 extra night in Lucerne
• 2 extra nights in Interlaken
• 1 extra night in Zermatt
• 1 overnight stop in Basel on the return journey