Zermatt Village & Gornergrat Railway Tour | From Basel
Description
Combining captivating Alpine landscapes with wondrous Swiss history and charming culture, this adventure-filled, tour delves into the very best aspects of Switzerland. Starting in the rural village of Zermatt, your tour guide will unpack the area's rich history, including its establishment and significant past events that have shaped it into a sought-after tourist destination. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks and verdant rolling hills, the visit to Zermatt Village offers an in-depth exploration of the town’s heritage and enchanting natural backdrop. The adventure will continue with a scenic train ride to Gornergrat, where breathtaking panoramic views of Zermatt and the majestic Matterhorn can be enjoyed (subject to weather conditions). As you ascend toward the summit, the guide will share insightful knowledge about the historic Gornergrat railway. Arriving at the top of Gornergrat, a moment can be taken to absorb the dramatic backdrop of the Monte-Rosa region and Matterhorn.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide will meet you at the train station, before whisking you away to Zermatt.
Beginning with an enriching trip to Zermatt Village, your friendly tour guide will explain the town’s heritage, including the unique story behind its foundation and an insightful discussion of the monumental events that shaped Zermatt over the centuries. Formerly an agricultural community, Zermatt Village now stands as a bustling tourist attraction that’s adorned with lush Alpine greenery and mountainous backdrops. The charmingly agrestic destination is tucked in between the grand peaks of the Pennine Alps, where Monte Rosa and the iconic Matterhorn mountain can be admired. Upon wandering through Zermatt Village, you’ll be fully immersed in Swiss culture, where boutique shops, local restaurants, and a thriving après-ski scene await exploration. Featuring a compact layout with just three major streets across the banks of the Matter Vispa, it’s easy to comfortably explore most of the town during your visit, ensuring you experience the best sights Zermatt has to offer!
Continuing the tour, a scenic train journey will transport you up to the historic Gornergrat Bahn, the first electric rack railway to be built in Switzerland, dating back to 1898. The railway stretches between the resort village of Zermatt and the summit of the Gornergrat, where the station sits at an altitude of 3,089 m (10,135 ft). As the train proceeds up the mountain, you’ll be able to gaze upon gorgeous Alpine views of the Monte-Rosa region, surrounding glaciers, the Matterhorn mountain, and Switzerland’s highest peak, the Dufourspitze mountain. Upon reaching the summit, views of the 29 surrounding mountain peaks and several glaciers, including the Gorner Glacier (which is the second longest glacier in the Alps!), can be observed.
At the end of your tour, your guide will return you safely to Basel.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(18)
I was let down by provider. Got an email to say tour was cancelled but no plan B. I eventually took myself by needed lots of help from tourist info staff. Had to pay for another train ticket as they wouldn't accept the ticket provided by tour operators. I was not happy. Generally a very disappointing day.
Great time and fun. Beautiful sight seeing. Guide totally prepared. Multilanguage. She showed the best places to go and see. Beautiful pictures. Wonderful time at Matterhorn and Gornergrat . Amazing!
Gina took us to St. Moritz and she did a fantastic job! I highly recommend the tour and Gina as a tour guide! Gina is the best guide I have met in Europe.
Wonderful experience! A dream. The whole staff very attentive and kind.
The best! It is beautiful and thank you to Gina for everything she explained, her patience, her kindness and for taking so many pictures. Gina you are THE BEST. THANK YOU SO MUCH
We had a wonderful time on this tour! Highly recommend our tour guide, Gina. She was knowledgeable and a lot of fun! She went way above and beyond by using her phone to take lots of videos and pictures which she air dropped to us at the end of the tour.
Gina was an absolute gem! She shared a wealth of knowledge with us and was a terrific guide. She took photos of us and shared them so we could enjoy the trip without worrying about getting that perfect shot. We are so blessed we had her to share this amazing adventure.
This was an amazing trip! Our guide, Leighton, picked us up from our hotel in Basel and accompanied us the entire trip providing our passes for the train rides making this long, but very well worth it, excursion. His knowledge of the area and Swiss culture was incredible and he information he provided kept our family engaged along the entire route. He even helped us find the perfect Swiss restaurant in Zermatt for lunch! The scenery was remarkable and no pictures of the Matterhorn did it justice….it must be seen if you are traveling to Switzerland…..and don’t forget to ask for Leighton as a guide…..he was fantastic!
What an amazing day and experience!! Seeing the Matterhorn is a definite must do if visiting Switzerland!! But what made our trip so memorable was our tour guide, Leighton. I can not say enough good things about him! He was prompt, professional, interactive, and beyond knowledgeable!!! He took an amazing experience and made it even better! If you get a chance to do this tour, please do it….and I highly recommend you request Leighton; you won’t be disappointed!!!
Great guide throughout whole trip. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Definitely would recommend Leighton as a guide, very knowledgeable.
