Welcome to The Great Swiss Adventure
Meet Your Guide
Ralph Kunz
As your guide, I am very proud to be a dual citizen of the US and Switzerland and fortunate, over the years, to experience both cultures.
Although I was born and partly raised in the US, my Swiss heritage on my parent’s side traces back to 1636. At age 10, my family moved to the Northeastern region of Switzerland, which is one reason we are starting this trip in the Northeast. My Mother, siblings and extended family all live in Switzerland. As a teenager, I spent memorable years at a boarding school in the Berner Oberland region, which is another beautiful part of Switzerland that I came to know well so we will be spending time there as well. I also served in the Swiss military in this region where I was assigned to the Mountain Infantry, Light Mortar troop.
The Alps are breathtaking and I’m excited for you to experience their beauty and magnificence. Growing up, my family went on hiking vacations every year. I came to appreciate being in the mountains and understanding the risks one can encounter in the Alps. I am at ease in the mountains and with 10 years of ski patrol experience as well as years of first aid training, I have the awareness one needs to be safe be in the mountains.
I am married with 3 adult children and along with my wife of 34 years we have been visiting family and friends in Switzerland for 40 years and our children have been on almost every trip. The picture is of me hiking in the Jakobhorn region above Davos, the birth place of my mother.
Please join me for this very special trip.
Although I was born and partly raised in the US, my Swiss heritage on my parent’s side traces back to 1636. At age 10, my family moved to the Northeastern region of Switzerland, which is one reason we are starting this trip in the Northeast. My Mother, siblings and extended family all live in Switzerland. As a teenager, I spent memorable years at a boarding school in the Berner Oberland region, which is another beautiful part of Switzerland that I came to know well so we will be spending time there as well. I also served in the Swiss military in this region where I was assigned to the Mountain Infantry, Light Mortar troop.
The Alps are breathtaking and I’m excited for you to experience their beauty and magnificence. Growing up, my family went on hiking vacations every year. I came to appreciate being in the mountains and understanding the risks one can encounter in the Alps. I am at ease in the mountains and with 10 years of ski patrol experience as well as years of first aid training, I have the awareness one needs to be safe be in the mountains.
I am married with 3 adult children and along with my wife of 34 years we have been visiting family and friends in Switzerland for 40 years and our children have been on almost every trip. The picture is of me hiking in the Jakobhorn region above Davos, the birth place of my mother.
Please join me for this very special trip.
8 Days
Sept 7 - 15 2024
All inclusive trip
Trip for all Family Members
Day 1
Pick Up
Meet at the Zurich airport at noonDrive to Appenzell
Learn how Swiss cheese is made and make a cheese fondue in Schau Kaserei.
We will spend 2 nights in the charming city of Appenzell at the foot of the Alpstein mountains. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Appenzell is a picturesque town with colorful gabled buildings that house delicious bakeries, restaurants, hotels, apartments, and museums. Many generations of my family have hiked and skied in the Alpstein Mountains.
Day 2
Hike the Hohen Kasten, on clear days you can see 4 countries from the top. My family has hiked the Hohen Kasten many times.
The Hoher Kasten is 5,885 Ft/1,794 m above sea level. Once at the top, enjoy the 360° panorama on the northeasterly summit of the Western Alps.
The Hike:Distance: 3.1 M/5 KM each wayElevation change: 2,851 ft/869 mHiking time: 4.5 hours – On the Mountain 6 to 6.5 hours
The Hike:Distance: 3.1 M/5 KM each wayElevation change: 2,851 ft/869 mHiking time: 4.5 hours – On the Mountain 6 to 6.5 hours
Day 3
Drive to Berner Oberland, along the way we will stop at the Swiss outdoor heritage museum in Ballenburg. Ballenberg is an open-air museum that displays traditional buildings and architecture from all over the Switzerland. You will experience Swiss architecture from every region of the country.
We will spend 3 nights in Mürren, Berner Overland, a village above the Lauterbrunnen valley with a view of the Jungfrau massif. The marvelous views, rustic settings, and adventures awaiting you there will make you forget all your worries!
I completed my Swiss Secondary School in the Berner Oberland in the Mountain area of the Hasliberg Region. I spent 3 years in the Hasliberg region which later in my life was the major contributor be my being drafted into the Swiss Military Mountain Infantry.
Day 4
Follow in the footsteps of James Bond as we hike to the top of the Schilthorn.
The Schilthorn lies at 9,744 ft/2,970 m above sea level and is a beautiful, well-known panoramic summit with a revolving restaurant on the summit. We will upload on the cable to the mid station at Brig and hike from there to the Schildhorn.
Distance: 2 M/3.2 KM up and 5.6 M/9 KM downElevation change: 450 ft/137 m up and 4,265 ft/1,300 m down
Hiking time: 5.5 hours – On the Mountain 7 to 7.5 hours
Distance: 2 M/3.2 KM up and 5.6 M/9 KM downElevation change: 450 ft/137 m up and 4,265 ft/1,300 m down
Hiking time: 5.5 hours – On the Mountain 7 to 7.5 hours
Day 5
Enjoy the scenic mountain views of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch. This will be an easier hike with little elevation gain.
The North Face Trail
Distance: 5.2 M/8.3 KMElevation change: 492 ft/150 m
Hiking time: 3 hours – On the Mountain 4 to 4.5 hours
Hiking time: 3 hours – On the Mountain 4 to 4.5 hours
Day 6
Drive to the Rigi Kulm area with a stop at a mountain gorge, Rosenlai Schlucht.We will hike up the Rosenlai Mountian Gourge, a safe path will take the hikers past thundering waterfalls, romantic grottos and bizarre cliff formations in 45 minutes. The sky becomes a thin ribbon of blue and in certain spots the smoothly polished chalk walls crowd so close in that they form a tunnel. The water swirls in the pockmarked glacier, flows over a rocky ledge, pushes it's way through a narrow strait, all the while frothing, bubbling and gurgling. The waters are powerful, breathtaking and refreshing.
We will spend 3 nights in Weggis. The small, idyllic holiday resort of Weggis lies on the shore of Lake Lucerne and at the foot of the renowned Rigi.
We will spend 3 nights in Weggis. The small, idyllic holiday resort of Weggis lies on the shore of Lake Lucerne and at the foot of the renowned Rigi.
Day 7
Hike: Rigi KulmThis easy high-altitude walk features magnificent views out over the Swiss plateau to the Black Forest, the Vosges mountains and the Alps, as well as a breathtaking bird's-eye view over the Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug
Distance: 6.0 M/9.7 KM up and down
Elevation change: 1,699 ft/517 mHiking time: 3.5 hours – On the Mountain 4.5 to 5.5 hours
Elevation change: 1,699 ft/517 mHiking time: 3.5 hours – On the Mountain 4.5 to 5.5 hours
Day 8
Hike: Weggis Herrenwald The trail begins right on the shore of Lake Lucerne in Weggis. It can let the fresh air and the beautiful views convince one to follow the path in the center along the water.
Distance: 6.0 M/9.7 KM up and downElevation change: 688 ft/209 mHiking time: 2.5 hours – On the Mountain 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Day 9
Drop off in Zurich Airport at 8:30
Trip Covers
The cost of $5,985 per person covers :
• Hotel stays, assumed double occupancy. For those traveling alone a single supplement charge of $825 will be added
• Buffet Breakfast will be provided
• Hikers Lunches will be provided which will include local meats, cheeses, bread and of course Chocolate as well as water
• Dinner, of the 8 nights together, 6 dinners will be provided. Day 5 in Murren and day 7 in Weggis the guests will be on thier own.
• Van transport will be provided
• Admission to Schau Kaserei, Bellenberg Open Air Museum and Rosenlai Schluct
• Cable Car to Murren,
• Cable Car from Murren to Brig
• 2 Cable Car trips from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad
Each participant will need to provide proof of international health insurance by August 15th before embarking on the trip
What is not covered
• Airfare or transportation to Zurich Airport
• Alcohol
• Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, room service)
• Cable Car costs for those not wanting to hike
Recommended Packing List
Hiking shoes/bootsHiking socks (wool/blend)Long sleeve shirts (1-2)T-shirts (wicking is best, 4-5)Hiking pants or shorts (3-4)Fleece or soft-shell jacketWarmer coat (puffy, packable)Rain Jacket (rain pants are a good idea too!)Lightweight glovesKnit hat or headband for cooler weatherBrimmed hat for sun protectionDay Pack Trekking Poles1-liter water bottleSunglasses