MAJESTIC ALPS TRAILS | SWITZERLAND

7 Days

The Tiananmen, a gate in the wall of the Imperial City, was built in 1415 during the Ming dynasty. In the 17th century, fighting between Li Zicheng’s rebel forces and the forces of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty caused heavy damage to, or even destroyed, the gate. Tiananmen Square was designed and built in 1651, and has since been enlarged by four times its original size in the 1950s.

Near the centre of the square stood the “Great Ming Gate”, the southern gate to the Imperial City, renamed “Great Qing Gate” during the Qing dynasty, and “Gate of China” during the Republican era. Unlike the other gates in Beijing, such as the Tiananmen and the Zhengyangmen, this was a purely ceremonial gateway, with three arches but no ramparts, similar in style to the ceremonial gateways found in the Ming tombs.

This gate had a special status as the “Gate of the Nation”, as can be seen from its successive names. It normally remained closed, except when the Emperor passed through. Commoner traffic was diverted to side gates at the western and eastern ends of the square, respectively. Because of this diversion in traffic, a busy marketplace, called “Chess Grid Streets”, was developed in the big, fenced square to the south of this gate.
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Overview

The Tiananmen, a gate in the wall of the Imperial City, was built in 1415 during the Ming dynasty. In the 17th century, fighting between Li Zicheng’s rebel forces and the forces of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty caused heavy damage to, or even destroyed, the gate. Tiananmen Square was designed and built in 1651, and has since been enlarged by four times its original size in the 1950s.

Near the centre of the square stood the “Great Ming Gate”, the southern gate to the Imperial City, renamed “Great Qing Gate” during the Qing dynasty, and “Gate of China” during the Republican era. Unlike the other gates in Beijing, such as the Tiananmen and the Zhengyangmen, this was a purely ceremonial gateway, with three arches but no ramparts, similar in style to the ceremonial gateways found in the Ming tombs. This gate had a special status as the “Gate of the Nation”, as can be seen from its successive names. It normally remained closed, except when the Emperor passed through. Commoner traffic was diverted to side gates at the western and eastern ends of the square, respectively. Because of this diversion in traffic, a busy marketplace, called “Chess Grid Streets”, was developed in the big, fenced square to the south of this gate.

Important Notes

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Itinerary

Upon your arrival into Zurich Airport, make your way to Zurich Airport railway station (Bahnhof Zurich Flughafen). The station is located underneath the Airport Centre, the main ground-side passenger terminal of the airport, which is in the canton of Zurich and the municipality of Kloten. With help of your 6 Days consecutive Swiss Pass you will board a train onto Interlaken. (Travel time of approx 2.5 hrs with one change)
On arrival at Interlaken station transfer on your own to hotel and check in. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Welcome to Interlaken, this Swiss town nestled between glacier-fed lakes, exploring on the water, in the mountains or even in the air reveals a region rich in natural beauty — and it’s open to beginners and intrepid adventurers alike.Overnight in Interlaken.

Breakfast at the hotel. Don't miss this opportunity to reminiscence with iconic movies shot in Gstaad & Saanen. This morning travel by train to Gstaad, one of the most attractive holiday regions in the Swiss Alps. This car-free resort is surrounded by mountains on three sides, but still enjoys a spacious and sunny setting at 1,050m. Every year thousands of people from all over the world visit Switzerland and a vast majority of those tourists are people from the Indian subcontinent. But apart from that there is one very important thing that has influenced every one of us – the ones who grew up on the staple diet of Bollywood, SRK and the nostalgia of the 90’s, to visit the nation.
On arrival in Gstaad you will meet with a representative who will take on a “Bollywood Tour”. Gstaad region is known as one of the most scenic natural film sets in the world. Many Bollywood blockbusters have been filmed here, such as “DDLJ”, “Bachana Ae Haseenno” and many more. You will travel to Saanen region which embodies Bollywood!
The next destination, Saanen was the iconic DDLJ bridge which is situated right next to the railway station. Raj and Simran aka SRK and Kajol have glorified this place with their famous “Palat” scene from the movie. Give it a try to see if the magic still prevails. Overnight in Interlaken (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free to explore this vibrant city on your own. You can opt to visit the famous mountain: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe experience (Optional activity)
Icy air sweeps over your face, snow crunches underfoot, and the panorama almost takes your breath away: on one side the view of the Swiss Mittelland towards the Vosges, on the other the Aletsch Glacier, lined with four thousand metre peaks. Standing on the Jungfraujoch 3,454 metres above sea level, you can feel it with your first step: this is a different world. It's one you have to experience.
Later, do stop by for a visit to Harder Kulm (Optional activity)
If Interlaken had a king, he would reside on the Harder Kulm. From the viewing platform at 1,322 metres above sea level he would graciously look down upon Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, or admire the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. In fact, the Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant is reminiscent of a castle. In order to visit it, however, you don't need to be a king – just take a seat in the funicular and ascend Interlaken's own mountain. Last ride down to Interlaken OST is approx 21:00 hrs.Overnight in Interlaken (B)

Post breakfast at the hotel, you will check out from the Interlaken and proceed for your onward destination to Zermatt (Travel time of approx 2 .5hrs with two change options)Welcome to Zermatt, which lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. The town's touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world's most famous mountain. The vacation destination is a car-free zone, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned. Upon your arrival at Zermatt Train station, you will make your way to the hotel. (Please note the standard check in time would be at 15:00 hrs or subject to hotel discretion).Overnight in Zermatt (B).

Breakfast at the hotel. Don't miss the spectacular triangular beauty of the Matterhorn! A cragged rock “tooth” ranging into the heavens. Standing alone on the horizon. A magnet for alpinists, aesthetic emblem, mountain with ideal proportions. Rugged rock with magical light. Playing in a sea of clouds and horizontal colouring. The Matterhorn glacier paradise is the highest summer ski region in Europe and is open 365 days a year. The Matterhorn Museum explains the historic development of Zermatt from a mountain village to an Alpine holiday resort and also has many photographs and facts about the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Overnight in Zermatt (B)

Post breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer on your own to Zermatt Train Station. Later board the onward train to Zurich. {Swiss Pass allows you unlimited travel on Swiss Travel System which includes trains, trams, buses and boats you can use all of these unlimited to travel throughout Switzerland. It offers free entrance to over 400 museums in Switzerland}
Welcome to Zurich! Culturally vibrant, efficiently run and attractively set at the meeting of river and lake, Zürich is regularly recognised as one of the world's most liveable cities. On arrival at Zurich station transfer on your own to hotel and check in.
Depending upon your time of arrival into Zurich, you can opt for the Zurich City Tour. Discover the sights of Zurich aboard a brand new, very comfortable and ecological deluxe coach with panorama windows and air-conditioning which we call the ‘Reinvented Classic Trolley’. It will take you through this beautiful city and show you the business and financial centre, Bahnhofstrasse, the most important museums, a section of the Old Town, Münster Square entrance to the pedestrian area, historical Limmatquai, the University district, residential areas, beautiful hillside villas on the Zurichberg, as well as recreation areas and views of the Alps from Zurich's vantage points.Overnight in Zurich. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, check out formalities and free time depending on the flight back home. 3 - 4 hours prior to your departure flight you can take the shuttle service of the hotel , if available or make your own way Zurich Airport (B)

Cost

What your tour price includes?

  • • Accommodation at selected category of hotels. (Standard or Superior)
  • • Daily Continental breakfast at the hotel (except on the day of arrival).
  • • Overseas Travel Insurance (upto 60 yrs age group only)
  • • Sightseeings as mentioned
  • • Inter city train travel

What your tour price does not include?

  • • International air ticket, Domestic ticket if any, Airport taxes & Visa charges.
  • • TCS and GST is not included in the above cost and will be charged on final amount.
  • • Meals other than those specified (if any).
  • • Laundry, telephone, optional excursions and other items of a personal nature.
  • • Mandatory tipping to Van driver of USD 5 per person per day is not included in the price.
  • • City taxes / Resort Fees – To be paid at the hotel.
  • • Cost of foreign exchange for personal use.
  • • Cost of PCR Test is not included & any medical examination will be treated as actual
  • • Any items or services not specified in the itinerary ‘INCLUSIONS’ head.

Frequently asked Questions

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and host shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

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MAJESTIC ALPS TRAILS | SWITZERLAND
From ₹115,000
/ Adult