Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our hotel - delicious fresh baked bread and croissants, local meats and cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice - which gives us the energy needed for the task ahead. Soon we'll be out on the trail, where you'll get to choose between an easier or more strenuous hike for the day. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!

We should finish our hike around 4 pm, giving you time to wash up and relax. After that, we'll enjoy dinner together at our hotel or another local restaurant. These are multi-course feasts, featuring delicious local specialties, and both of our hotels on this trip serve delicious meals.

With charming villages, lofty trails, and flexible hikes, the Engadine tour is an excellent introduction to one of the world's greatest hiking areas.

Day 1 Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to our meeting point in Guarda. There is a train station in both the Zurich and Geneva airports, and transferring to Guarda will be an easy introduction to Switzerland. The trip itself is incredibly scenic, and takes about 3 hours from Zurich. Perhaps you'll arrive a few days early, with time to take the famous Glacier Express between Zermatt and the Engadine valley. After we meet, we'll take a short walk through town and settle in for our welcome dinner at our lovely hotel. (Hotel Piz Buin)
Day 2 There are a number of lovely hikes in the area, including an energetic climb to the rugged mountain views of the upper Tuoi valley. Here we can visit a small alpine hut, delight in the myriad wildflowers, and enjoy dramatic views of the local peak, Piz Buin. The nearby village of Scuol is also a noted spa resort, and makes a great rainy day destination. Return to Guarda for a 2nd night. (Hotel Piz Buin)
Day 3 In the morning, we'll transfer by train to the small, lakeside village of Sils Maria. The hiking in this region is amazingly varied, and we'll have numerous hikes to choose from. We might enjoy a mellow lakeside walk to the Maloja pass, followed by a short climb up to a pretty alpine lake. We'll stay in a very friendly 3-star hotel in Sils Maria. (Hotel Maria)
Day 4 A steep climb brings us to the high Fuorcla Surlej pass, where we're ringed by breathtaking views of the glacier-draped Piz Bernina massif. We'll continue on to the back of the valley to Coaz hut for a remote and memorable night. (Coaz hut)
Day 5 A gentle, forested descent through the Roseg valley brings us to Pontresina, a pretty and low-key village that will be our base for the final two nights. In the evening, enjoy the luxurious pool and spa at our fantastic 3-star hotel. (Hotel Steinbock)
Day 6 One of our favorite hikes anywhere is the panoramic Muragl traverse above Pontresina. Boasting quiet wooded stretches, abundant wildlife, and surprising views of the giant Piz Bernina and the paternoster lakes of St. Moritz, this hike makes a fitting finale to a wonderful week. (Hotel Steinbock)
Day 7 Today we say adieu, and depart for our post-tour destinations.

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The self-guided Engadine Highlights tour includes 5 nights prepaid hotels with breakfast each morning and each night, reservations for a bed and meals at the Coaz hut (which you pay yourself on arrival), a Swiss Transfer Ticket railpass for 2 free days of rail travel, arrangements for optional luggage transfer to Pontresina, hiking maps, detailed route descriptions, and lots of useful information that will help your trip run smoothly.

This tour can be customized to fit your needs. If you'd like to lengthen or shorten the tour, upgrade hotels (or go rustic), or create a customized tour of Switzerland from scratch, let us know. We have extensive experience across the Alps, and will be happy to work with you to build the hiking vacation that best suits your needs.

See our self-guided Engadine Highlights tour page