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7-day itinerary

Valais Highlights Tour

7-day journey through Valais' alpine peaks and valleys

Length
7 days · 29 sights
Pace
Moderate
Estimated cost
CHF 859 per person
Based in
Valais

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Sion & Old Town Exploration

    Arrive in Sion, the capital of Valais. Explore the medieval old town, visit the castle, and enjoy the first views of the Rhône valley.

    • 10:00

      Arrival and Transfer to Hotel

      Arrive at Sion station or airport, check into hotel.

      About 60 min

    • 11:00

      Château de Sion

      Visit the historic castle perched on a hill overlooking the town, offering panoramic views of the Alps.

      About 2 hours

    • 13:00

      Lunch in Old Town

      Traditional Swiss lunch in the pedestrian zone.

      About 60 min

    • 14:30

      Old Town Walking Tour

      Stroll through the narrow streets, visit the Cathedral of Valais and the Place du Marché.

      About 1.5 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Sion Old Town; Dinner at Sion
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Sion city center for easy access to attractions.
    Getting around:
    Walking within the old town; taxi or bus from station if needed.

  2. Day 2: The Matterhorn & Zermatt

    Travel to Zermatt, the car-free village famous for the Matterhorn. Enjoy the scenic train ride and explore the village.

    • 08:00

      Train to Zermatt

      Scenic train journey from Sion to Zermatt via Visp. Book Gornergrat Bahn ticket in advance.

      About 3 hours

    • 11:00

      Village Arrival & Check-in

      Arrive in Zermatt, drop bags, and walk along the main street.

      About 60 min

    • 12:00

      Lunch with a View

      Lunch at a restaurant with Matterhorn views.

      About 60 min

    • 13:30

      Gornergrat Railway

      Take the cogwheel train to Gornergrat Kulm for one of the best views of the Matterhorn and 29 peaks.

      About 3 hours

    • 17:00

      Evening Stroll

      Relaxing walk in the car-free village, visit the Matterhorn Museum.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Zermatt; Dinner at Zermatt
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Zermatt. Book early as it is popular.
    Getting around:
    Train from Sion to Zermatt. No cars allowed in Zermatt; use electric taxis or walk.

  3. Day 3: Glacier Paradise & Klein Matterhorn

    Explore the highest cable car station in Europe and the glacier palace. Afternoon relaxation in Zermatt.

    • 09:00

      Cable Car to Klein Matterhorn

      Take the Matterhorn Glacier Ride to Klein Matterhorn (3,883m). Visit the Ice Palace.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch at Summit

      Lunch at the restaurant at Klein Matterhorn.

      About 60 min

    • 14:30

      Hike to Riffelalp

      Short hike or train ride down to Riffelalp for iconic Matterhorn views from a lower altitude.

      About 2 hours

    • 17:00

      Spa and Relaxation

      Visit a local spa or wellness center to relax after the mountain activities.

      About 1.5 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Klein Matterhorn; Dinner at Zermatt
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Zermatt.
    Getting around:
    Cable cars and local trains within Zermatt area.

  4. Day 4: Matterhorn Glacier Trail & Saas-Fee

    Hike the famous Matterhorn Glacier Trail (partially) and travel to Saas-Fee, the 'Pearl of the Alps'.

    • 09:00

      Matterhorn Glacier Trail

      Hike from Schwarzsee to Trockener Steg. Stunning views of the Matterhorn and glaciers.

      About 3 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch at Trockener Steg

      Simple lunch at the mountain station.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Train to Saas-Fee

      Train from Zermatt to Saas-Fee via Visp.

      About 60 min

    • 15:30

      Saas-Fee Lake Walk

      Walk around the glacial lake, surrounded by 4,000m peaks.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Trockener Steg; Dinner at Saas-Fee
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Saas-Fee.
    Getting around:
    Train from Zermatt to Saas-Fee.

  5. Day 5: Saas-Fee Excursion & Grimsel Pass

    Explore Saas-Fee's high-altitude trails and begin the journey south towards the Rhône Gorge.

    • 09:00

      Saas-Alp Excursion

      Take the cable car to Saas-Alp for hiking or simply enjoy the panoramic views.

      About 3 hours

    • 12:30

      Lunch in Saas-Fee

      Traditional Valais lunch.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Drive to Grimsel Pass

      Scenic drive south through the Rhône valley towards Grimsel Pass. Stop at Oberaarsee.

      About 3 hours

    • 17:00

      Grimsel Pass Viewpoint

      Stop at the Grimsel Hospice and enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Saas-Fee; Dinner at Grimsel Pass Area
    Where to stay:
    Stay near Grimsel Pass or drive further to Leukerbad.
    Getting around:
    Car rental recommended for this leg to explore the passes.

  6. Day 6: Leukerbad & Rhône Gorge

    Visit the thermal baths of Leukerbad and explore the dramatic Rhône Gorge (Rhone Schlucht).

    • 09:00

      Drive to Leukerbad

      Short drive from Grimsel area to Leukerbad.

      About 2 hours

    • 10:30

      Leukerbad Thermal Baths

      Relax in the open-air thermal pools with mountain views.

      About 3 hours

    • 13:30

      Lunch in Leukerbad

      Light lunch.

      About 60 min

    • 15:00

      Rhône Gorge (Rhone Schlucht)

      Walk through the narrowest part of the gorge. Note: Check opening times as it closes in winter.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Leukerbad; Dinner at Martigny or Sion
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Martigny or return to Sion.
    Getting around:
    Car recommended for flexibility between Leukerbad and Gorge.

  7. Day 7: Martigny & Departure

    Explore the Roman history of Martigny and depart from Geneva or Sion.

    • 09:00

      Travel to Martigny

      Train or drive from Sion/Leukerbad to Martigny.

      About 60 min

    • 10:00

      Museum of Antiquity

      Visit the museum housing the famous Venus of Branson and Roman artifacts.

      About 2 hours

    • 12:00

      Farewell Lunch

      Lunch in Martigny town center.

      About 60 min

    • 13:30

      Old Town Walk

      Short walk through the historic center before heading to the station.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Martigny
    Where to stay:
    Departure day.
    Getting around:
    Train from Martigny to Geneva Airport (approx 1h 15m) or Sion.

Practical information

The Valais region offers distinct experiences depending on the season, making timing crucial for a 7-day itinerary. Summer (June to September) is ideal for hiking, cycling, and enjoying warm temperatures in the lower valleys, while winter (December to March) transforms the area into a premier ski destination, particularly in Zermatt and Crans-Montana. Spring and autumn provide mild weather with fewer crowds, though some high-altitude trails may remain closed or muddy. Travelers should check specific resort conditions, as snowfall can vary significantly between the high Alps and lower vineyard areas. Getting around Valais is most efficiently done via the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The region is well-connected by train, with major hubs in Sion, Visp, and Zermatt. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn provides scenic routes to Zermatt, which is car-free, requiring visitors to park in nearby Visp or Täsch. For greater flexibility, renting a car is advisable for exploring remote villages like Randa or the Rhône Valley’s wine routes, but parking in town centers can be difficult and expensive. Local buses connect smaller villages, but schedules may be less frequent than in major urban centers. Accommodation varies widely, from luxury hotels in Zermatt and Crans-Montana to budget-friendly guesthouses in Sion and Martigny. Staying in Sion offers a central base for exploring both the western and eastern parts of the canton. For a more immersive experience, consider alpine huts or farm stays in the higher valleys, though these require advance booking. In peak seasons, especially during ski winter and summer holidays, accommodations fill quickly, so reservations should be made months in advance. Budgeting for Valais requires careful planning, as Switzerland is generally expensive. Costs typically exclude the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers most trains, buses, and boats but not mountain railways like the Gornergrat Bahn. These mountain excursions often require separate tickets or additional passes. Dining out can be costly, so utilizing supermarket options for breakfast and picnics can significantly reduce expenses. Packing should include sturdy hiking boots for summer trails, warm layers for variable mountain weather, and swimwear for lake activities. Essential items also include a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and abundant, and sunscreen, given the high UV exposure at altitude. Finally, always carry a physical map or offline digital maps, as mobile signal can be unreliable in remote valleys.

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