Our Dream Destination Switzerland

Mrinmoy Ghosh & Risha Ghosh

Boarded a double decker train from Basel and we were really confused where to occupy the best seat so could capture the best scenery in our memory. Yes, we were about to reach in 3 hrs the most picturesque Switzerland village Lauterbrunnen - the valley of 72 waterfalls that’s where we were going to stay for 3 nights 4 days. There is a lot of hype about beauty of Interlaken so people usually flock to Interlaken for staying and experiencing the good connectivity of trains from Interlaken to any corner of Switzerland. We preferred to stay in Lauterbrunnen as we found a very budget friendly accommodation and that also in one of the most beautiful location in Switzerland. As the train started from Interlaken , we got ready with my camera to take some best shots. Train was moving along narrow winding river through lush green meadow surrounded by high mountains on both side. We were there in Lauterbrunnen about 20 mins. The first view of Staubbach Waterfall from Lauterbrunnen station blew away  our mind……we headed towards our accommodation & in between shopped some grocery from local convenience store. We never ever thought that in our life cooking would be such an enjoyable as we could see from the window of our accommodation kitchen that train moving to and from Jungfrau mountain in the valley. We enjoyed Bengali style ডিম কষা (egg curry) , ভাজা মুগের ডাল (fried moong daal tadka) with গরম ভাত (steamed rice) just at the outside lobby of the hotel which was just at the foothill of Staubbach waterfall. Staubbach Waterfall stands nearly 300 m (984 ft) tall, the second-highest waterfall in the Switzerland; it is known for the spray of water in every direction due to the winds in the area. After an early dinner we took a short twilight walk to Staubbach water fall.

Day 2

Next day we had a very tight schedule , we had to cover all the itineraries which we had in our plan. We started very early in the morning took the first train from Lauterbrunnen to reach Jungfraujoch. Since 1912, the Jungfraujoch has been accessible to tourists by the Jungfrau line, a railway from Interlaken and Kleine Scheidegg, running partly underground through a tunnel through the Eiger and Monch. The Jungfraujoch railway station, at an elevation of 3,454 metres (11,332 ft) is the highest in Europe. The most scenic and magical train journey can surely give you a lot of goosebumps which sometimes becomes unbearable to hold on your excitement. Slowly train started moving up in the mountain through tiny narrow track passing the alpine trail and beautiful Swiss chalet decorated with flowers. Our first stop was at Wengen, many people boarded train from Wengen , it’s a small mountain village from here we could see the Lauterbrunnen valley at the down it’s the highest V shaped valley in the world. Wengen is a wonderful car-free village in the famous Jungfrau region. While train was moving up and up , we got enchanted with the view as the valley was in full bloom with the rolling meadows narrow winding road in between the Swiss chalet. The cool breeze on our face made feel that we were at heaven. Stopped clicking camera for a while just to feel the moment and be in the moment which happens once in a lifetime. One and half hour gone with and blink of an eye , train reached Kleine Scheidegg. We got off from the train for few minutes to enjoy the beautiful view of snow-capped mountain all around. Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch majority of the train journey is in a tunnel, its a 7.3 km long journey. Although the train journey was inside the tunnel still it was impressive if you just think about it , the tunnel at the height of 3000 metres across the rocks of mount Eiger. We strongly recommend grabbing a seat against the opposite direction the train moving because as the train climbs up through the steep rail track it can make you slide down your seat.

Finally we reached Jungfraujoch – the top of Europe. As we got down in the platform we felt the sudden chill because temperature was in between minus to 3 degree centigrade. The melted icy water from the glacier above dropped on the neck and head it was literally shivering cold. We quickly wrapped ourselves in jackets and moved to the top of the building with an elevator to the summit of Sphinx. At the Sphinx are enclosed and open viewing platform with views over a letch glacier and surrounding peak. The Sphinx Observatory is an astronomical observatory located above the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. It is named after the Sphinx, a rocky summit on which it is located. At 3,571 m (11,716 ft) above mean sea level, it is one of the highest observatories in the world. Accessible to the public, it is also the second highest observation deck in Switzerland. It was sunny morning sunshine on the white peaks looked so glowing turned it into golden colour. It was a life time experience standing in between and above the glacier all around. It's hard to finish our entire 4 days Swiss trip writing on a single travelogue so we will share the experience of the third and fourth day of our Switzerland trip in January 2021’s edition.

Train moving towards Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken

View from our accommodation kitchen window

Lauterbrunnen Swiss village – View from our accommodation window

Train moving up & down to & from Jungfrau through the Lauterbrunnen valley

A memorable walk in Lauterbrunnen – rightward it was Staubbach falls and leftward it was the white gushing mountain river flowing through the valley and at the front it was snowy Jungfrau.

Pleasure walk to Stechelberg valley from Lauterbrunnen

Twilight walk to the most spectacular waterfall in Lauterbrunnen

A beautiful cemetery right at the bottom of the Staubbach Falls

The most spectacular waterfall in Lauterbrunnen – Staubbach Falls

Illuminated Staubbach Falls in the evening

Most Beautiful Train Ride in the World | Lauterbrunnen to Jungfrau

Last view of snow capped mountain before entering the tunnel from Kleine Scheidegg

Kleine Scheidegg railway station

Train slowly moving up on the very steep hill

View of the tunnel from Kleine Scheidegg railway station

Jungfraujoch station at 3,454 meters above sea level – this is the highest railway station in Europe

High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch

Way to the elevator

View of the glacier

The picture says it all

Jungfraujoch viewing platform

Tourists were playing in the snow

90’s famous Bollywood songs from the movies like Chandani , DARR & DDLJ was shot here

View of the widespread glacier from Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe