With all the spiritual energy at our command, our group of 32 international journalists in Zermatt in Switzerland, who opted to go for the Matterhorn Glacial Paradise tour to the spectacular viewing platform of the majestic Matterhorn peak, prayed hard for a clear sunny day. This Canton of Valais boasts of 45 of the 48 Alpine peaks over 4,000 metres in height that Switzerland has.

Leading the way The king of this pack is clearly the Matterhorn (4,478 m above sea level) and we are scheduled to take a cable car ride up to the viewing platform located at 3,883 metres. Adjoining this platform is the spectacular Glacier Palace with shimmering ice sculptures. The schedule after that is a two-hour hike on the rocky terrain at a lower level to the unique farm of Paul Julen, the proud and passionate owner of 300 black nosed sheep.

We need the clouds to lift. But the weather gods have a mind of their own; in the entire week, this is the only day rainy day forecast. Here too the Swiss live up to their hallmark of precision and the morning begins with a drizzle and overcast skies. While some early morning tours of mountain biking and more ambitious hiking in the Alps are cancelled or modified, we set off bravely on time and take the cable car ride up for the viewing platform. As luck has it, we end up in the gondola with two Polish and a Hungarian journalist and as they converse in animated Polish, barely a few words are spoken in English during the for a 40 minute ride.

Change of plans Suddenly at one of the halts, we see the group in the gondola before us jump out, follow suit, and without as much as a look behind us, march determinedly ahead, ducking snowflakes and pulling out coats closer to counter the chilly wind whizzing past our ears.

Within five minutes we realise that we’ve blindly followed a group of Japanese tourists and are lost, in the Italian part of the Alps, this ride is through a bit of Italy. By now the three women, discouraged by the snow and strong winds, are ready to return to the hotel. I calm them down, saying another cable car ride will take us to the final destination. The Italian operating a huge cable car this time assures us we are in the right place, but after alighting and not finding the group, the three ladies’ panic attack returns.

Alas, their thrill at being at a height of 3,883 metres is short lived; I plead at least let me make a call… I’d rather be lost with three other women than alone! The call is made, and luckily the guide asks us to stay put saying they are coming there within 20 minutes.

Meanwhile we take the elevator down to the Glacial Palace, carved inside a glacier, 15 metres below the surface. One has to walk through a freezing tunnel to see the spectacular sculpture there.. all made of ice. Homes, horse carriages, a Matterhorn replica in glittering ice and even an ice Audi!

But to maintain this fairytale palace is not an easy job; while visitors click away pictures in fascination, expert workers have to regularly and meticulously chip away the extra ice formation that takes place from the dripping ice roofing. Our hike to the farm which has to be cancelled as the terrain is slippery and rocky. But our guides have requested Julen to drive us to his farm. A cable car ride to a lower level and we find Julen waiting for us with three ricketiest of rickety vehicles. And another adventure begins.

The writer was in Zermatt on Switzerland Tourism's invitation.

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