Italian Dolomites Trek
Venice, Italy
5.0 (3 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Famous Mountains
- Dramatic Cliffs & Valleys
- Unique Wildlife
- Charming Villages
- Wonderful Accommodations
- Exquisite Regional Cuisine
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Description
This amazing trip follows a gorgeous itinerary through unforgettable mountains with stunning views, cozy 3-star accommodations and regional cuisine. We focus exclusively on the Italian Dolomites, one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world! The Dolomites are a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, universally valued for their unique and exceptional natural beauty. Geologically distinct (consisting mostly of high-quality limestone) and with fantastically unusual shapes and features, they have inspired artists, scientists and outdoors enthusiasts for centuries.
Alternating between towering, alpine passes and lush, diverse valleys, we explore a wonderland of scenery and adventure. The magic of these Italian landscapes emerge in detail as our week progresses and we discover alpine plateaus, dramatic massifs, pristine rivers and lakes, fields of wildflowers, fairy-tale villages, awe-inspiring mountain vistas and a lot more.
$485 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The scheduled rate for this trip is based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available on a limited basis for an additional single supplement. If you’d like to upgrade to a single room, please let us know when you register.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip features moderate distant hikes with significant elevation changes (1,000-2,000 feet is typical), but with light day packs only. There are a few areas with moderate heights exposure.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 10 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Potentially hiking across snow
- Hiking with occasional, significant heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Alps hiking tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
BOOKING FLIGHTS
For this trip you will need to arrive in Venice, Italy on the day the trip begins, no later than 2:30 P.M. If you would like to rest more before beginning the trek, we recommend arriving a day early. A Wildland representative will rendezvous with you at the Venice airport on Day 1 at 3 P.M. and provide transportation to our first night’s accommodations. Departure flights can leave Venice anytime after 6 P.M. on day 7 of the itinerary.
Flights to and from Venice are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Venice from many U.S. and European international airports. Some of the primary U.S. departure cities include Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Newark, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston, San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis. The duration of flights is 10-30 hours normally with one or two stops.
Please Note: Transportation outside of planned group shuttles have additional costs and are not included in trip rates.
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If booking within 90 days of the trip date, we require a minimum of 4 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-10 People: Rate x 1.15
- 11-12 People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
Day 1
- Vehicle Transfer: 2.5-3 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Villa Argentina or equivalent
On this Alps hiking tour, we begin with arrival at Venice International Airport. Please arrange your flight to arrive at or before 2:30 P.M. After rendezvousing with your guide and group at the airport arrival terminal at 3 P.M., we will transfer via a private shuttle to our accommodations in the small village of Pocol just outside of Cortina d’Ampezzo. This scenic area will be our home for the next 4 nights and boasts fabulous views of the surrounding mountainous landscape. Once settled into our rooms, your guide will conduct a brief orientation meeting to discuss the specifics of your trip before enjoying our first dinner together. The food in this region is a mixture of Austrian, German and Italian influences; which is common in many areas of the Dolomites.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 6.2 mi (10 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1150 ft (350 m)
- Elevation Loss: 2346 ft (715 m)
- Trekking Duration: 4.5 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Villa Argentina or equivalent
We begin today with buffet breakfast spread at our hotel before taking a short private transfer to the starting trailhead for today’s hike. Our hike takes us towards an amazing mountain pass. After skirting beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Averau, we will stop and have lunch at the Averau Refuge surrounded by stunning views of the Italian Dolomites, before continuing down to another refuge, Scoiattoli. This stretch of our hike is directly across from the stone towers of Tofane and the world famous Cinque Torri. Climbers from around the globe love these towering pillars, and you will see why – they are dramatic, sheer and awe-inspiring. We will visit several fascinating World War II relics including mountain bunkers and defensive outposts, which for many guests is an unexpected highlight. After soaking in the views and learning some of the region’s fascinating history, we’ll descend gradually back towards civilization and catch a short transfer back to our accommodations. Once back at our accommodations we’ll have time to relax before dinner at our hotel, with the Alps as our backdrop.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 6.5 mi (10.5 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1739 ft (530 m)
- Elevation Loss: 2296 ft (700 m)
- Trekking Duration: 5 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Villa Argentina or equivalent
Today starts with a short transfer to our trailhead. Our goal today is to thru-hike back to our hotel along one of the Dolomites’ most stunning and photographed trails. Our route traverses beneath spectacular limestone cliffs and offers jaw-dropping scenery as we hike toward Lake of the Croda. We’ll enjoy lunch overlooking this breathtaking mountain lake. After lunch we’ll start heading back in the direction of our hotel. Once back at our accommodations we’ll have time to relax before dinner and tonight’s meal is planned at a fabulous hand-picked restaurant in the charming mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Day 4
- Hiking Distance: 7.2 mi (11.6 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1330 ft (405 m)
- Elevation Loss: 3050 ft (930 m)
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Villa Argentina or equivalent
Day 4 starts with another short transfer after another European buffet breakfast spread at our hotel. On today’s hike we start from the road at the Giau pass. Along the way we’ll cross over 3 small passes on our way to a high plateau with an alpine pasture and amazing views. Once through this area we’ll continue ad drop down to the picturesque high elevation Fadera lake where we’ll sit down for a delicious trail lunch. After lunch we’ll descend to our awaiting transfer along a beautiful forested path crossing a river along the way. Once back at the hotel we’ll have time to clean-up and relax before another dinner together at the hotel.
Day 5
- Hiking Distance: 9.3 mi (15 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1476 ft (450 m)
- Elevation Loss: 2822 ft (860 m)
- Trekking Duration: 4.5-5 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Lavaredo Misurina or equivalent
This morning we will pack up our bags after breakfast and transfer via a private bus up to the Auronzo Refuge by private shuttle. From here we will start today’s hike, which is a memorable one indeed. We hike over the pass of Forcella de Mezzo to the North face of the famous Tre Cime, a towering, dramatic peak. This is the most famous mountain in all of the Dolomites and our backdrop for the next few days of hiking. We continue on to the pass of Forcellina and its neighboring, stunning alpine lakes. Our hike ends with a descent through the picturesque Rinbon and Rinbianco valleys back to our hotel and awaiting luggage for a much-deserved dinner and relaxing evening.
Day 6
- Hiking Distance: 8.1 mi (13 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1936 ft (590 m)
- Elevation Loss: 1936 ft (590 m)
- Trekking Duration: 4.5 hours
- Accommodations: Hotel Lavaredo Misurina or equivalent
Today begins with another great European breakfast buffet at our hotel, after which we head up to the Auronzo refuge by local public bus to start our second day of hiking around the region’s famous Tre Chime di Lavaredo. Today the views are expansive, and the landscapes are unforgettable. Mountain peaks, passes, valleys, and lakes fill our day with an ever changing back drop of once-in-a-lifetime views. A few of these highlights include Lago di Cengia, the pass of Büllelejoch, and the Lakes dei Piani. We finish up our hike going up and over the Laveredo Pass down to our starting point. A local public bus will transfer us back to our hotel for one last relaxing night and celebratory dinner with Lake Misurina as our backdrop.
Day 7
- Hiking Distance: 5 mi (8 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1312 ft (400 m)
- Elevation Loss: 1312 ft (400 m)
- Trekking Duration: 4 hours
- Vehicle Transfer: 3-4 hours
Our last day of the Italian Dolomites Lodge-based Tour gives us one more impressive hike to yet another remarkable view of the peaks and valleys of this magnificent region. Our half day hike takes us to the Fonda Savio Refuge, 2367m. The view from this refuge allows us one last look at the surrounding beauty of the Dolomites. After returning to our hotel we will take a private vehicle transfer to the Cortina Bus Station or the Venice airport. Flights should be planned for a 6pm departure or later. What a week it’s been!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on the day you depart
- Private transfer to Cortina on day 1
- Private transfer to Venice on day 7
- Lodging for the duration of the tour
- Use of a day pack, trekking poles and other gear
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and emergency communication device
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Transportation to Venice, Italy
- Beverages and personal expenses
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (required in the Alps)
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Gratuity for guide(s) is optional but always appreciated; (The industry average for this trip type is 10-15% of total trip cost. Local currency is preferred or USD is acceptable.)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This Alps hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. Most lunches are prepared on the trail by your guides. Italian meals with Austrian and German influences will be had in our hotels and nearby towns! Bread, grains, pastas, rice, polenta, local cheese, and pork products are all staples in this region.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some destinations may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled the most frequently asked questions that Wildland Trekking guests have about visiting and hiking Italy’s Dolomites. Learn the answers to these commonly asked questions about traveling in the Dolomites by using the link below!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet you at Venice Marco Polo Airport in Venice on Day 1 (your flight needs to arrive before 2:30 PM). Our Alps communication team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Please Note: Transportation outside of planned group shuttles have additional costs and are not included in trip rates.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guides
Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Trip Insurance Requirements
Field evacuation, repatriation, and medical insurance is required on all Alps trips as a condition of partnership terms with our European vendors (field evacuation and repatriation minimum coverage is a combined $200,000 USD).
If you need to purchase field evacuation, repatriation, or medical insurance we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance and policies meet all Alps requirements.
For information on the recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: [email protected]
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have the required insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Weather in the Alps
The location of the Alps and their tremendous elevation variations lead to significant and sometimes unpredictable temperatures and weather patterns, both in different ranges and in a particular range itself. Due to the Alps’ location in central Europe, they are influenced by moist air off the Atlantic, cold polar air from northern Europe, fluctuating air masses; and warm Mediterranean air flows northward.
Due to these extraordinary forces acting on the Alps’ weather, we recommend following our clothing list closely (in your trip packet when you register), as guests are best served by being prepared for a broad range of possible temperatures and weather conditions.
The average temperatures and precipitation in Alps are:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
|
Month
|
Valleys
<4k ft |
Peaks
4-6.5k ft |
||||
|
hi
|
low
|
hi
|
low
|
|||
|
May
|
67°
|
56°
|
60°
|
40°
|
||
|
June
|
75°
|
63°
|
66°
|
45°
|
||
|
July
|
81°
|
68°
|
71°
|
49°
|
||
|
August
|
79°
|
67°
|
70°
|
48°
|
||
|
September
|
74°
|
63°
|
63°
|
43°
|
||
Accommodations
HOTEL VILLA ARGENTINA
4 NIGHTS
Since 1910 Hotel Villa has been hosting adventurous visitors to the Italian Dolomites. Built from locally-sourced materials provided by the mountains (limestone and wood primarily), this 3-star lodge blends into the mountains while offering a cozy, comfortable experience.
LAVAREDO HOTEL
2 NIGHTS
This charming lakeside 3-star lodge is operated by the hospitable Da Rin family. Beautiful villages and mountains surround this pristine area where we spend two nights. With cozy rooms and a truly spectacular setting, this is a special place to spend a few nights in the Italian Alps!
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Tesa D.
Such a stunningly beautiful area
Loved this trip! I realize the degree of difficulty is a factor of personal experience, and we didn’t find the trip at all difficult. That said, there are some steep uphills, but they don’t go on forever. We were divided in to two groups for two days, and it would have been a better experience for some of us if we didn't need to take such long stops. Pierre and Thomas were great guides, very personable and ever aware of each hiker.
Janis P
Trip of a lifetime!
The Dolomites was a trip of a lifetime! Although the trails were extremely challenging at times, our guides Pierre and Thomas were very helpful and patient with the slower hikers. We started together as one group and ended w two groups because of different levels of abilities. I would rank this trip above the intermediate level.
Melinda B
Challenging and Beautiful
We’ve experienced two hiking tours with Wildland and loved them both! Our guides were top notch and the overall planning (communications, logistics) outstanding.
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