Ultimate Dolomites
Spectacular Peaks and an Italian and Southern Tyrolean Heritage
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $5695 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 12 days |
| Arrive: | Venice, Italy |
| Depart: | Venice, Italy |
| Lodging: | 9 nights 4- and 5-star mountain hotels, 2 nights comfortable alpine lodges with semi-private rooms, shared baths, and hot showers describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 1 dinner |
| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
10 hiking days, choice of moderate to steep trails, 3-7 hours a day, altitudes between 5,000-9,100 feet, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders
|
Highlights
- Discover an enchanting blend of Italian and Tyrolean mountain cultures and cuisines
- Enjoy a choice of great hiking options most days
- Bolzano, with Otzi, the Iceman, or the incredible Messner Mountain Museum
This was my 9th WT trip and it was excellent.S. Edwards—Henderson, NV
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
Our friend Reinhold Messner, one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, calls the Dolomites “the 8th wonder of the world,” and we couldn’t agree more! We’ve created the ultimate experience of this epic realm, following a crescent route that traces an arc from its southern reaches to the famed Cortina Dolomites in the north, where the striking pillars of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo soar toward the sky. With two (and often three) Trip Leaders and a choice of daily hikes, we explore the pinnacles of the Pale di San Martino, hike amid the rose-tinted spires of the Rosengarten Massif, and discover the fantastic walls of the enormous Sella Massif. Two special overnights are in hike-in lodges high among the peaks. Mountain hiking doesn’t get more spectacular than this!
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-3
Venice / Pale di San Martino
From Venice, we travel to San Martino di Castrozza, set below the Pale di San Martino, a 12-mile-long rocky plateau of soaring towers referred to as a “bevy of formidable giants” by mountaineer/explorer Douglas Freshfield. Our hikes here bring us along a dramatic ridge across three mountain summits and include a marvelous high-level circuit of the altipiano, with its crown of awe-inspiring peaks and beautiful surrounding valleys brightened by a vivid alpine flora.
Days 4-5
Rosengarten / Latemar Massif
From our wonderful 4-star mountain hotel, we hike among the towering rock faces and eerie pinnacles of the Rosengarten Dolomites, a spectacular collection of peaks named for their luminous rose-red hues at dusk and dawn. One of our hikes brings us through the Latemar Labyrinth, an enchanting maze of needles and massive blocks of rock. Another option is a traverse of Latemar’s crescent-shaped crest, the rim of an ancient volcano. In Bolzano, we view Otzi, the Iceman, a Copper Age mummy discovered encased in ice in 1991, or visit Reinhold Messner’s Mountain Museum, housed in a medieval castle.
Days 6-8
Alpe di Siusi / Corvara / Sella Massif
A hike from the pastoral Rosengarten Valley brings us to the Alpe di Siusi, a stunning alpine plateau with views of all the spires and high peaks. From Corvara, a South Tyrolean gem, we venture into the stronghold of the Sella Massif for hikes along its exhilarating high trails and among fragrant meadows dotted with wildflowers.
Days 9-12
Rifugio Lagazuoi / Cortina d’Ampezzo
Crossing idyllic alpine pastures and passing fortifications remaining from World War I, we reach the Rifugio Lagazuoi, located along the Alta Via 1, a famous long-distance path featuring some of the finest scenery of the Dolomites. Hiking right from the lodge, we descend below the peaks of the renowned Tofane massif into stylish Cortina d’Ampezzo. From here we have options for wonderful hikes of all levels, including a circuit of the enormous limestone peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Depart from Venice on Day 12.
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 4 or 5, depending on the hiking options you choose. During our ten days of hiking, we have two hiking options to choose from on most days. Most hiking is between 5,000 and 9,000 feet, with the routes featuring a good bit of up-and-down (although some level walks are available). The hikes show you some of the finest mountains and the most stunning scenery in the Dolomites. While the Dolomites are not exceptionally high, they are steep and rugged, and this trip, while not difficult, is aimed for those who have at least some experience of mountain hiking. All participants must be in good physical condition. No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary. Of course, you are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle. Each evening we sample the gastronomic delights that the Dolomites offer. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. Sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots are essential.
Departures & Leaders
Jul 8-19, 2013
Aug 19-30, 2013 Stefano Baldi
Sep 1-12, 2013
Jul 7-18, 2014
Jul 28-Aug 8, 2014
Aug 18-29, 2014
Aug 31-Sep 11, 2014
Trip Cost
Prices are for 2013
$5695 (11-15 members)
$6195 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $275
Forced single supplement: $137
more on pricing
Trip Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of at least two Wilderness Travel Trip Leaders (and sometimes three, depending on group size)
- Accommodations as noted
- All meals included except 1 dinner
- Land transportation
- Airport transfers as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- Cable cars and other transportation for our scheduled hikes
Trip Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional cultural events, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).Romantik Hotel Regina
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), San Martino di Castrozza, Italy
Managed by one of the oldest hotelier families in the Trentino region, the hotel is situated in San Martino di Castrozza, at the foot of the Pale di ...
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Sporthotel Alpenrose
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Carezza, Italy
With a stunning setting right at the base of the Rosengarten and Latemar massifs, the Alpenrose is a fine hotel with all the modern comforts, and ...
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Rifugio Alpe di Tires
Day 5 (1 night), Alpe di Siusi, Italy
The Rifugio Alpe di Tires enjoys a remarkable setting overlooking the rolling green pastures of the Alpe di Siusi with the magnificent Sassolunga ...
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Hotel Garni Snaltnerhof
Day 6 (1 night), St. Ulrich, Italy
Perfectly located on the main plaza in the heart of St. Ulrich, this family-run inn has a wonderful wood-paneled breakfast room and lobby that dates ...
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Posta Zirm Hotel
Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), Corvara in Badia, Italy
The Kostner family has run this hotel for generations and it has top-notch facilities including spacious rooms with balconies overlooking the ...
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Rifugio Lagazuoi
Day 9 (1 night), Dolomites, Italy
360-degree panoramas of the spires of the Dolomites, including glorious Tofano, Cristallo, and Marmolada, are at our fingertips at Rifugio Lagazuoi, ...
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Hotel de la Poste
Days 10 to 11 (2 nights), Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
With a perfect location in the heart of the pedestrian zone, this chalet-style hotel is a Cortina landmark, originally built in 1835 as a stop for ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Stefano Baldi, of Tuscany, has led hiking trips in Europe for us for nearly 15 years. He has spent most of his life living in the beautiful rural countryside of Tuscany, except for a few years in Florence as a student. His love for nature led him to found an agricultural co-op with friends in the ...
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Giuseppe Di Giorgio, born in Sicily, grew up walking through Mediterranean woodlands with his father and cultivating organic vegetables with his grandfather. After earning his degree in agriculture at Palermo University, he completed his PhD in agricultural studies in Western Australia. Nowadays, ...
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JoAnn Lantz was born in New York City, raised in Long Island, and graduated from New York University. She taught at the School for the Deaf in Manhattan before moving to Italy in 1988, after many years of traveling to Italy on vacation. She lives with her daughter in the countryside outside of ...
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Sebastiano Leone is a native of the charming town of Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, and a graduate of the University of Catania, with a degree in geology and a specialty in environmental restoration. He has done volunteer work on environmental projects in Italy’s national parks and is also an ...
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Tania Masi is a journalist and travel writer who has published various hiking, city, and regional guidebooks in Europe. Born in Florence, Italy, of an American mother and proud Florentine father, she was raised with an appreciation for both American and European cultures and has lived in New York ...
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Client Comments
This was my 9th WT trip and it was excellent.S. Edwards, Henderson, NV
This was one of the best vacations my husband and I have ever taken and my first trip with WT. Outstanding itinerary, great leaders. We enjoyed it so much that we booked another trip with WT a week after we returned home!Marilyn H., Barnstable, MA
This was the ultimate trip for scenic hiking and the food was the icing on the cake!Don T., Windsor, Ontario, Canada
This trip was fabulous! A great itinerary, and walking across the Alpe di Suissi is one of the best things I’ve done on nine trips to the Alps!Kristi H., Orinda, CA
Best trip ever! You should really promote this trip because there’s nothing else like it!Craig K., Sewickley, PA
A very well designed trip in a memorable mountain area.Kitty L., Chicago, IL
Superb trip! Everything about it was outstanding and every day was terrific.John L., Highland Park, IL
Fabulous trip! High mountain adventure with all the comforts one could want.Patricia F., Sandy Hook, CT
A truly phenomenal trip. Gorgeous hiking, amazing food, and fabulous guides.Megan C., San Carlos, CA
We had a great trip and I can't wait until the next time we travel with Wilderness Travel! Thanks for a great experience.Sue M., San Carlos, CA
A wonderful experience with expert guides who were lovely and personable.Liz M., Long Beach, NY
The trip was spectacular in every way. The hiking was as good as we expected; the food and the lodging were better!Samuel H., San Francisco, CA
This trip was extremely well designed and run. It topped my expectations.Darrell K., Danville, CA
This trip was a 10! Great places to see, wonderful hikes, fantastically collegial group, guides who know the area intimately. I couldn't be more pleased.Fae E., Salt Lake City, UT
The food was outstanding and the hiking fantastic.Jeanna F., Paradise Valley, AZ





