9 days (begins and ends in Venice)

7 days moderate to strenuous hiking (max. elev. 2,300 meters’; optional hikes 3,000 meters)

6 nights hotels; 2 night mountain inn

2010 Trip Prices
$2,900 (2-8 members)

$600 single supplement

The Dolomites, Italy's dramatic limestone rooftop, serve thrilling and reliably sunny alpine thrills. Its bold, snow-dusted mountains and green meadows offer great hikes. Located within the Italian Alps the Dolomites are a protected national park system. The region is rich in ancient culture and tradition and hosts a wide network of trails. Discover the unusual geological beauty of Dolomites on this week long adventure.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hike amid a glorious landscape of pillars, pinnacles, and colossal rock walls, including the stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo
  • Veneto Region and the Trentino Region. Our itinerary includes both the Western and Eastern Dolomites and their mix of cultures.
  • Optional via Ferreta and Peak Out days.
  • Cortina, pearl of the Dolomites
  • Bolzano
  • Mountain rifugios with the civilized comforts of a warm bed, hearty cuisine, and fine wines

Day 1 - Arrive in Venice , Italy, Marco Polo Airport and receive shuttle to nearby hotel. There is an afternoon walk around Venice for all arriving early morning Saturday. Evening is a welcome and introduction, gear check, and dinner.

Day 2 - We transfer to the Lake Misurani area, were our hike of the day is to circumnavigate the stunning pillars of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Monte Paterno, one of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. .

Day 3 - Hike across the Cristallo group making our way toward the town of Cortina. This day takes us along the old Austria Hungarian - Republic of Italy, border and many of the battle lines of WW1. We have lunch in a Rifugio, then continue along a trail through grassy basins dotted with bushes and dwarf mountain pine, home to marmots and chamois.

Day 4 - Today's hike is over the Tefane Group and making our way to Passo Campolungo. There are several optional routes to explore along the way.

Day 5 - Today we "walk on the moon", the barren and unique landscape of the Sella group. We pass the famed mountain hut of Piz Boe and then on to Passo Sella,

Day 6 - Enjoy the panorama of the hike through the Sassolungo group and for those feeling adventurous we have a via ferrate to climb that will take us to the top of one of the many towers for a view of all the western Dolomites.

Day 7 - Today hike under the bread loft mountain known as Catanaccia to the valley within the Latemirie range. We spend the evening sleeping under the Viojolet and Winkler towers.

Day 8- En route to Bolzano were we enjoy an afternoon visit of the city and a say hello to Otizi "the prehistoric Iceman".

Day 9 - Return to shuttles to Venice for airport departures (or extend your stay in this remarkable city).