Classic Dolomites - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up everyday to sunshine and knowing that each hike was going be special. Here it was the second week of October and hiking in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. Six weeks earlier I had done the Tour Du Mont Blanc in rain and snow. How exhilarating to actually see mountains at their finest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 24 hikers and 2 guides--that was a first for me on an Exodus trip. It turned out to be a great idea. Our leaders--Jeff Oonk and Jenny Smith--on a daily basis put together 2 separate hikes that offered us an option of scenery and challenge. We would meet up somewhere on the trail and finish out the day together. They put a lot of thought and effort into planning our hikes and it was great to have a choice depending on your hiking mood for the day. They were some of the best leaders I have ever walked with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I totally agree with my fellow walker, Mala, and her comments. It is a 3+ hike and more so if the trail became wet or muddy. The trails we were on had a lot of up and down portions plus loose scree and slabs of rocks. Poles were a must and if need be could be borrowed from the hotel. Having the right boot and sock combination is always a must. Your feet have to be toughened up for these kind of trips--more blisters than I have ever witnessed.

Suggestions

This was my first Premium Adventure Trip with Exodus. The Hotel Alder was one of the best hotels I have stayed in, period. I opted for a room upgrade and I was blown away by the features and the view. The hotel staff were outstanding and they really looked out for you. We were the last guests of the season and the hotel was going to close down for a period before reopening for the winter but the service never let down.

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't think I can find 1 moment ! I was really happy to be there all the time and to be able to complete the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 - Jeff and Jenny. Both amazing. Jeff is very inspirational and his knowledge of nature and his willingness to impart this to us is special. Both guides were very caring and motivational...they helped the group members a lot in various ways eg best techniques with poles, after falls (yes we had some) and how to overcome fear or just complete the walk at your own pace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- it's a 3 walk but more like 3+ really so be prepared for some fairly steep ascents in sections; (and descents with loose scree). -having all the gear helps especially poles and sun hat/cap and also a bladder plus a bottle as many of the walks don't have the facility to refill. -definitely visit the museums in Brunech on day off. So worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the early morning sunrise walk to the Tres Cimes de Lavaredo - walking in the moonlight was magical. We had the place to ourselves and could watch as the sunlight transformed the landscape - thank you Jeff for suggesting and organising this! It also meant that as most people were making their way up, we were on our way down! We also really enjoyed the climb up Mount Piana and wondering around the remains of the WW1 trenches - spectacular!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeff was a wonderful leader. Helpful, enthusiastic, kind, organised and willing to share his knowledge. He was always willing to go that extra mile!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have a reasonable level of fitness - go on this tour! Take some walking poles - I found them a great help. Take lots of layers as the weather is always changing!

Most Inspirational Moment

The dawn walk to Tre Cime - simply stunning!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jef is outstanding. He shares his knowledge of the area and environment and his enthusiasm is infectious. He is extremely well organised and provides excellent support and guidance to the group as a whole and very sensitively to individuals which was greatly appreciated. He is very approachable and sociable and certainly helped our group to simply focus on enjoying our holiday in good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy walking in spectacular mountains then just book, you won't be disappointed. Remember the weather in the mountains can be very varied. We travelled in August and the weather ranged from warm and sunny in the valley to very cold up the mountains. Take full waterproofs, plenty of layers and hat and gloves - you may need them all! Take swimwear for the excellent pool, sauna, steam rooms etc in the hotel. If your guide offers you the opportunity to go on a dawn walk to Tre Cime, do it! One of the most spectacular and memorable walks I have ever been on. Certainly worth the early start.

Suggestions

Plenty of excellent cycling available on the day off. Excellent cycle paths avoiding main roads and e-bikes available. Would recommend the cycle to Cortina on an old rail track - about 42 miles return but very manageable on good e-bikes.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sunrise walk to the Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen) - one of the best hikes I’ve ever done. It was well worth getting up very early to start walking at 4.45am. We had the benefit of the full moon and didn’t need to use torches as we began walking under the Tre Cime. We reached the saddle and the Tre Cime hut before sunrise and then settled down and watched as the day’s first rays of sunlight hit the top of the peaks. An absolutely magical moment. One of the other benefits was that we were at this iconic area before the crowds arrived. As we descended, the rest of the hiking world were climbing up. Thank you Jeff for proposing this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeff was an excellent leader. His briefings were clear and he commanded respect from the group. I felt safe hiking with him and felt he would be able to deal with any eventuality. He bonded well with the group and had a good sense of humour. He was passionate and very knowledgable about the natural world. He imparted his knowledge in an interesting and enthusiastic way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your swimming stuff so you can use the spa. Even if you don’t feel like swimming you can relax in the sauna or steam room at the end of the day. Consider hiring bikes on the free day. It was our first experience of e-bikes. They were great on the 20 mile, traffic free cycle route to Cortina. If you want to get some exercise use ‘eco’ up the hills, if you want a more relaxing experience put it into ‘turbo’. Take plenty of layers and hats and gloves. It can get cold when you stop at the top of the mountains even in summer. If you get offered the sunrise walk - go for it!

Suggestions

Another great trip. I’m looking forward to some more adventures with Exodus!

Most Inspirational Moment

Nothing specific, just a thoroughly enjoyable experience

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get on and book that adventure, you wont be disappointed.

Suggestions

Thank you

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking early on a day to see the sunrise over the Three Chimneys

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeff was an excellent leader. He was able to answer all our questions, either about the area or ecology or historical references and nothing was too much bother.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take waterproofs as the weather can change quickly. It's worth hiring bikes on a day off and use the excellent cycle paths to visit nearby towns.

Suggestions

An excellent trip all round.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from! The beautiful Lago di Braies on the first day with it's incredible blue and crystal clear water Ten minutes watching a family of stoats playing in a woodpile above the village The incredible variety of wildflowers and butterflies, our guide pointed out a lovely Ladies Slipper Orchid hidden under a log which I had never seen before The Spectacular views of the mountains for our picnic lunches and breaks The wonderful town of Bruneck on our free day, easy to get to by train and full of gems such as the castle, cable car, and fabulous museums of Lumen and Messner with incredible views and a great restaurant with incredible views over the valley A wonderful family run hotel with good food and wine and a lovely pool for a swim after a long days walk

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, Jeffry was a great leader. A good communicator, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He worked hard to make sure everyone was safe and making the most of their trip. He was super fit, and competent in mountain situations. I had total faith in him and his advice. Also had a wealth of knowledge of flora and fauna. Would have no hesitation travelling with him again, one of the best I have encountered!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a walk in the park, but perfectly doable if yo are a reasonably fit and active walker. There are a few exposed and tricky bits to negotiate, and if you are very afraid of heights then it's probably not for you, but I am not particularly comfortable with heights and nothing worried me unduly. The guide was very mindful of helping and advising on the more tricky bits. If you have likes and dislikes with food as well as intolerances, then make sure the hotel know in advance as most of the menus are pretty set. If you don't like fish, then say so as one night was 4 courses of fish. Personally I thought the food was of good quality and plenty of it with lunches also included, I felt that it was good value

Suggestions

I thoroughly recommend this trip, it surpassed my expectations and felt that it earned it's premium billing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Just ok. This was the 6 th exodus trip for me. I would rank my leaders in the bottom of the list.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not sure if the meals are worth the premium price.

Most Inspirational Moment

Viewing the 3 peaks from a fairly close distance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Friendly and responsive to the needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In May there was still snow at the top across land which had some old WW1 trenches. Need to proceed very carefully.

Suggestions

Great hotel with spa facilities, great food, excellent guide, huge variety in the walks. We were also blessed with a great group of people who bonded well.