Classic Dolomites - Premium Adventure

Trek through the Italian Dolomites

The traditional village of Villabassa in South Tyrol lies close to the Austrian border, surrounded by the unmistakably jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Here, spectacular scenery meets the fiercely proud Tyrolean heritage. Our home for the week, the Hotel Adler, epitomises this, housing a wonderful spa and renowned restaurant within 400-year-old walls.

The walking is diverse and memorable as we venture into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for great views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the open-air museums that dot the landscape reflect the area’s history as the frontline between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the first world war.

Fascinating, imposing, unforgettable, the Dolomites are waiting.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. Accommodation for the week is Hotel Adler, a locally run hotel in Villabassa.
• Clients are encouraged to stop at mountain huts or refuges, some of which are really off the beaten track and dependent on the more curious adventurer to remain in business. These locally run huts are a good place to stop and engage with the people who live and work in the area.
• Read more about our other initiatives

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. During the week, we venture into the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for great views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Here our entrance fees contribute towards the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds.
• We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• The whole region has a renewable energy policy, and this is reflected by the Hotel Adler’s commitment to using 100% clean energy. Hot water is provided with central heating supplemented by solar energy, whilst electricity is hydro-powered.
• Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
• Some departures of this trip provide the opportunity for you to collect water samples for the International eBioAtlas initiative which collects vital DNA information to assist in essential conservation initiatives.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us and the eBioAtlas.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Vaccination

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners, one of which will be an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner.

Please note an evening meal is not included on the first night, as flight schedules can mean a later arrival in Villabassa. Sandwiches or snacks are available at the airport.

For breakfast, the hotel offers a large selection of cereals, fruit, cheese and cold meats, (along with tea and coffee).
Five packed lunches are provided by the hotel. Each morning there is a small buffet with items to make your own lunch (eg bread rolls, ham, salad…). In an effort to minimise the use of plastic and single-use items, the hotel provides plastic containers and reusable cutlery.

Head chef Hélène Markart is a devotee of old traditional recipes but is not afraid to give them a modern twist. At the heart of her philosophy is a reliance on local produce, from the local farmer to vegetables from the hotel garden. It’s no surprise to learn her prowess has been favourably reported in reputable guides such as Michelin.

There is a set menu for standard evening meals (usually three or four courses), which may include some local specialties such as Speckknodel (a dumpling dish).

Our gourmet dinner will undoubtedly be the culinary highlight, though as keeping things fresh and seasonal is part of the charm, there’s no way to know quite yet what delights may be served.

Weather

In the Dolomites (as always in the mountains) the weather is very changeable. In summer, expect rain on one day in two, which is likely to come in short but heavy, thundery bursts. In the valleys, daytime temperatures range from 12C to 22C (54F to 72F), although 25C (77F) is not unusual. In the mountains, it will be slightly colder. There are always patches of snow remaining on the higher peaks in late May and early November, and sometimes due to unpredictable winter weather, this can remain for a little longer. There is always the possibility of snowfall at any time of the season, therefore you need to be ready for anything, so pack shorts as well as warmer clothes; full waterproofs and sunscreen.

Is this trip for you?

Due to the nature of the terrain on this trip, neither walking levels are recommended for vertigo sufferers.

Level 3 (Moderate) or Level 5 (Challenging), date dependent.

We enjoy walks in the same areas on each trip, but the length and difficulty vary according to the walking level. Please make sure you choose the week that best suits your ability.

Most weeks offer Activity Level 3 (Moderate) walking, where we usually walk between five and seven hours per day. The area we are visiting is criss-crossed by a network of long-established trails and walking paths, most well-maintained and waymarked. Even so, paths are rocky and on occasion exposed. A reasonable level of fitness is required for these weeks.

On some weeks, we offer Level 5 (Challenging) walking. On these departures, we usually walk between six and eight hours per day at a steady pace. We use established trails and mountain paths, which are often steep, rocky and more exposed than the Level 3 walks. For these departures, you will need to be surefooted and have a good level of fitness. Some fixed equipment (such as holding onto a steel wire or handrail for security) may be encountered.

The exact itinerary (and therefore the length of each walk) may vary depending on weather conditions or other factors beyond our control. While aiming to always follow the routes described in these trip notes, it will be the leader’s decision to amend the itinerary if and when necessary.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.