Discover the enchanting surroundings of the western alpine region of Italy and hike the Dolomites mountain range on this 10-day guided tour. Take an easy hike to the Tre Cime and visit the Lagazuoi terrace to take incredible photos of the Dolomites. Visit Pesariis, known as the town of the clocks, nestled in the valley of time, so called because of the century-old art of clock making. Hike to the top of Mount Coglians, the highest peak in the region, and of the Carnic Alps to see the dramatic view that spans from Austria to the Adriatic Sea as well as to all of the Dolomites. Explore Cortina d’Ampezzo and experience true masterpieces of nature in the alpine region, award-winning views, serene lakes, and an enchanting mountain village. Visit the charming town of Bolzano before going back to Venice.
Highlights
Visit Pesariis, known as the town of the clocks
Hike the Mount Coglians, the highest peak in the region
Learn the traditional crafting harpsichords in Pesariis
Discover the enchanting mountain scenery of Cortina
Take an easy hike to the Tre Cime, a landmark of the Dolomites
Stop at a local dairy and watch a traditional cheesemaker in action
Explore the charming city of Bolzano, its monuments, cathedrals, and museum
Cruise along the Grand Canal of Venice in a motorboat
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Upon arrival at Venice Airport (VCE), take a private transfer and travel north to the heart of the Dolomites Region, to the charming farmhouse in Pesariis historic center. After check-in, meet your local guide and take a walking orientation of the village, known as the town of the clocks, nestled in the valley of time because of the century-old art of clock making. Discover the Museum of the clocks before meeting Eliana and her family and explore the property’s organic orchard. Pick up vegetables for lunch tomorrow, and then enjoy a welcome dinner at your organic farmhouse prepared by Eliana and her daughters.
Distance: 100 miles / 2.5 hours Walking Tour: 1 hou
After breakfast, meet with Eliana and her daughters. Continue to the kitchen and learn to make regional specialties, then take an easy hike to the nearby charming hamlet of the stavoli di Orias, a masterpiece of ancient agriculture architecture, and return to the property to feast on your creations for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure.
Distance: 5 miles / 10 Minutes Hiking Tour: 2 hours
After breakfast, meet a mountaineering guide and head to Forni Avoltri. Divided into two groups, start the hike up to reach the top of Mount Coglians, the highest peak in the Region and of the Carnic Alps. Once you have reached the gorgeous peak, enjoy the breathtaking views that span from Austria to the Adriatic Sea as well as to all of the Dolomites. Reach the nearby Marinelli hut, one of the most fascinating of the Western Alps, where Caterina, the hut manager for more than 20 years, has prepared one of her famous and rewarding lunches. In the afternoon, return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Distance: 40 miles / 2 hours Hiking Tour: 7-8 hours
This morning check out and drive a short way to meet Alessandro and Michele at their artisanal workshop. Here, they carry out the traditional local art of crafting harpsichords from the best-selected woods of the area. Continue to Rigolato, and meet a pottery artisan that creates amazing objects. Then, reach the tiny village of Vuezzis and take in the pleasure of meeting the locals at a home-hosted lunch. Finally, drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the site of the 1956 and 2026 winter Olympics and our home for the next three nights. Take a walking orientation of the charming town center before dinner on your own.
After breakfast, reach the Tre Cime – “Three Peaks” – the landmark of the Dolomites. The white dolomite and the green meadows and forests shape the landscape here. Until 1919, the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria, and now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno. However, they are still part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. Enjoy the opportunity of hiking the most iconic and majestic peaks of the Region and of sharing a picnic lunch at one of the most panoramic spots in the area. Complete the ring and return to your accommodation for some time to stroll the town at your own pace. After dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an optional (included) night experience by driving to Col Druscié (20 minutes) to the Helmut Ullrich Astronomical Observatory, which offers an unforgettable stars and planets observation experience under a “natural cupola” at a height of almost 6,000 feet at the foot of the Tofane mountains.
Distance: 30 miles / 1.5 hours Hiking Tour: 4-5 hours
Take just a few things today – the necessary for an adventurous overnight at a mountain hut, and explore Col Rodella in the Val di Fassa. Start at Pian de Frataces and take the cable car to an amazing natural terrace through a fir and larch forest and typical wooden huts and barns. Reach the Des Alpes hut. Here, an easy via Ferrata is available for those interested in taking a specific class with an alpine guide. After lunch at the hut, proceed along a panoramic path along the plateau and reach the Sasso Piatto hut, where you spend the night.
Distance: 75 miles / 3,5 hours Hiking Tour: 4-5 hours
Today, wake up early and reach nearby Malga Sasso Piatto. A mountain cheese farm where you will share the experience of the morning milking with the shepherds, learn about artisanal cheese making and enjoy breakfast. Continue down to the valley and reach the mountain village of Campitello di Fassa. Proceed to Moena, one of the most charming villages of the Alps, your home for the next two nights. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the car-free village and relax before sharing dinner with pizza.
Distance: 10 miles / 30 minutes Hiking Tour: 2-3 hours
After breakfast, drive this morning to Bolzano. Surrounded by mountains and built in a natural basin, it is a charming city with a blend of German and Mediterranean traditions. Be treated to a fascinating guided tour of the town center, without missing the Cathedral with its Gothic bell tower and Piazza Walther, with its characteristic wooden houses offering amazing decorations. After lunch at leisure, explore the striking South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Ötzi the iceman—a 5,000-year-old natural human mummy discovered by hikers in the nearby Ötztal Alps.
Distance: 50 miles / 2 hours Walking Tour: 1-2 hours
After breakfast, return to Venice, drop your luggage at the hotel, and enjoy lunch at leisure. Then, take a guided tour of the city ending at Tessiture Bevilacqua, where women carry on the art of producing precious fabrics that are still being shipped to the most important Royal Houses of the world for 3-generations. Learn the art and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight in the fascinating atmosphere of the Venetian back canals.
Distance: 110 miles / 3 hours Walking Tour: 2-3 hours
Day 10: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, a private transfer to Venice Airport for your return flight home
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
6 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Professional local English speaking guides throughout your tour
Private water taxi transfer from hotel in Venice to Venice VCE airport via car terminal
Porterage at all accommodation and all city taxes
Private water taxi transfer from Venice car terminal to hotel in Venice
Entrance to South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology
Helmut Ullrich Astronomical Observatory Visit with a local Expert
Visit a local cheese producer with tasting
Vaporetto card on day 9
Entrance to the Museum of the clocks in Pesariis
Welcome reception and dinner (3 courses) at the organic farmhouse in Pesariis with water, soft drinks and 1 glass of wine or 1 beer. Standard coffee or tea service included
Cooking class with Eliana and her daughters, the owners of the organic farm in Pesariis followed by lunch with water, soft drinks, wine or beer
Lunch at the Marinelli hut
Visit to a harpsichord workshop in Pesariis
Visit to a pottery artisan in Rigolato
Home hosted lunch in Vuezzis
Full-day Professional English-speaking local hiking guide in Tre Cime di Lavaredo and to Col Rodella
Dinner (3 courses) at a local restaurant in Cortina d Ampezzo with water, soft drinks and 1 glass of wine or 1 beer. Standard coffee or tea service included
Lunch (2 courses) en-route to Sasso Piatto at a Mountain hut with water, soft drinks, wine, or beer
Half-day Professional English-speaking local hiking guide for excursion to Campitello di Fassa
Dinner (1 pizza + 1 dessert) at a local pizzeria in Moena with water, soft drink or beer
Private visit to the Tessiture Bevilacqua in Venice
Farewell dinner (3 courses) at a local restaurant in Venice with water, soft drinks and 1 glass of wine or 1 beer. Standard coffee or tea service included
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
