Join this 8-day Classic Dolomites Premium Adventure Group Tour in Italy for an exceptional small group tour experience that takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a special blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation, allowing you to find the hidden gems of this lovely region of Italy with the help of expert local guides. This tour offers two activity levels ranging from moderate (Level 3) to challenging (Level 5). You will have the chance to experience the stunning scenery of the Dolomites, with its craggy peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and charming mountain villages, throughout the course of the tour and at your desired pace. Experience local customs and culture, sample the mouthwatering local cuisine, and visit historical sites and museums.
Highlights
Hike the stunning Dolomites, famous for their rugged peaks and deep valleys
Take an easy hike to the Tre Cime, a landmark of the Dolomites
Visit the charming and traditional village of Villabassa in South Tyrol
Explore the charming city of Bolzano, its monuments, cathedrals, and museum
Visit an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War in Monte Piana
See the beautiful wildflowers and landscape of Strudelkopf.
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.
Your journey will start at the Hotel Adler in Villabassa, located in the village square. The group leader will give a short briefing to provide an overview of the week ahead. Your lodging this evening is conveniently located in teh village square, so free time can be spent taking a little stroll around, perhaps up past the church or down to the river. Alternatively, why not soak up the atmosphere with a relaxing drink?
Dolomites Hiking Notes:
The activity levels on this tour start at Level 3 (moderate), where you typically walk for five to seven hours every day.
Walking at Level 5 (a challenge) is offered on select departures. On these departures, you typically walk steadily for six to eight hours a day. You will travel on well-traveled trails and mountain paths, many of which are more exposed, steep, and rocky than the Level 3 walks.
The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel through the pretty, flower-filled Braies Valley. Walk through small villages and farmland until you reach the magnificent Lago di Braies, one of the 297 glacial lakes in the area. It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning due to the surrounding peaks' ragged appearance, which is reflected in the water's unusually mirror-like surface. You will follow the route of the SS hostages, the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the First World War by the inhabitants of Villabassa.
Today, explore high pastures and ridges along the Austrian border. Walk steadily, exploring the meadows under the ridge of Knieberg. You will have great views of the Rotwand and Monte Popera. Later in the afternoon, visit Alpe Nemes Hut, a great spot for a drink and a bite of homemade apple strudel.
Start your hike at 6,562 ft (2,000 m) altitude, walking among beautiful wildflowers and ascending to the summit of Strudlekopf (7,579 ft/2,310 m). Make a stop at the Durrenstein hut in the early afternoon to try the local Kaiserschmarrn specialty. Enjoy the views of the Tre Cime, Monte Piana, and Monte Cristallo from the summit.
Today is your free day to relax in the hotel wellness center or take a self-guided cycle around this wonderful area. Alternatively, travel to Bolzano and visit a museum dedicated to Ötzi, the 5,000-year-old 'iceman," whose remarkably well-preserved body was found in 1991 high on a glacier on the Austro-Italian frontier. Or you could journey to the attractive provincial capital of Lienz in Austria or closer to the cozy town of Brunico.
Enjoy a memorable stroll beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (or Drei Zinnen in German) or Three Chimneys. Set amid one of the classic mountain groups in this area, your walk around these impressive peaks is certainly a highlight of the week. Your palate will be delighted by an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner tonight at the restaurant.
Today you will complete a beautiful walk near the spectacular Tre Cime di Lavaredo, then follow the path on the north side of Paternkofel, heading to the Comici hut above Fischleintal. Tonight, the hotel restaurant will delight your palate with an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner.
To complete the week, take the amazing eastern approach route up Monte Piana. You will reach the flat-topped mountain after ascending 1,969 feet (600 meters), surrounded by some of the Dolomites' most breathtaking scenery. It is the site of an open-air museum dedicated to the First World War, where trenches, dugouts, and shell craters can be seen among the alpine flowers. On your return, you have time to spot the brilliant blue gentians, Alpine white edelweiss, and bright saffron that create a beautiful scene around Lake Misurina, thanks to the beautiful pink of the limestone rock.
You will ascend the southern crag of Monte Piana with the help of a few bridges and a ladder; there is then time to explore the open-air museum, stretched between the northern and southern summits.
Enjoy your final breakfast in Hotel Adler and take the opportunity to reflect on what has been an inspirational escape in the Dolomites. After that, it’s time to start your return journey 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 25% ($500 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Adventure Life seems to be an honest company and has been quite helpful in the planning process. Good about answering questions.
Chris Dralle
1 week ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
1 week ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
1 week ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.
