Tinted in weathered shades of rose, yellow and grey, the fairy-tale spires and dramatic rock walls of the Dolomites rise in elegantly chiselled shapes of fantastic form, looking every inch like a landscape devised by the gods. And if this isn’t exactly heaven, well, it’s about as close as you can get. Long known as a paradise for rock climbers, the Dolomites are a great destination for hikers, too. Charming hotels and a scenically situated rifugio in a narrow pretty valley make comfortable “base camps,” from which you’ll venture out each day for an exhilarating hike along rugged trails (you can make these as hard or as easy as you like, since there is a variety of trail options). Your accommodations offer a welcome respite at the end of the day as well as delicious typical Italian and Tyrolean local cuisine.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Self-guided hiking amid a glorious landscape of pillars, pinnacles, and colossal rock walls, including the stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo
• Choose from a variety of hiking options, from easy to more challenging
• Enjoy the spa amenities of the Hotel Posta Zirm in Corvara (now, that’s the way to end a hike!)

  What is a Self-Guided Tour Like?

  A self-guided tour is a fully organized vacation that’s a balance between doing everything on your own and being on a fully-guided group tour. You can choose when you want to go and with whom—we do the planning and look after the logistics while you enjoy the tour. There is no guide, no support vehicle, and no group to hurry you along or slow you down. You can enjoy the freedom of going at your own pace, with support behind the scenes. More than being in good shape, a spirit of open-mindedness is recommended. It helps if you can take the initiative and be comfortable with the adventure of learning and exploring.
  

DAY 1 ~ Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena

Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena (or Wolkenstein, as it’s referred to in German) in the heart of Italy’s South Tyrol. Selva is an excellent center for all levels of hiking in the Dolomites. You’ll meet with your Mountain Travel Sobek representative in the afternoon. He or she will give you a briefing on the trip and distribute maps.

Dinner…3-star hotel TBA, Selva

DAY 2 ~ Around Sasso Lungo

Transfer by bus to the Sella Pass (7,152’), then hike 2½-3 hours around the Sasso Lungo / Langkofel Mountains to Rifugio Vicenza (6,896’), where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon a steep 1,900-foot ascent brings us up to Rifugio Toni Demetz (8,796’), spectacularly located on a ridge between Sasso Lungo and the “Five Finger Peaks.” From here we hike downhill an hour to the Sella Pass. There is the possibility to take the cable car down to the pass or do an easier option that can be discussed during the briefing. (6 hours hiking, +1,644’ ascent/descent.)

Breakfast, Dinner…3-star hotel TBA, Selva

DAY 3 ~ Selva – Corvara in Alta Badia

We take a cable car to Passo Gardena (6,955’), then follow a rocky trail for 1½ hours with the sheer pinnacles of Pizzes da Cir towering above us. Hike up to the Passo Cir (8,100’) and follow a wider trail on undulating terrain that leads to the Forcella Ciampai Pass (7,760’) and up to the Rifugio Puez where we stop for lunch. A longer option allows a half-hour hike from the Passo Cir to the Sass Ciampac (8,770’). From the summit there is a fantastic panorama of the Eastern Dolomites with the Sella massif right in front of us. We descend to the Forcella Ciampai Pass and continue to the Rifugio Puez (8,120’). A final three-hour hike downhill on an easy and panoramic trail brings us to the town of Colfosco and then to Corvara. Chamois—mountain goats—are occasionally seen along the way. Corvara (5,120’) is located in the Alta Badia (the South Tyrol) in the heart of the Dolomites. Before the First World War, this area used to be Austria, and the Austrian-Italian mixed culture is very well marked in the food, architecture, and language. The local people (called the “Ladini”) speak a language—Ladino—that comes from the Romansh language, one of the four official languages spoken in Switzerland and spoken in northern Italy. The signs are written first in Ladino, then in German, and lastly in Italian. (6 hours hiking, +1,815’/-3,000’ (gradual).

Breakfast, Dinner…3-star hotel TBA, Corvara

DAY 4~ Santa Croce Sanctuary

Transfer to Pedraces (4,344’) and take the local chair lift to the upper station (6,037’). Begin hiking along a trail that doubles as a “Via Cruces,” lined with a number of huge crucifixes (not to mention handy benches in scenic spots!). The trail ascends gradually through lovely conifer wood and flowery meadows. Ahead is the imposing face of Sasso della Croce, “stone of the cross,” which turns a glowing fleshy pink tint as it catches the rays of the afternoon sun. It takes about half an hour to reach the simple but extraordinarily photogenic church and sanctuary of Ospizio S. Croce (6,710'). The sober white church was consecrated in 1484 and holds an image of Christ bearing the cross, hence the name of the mountain.

The earlier chapel on the site was built in the 11th century when a wealthy count of the Val Pusteria withdrew in meditation here in repentance for his harsh treatment of his subjects. He then donated all his earthly possessions to the nearby abbey, the badia, which gave its name to Val Badia. The “pilgrim’s” hospice (ospizio) building from 1718 was originally the sacristan’s lodgings.

We begin to descend on a trail skirting the realms of the Fanes – Sennes – Braies Nature Park, sticking fairly closely to the base of the mountain. Marked by more stations of the cross, it coasts through springy masses of dwarf mountain pines that shelter roe dear. Log walkways have been set up for crossing marshy tracts, colonized by fluffy cotton grass. The broad path drops gradually and there are several good lookout points over Val Badia and across to the Puez plateau. Continue to the town of La Villa and walk just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) along the river to Corvara.

There is also the possibility of returning to Pedraces and from there by bus or foot to Corvara. This trail follows a watercourse, dropping steadily though the woods and past many isolated farming hamlets, each with interesting houses, monumental barns, and artistic crucifixes. More details will be in your packet of trail information.

Breakfast, Dinner…3-star hotel TBA, Corvara

DAY 5 ~ La Villa – Capana Alpina – Rifugio Fanes – Pederu – Rifugio Fodara Vedla

In the morning, transfer 15 minutes to the Capanna Alpina (5,663’) from where you start hiking about an hour up on a steep trail to the top of Col Locia (6,788’). From here there is a great hike through the Val di Fanes, passing by the Malga di Fanes (6,890’) and Limo Lake up to the Rifugio Fanes (6,759’) where we stop for lunch. After lunch, descend on a wide trail to Pederu (5,052’) where you can either hike up to the Rifugio Fodara Vedla (6,470’) or take the shuttle that will be transferring the luggage to the rifugio. The rifugio is an attractive mountain hut (a lodge, really) set amid a green mountain meadow in the heart of the Fanes – Sennes – Braies Nature Park. (6 hours hiking.)

Breakfast, Dinner…Rifugio Fodara Vedla

DAY 6 ~ Hike around the Rifugio Fodara Vedla

There are a variety of hiking trails directly from the rifugio. We can head up to a panoramic ridge where the Croda del Becco (north), Croda Rossa (east) and even the Cristallo (southeast) come into view, then continue to the Rifugio Sennes (6,975’), standing in rather bare surroundings (but apparently satisfactory for the herds of hearty cows around!). An alternate hike takes you to lovely Lago di Fosses (7,093), inviting for a refreshing dip in the shade of the artistic layers of the Remeda Rossa, then on to a saddle that provides access to a desolate side valley at the foot of the impressive Piccola Croda Rossa (east). A trail cuts down diagonally right (south) atop a lovely flowered basin, which leads into dwarf mountain pines and a rough tiring descent over loose rocks. You eventually emerge on the jeep track at Campo Croce (5,814’) from where you continue to Rifugio Fodara Vedla. Additional hikes are possible.

Breakfast, Dinner…Rifugio Fodara Vedla

DAY 7 ~ Rifugio Fodara Vedla - Cortina

From the Rifugio Fodara Vedla we hike to Malga La Stua (5,561’) and on to the village of San Uberto. A hike along the river Boite leads you to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina enjoys a reputation for great winter skiing (it was the site of the 1956 winter Olympics), and in the summer attracts hikers and mountain climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. (About 6 hours hiking, 8 miles, 2,161' ascent/1,184' descent.)

Breakfast…3-star hotel TBA, Cortina

DAY 8 ~ Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Today we drive up to Rifugio Auronzo (7,650’), then hike for 2½ hours around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Monte Paterno, one of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the Dolomites. We stop for lunch at the charming Refugio Pian di Cengia with great views of the Dolomiti di Sesto range. After lunch we hike 1½ hours to the Rifugio Locatelli (8,050’) where the view of the north faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is stunning. The area is a sort of “open air museum” as there are lots of reminders of the First World War—tunnels, bunkers, and old barracks. Walk from the Rifugio Locatelli right under the north faces of the Tre Cime to the Rifugio Auronzo (1½ hours). The north faces are part of the world history of mountaineering as the first routes were climbed in the 1930s. (5 hours hiking.)

Breakfast…3-star hotel TBA, Cortina

DAY 9 ~ Departure

After breakfast you are free to depart on homeward-bound transportation or to other points in Europe.

B…

Stay a Little Longer

Crave a challenge? Take our new Via Ferrata extension, a chance to scramble the Dolomites’ vertical pathways with the use of fixed cables and metal ladders. Call for details. Or you may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departure adventures in Europe, our Tuscany In Season Private Adventure, or other individual travel on your own.

Arrival & Departure Information

Your in-country host will meet you at your hotel in Selva di Val Gardena by 5:00 p.m. on Day 1 of your itinerary. The trip ends on Day 9.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

We recommend this trip for active hikers who are experienced with mountainous terrain. Most hikes are about five hours in length and are moderate in nature, with ascents and descents of about 2,000 feet. We will be hiking between 4,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation on trails that are up and down; none of the hikes are flat as it is mountainous terrain. The Dolomites are not exceptionally high, but their terrain is very rocky, steep, slippery, rugged, and sometimes exposed. The hikes we do are not difficult but are for those who are experienced in hiking mountain terrain. As this is a cutom-made trip the hikes can be adapted (shorter, longer, easier, or harder) to your wishes. All these options can be discused during the briefing.

Since you’re based at a comfortable hotel or lodge each night, you hike most days with only a daypack containing the essentials you need on the trail: water bottle, camera, light jacket, rain gear (there’s always a possibility of some rain in the mountains), and snacks.

If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

Weather

The weather in the Dolomites usually has an element of unpredictability. You can expect a mix of warm sunny days sometimes punctuated by rainy cooler weather. You should always be prepared for sudden changes in weather while you are out on the trail. In July-August daytime temperatures can reach into the upper 60s and low 70s, but early mornings will be cooler (upper 50s, low 60s). At this time of the year, rainy days at lower elevations mean snow on higher elevations. Rainstorms can drop the temperature 15 to 20 Fahrenheit.

Lunch meals

You will purchase your lunches at a rifugio each day. Meals at the rifugi are usually delicious and ample: polenta with a variety of additions (funghi, formaggio), various pastas, sausages, French fries, soups (great minestrones), green salad. Vegetarians will have no problem finding something tasty to order. They serve good limonata (Italian soda) and a drink called Radler (a combo of beer and limonata).

Breakfasts at the hotels are usually served at from 7:00–9:00 a.m. and consist of coffee, tea, bread or toast, jam and butter. Dinner: a primo piatto (first course) of soup or pasta; secondo piatto (second course), usually with meat, and dessert. You will taste the specialities of the region such as canederli, casunzei, polenta e funghi, braciola di maiale, pasta al ragù, and cakes such as strudel and linzer.

Extra Activities

There are many extra activities—mountain biking, paragliding, rock-climbing, and vie ferrate—to do in the Dolomites (at additional cost). You can decide upon these activities with your in-country host.

What’s Included

• services of an in-country host and emergency contact
• 6 nights accommodation (double room) in 3-star hotels, 2 nights accommodation (double room) in Rifugio Fodara Vedla with shared bathroom
• meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• luggage transfer during itinerary
• step-by-step hiking directions and detailed trail maps
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What’s Not

International airfare to Italy and return; airport/train transfers at the beginning or end of the trip; guiding services; meals not noted on itinerary (all lunches and 2 dinners); ground transportation during the itinerary; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.); entrance to museums or points of interest other than those outlined in the itinerary. Unused transportation to/during the tour will not be reimbursed.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: 25% of Land Cost or $800, whichever is greater
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure 25% of land cost or $800, whichever is greater
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.