Crossing the Dolomites - 2nd Edition

Program

Monday, September 2nd:

Individual arrival at Marco Polo Airport, Venice

Transfer to Cortina d’ Ampezzo.

Visit to the center of the pearl of the Dolomites, relaxing with a drink on one of the terraces. The view is fantastic, surrounded by several mountain complexes in the Dolomites: the mountains of Tofanes, Sorapis and Cristallo.

Accommodation in an excellent hotel in the city center on a breakfast basis.

Tuesday, September 3rd:

We leave Cortina d' Ampezzo, the pearl of the Dolomites, for a short transfer. We begin walking in the lush Alpine forest towards the Tofanes mountain complex situated in the Parco naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. This mountainous group was created in the Cretaceous period, around 60 million years ago, as a result of the collision of the African and European continents. The name Dolomite comes from the name of the mineral as “Main Dolomite”, a mineral formed 200 million years ago and which predominates in this region.

We will be able to stop for a short meal in a very nice refuge before entering the Tofanes mountains. There follows an ascent to the Giussani Refuge, located in the middle of a rocky complex, appearing suspended. It is an alpine refuge, very well decorated and on a half-board basis. Water is scarce, only coming from melting ice, so it is normal for there to be an additional cost for bathing (not included). The location is fantastic and surrounded by the highest peaks in the Dolomites. Tofana di Rozes (3225m) and Tofana di Mezzo (3244m).

9km 950m D+ 6H

Wednesday, September 4th:

Technical descent on loose stone to Val Travenanzes. We follow a river with the same name, in a spectacular landscape.

Using a little-used trail, we enter the Alpine forest towards Val de Fanes. We went up this valley along unusual paths, next to rivers and waterfalls, entering the Parco naturale Fanes - Sennes - Braies.

It is on the Fanes plain that we will find our refuge, a high quality mountain chalet with breakfast. Dinner is excellent and à-la-carte (not included).

19km 750m D+ 8H

Thursday, September 5th:

Continuing in the Parco Naturale Fanes - Sennes - Braies, we descend to Pederü, a valley that forms an integral part of the famous Alta Via 1, where we will come across hikers on this route in the Dolomites of Italy. On the way up we will take a detour to visit a unique rural region, with its own language. In a house transformed into a cafe/restaurant, we can taste organic local products. A short distance away, in the Sennes region, we find a high-quality private mountain chalet with breakfast. Dinner is excellent and à-la-carte (not included).

14km 900m D+ 7H

Friday, September 6th:

On this day we will take an original route, only known to local guides and shepherds, starting on a mountain trail to the alpine refuge of Biella, then descending along shepherds' trails, with beautiful landscapes, to the green leisure area of Ra Stua, a region with beautiful green slopes that will allow time to enjoy and relax, admiring the Croda Rossa d' Ampezzo peak (3140m). On this day the walk will be shorter, around 12km with little difference in level, 400m D+ and 900m D- (accumulated descent).

Accommodation, high quality private mountain chalet/restaurant with breakfast. Dinner is excellent and à-la-carte (not included).

12km 400m D+ 5H

Saturday, September 7th:

A more demanding day, with 1300m of elevation difference. We will start the day with a descent to an area with parking lots where we will have a short transfer to a very interesting point - Dreizinnenblick, the gateway to the famous Parco Naturale Tre Cime. Right here we have a distant view of the three towers. The trail, always climbing, follows the Valle della Rienza. We will take a detour, along a little-used trail, in order to ascend to the base of the three towers, Tre Cime, a fabulous experience. Here we enjoy the moment with time, visiting a very interesting hut that sells only local organic products. It's time to drink a beer with an ever-present view of the Tre Cime.

Another climb separates us from the accommodation. The most famous alpine refuge, Dreizinnenhütte or Rifugio de Locatelli. (Half board plan)

14km 1300m D+ 8H

Sunday, September 8th:

Day spent circling the Parco naturale Tre Cime, in the rocky area of the Dolomite mineral. It is a crystallo minerale experience. The mineral Dolomite is a compound of calcium and magnesium carbonate. The rock of the same name is a sedimentary rock, meaning it originated on the surface of the Earth's crust and is composed of the mineral Dolomite. The trails are narrow along steep cliffs and sweeping landscapes. This trail is part of the UNESCO “Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail”. At Rifugio Pian di Cengia we can make a short stop and climb the peak of Croda Fiscalina (2677m), a suspended mountain formation, as we see in Norwegian landscapes. We return towards Rifugio de Lavaredo, on a narrow trail dug into the mountainside, where we can have lunch with a view of the southern slope of Tre Cime.

A short trail separates us from the Auronzo area, where a transfer from the natural park takes us to Lake Misurina, a very interesting lake, with a fantastic landscape. Transfer to Cortina d’ Ampezzo and accommodation in the same central hotel with breakfast.

14km 850m (to 1200m) D+ 8H

Monday, September 9th:

Transfer to Venice and return journey. If the flight is late, there is the possibility of visiting the center of Venice. In this case, the transfer will be made to Mestre station, where we store our bags, just 15 minutes from Venice.

This program was created with a moderate to difficult level, with differences in level up to 1200m. It is an accessible program for anyone who is used to hiking in the mountains; for those without vertigo, used to walking 6 to 8 hours a day. Distances were shortened to allow us to enjoy the place, avoiding physical exhaustion and preparing the day for possible weather changes. The program and routes can be changed depending on weather conditions. On the 5th, there will be time for physical rest and personal organization. The chosen route, away from mass areas, means that most of the day there will be no data network and sometimes no telephone network. In the break locations, there will probably be no Wi-Fi network.

Price and conditions

Price: €780.00 per person

What's included:

2 nights in a 3* hotel in a shared double room with breakfast in the center of Cortina d’ Ampezzo

2 nights in alpine refuge, dormitory, half board

3 nights in mountain chalets, shared rooms for 4 to 6 people, with breakfast

transfers to and from Venice Marco Polo airport

local transfers

daily tourist municipal taxes

entrance/exit fees Tre Cime Natural Park

luggage storage in Cortina D'Ampezzo

Quimera Guide

What's not included:

International flights (around €250 to €300). Ryanair suggestion. To lower the price, it is recommended to share a 23kg hold bag when possible

Unspecified meals. The menus are extensive. For example: beer €6, Aperol Spritz €5, water 50cl €2, water 1.5L €4, homemade pasta dish or pizza €12, regional main dish €17, typical dessert €5

Bath at Giussani Refuge

Luggage storage at Mestre Station

Any cost incurred due to circumstances beyond the organization’s control

Extras:

- Flight ticket reservation service: €30

Available vacancies: 11

Registration fee: €120.00

Remaining payments:

1st installment: €200 until February 15, 2024

2nd installment: €200 until May 15, 2024

3rd Installment: €260 until August 15, 2024

Registration is valid after filling out the form and sending payment of the registration fee.

Quimera Travel Experiences

RNAAT 628/2015

RNVAT 8466