Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Classic Dolomites - Premium Adventure

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- The Expert Leader for the trip is Jef Oonk
- Stay at a four-star hotel with delicious food, warm family hospitality and a wellness centre
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Unesco World Heritage site
- Activity Level 5 (Challenging) on selected departures
- SPECIAL OFFER on room upgrades
- Citizen Science departures available on this trip
Short Description
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. Join us to celebrate Exodus’ 50th anniversary! Select departures of this trip feature extra inclusions to mark the occasion: an apple strudel cooking class and tasting with a Michelin starred chef, a local birthday celebration and a special edition Exodus kitbag. For departure dates, see the Dates & Prices tab or to see other trips with Special 50th Anniversary Departures click here. 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. Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more hereTrek through the Italian Dolomites
Theme
Hiking & WalkingDestinations
ItalyAttractions & Cities Visited
DolomitesActivities & Interests
HikingAge Requirement
16-99Itinerary
Day 1 Start Villabassa
Start at Hotel Adler in Villabassa. The leader will give a short briefing to give an overview of the week ahead. The hotel is handily located on the village square, so any free time can be spent with 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?
Day 2 Lago di Braies (Level 3 departures)
The ideal start to visiting this vast area is a walk straight from the hotel through the very pretty, flower-filled Braies Valley. We walk through small villages and farmland until we reach the magnificent Lago di Braies itself, one of the 297 glacial lakes in the area. It is certainly one of the most beautiful, surrounded by jagged peaks that are reflected in the extraordinary mirror-like surface of the water. We follow the route of SS hostages, the leaders of 19 countries who were freed after the first world war by the inhabitants of Villabassa. Distance: 8.7mi (14km); ascent: 2,133ft (650m); descent: 837ft (255m)
Day 3 Kreutzberg Pass to Nemes Alm (Level 3 departures)
Today we explore high pastures and ridges along the Austrian border. We walk steadily exploring the meadows under the ridge of Knieberg. We have great views towards the Rotwand and Monte Popera. Later in the afternoon we visit Alpe Nemes hut, a great spot for a drink and a bite of homemade apple strudel. Distance: 8.7mi-9.9mi (14km-16km); ascent: 1,969ft-2,297ft (600m-700m); descent: 1,969ft-2,297ft (600m-700m)
Day 4 Climb up towards Strudelkopf (Level 3 departures)
We start at 6,562ft (2,000m) altitude, walking among beautiful wildflowers and ascend to the summit of Strudlekopf (7,579ft/2,310m). We stop at the Durrenstein hut in the early afternoon to try the local Kaiserschmarrn speciality. On a clear day, from the summit, we can enjoy views of the Tre Cime, Monte Piana and Monte Cristallo. Distance: 9.3mi (15km); ascent: 1,640ft (500m); descent: 3,281ft (1,000m)
Day 5 Free day
A free day to relax in the hotel wellness centre or take a self-guided cycle around this wonderful area. Alternatively, make your way to Bolzano to 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 cosy town of Brunico.
Day 6 Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Level 3 departures)
We enjoy a memorable walk under the Three Chimneys, or Tre Cime di Lavaredo (or Drei Zinnen in German). Set amid one of the classic mountain groups of this area, our walk around these impressive peaks is certainly a highlight of the week. Tonight the restaurant will delight your palate with an authentic Tyrolean gourmet dinner. Distance: 11.2mi (18km); ascent: 1,804ft (550m); descent: 3,609ft (1,100m)
Day 7 Monte Piana (Level 3 departures)
To complete the week, we take the amazing eastern approach route up Monte Piana. After 1,969ft (600m) ascent we find ourselves upon the flat-topped mountain surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the Dolomites. 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 our return, we 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. Distance: 9.3mi (15km); ascent: 2,297ft (700m); descent: 2,625ft (800m)
Day 8 End Villabassa
Enjoy your final breakfast in Hotel Adler and take the opportunity to reflect on what has been an inspirational escape in the Dolomites. After, it’s time to start your return journey home.
Availability
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Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Small Group - 24 max
Maximum Number of People in Group: 15
Accommodations
Considered the best in town, this four-star retreat has a privileged address on the village square. Rooms are traditional yet stylish and come with Hästens beds, each of which is created with natural materials. The hotel itself is run by the Pircher family but began life as the home of nobleman Stefan von Kurz zum Thurn more than 400 years ago. You can see plenty of that heritage throughout the property. The hub of social living will likely be the bar and fireplace room, where you can sip an aperitivo or perhaps a post-dinner gin and tonic, while enjoying the relaxed hubbub with the group (a local crowd often gathers here too). There’s also a good-sized pool for morning dips and a wellness centre with a sauna, steam room, solarium and small fitness centre. Bliss. Exodus special offer For even more comfort, Hotel Adler offers upgrades for a special price, exclusive to Exodus travellers. There are various room types from which you can choose. Contact us for prices and availability. Worth knowing There are a limited number of double rooms for single use available for a supplement. The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance; this could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Age Notes :
Min. Age: 16
Max Age: 99
Additional Information
- Seven nights at the four-star Hotel Adler
- Five days centre-based walking; one free day.
- Altitude maximum: Level 3: 8,330ft (2,539m); Level 5: 9,314ft (2,839m); average: 7,546ft (2,300m)
- Not recommended for vertigo sufferers
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip ID#:
exodus-TWU2
What's excluded
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Local taxes (approximately €10, see Trip Notes)
Meals Included
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.We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By clicking «Send my questions» you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. An account will be created for you to track your submission and a temporary password will be emailed to you.
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