Arrival in Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria in Germany, and make your way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This can be reached by train and bus in about 3 hrs, or we can help with a taxi.  Garmisch-Partenkirchen lies at the base of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, a huge massif on the border with Tyrol  and Austria.

Meet your guide and group at your hotel here.  You’ll have a chance to enjoy dinner together and talk about the trip to come.

Arrival: Münich. Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. There is a train station at the airport, with frequent departures for the region, or we can help with a taxi. Travel time, 3 hrs (train) or 1½ hrs (taxi).

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is surrounded by pleasant hiking trails and is blessed with beautiful views from every corner.  One hike starts from the nearby village of Erhwald and leads to the Eibsee lake. Take a train from Garmisch to Ehrwald, across the border in Austria. Hike from Ehrwald to Eibsee, under the shadow of the Zugspitze then take a train back to Garmisch.

Another great hike heads up the Wankberg (pronounced “Vonkberg”), a modest local peak with beautiful 360 panoramic views of the whole region.  It’s a great introductory hike.

Return to Garmisch for a 2nd night.

Start your day with a private transfer to Puitbach, in the Leutasch Valley.  You’ll cross the border from Germany to Austria during the transfer. Walk up the Puittal all the way to the Scharnitzjoch pass. The open nature of the high alpine pastures walked through on this trail allow for fantastic views over of the Austrian Tyrolean mountains.

On the way down, you’ll pass two mountain huts, Wangalm and Wettersteinhütte, which are great spots to stop for a break and enjoy the beautiful scenery from their balconies. A short bus ride (15-20 min) can take you from Leutasch Klamm to your hotel in the village of Seefeld.  Enjoy exploring the pedestrian-only core of this pleasant Austrian village.

Today you transfer by taxi to Innsbruck in the morning and can enjoy a free day in historic downtown Innsbruck or explore the surrounding mountains by cable car.

If you’d like to hike today, the Zirbenweg is a great choice.  Starting with a cable car above town, this easy to moderate trail leads through one of the oldest stone pine forests in Europe, with trees as old as 700 years.  Frequent clearings bring the mountains and valleys into view.  Descend by cable car at the end of the hike.

Dinner will be on your own in Innsbruck.

You’ll have a 2 hr taxi transfer today through Zillertal valley to the Hohe Tauern region and the beautiful waterfalls of Krimml, at 380 meters, are the largest waterfalls in Austria. Enjoy the popular hike along the waterfalls up to the spectacular valley of Krimmler Achental, where you’ll reach the charming mountain lodge, Krimmler Tauernhaus.

The alpine massif at the back of this valley separates the Austrian Tyrol from the former Southern Tyrol, now Italy. The Krimmler Tauernhaus is the site of an old tavern that traces it’s roots to 1389, and maintains a strong sense of pride and tradition steeped in history.  Despite its remote location, the inn has comfortable private rooms and even a wellness area with saunas, steam bath and ice grotto.

There are no singles here, and you won’t have your luggage tonight, so come prepared with extra clothes and toiletries for the night.

Today you’ll hike to Italy through the heart of the Austrian Alps, between the Zillertal in the west and the Gross Venediger in the east (Austria’s 4th highest mountain), via the Krimmler Tauern pass.  This is one of the easiest passages to cross the very narrow Alps here and has a long history as a route used by thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Europe after WWII.

You walk along the Venediger mountain range along the Krimmler, Prettau and Lahner glaciers. The views of the surrounding mountains, with Grosser Geiger, Gammsspitzl, Venediger will leave you not only tongue-tied, but also very impressed.  After crossing the pass, you emerge in South Tyrol in Italy and then descend to the small village of Prettau. Transfer from Prettau to Brunico at the end of the hike.

You’ll start today with a short transfer in the morning to Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), perhaps the most famous lake in the Dolomites.  You’ll get there early and hopefully a bit before the crowds to enjoy the ambiance of this stunning spot.

From the iconic lake, you hike first around the lake and then up to the Croda del Becco pass, onto a beautiful high plateau.  Spend the day crossing scenic alpine landscapes before a short descent to the alpine pastures of Prato Piazza. The views over the red-tinted Croda Rossa creates a stunning contrast to the green pastures of this magnificent high plateau.  A public bus takes you down to your hotel in Brueckele.

Today’s hike ascends the deliciously-named Strudelkopf to views of the Tre Cime de Lavaredo.  Start with a short bus from your hotel back up to Prato Piazza.  Hike up from this scenic rolling valley to the Strudelsattel, with an optional out-and-back to the Strudelkopf peak which rewards you with gorgeous views.

This is followed by a descent to the Valle di Landro, where you start climbing again, now to the Rienza Valley towards the Tre Cime. The end of the hike goes through the Rin Bianco Valley to reach the end of the hike at Lake Misurina and the historic Grand Hotel there.

The Tre Cime adorn every calendar of the Dolomites, a trio of solid rocky towers surrounded by even more beautiful mountains.  It is busy and probably too popular, but also very much worth exploring.  You’ll start with a bus from Lago Misurina to the rifugio Auronzo.

Start hiking over the Lavaredo pass, between the Tre Cime and Monte Paterno.  Visit the Locatelli hut for drinks or lunch, and continue around, crossing near the lakes of Cengia and the Pian pass surrounded by dolomitic mountains.  Continue up to the Col di Mezzo and back to Auronzo hut, where you return by bus back to Misurina for a final evening together.

After one final breakfast at your hotel, you’ll have a group taxi transfer to Venice, a 2 hr drive.  Let us know if you need help with a hotel in Venice or if you need to be dropped off at the airport.  Alternate private departure taxis are available, if you need to leave early or finish your tour elsewhere.