Arrive in Italy and transfer to Ortisei with time to wander the village, enjoying the crisp air and dramatic views from town. Ortisei has a charming pedestrian-only town center and a laid-back atmosphere. Your private taxi transfer from Venice, Verona, or Innsbruck is included in your tour. Stay in a beautiful 4-star hotel with great food and a welcoming pool and spa.

If you have time, you might consider arriving early to stop in Bolzano, your gateway to the Dolomites. Bolzano is a pleasant city with large squares, outdoor markets, and a captivating natural history museum (home of the famous Ötzi iceman). We can arrange additional nights in Bolzano to give you time to explore this small, vibrant city before heading to the mountains.

Arrival: Venice. Our deluxe Dolomites tour includes 1 private taxi per group from Venice to Ortisei, a 3½ hr drive.  We can make arrangements for other pickup locations, such as Bolzano, Innsbruck, or longer trips such as from Milan or Munich at extra cost, if these work better for you.

One of the many charms of Ortisei is the variety of trail options surrounding the village. On your first full hiking day, you might take a dayhike through high scenic meadows to the Brogles hut, where you can look out over your route to come, gazing upon the jagged needles of the Puez-Odle peaks.

Or for a more adventurous outing, meet up with a local guide for a via ferrata climb (guide and gear not included) on one of the local routes. Via ferrata climbs are famous throughout the Dolomites, and there are many options to choose among, from easy beginner hikes to steep, challenging routes. The local guide office can help you decide on an appropriate route, rent gear, and provide a guide.

You’ll start with an easy morning with plenty of time to relax before your hike. Start with a gondola from town up the vast meadows of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest mountain meadow in the Alps. The undulating trail across the meadows passes by a number of small mountain inns. We’ll send you to a favorite lunch spot where you can enjoy some of the best homemade local flavors in the Dolomites.

After lunch, you’ll head out across the Alpe di Siusi to the south with the Schlern massif looming above you before looping back to the 5-star Hotel Alpina Dolomites.  Here you’ll stay in a 5-star hotel, the epitome of mountain luxury, with beautiful rooms and wonderful pool and spa. The Alpe di Siusi is a popular destination with hikers during the day, and takes on a quiet ambiance in the evening that allows you to relax and enjoy a beautiful evening high in the mountains.

There are many things you might do with an extra day on the Alpe di Siusi.  If you’d like an adventurous hike today, we love this loop hike up to Schlernhaus and Tierser hut.

Start with mellow trails across the giant rolling meadows with beautiful mountain views all around.  Then a sturdy climb leads up to the historic Schlernhaus hut, perched high on the Schlern mountain.  From here, traverse the high plateau toward the Rosengarten mountain group to the Tierser hut, tucked behind a steep cliff and a great lunch stop.

From Tierser, a short ascent brings you over the Rosszahne pass and back across the moors and meadows of the Alpe di Siusi.  Get back to your hotel in time for an afternoon visit to the pool and spa, or to relax on your balcony taking in views of the distant mountains you just traversed.

Today you’ll traverse the dramatic Sassolungo and Sassopiatto mountain group. One option includes a steep and somewhat rugged ascent leading directly into the heart of the mountains, surrounded on all sides by jagged peaks. You might hike all the way to a high pass, to the Toni Demetz hut, where a fun gondola brings you down to the Sella pass where a bus takes you to Selva.

Alternately, hike along a lower circuit through green meadows with constant views of the mountains, finishing at the Ciampinoi lift, which will bring you directly to Selva. Selva is the highest village in the Gardena valley and has a number of fine hotels and restaurants. We like the traditional elegance of the 4-star Hotel Tyrol.

A second day in Selva gives you a chance to further explore this beautiful region. A great hike from town leads directly up to the Seceda meadows, part of the Puez-Odle Nature park. Seceda has a number of wonderful trails. A favorite leads to the higher reaches of the meadows to Piera Longia, a picturesque mountain restaurant at the base of the peaks.

Your descent from Seceda can be eased by a lift down to the valley floor, or you can take an energetic detour to the Stevia hut, for their fantastic apple strudel and otherworldly views of the Sella mountain. Return to Selva for a 2nd night.

Leaving Selva, a dramatic hike through the U-shaped Vallunga valley leads you to a high, rocky landscape and the Puez hut, and then past the the Gardena pass to the peaceful Alta Badia valley. Alta Badia is a hidden paradise, with rolling meadows nestled among huge mountains in every direction.

The Gardena pass is also accessible from Selva by bus or cable car, and you can have an easier day today walking the many pretty trails near the pass. From here, a scenic descent or a short bus transfer brings you to Corvara. Tonight you’ll stay in a luxurious 4-star hotel in this pleasant village.

Today’s dramatic walk takes you high above the valley to the rifugio Lagazuoi, a popular hut perched at the summit of a mountain with incredible views and rich history. This was the scene of fierce fighting in WWI, and many tunnels and artifacts remain to this day.

A gondola takes you up to the Pralongia meadows above town.  For an easier day, you can make a moderate loop to one of the scenic restaurants up here.  Or a longer day, a strenuous hike leads across the meadown to the Falzarego pass, where you either hike or take the cable car up to the Lagazuoi hut on the peak  Descend by cable car to the Falzarego pass, where there are buses that can bring you back to Corvara.

Another great hike high in the mountains.  We’ll include a short taxi transfer to the trailhead, and then hike along the famous Alta Via 1 route, one of the epic long distance trails of the Dolomites.  This is one of the best stretches, hiking through the Locia pass to a high meadow surrounded by incredible peaks.  Stop at the Fanes hut for lunch and descend to Pederu, where a quick bus transfer brings you to San Vigilio.

Our 4-star hotels here, the Mareo and Excelsior are both among our favorites – luxurious hiker-friendly retreats with great spas, superb meals, and friendly service.  You won’t want to leave!

Short but steep, San Vigilio’s local mountain, Piz da Peres, is an adventurous peak ascent for views of the valley and surrounding area. Start with a bus or a taxi to the Furcia pass for this rugged loop trail.

A more moderate option starts with the bus back to Pederu, where you finished hiking yesterday.  From here, hike Alta Via 1 trails up to the lovely Fodara Vedla and Fanes huts, a steep but straightforward climb that is rewarded with wonderful views from the high Fanes plateau.  Return on a loop trail to Pederu and back to your hotel.

If you prefer to take it easy today, your hotel has a beautiful spa.  Both the Excelsior and Mareo have mountain bikes free for your use if you want to mix things up.  The wooded trail from San Vigilio to Pederu is nice by foot or by bike.  Return to your hotel for one final night.

Today you say arrivederci, and depart for your post-tour destinations.

Departure: Venice.  A private taxi to Venice, a 3½ hr trip, is included in your tour, either to the airport or downtown. We normally book a 9 am departure, but this can be adjusted to suit your schedule. We can book additional taxis or custom travel to other destinations, at extra cost, if needed.