Dolomites star way

During this trip, you will discover the breathtaking Dolomites Mountain Range through their most iconic paths. It is one of the most appealing hiking destinations in an incredible mountain range. The spectacular rock formations are just a part of all the jewels you’ll see. Amongst them, emerald lakes, deep-cut glacial valleys, gorges and lush alpine meadows will amaze you. Go explore the magnificent massif listed as UNESCO World Heritage. 

You’ll come back every night in a hand-picked and fine hotel or mountain inn, chosen for its standard of comfort, attentive staff and outstanding cuisine.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo

    Arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo Arrival in the alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the Northeast of Italy. Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, and has been selected to host the games again in 2026.
    You settle for 5 nights in the same accommodation. You will meet with your guide in the early evening, have a welcoming diner and a first briefing of the following days with him.

    Accomodation : hotel

  • Day 2 Averau and the Cinque Torri tour

    Averau and the Cinque Torri tour We start the day by a bus transfer to the Falzarego pass, which is the departure of the Cinque Torri walk, iconic mountain of the Dolomites. The path climbs gently, and our surroundings become mainly mineral. We arrive in a beautiful stone field at the bottom of the Averau, a 2649m-high rock citadel. We move around the mountain and soon get to the Nuvolau pass. The panoramic view from the peak is worth the 150m ascent elevation !
    We reach the Cinque Torri, well-known from climbers and major place of historical interest : that is where Italian and Austro-Hungarian troupes fiercely fought during the first World War, relics of the battle still remain there today. We then make our way back to Cortina.

    Transfer by bus from Cortina to passo Falzarego : around 40 min / Walk : 5 hours / Ascending elevation : 600m / Drop : 800m / Accomodation : hotel

  • Day 3 Le Lagazuoi

    Le Lagazuoi Wake up bright and early, we start walking from the Falzarego pass on a beautiful ascent to Lagazuoi, from where we can enjoy a 360° view and we can see the far away Marmolada, the Dolomites 3343m-high roof. During our ascent, we will discover soldiers’ relics from the first World War. Then, we head down to the foot of impressive vertical cliffs in a peaceful valley, before reaching the Scotoni refuge, exploited by Italian families. Then we head up a final pass to catch the bus back to Cortina.

    Transfer by bus from Cortina to passo Falzarego : around 40 min / Walk : 5 hours / Ascending elevation : 700m / Drop : 1000m / Accomodation : hotel

  • Day 4 The Tofana di Rozes

    The Tofana di Rozes The Tofana di Rozes are the 7th peak of the Dolomites (3225m-high) and one of the most iconic mountains of the Dolomites. Those high rocky walls are also known for their Via Ferrata.
    Today, we will move around them leaving from the Dibona refuge on a magnificent balcony-like path, enjoying views of the peaks surrounding us, including the Cinque Torri (discovered the day before), the Croda del Lago (that we will visit the day after) and the beautiful Travenanzes valley. What a mythical hike !

    Private transfer from Cortina to the Dibona refuge : about 30 min / Walk : 6 to 7 hours / Ascending elevation : 900m / Drop : 900m / Accomodation : hotel

  • Day 5 The Croda del Lago tour

    The Croda del Lago tour We start the day gently by a bus transfer to the open meadows of Passo Giau, from where we start our trekking with a panoramic view on the Dolomites. We begin the walk on a nice path leading us to green pastures. We move around the Croda del Lago, impressive cliff, vertical and steep. Slowly, we head back to the Lago di Federa on an aerial path at first, then through a lush forest, before getting back on the road. We’ll spend the evening in Cortina.

    Transfer by public bus from Cortina to passo Giau : about 30 min / Walk : 6 hours / Ascending elevation : 800m / Drop : 800m / Accomodation : hotel

  • Day 6 Tre Cime tour

    Tre Cime tour We end up our trip today with a stunningly beautiful and best-known group of peaks in the Alps with ultra-panoramic views.
    We start off our day with a private transfer to the Auronzo refuge. The morning trek will occur around three mythical mountains of the Dolomites. After reaching the bottom of those stone-made giants, we can closely observe the Cima Grande (2999m-high), highest peak of the three mountains, well surrounded by the Cima Ovest and the Cima Piccola.
    We go back to the Locatelli refuge, from where we enjoy an incredible view of the North-face of those three icons. Going back to Cortina, and we’ll say good-bye in the afternoon.

    Private transfer to the Auronzo refuge : about 45 min / Walk : 4 hours / Ascending elevation : 500m / Drop : 500m / Accomodation : hotel

It is possible to get to Cortina the day before. In that case, we can book an additional night in our Cortina hotel for you. Please let us know.

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: RDOL

Included

  • Confortable accommodation in a hotel for 5 nights
  • Every breakfast
  • Picnics for lunchs from day 2 to day 6
  • Diners from day 1 to day 5
  • All public and private transfers as described in the program
  • French mountain guide

Not included

  • Transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo on day 1 and from Cortina d’Ampezzo on day 6 ( we can take care of that part of the trip, let us know)
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Guide tips
  • Application fees (18€ per person)

Notes

The trip was created in cooperation with our partners Huwans and Atalante, to offer you a bigger range of departure dates, combining our expertise and travel experience. In that case, you will probably be mixed with Huwans and Atalante clients in your group.

Terms and conditions

Inscription

By booking one of our travels, the customer bindingly accepts the general terms and conditions of sale. Each customer must fill a registration form. The booking is definitively registered when the customer has settled the payment of a deposit of 30 % of the total trip's price (subject to availability at the time of registration). In case of short term booking – within 30 days before the travel departure, the full trip's price is due immediately. Payments can be settled via bank transfer (SWIFT code/IBAN number) or online, directly from our website (available soon). You will receive an email with a booking confirmation as quickly as possible.

Facturation

Once your booking registered, we send you an email with the invoice. Full payment is required at least 30 days before your arrival. If the customer does not settle the payment of the travel's price within the period agreed upon, Altaï Alpes gets the right to cancel the booking without additional charges.

Annulation

For any reason, if you decide to withdraw from a trip, the amount already paid will be refunded subject to the following exceptions:       
  • Cancellation up to 45 days before the agreed beginning of the trip: You will be charged 20 % of the travel's price, in addition with every non-refundable expenses for additional services booked on request (internal flights, site entrance tickets, activities…)   
  • Cancellation between 44 and 15 days before the agreed beginning of the trip: You will be charged 50 % of the travel's price, in addition with every non-refundable expenses for additional services booked on request (internal flights, site entrance tickets, activities…)
  • Cancellation less than 14 days before the agreed beginning of the journey: You will be charged 100 % of the travel's price, in addition with every non-refundable expenses for additional services booked on request (internal flights, site entrance tickets, activities…)

Any cancellation shall be notified in writing (email, letter or fax). The cancellation will be effective as soon as we receive your written statement. If we notice early that the minimum number of participants for a trip cannot be reached, Altaï Alpes will exercise its right of withdrawal immediately. In that situation, you will be informed of the cancellation of your travel no later than 21 days before the agreed beginning of the journey. Altaï Alpes can also cancel a travel in case of major circumstances such as volcanic eruption, civil disturbances, strikes, weather and climate conditions, in order to ensure traveler's security… In such cases, you will immediately be refunded of any payments. However, you will not be entitled to any compensation.

Modification du contrat

If any change is made in the travel's contract at the customer’s request, any fee that might arise from this change shall be paid by the customer. In any cases, every request for changes shall be notified in writing. In case of external events that could not be foreseen, Altaï Alpes might change some aspects of the travel contract. We will endeavour to inform you of any change as quickly as possible.

Prix et révision des prix

All travel prices for groups on our website have been calculated for the indicated number of participants. The price list is confirmed after the booking. If the number of participants is lower than expected, an additional payment charge might be applied. For each travel and program, we mention the price per person – valid for the minimum number of participants – and we provide you with detailed explanations about the services included or not. Any change, of the currency exchange rates or on the price of travel's services in particular regarding the cost of the fuel, might entail price revision.

Cession du contrat

In case of transfer of the contract by the customer to an assignee, modification and cancellation conditions will be applied.

Insurance

We recommend you to get your personal insurance before your departure to cover the activities undertaken by Altaï Alpes. You can find the details of the insurances we offer on our website. If you have not purchased any of our insurances, we ask you to email us your insurance contract information (company, contract name, contract number, phone number) and bring those information with you on your trip. 

Practical info

Staff

This trip will be supervised by a mountain guide who will bring you the technical elements needed for the good progress of the trip. He may modify the program in order to ensure safety regarding weather conditions or participants physical conditions. 

Food

Because Italian cuisine is one of the tastiest, we pay great attention to the content and the preparation of our meals. Prepared according to everyone’s dietary requirements, meals are varied.

Usually :
  • Lunch : home made picnics
  • Diner : in accommodations or restaurants

Advice :
  • Bring some snacks that you like for quick bites during the day (cereal bars, chocolate, dried fruits...)

Accommodation

Comfort-wise, we will stay in the same hotel for the whole trip duration. Thus, you will need to carry only your daily belongings in you backpack, and leave what you don't need at the hotel.

Transportation

All you luggages must be divided in two bags : a 20kg maximum travel bag, and a backpack (max 35L) for your one-day belongings.
In your daily backpack, you will carry necessary items only : water, picnic prepared by your guide in the morning, clothes (sweater, goretex-type coat..), camera..

Budget & exchange

Italy is in the Eurozone. Therefore, the unit of the currency is the Euro.

Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances (but don’t forget to bring your PIN number!).
ATMs are available in most of the towns you will cross during your stay, but there are no guarantees that your credit card will actually work in Italy.
Be aware of the fees usually applied when purchasing products or services on a credit card. 

Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spend your trip constantly feeling short on funds. 

As currency exchange rates can often fluctuate, we recommend to check the following website for daily exchange rates: https://www.xe.com/

Tips

Clients usually pay for the guides’ drinks : you might find it practical to make a group kitty at the beginning of your stay (no obligation). 

Vital equipment

  • High trekking shoes are the mountain climbers best friends. They must be : solid, waterproof, and hold the feet and ankles. Chose shoes with gripping tread surface, quite rigid, Vibram-type
  • Light shoes (sneakers or sandals) to were at night in villages and cities
  • Underclothing. This is your first isolation, pay attention to it ! Thin technic fibres such as Carline or Polartec are very efficient, warm, flexible, confortable and light. They also dry very quickly.
  • Trekking pants
  • Polar coats. The last one are resistant, warm, thin and quickly-drying. The most suitable, well-known from the mountain climbers are Polartec, Carline and Ulfrotté.
  • Tee-shirts (technic preferred)
  • Rain cape or waterproof coat, Goretex-type
  • Hat or cap
  • Swimming suit and towel

Material

  • Toilet bag
  • Towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Solar cream (face and lips)
  • Flashlight or headlamp (with rechargeable battery)
  • 1.5L bottle (light and isotherm)
  • Toilet paper and lighter
  • Alcoholic gel
  • Plastic and airtight box (Tupperware-type) to carry picnics and cutlery
  • Clasp knife (multi-use preferred), don’t forget to put it in the baggage hold if you take the plane
  • We advise you to bring hiking sticks. They are very helpful to save your knees on your way down (it can hold 30% of your weight and your bag’s weight) and to support your effort on your way up (arms are helping legs)
  • Compass

Luggage

We advise you to divide your belongings between:

  • One small backpack (35 to 40L with a lap belt) : you will keep it with you in the plane and everyday as a hand luggage  (bottle, camera, sweater, picnic,..)
  • One marine or travel bag : it will contain all your belongings
  • One anti-theft sleeve : that you can carry around your neck or attached to your belt, recommended to carry official papers

Medicine

Your accompanist will be carrying a first-aid kit during your trip. However, we advise participants to bring their own medicine : aspirin, intestinal antiseptic, small scissors, solar cream (face and lips).. And don’t forget your feet : bandage, compeed,..

NB : There is no  « common » medicine in the first aid kit. Everyone must bring its own treatment if necessary.

Passport

Please make sure your passport and travel documents are valid.

Visa

  • Up to 90 days visit in Italy : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit Italy.
  • Over 90 days visit in Italy : non-EU citizens must have a visa to visit Italy over 90 days.

For further information, please check the following website : http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/

Identity card

For EU citizens, you can use your identity card to travel to Italy. 

Mandatory vaccines

No required vaccination. 

Health information & recommendations

It is important to consult your doctor for medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements.
Please keep in mind that we are often in remote areas, away from medical facilities. Please carefully read the brochure and itinerary when selecting your trip, to make sure our style of travel suits you. 

Please note you will travel to high altitude. Most people can travel to 2 500m with minimal effects. However, everyone reacts differently to altitude and altitude sickness can occur.
For details on how to best prepare your trip please consult your physician.

Weather

The Alpine Chain, which stretches from west to east separating Italy from central Europe, has a mountain climate, cold and snowy in winter and mild in summer, when thunderstorms frequently break out.

Electricity

Electricity in Italy conforms to the European standard of 220V to 230V, with a frequency of 50Hz.
Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins (the latter grounded, the former not).

Local time

Italy is in the Central European Time Zone (CET). Central European Standard Time is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).

Sustainable tourism

We do our best to offer trips subscribed to the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism. Our aim is to allow visitors to discover the many facets of Italy by taking you off the beaten path and getting you in touch with its nature and residents, while ensuring that your visits do not have a negative effect on its natural environment and people.

  • Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
  • France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
  • Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
  • Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
  • Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.  
Request a quote
Region
Italian alps
Activity
Hiking Summer
Duration
6 days
Group
4 to 15 people
Code
RDOL
Price
From €835
Level
3/5
Comfort
4/5
Language(s)
English

Strengths

One of the most iconic trekking in the Dolomites, discovering a large range of different landscapes in one of the most beautiful massif in the world.

Guide's advice

This trip is condensed, what we call a « must do », a highlight. Go for it !
Request a quote