Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. When you arrive at the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) this afternoon, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo – gateway to Italy’s stunning Dolomites and home of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Cortina sits in the shadow of the Tofane – three peaks that are among the highest and most dramatic peaks in the entire Dolomites. Settle in and unpack at your comfortable hotel before your welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your local leader and group. Then head out for an included dinner to get to know your fellow hikers before you set off on your hiking adventure.

After breakfast, take your private transfer along the scenic Great Dolomites Road to the circular trail of the Three Refuges in Cinque Torri (Five Towers). Start at the Baita Bai de Dones hut, then save your legs and take the 5 Torri chairlift to the panoramic Scoiattoli refuge. Enjoy lunch with sweeping views of the 5 Torri. Hike beneath towering orange-hued rock formations to the restored trenches of the 5 Torri Open-Air Museum of World War 1 – the largest in the Dolomites. Learn how Austrian and Italian troops once battled across these rugged peaks. Now on the east side of the 5 Torri, walk towards the historic Clinque Torri refuge, before following the downhill forest path to Lake Bai de Dones. Pause to soak up reflections of Tofana di Rozes in the clear water, then return to Cortina. The afternoon is yours to relax or maybe wander Cortina’s town centre.

Enjoy breakfast then take a spectacular one hour drive east to the Corvara region and into the Val Gardena, a favourite destination not just because of the infinite hiking paths but also the stunning views over the Sella group to the south and the rugged Cir Peaks to the north. As soon as you begin your hike you are treated to a spectacular vista of the Sella, Sassolungo and Alta Badia as you head up to the Jimmy Hutte, a beautiful rifugio with some of the best views in the Dolomites. Take a moment to relax, perhaps grab a drink and soak in those views before continuing on through the Val Gardena as the path undulates its way east before zigzagging its way upwards to the Col Pradat and our second amazing rifugio for the day, the Pradat Hutte. Here a incredible Dolomite landscape opens up - in front of you the mighty Sella massif and the endless rolling green meadows dotted with alpine flowers. Perhaps take in lunch with a view before descending the path to the village of Corvara far below. For those feeling a bit more leisurely you have the option of taking the cable car down to the village before enjoying the easy drive back to Cortina for a free evening to explore.

Set off on the short drive to Pezie de Paru to begin a gentle hike through forested paths to Lake Federa. Located between the massifs Croda da Lago, Cristallo, Antelao, Sorapiss and Becco di Mezzodi, the alpine lake remains full year-round, fed by underground springs. Begin hiking along a historic mule track to Cason de Formin, then zigzag up a wooded slope to a spectacular viewpoint over the Ampezzo valley. From there, descend to Lake Federa, where calm waters mirror the surrounding peaks. Take a break at the Croda da Lago refuge – a mountain hut by the lake – and maybe sample one of their 56 flavours of grappa. Continue back to the starting point of your hike for the short drive back to Cortina and enjoy a local cheese tasting and light lunch. This afternoon you may wish to visit the Observatory of Helmut Ullrich at Col Druscie for a unique close-up view of the sun.

Today marks your final, and perhaps best, hike in the Dolomites. Experience Tre Cime di Lavaredo from every angle as you hike around the three towering pillars of the Dolomites. Set off from Rifugio Auronzo, following a mostly flat gravel path. Enjoy sweeping views over the Auronzo Valley as you walk toward the Cappela degli Alpini. Take a short detour to a scenic viewpoint before rejoining the main trail to Rifugio Laveredo. From here, gradually climb to Forcella Lavaredo, then continue to Rifugio Locatelli. Leave the main path to visit the twin alpine lake – Laghi dei Piani – before making a final short climb to Sasso di Sesto for panoramic views of Rifugio Locatelli, the alpine chapel and of course Tre Cim, before descending into the green valley. As the spikey crags of the Cadini di Misurina reappear, you’ll follow the path to Rifugio Auronzo and maybe have a refreshing drink on the terrace. Later, you’ll drive through the Dolomites for a farewell dinner in Cortina.

With no activities planned after breakfast, you’re free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Contina d’Ampezzo , just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.