Overview
During this six-day experience, we witness the intimate relationship between wild nature and local communities. This is the perfect way to see first-hand the beneficial impact of rewilding and the importance of using wildlife corridors to connect protected areas, thereby supporting the comeback of...read more iconic indigenous species.
The wild and dramatic landscape here is home to chamois, deer, wolves and golden eagles, as well as the rare Marsican brown bear. In addition to wildlife, we experience the region’s ever-hospitable people and their colourful, authentic culture.
Led by highly skilled nature guides and sustained by some of the finest local food and wine, a journey into the Central Apennines is truly an exploration of Italy’s wild heart.
This trip visits the area that is being rewilding in partnership with Rewilding Apennines, through our Nature and Carbon Corridors project. All profits from the sale of this trip will go to Rewilding Apennine's vital biodiversity restoration work.
On this tour, you will have a VIP leader from the Rewilding Apennines team.
Our local Nature Guide may be Valeria Roselli or Andrea De Angelis.
The area we visit on this trip is now part of a designated Wildlife Heritage Area.
Itinerary
After arriving in Rome, journey to the quaint mountain town of Pescasseroli (three hours' drive, read the Joining Instructions for more information) and check into the Villino Quintiliani Hotel. After settling into our rooms, we enjoy a special presentation on rewilding in the area by the Team Leader of Rewilding Apennines, Mario Cipollone, and are introduced to our Nature Guide for the trip, Valeria Roselli or Andrea De Angelis. Stay: Villino Quintiliani Hotel (or similar) (D).
After breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy an exclusive visit to the bear corridors with our Rewilding Apennines guide, who leads us through the measures taken here. In one of the Bear Smart Communities, we see how they have dramatically reduced bear damage and increased social acceptance of the animals through the installation of about 100 electric fences since 2015, along with the deployment of bear-proof waste bins. We also see why and how these corridors are vital to the protection of the local community as much as the bears themselves. Stay: Villino Quintiliani Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).
We have an early morning start to look for wolves and other wildlife in the valley and learn about human-wildlife conflict and mitigation. After, we return to the hotel for breakfast. (Three-hour walk; 3mi/5km; ascent: 985ft/300m; descent: 985ft/300m) After breakfast, we start our hike to the Mountain Refuge Bisegna. We enjoy a hearty, fresh dinner with local cheese at the refuge and gaze at the stars before a good night's rest. (Two-hour walk; 5mi/8km; ascent: 1,310ft/400m) Stay: Terraegna Mountain Refuge (B/L/D).
Wake up surrounded by mountains and enjoy an early morning mountain experience, hiking and wildlife tracking. We have breakfast back at the refuge before we leave for a midday hike and remote picnic lunch. There are always beautiful views and if there are good weather conditions you can see the peaks of Gran Sasso d'Italia, Monte Velino and the Majella Massif. During the walk, we hear tales from local history going back 1,000 years. Enjoy a late afternoon coffee and take time to explore Pescasseroli. Stay: Villino Quintiliani Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).
After breakfast, we go on a hike that offers sensational national park landscapes, with rocky walls, deep glacial valleys and beech forests. Walking silently and respectfully, we are likely to see one of the most important populations of Apennine chamois grazing between pastures and rocky walls.
After a packed lunch, we return to the hotel for time to relax.
In the evening, we have our last wildlife-watching session and a delicious dinner a local restaurant. Stay: Villino Quintiliani Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).
Breakfast at the hotel, enjoy one last Italian coffee at the village square in Pescasseroli, and we start our transfer back to Rome (B).
Trip Inclusions
- Experience rewilding in action
- Discover dramatic natural landscapes
- Enjoy Italian hospitality and some of the finest and freshest local food
- Have the chance to spot wildlife such as Wolves, Deer, Brown Bears, Golden Eagles, Chamois and more!
- Four nights in a four-star hotel and one night in a mountain refuge
- Travel by private minibus and 4×4s
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Tour leader throughout
- All transport and listed activities
- Group arrival and departure transfers available
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- (maximum altitude: 7,220ft/2,200m)
Hit the trails with Exodus - from challenging peaks to leisurely coastal and countryside walks. Read more
Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more
Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
