TIR

Rewilding the Apennines

6 days
from
£1,999
View Dates & Prices
Loading...
Walking & Trekking
Activity level:
Moderate
Activity Rating - Moderate
Trip code: 
TIR
Ways to Travel:
Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Activity:
Walking & Trekking
Group size:
6–8
Ages:
16+

Discover Italy's 'wild heart' and its beautiful landscapes

The process of “rewilding” helps to restore our nature’s ecosystems and biodiversity, for wildlife to return and thrive, while also combatting climate change by increasing the land’s ability to absorb carbon.

During this six-day experience, you will 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 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 and 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 is an exploration of Italy's "wild heart".

This trip visits the area that is being rewilding in partnership with Rewilding Europe, through our Nature and Carbon Corridors project.

Highlights

  • Experience rewilding in action
  • Dramatic natural landscapes 
  • Italian hospitality and some of the finest local food and wine
  • Travel by train to this trip. See trip notes for more

Key information

  • 4 nights in a 4-star hotel and 1 night in a mountain refuge

  • 4 days walking (max altitude 2000m)

  • Group normally 6 to 8, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs

  • Travel by private minibus

  • Countries visited: Italy

What's included

  • All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 1 dinner
  • All accommodation 
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
  • Transfer for group flights

What's not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request for hotel only) 
  • Visas and vaccinations
Call for general departures:
020 8772 3943
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

4

Days of Walking & Trekking
Day by day breakdown
Day 2 4.0km/2.5miles
Day 3 13.0km/8.1miles
Day 4 13.0km/8.1miles
Day 5 13.0km/8.1miles

People, Places and Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. To read more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice, click here, and to find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation click here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

  • The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural and social sensitivities.
  • This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprises.
  • This trip helps engage local communities in rewilding and conservation of the landscapes around them, by developing ‘nature-based’ economic and employment opportunities through ecotourism. 

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

  • By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment. On this trip part of the itinerary is off the beaten track and we stay one night in a mountain refuge.
  • This trip will enable you to explore the some of the area that is being rewilded through our ‘Nature and Carbon Corridors’ project, in partnership with Rewilding Europe.
  • The trip supports rewilding, wildlife conservation and the restoration of precious ecosystems by helping develop ecotourism in the area, building important community and financial support for this work. Our local partner also contributes directly to Rewilding Europe’s work directly.
  • In addition, we have committed to rewild 100 square metres of the Italian Apennines for every passenger who travels with us, through our Nature and Carbon Corridors Project.
  • Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
  • We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

  • Read about Exodus Travels’ Planet Promise here, including our rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
  • Use of transport on the trip is minimal – you will mostly be using your feet!
  • We have selected smaller, locally-run accommodation to minimise the impact on the surrounding environments.
  • Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary prioritise the use of locally sourced food that has not been transported long distances.

  • Vegetarian and vegan options are available at all accommodation and restaurants.

 

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
  • Take the train: Consider taking the train to this trip. Not only will it significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday vs. flying, it also extends your adventure! Read more about which train journeys we can book, or how to book your own, here.

Itinerary

Expand all
Rome
to
Rome

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Rome; transfer to Pescasseroli

    Arrive in Rome, your transfer awaits. You will be driven east- within 3 hours you will arrive in the quaint mountain town of Pescasseroli and check in at the Albergo Villino Quintiliani.

    After you settled into your room, you will ‘meet the team’. We will enjoy a special presentation on rewilding in the area by the Team leader of Rewilding Apennines: Mario Cipollone, and will be introduced to our local nature guide, Umberto Esposito.

    Overnight at Hotel Sport Daniel or similar

  • Day 2

    Visit to the bear corridors

    After breakfast in the hotel, we enjoy an exclusive visit to the bear corridors with Mario Cipollone who will guide us through the measures being taken here.  In one of the Bear Smart Communities we see how they have dramatically reduced bear damage and increased social acceptance of them through the installation of about 100 electric fences since 2015, along with the deployment of bear-proof waste bins. We also see just why and how these corridors are vital to the protection of the local community as much as the bears themselves as we visit local entrepreneurs, farmers and shepherds in the region to hear their stories about how wolves and bears are part of the area, and of their lives.

     Overnight at Hotel Sport Daniel or similar

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

  • Day 3

    Wildlife tracking; hike to the mountain refuge

    An early morning start to look for wolves and other wildlife in the valley and learn about human/wildlife conflict and mitigation. Return to the hotel for a hearty breakfast.

     (3h walk - 5km - 300 m ascent – 300 m descent)

     After breakfast, we will start our hike to the Mountain Refuge Bisegna. We enjoy dinner with local wines and cheese at the refuge and gaze at the stars before a good night’s rest at the refuge.

     (2h walk - 8km - 400 m ascent)

     Overnight at Mountain Refuge Bisegna

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

  • Day 4

    Mountain experience and wildlife tracking

    Wake up surrounded by mountains and enjoy an early morning mountain experience, hike and wildlife tracking. We have our breakfast back at the refuge before we leave for a midday hike and remote picnic lunch, visiting critical water points or see the extensive removal of unused barbed wire fences, and wells made safe by metal grids to prevent animals from falling and drowning in them. 

    Overnight at Hotel Daniel or similar

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

  • Day 5

    Wildlife tracking

    Early morning hike in search of wolves, bears and other wildlife. Breakfast at the refuge and hike down to town, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way back. 

    In the afternoon we will be able to enjoy a shower and some time to relax at the hotel.

    Overnight at Hotel Daniel or similar

    Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

  • Day 6

    End Rome

    Breakfast at the hotel, one last Italian coffee at the village square in Pescasseroli, and we will start our transfer back to Rome or Pescara.

    Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
TIR
TIR
Show map

Essential Info

Visas

Vaccinations

Italy

There are no specific health risks.

Weather

The climate of the highest section of the Apennines is continental (as found in the interior of Europe) but made more pleasant by Mediterranean influences. Snowfalls are frequent, with cold winters and hot summers. Average summer temperature 24°–35° C and average rainfall is between 1,000 and 2,000 millimetres per year, which is higher on the Tyrrhenian slopes than on the eastern, or Adriatic, side of the Apennines.

Is this trip for you?

This itinerary includes 4 days walking in mountainous terrain with transport to and from start/end points of walks. Some of the days are quite long, sometimes involving an ascent of 700m followed by a similar descent. This will mean steadily walking uphill for a few hours and then the same down again. The paths are rocky and steep in sections but generally well maintained. Due to the quality of the trails, the general 'civilisation' of the area and the relative shortness of the trek, we rate it as an Activity level 3, Moderate. Previous walking experience and some walking experience is an advantage, however  the trek should be within the capabilities of anyone good health and reasonably fit as walking takes place on recognised trails.

Walking hours stated are given as approximates only and include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. However, in general, days average about two to five hours and up to eight miles in distance. This trip is not advised for severe vertigo sufferers.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3943
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotel and refuge

Hotel Sport Daniel

Small and stylish four-star hotel located a few hundred meters from the centre of Pescasseroli, in the heart of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise.

Bisegna Mountain Refuge

The newly renovated Bisegna refuge offers warm Italian hospitality, cuisine and a magical spot to rest in the mountains. Set high up in the mountains, resting on the saddle between Pescasseroli and Bisegna, the mountain refuge offers guests a unique setting to rest and spend the night.

Single supplement is available on request for hotel only. It is not available for the night in the refuge.

Bisegna Refuge twin room
Bisegna Refuge twin room
Bisegna Refuge double room
Bisegna Refuge double room
Call for general departures:
020 8772 3943
Call for private group trips:
020 8772 3874
Contact Us >
Live Chat >
Request a Brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Expert Blog Entries

Reviews

Add your own review

Have you been on this adventure? Tell others what it’s like by writing a review.

See all reviews

Dates & Prices

Please provide as much information as possible below so we can best help with your holiday requirements.

Fields with * are mandatory.

Please call one of our experts to discuss your private group requirements on 0203 993 4668, or fill out the form below and we will give you a call back.

Please provide as much information as possible below so we can best help with your holiday requirements.

Fields with * are mandatory.

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

 

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London  

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros  Cons
  • May be the most direct route
  • Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.
  • As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.
  • You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

 

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.
 
a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination. 

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros  Cons
  • Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.
  • Through fare tickets can be expensive.
  • On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.
  • Published fares are non-refundable.

 

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros  Cons
  • You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.
  • You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

 

 Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

  • On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
  • On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client. 

 

Next steps? 

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

Call us on 020 8772 3943
Chat with us online
Request a brochure