Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Italy: The Tour of the Giants HIKE EPIC ALPINE TRAILS OF THE VAL D’AOSTA BENEATH ITALY’S HIGHEST PEAKS

Our newest alpine adventure brings you to the “Roof of Europe” on a fabulous hiking journey designed by our superb Trip Leader Gianluca Canalicchio. Challenging hikes—with shorter options on many days—lead us across the craggy ridges of Italy’s dramatic Val d’Aosta, through enchanting villages of the intriguing Walser culture, and right below the spectacular giants of the Alps: the iconic Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc—the highest of them all—and the glaciated peaks of Gran Paradiso National Park. Cable cars and gondolas whisk us high into the mountains, and our route includes portions of the famed Alta Via, Italy’s premier long-distance trail. At night, we are welcomed into cozy hotels in small villages where we’ll savor the local cuisine.

the Mont Blanc massif, we ascend by cable car and hike to the Elisabetta Hut. Our last hike is in the Val Ferret, a lovely realm of alpine meadows and fast-flowing streams surrounded by the massive granite peaks of Mont Dolent, the Dent du Geant, and the Grandes Jorasses. We catch the cable car to savor spectacular views of the “Roof of Europe” at the Aiguille du Midi (12,678') in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, then descend to Chamonix, France. Depart on Day 12 via Torino.

MENNO BOERMANS

Days 1-3 Aosta, Val d’Aosta / Breuil-Cervinia Cable cars bring us up into the mountains for hikes with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc massif, Grand Combin, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and countless other high peaks. Days 4-7 Cervinia / Gressoney-La-Trinité One of our stunning hikes is along the Tour de Monte Rosa, and brings us into the glacially carved Val d’Ayas, a serene paradise full of rivers and streams, framed by the superb backdrop of the snowy Breithorn and two mountain-ringed lakes. Other hikes lead along the famed Alta Via, a rugged long-distance trail encircling the heights of the Val d’Aosta, and through alpine hamlets with traditional Walser architecture.

Days 8-9 Gran Paradiso National Park Gran Paradiso National Park is a magnificent landscape of soaring snow-covered peaks, glacial cirques, alpine lakes, and remote valleys with charming traditional villages. Our hiking route brings us through Lillaz, famous for its beautiful waterfalls, and along ancient royal hunting roads built by King Vittorio Emanuele II (Gran Paradiso was once his private hunting grounds). Days 10-12 Courmayeur / Mont Blanc From the town of Courmayeur, stunningly set beneath

HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy exhilarating hikes beneath the giants of the Alps—the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Mont Blanc—and in the valleys of Gran Paradiso National Park • A true hiker’s hike on the Val d’Aosta’s Alta Via, with shorter hiking options on many days • Sample the distinctive cuisine of Italy’s Val d’Aosta • Discover tiny villages with distinctive architecture and ancient traditions DETAILS • 12-day trip begins and ends in Torino • 11 nights hotels • All meals included except 2 dinners

Cable cars and gondolas carry us up onto the flanks of the highest mountains in Europe for our stunning hikes. PHOTO: GARETH MCCORMACK

DATES Jul 10-21, 2018 Aug 21-Sep 1

TRIP COST $5795 (10-15 members) $6295 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $450

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 4-6 hours a day, altitudes between 8,000-11,600 feet, van support

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 46