5 - 14 guests
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Read more about the Active Range
Price
USD $6499/per adult
Next available departure
19 Jun - 28 Jun
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
On this 10-day Italian Lakes District adventure, discover the glaciers, meadows, forests, lakes and villages of Northern Italy, all while enjoying the finer things in life. The Italian Lakes District is renowned for intimate vineyards, picture-perfect towns and crystal-clear lakes backdropped by vivid mountains. As you hike through untouched villages, valleys and ridges of Valsesia at the foot of the Italian/Swiss Alps and sea kayak to quiet villages on Lake Orta and Como, you'll come to embrace the relaxed pace of life. With expert, local guides leading the way, the culture, history, sights, sounds and tastes of Northern Italy will reveal themselves amidst a backdrop of some of the most stunning scenery on the planet. If you're looking for a true hiking vacation, the Italian Lakes District is sure to become your newfound love.
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Day 1
Your trip begins in Milan, one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, and the gateway to the Italian Lakes District. We’ll meet you at Milan Malpensa International Airport in the morning and we’ll head towards the Italian Alps, standing tall in the distance. After a short drive into the Piedmonte region, the wide plains turn to valleys and the horizon turns jagged as we enter one of Italy’s least visited, but most beautiful valleys. Valsesia’s main center is Varallo, the largest and first of many stunning towns that line the edges of the Sesia River and narrow side valleys. From Varallo’s town center, we’ll hike up to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sacro Monte di Varallo. Built in 1491 by a Franciscan friar, Bernardino Caìmi, Sacro Monte is one of the oldest religious structures in Italy. Perched on a steep hillside above the valley, the intricate architecture and setting is surreal, with fantastic views down to the cobbled streets of Varallo below. With no through road to any other region, the dramatic beauty of Valsesia will reveal itself around every corner as we drive further to Alagna village, our home for the next couple of days and a great location to hike the trails of the incredible Monte Rosa range of the Alps.
Hotel Monterosa, Alagna Valsesia (Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 490 meters (1607 feet)
Day 2
This morning we’ll begin the hike right from our doorstep, making our way through the upper village of Alagna, characterized by immaculately groomed traditional chalets and cobbled pathways. Leaving the village, we’ll hike up toward Otro Valley, through picture-perfect pasture land, passing herds of cows and groves of fir trees. Otro Valley is scattered with centuries-old history, intact nature, and hamlets - the unchanged testimony of the Walser inhabitants. The trail is a great warm-up for the days to come and offers the possibility to contemplate one of the most poetic landscapes in the whole of Valsesia. We’ll have views of Corno Bianco (3,320 meters), the highest peak in the Valley with its two glaciers – Nevato and the Glacier of Otro. We’ll stop for lunch at a mountain rifugio before hiking back down to Alagna, where you’ll have the afternoon to explore or rest up and relax in the village before meeting for dinner.
Hotel Monterosa, Alagna Valsesia (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 14 kilometers (8.6 miles), elevation +/- 730 meters (2,395 feet)
Day 3
This morning we’ll take a short transfer from the hotel to Alta Valsesia Natural Park, where we’ll explore for the day. Established in 1979, the Alta Valsesia Natural Park is classed as an Alpine Park and it’s the highest protected area in Europe, stretching over 3,500 meters of land all the way to Monte Rosa, sitting at 4,554 meters. The valley embraces a wide variety of environments, from crisp green pastures to its Himalayan cirque located under the huge south face of Monte Rosa where the Sesia River is born from the glaciers of the mountain. Your guides will choose the best trail for you on the day, with the Park rich in fauna, you may have the chance to see ibex, chamois, deer, marmots, and even eagles! We’ll stop for lunch at a mountain rifugio before hiking down through the old Walser hamlets back to Alagna. Once we return to Alagna, we’ll have time to rest up and relax in the village before meeting for dinner.
Hotel Monterosa, Alagna Valsesia (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: We'll decide on the day, as our options are endless!
Day 4
This morning we’ll drive a short distance back down the valley. From Varallo, we’ll say goodbye to the steep green walls of Valsesia and head into the forests of the Vercelli province, passing the beautiful villages of Civiasco and Arola. Our next stop is Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary, a stunning complex built in the early 1700s, overlooking Lake Orta and out towards the Swiss Alps – the views are simply spectacular! After taking in the first of the Italian Lakes from this amazing vantage point, we’ll hike down to the lakeside village of Pella where we’ll board a boat across to San Giulio Island – the jewel in the crown of Lake Orta. We’ll have time to stroll the Via del Silenzio pathway around the Island and explore the quiet narrow cobbled streets, quaint courtyards, and incredible 12th Century basilica. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time several hundred years! The time travel doesn’t stop there though, as we board our boat again and head a very short distance across to the village of Orta San Giulio, our home for the next couple of nights.
Hotel Bocciolo, Orta San Giulio (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 4.8 kilometers (3 miles), elevation +/- 300 meters (984 feet)
Day 5
After breakfast this morning, we’ll take to the lake by sea kayak and paddle past the numerous villages that dot the shoreline. Enveloped by dark green woodlands and old settlements, Lake Orta is the quietest of the Italian Lakes, making it the perfect place to stop off for a lakeside espresso and take in serene village life. Later we’ll return to Orta San Giulio where there’s time to walk the lakeside pathway and stroll up the cobbled pathways to the Sacro Monte chapels overlooking the village and across the western shores of Lake Orta – the views are breathtaking! If you’re keen to carry on paddling today, there’s plenty of opportunity to go a little further with our guides after we return to Orta San Giulio.
Hotel Bocciolo, Orta San Giulio (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Kayaking: 10 kilometers (6 miles)
Day 6
This morning we’ll drive a short distance to Armeno, a quaint village nestled in the foothills of the Mottarone mountain range, which runs the whole length of Lake Orta and divides it from Lake Maggiore. We’ll set off from Armeno, hiking along old cobbled pathways to the Church of Madonna de Luciago, with stunning views of pastureland to the south. It’s fields and forest the whole way to the top of the Mottarone, where you’ll be rewarded with expansive vistas from the Po Valley to the summits of the Alps. You’ll be struck by the view of Monte Rosa and the seven lakes that lie in this natural basin. We always allow plenty of time to soak in these views, so you can rest and then take a stroll in every direction. Later, we’ll drive back down and there’s time this afternoon to soak in the atmosphere of the narrow streets and lake promenade before we meet for dinner in one of the many charming cobbled squares.
Hotel Lido Perla Negra, Stresa (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles), elevation + 968 meters (3,175 feet)
Day 7
Today we’ll hike through the largest wilderness area in Italy – the Val Grande National Park. Along a panoramic trail into the conifer forests and alpine meadows of the area, we’ll enjoy incredible views of the craggy peaks of the Alps to the north, and the blue waters of Lake Maggiore to the south. Where our hikes in the days before have passed through villages, our hike today is all about the wilderness and the combination of silence and grand views. Afterwards, we’ll head back to Stresa for another exceptional local restaurant meal.
Hotel Lido Perla Negra, Stresa (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 8 kilometers (5 miles), elevation +/- 430 meters (1,410 feet)
Day 8
This morning we’ll head to Lake Como – Italy’s most dramatic and iconic lake. Our home for the next couple of days is San Giovanni, one of the most beautiful stretches of lakeside settlement in the world. It’s easy to fall in love with this place. Just around the corner is Bellagio, sitting on the peninsula where the western and eastern arms of the lake meet, this town known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’, is surrounded by exuberant gardens, a maze of steep stone staircases, gorgeous lake-side squares and incredible views to the Alps. If you’re keen to hike today, we’ll take a short boat ride across to the village of Varenna with its famous pastel-coloured houses that seem to defy the laws of physics, perched on the steep green slopes that rise straight up from the lake. From here we’ll hike on the cobbled pathway and trail up to the hamlet of Vezio. The center-piece of this tiny settlement is the Vezio Castle, the remains of a fortified watchtower built in the middle ages. The views from up here are spectacular. Later we’ll walk back down to Varenna before catching the boat back across the lake. Tonight you’ll be able to choose from a variety of local restaurants in nearby Bellagio for your evening meal.
Hotel Locanda della Maria, San Giovanni (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles), elevation +/- 150 meters (495 feet)
Day 9
The steep walls of the Alps, dropping straight down into the clear waters of the lake, with stunning villages and coves dotted along the edges are a sight to behold. Around every corner, more and more of Lake Como’s charm reveals itself. You’ll be itching to explore! Explore is exactly what we’ll do, and all from a sea kayak, as we glide past the incredible coves, 17th Century houses, and gardens that dot the lakeside – if there was a more perfect example of man-made structures and the natural environment coming together, we’re yet to see it! After our paddle, we’ll have time to soak in the charm and beauty of San Giovanni.
Hotel Locanda della Maria, San Giovanni (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Kayaking: 12.9 kilometers (8 miles)
Day 10
This morning we’ll head back to Milan in time for afternoon flights. If you’re staying on, our team is happy to offer you suggestions on how best to spend your time. Either way, you’ll go home relaxed and refreshed after the beautiful hiking, kayaking, and fine cuisine you’ll have taken in while exploring the Italian Lakes District.
No Accommodation (Breakfast)
Filling Up
Full
Full
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply.
You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional, warm and relaxed style of hosting. Plus, we’re always here to help with planning, travel, bookings... even hiking boot recommendations!
As soon as your trip starts, we've got everything covered – top notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.
With our small groups of typically no more than 14 (up to 18 max), you'll get to know our team, your fellow travellers, and have the flexibility and freedom to do as much (or as little!) as you like. It’s all about going at your own pace.
All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy a special experience, authentic local knowledge and an adventure like no other.
We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.
