Day 1 Meet up in Milan
All day
Today is the gathering day. We will arrange a [collective pick-up] at Milan Airport based on the arrival time of most tourists. After the pick-up, we will go to the hotel together to check in.
That night, the team leader organized a pre-trip briefing for everyone, after which everyone went to bed early to recharge their batteries. The Dolomites journey will officially begin tomorrow!
How to get there:
This itinerary is a collection of destinations from Milan. You will need to book your own flight tickets. We recommend you fly to Milan, Italy. Direct flights are available from Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and other cities to Malpensa Airport (airport code MXP).
About visa:
Italy belongs to the Schengen area, so you need to apply for an Italian visa in advance. It is usually recommended that you start preparing appointments and materials 3 months in advance, but because the number of Italian visas is too tight, it is recommended that you prepare earlier!
丨Team Description:
This tour is an independent China-TravelNote tour, with a maximum of 15 people. A China-TravelNote tour leader will be assigned upon departure.
Day 2 Milan → Lake Garda → Lake Case → Bolzano
·morning
Today is the day for hiking adaptation. There is no hiking itinerary, so everyone can just take a leisurely tour and sightseeing. It is also a simple warm-up for the subsequent hiking.
After breakfast, we set off from Milan and arrived at Malcesine, a lakeside town nestled among beautiful lakes and mountains. Next to the town is Lake Garda.
Stepping into Malcesine is like stepping into a vibrant postcard. Known as the "Pearl of Lake Garda," the town even captivated the great writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Nestled against the majestic Mount Baldo, standing by the lake, the town is captivated by the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
There are many exquisite ceramic plate shops in the town, which is very suitable for shopping. You can also take care of your lunch here.
·afternoon
The scenery in the afternoon will not disappoint you.
In the afternoon, we drove to Italy’s “Rainbow Lake” [Lago di Carezza]. It’s perfect to take a walk along the Rainbow Lake. As long as the weather is good, taking photos here will be great!
We will arrive in Bolzano in the evening and after checking into the hotel, it will be free time for everyone.
Day 3 Bolzano → Funes Valley → Ortisei
·morning
The Dolomites hiking journey has officially begun!
Departing from Bolzano, we headed to our first stop, the breathtaking Funes Valley, a place so captivating just by looking at it that you'll want to return again and again. From the valley's viewpoint, you can admire two exquisite churches: Santa Maddalena and the Church of St. John. Due to its shape and location, St. John's is known as the "Onion Church" and the "Loneliest Church in the World." From the dedicated camera, capture these two churches in a single moment, creating a stunning photo op.
Then we headed to the foot of the Dolomites to start today’s valley hike.
We set out from a parking lot deep in the Funes Valley, following a winding path past a series of alpine huts before following the famous Adolfo Munkel Way (also known as the Via delle Odle) to a refuge nestled in the mountains. Along the way, the meadows beneath our feet spread like a green carpet, dotted with colorful wildflowers. The air was filled with the fresh scent of pine forests, accompanied by the distant tinkling of cowbells, creating a tranquil and distant experience.
This route runs right below the famous Odle mountain and offers a truly unique panoramic view in the world!
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 13 kilometers
Hiking duration: 5-6 hours
Cumulative climb: about 600 meters
·afternoon
After finishing the day's hike, check in to your hotel in Ortisei.
The town is surrounded by lush alpine meadows, clear mountain streams and alpine huts. The air is fresh and the environment is beautiful. If you still have energy, taking a quick stroll around the town after dinner is also a good choice.
Day 4 Ortisei → Mount Siusi → Ortisei
All day
Today’s hiking mission is released: Hike Mount Hughes!
Today's route is similar to a large loop. After breakfast, we'll take the cable car up to Mount Suisi. Along the way, the Suisi Plateau (Alpe di Suisi) is the largest alpine pasture and the most extensive mountain grassland in the Alps! Here, the grass is lush and green, and herds of cattle and sheep can be seen everywhere.
Take the cable car to the highest point of the Hughes Plateau, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of each area: the magnificent Gardena Valley to the north, the majestic Sciliar Peak to the southwest, and the rolling hills of the Dolomites to the southeast. Each scene is a picturesque display of nature's grandeur.
Since the Hughes Plateau is relatively flat, you can see the distant Feldspar Mountain and Schlern Mountain from almost any angle. There are cabins for rest and adjustment during the hike, and the entire route is not too difficult.
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 13 kilometers
Hiking duration: 4.5-5 hours
Cumulative climb: about 500 meters
Day 5 Ortisei → Blade's Edge Mountains → Ortisei
All day
Today we came to the other side of the town of Ortisei and hiked Blade Edge Mountain!
Seceda is one of the most iconic sights in the Dolomites, named for the sharp Odle mountain range visible from its side. After taking the cable car up the mountain, the hike begins.
We started at the cable car station. During the hike, the magnificent Knife Edge Mountain appeared in front of you and at your feet. This towering and uniquely shaped mountain has rocks with fascinating colors and textures. The steep cliffs and undulating mountains form a shocking skyline.
We then hiked to a mountain pasture, featuring vast meadows and traditional Alpine-style buildings, surrounded by magnificent peaks and offering captivating views. This is an ideal resting spot for hikers, allowing them to enjoy the scenery, rest, and experience the tranquility and pristine nature of the Alps. Several hiking huts are also located in the mountains, including Rifugio Firenze, a unique mountain retreat offering a perfect spot to rest and admire the scenery. We then circled back to the end point and descended.
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 10 kilometers
Hiking duration: 5-6 hours
Cumulative climb: about 600 meters
Day 6 Ortisei → Pass Gardena → Cortina d'Ampezzo
·morning
Today is our day of relaxation, let's relax our tired and tense feet.
This morning, we set out from Ortisei and reached a forgotten place called Passo Gardena. The pass itself is a path descending from the mountain. As we walked along the path, facing the towering mountains, we felt both a sense of insignificance and a sense of being on a cliff. On a sunny day, the mountains, bathed in golden light, were a truly captivating sight.
·afternoon
Arrive at the small town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, a small town in a wide valley surrounded by mountains. It has only about 6,000 people, but it has long been a well-known outdoor sports center.
In winter, this area is home to the Dolomites Superski Resort, while in summer, it also offers a wide range of leisure, sports and entertainment options. The 300km of hiking trails here offer a variety of routes, varying in difficulty.
There are also 250 shops, and the streets are always crowded with tourists who come here to shop, dine and admire fashion.
After arriving in the town, the rest of the day will be left for you to explore on your own.
Day 7 Cortina d'Ampezzo → Trekking → Cortina d'Ampezzo
All day
Today's hiking mission is to hike the Three Peaks Mountain, another iconic peak in the Dolomites. On the way, you can also check in at the mountain hut that appears very frequently in the mountains: Rifugio Locatelli.
Starting from the parking lot, you will pass by several mountain huts with different styles, including the mountain hut Rifugio Auronzo, which is known as the "Refuge in the Sky City". This is also our starting point. Starting from here, it is not only the gateway to explore the three peaks, but also an excellent viewpoint to appreciate the spectacular mountain scenery.
The Three Peaks loop hike offers endlessly changing scenery, from vast green meadows to steep rocky ridges, from deep valleys carved by ancient glaciers to breathtaking cliffs. Each time you look up, the three iconic spires reveal a myriad of colors in varying light, sometimes gentle and picturesque, sometimes majestic and awe-inspiring, like guardians of nature, quietly watching over this ancient land.
The mountain hut that you can't miss is of course the Rifugio Locatelli. This red-roofed and white-walled hut has become a frequent tourist's camera. Due to its high altitude, it overlooks the stunning natural scenery.
This route is also the last and more difficult route in this hiking journey.
Hiking Information:
Hiking distance: about 10 kilometers
Hiking duration: 5-6 hours
Cumulative climb: about 500 meters
Day 8 Cortina d'Ampezzo → Lake Misurina → Cortina d'Ampezzo
·morning
Before setting off today, those who have cameras should prepare them, and those who don’t should fully charge their phones. Tourists who like taking photos will definitely have a great time today!
Then walk from the parking lot for about an hour to reach the [Wild Viewing Platform] on the cliff. This is a treasure trove of Dolomites. Some of the photos in the popular life photo series on Xiaohongshu were taken from here.
Everyone can take photos here with peace of mind this morning, and we look forward to your photos of life!
·afternoon
After descending the mountain, we arrived at Lake Misurina and enjoyed a meal at a lakeside restaurant. The combination of water, snow, forests, grass, mountains, and buildings has earned Lake Misurina the reputation of being one of Europe's most photogenic lakes.
Because there is no specific hiking route, if you are energetic, you can also hike around the lake for about 3 kilometers.
Day 9 Cortina d'Ampezzo → Venice
All day
Today is the day of disbanding. We will arrange for a group transfer to the airport, depart at the appropriate time, and return to Venice Airport (airport code: VCE) for disbanding.
If you don't want to return to Venice, you can also disband in Cortina d'Ampezzo and continue your Dolomites tour.
The hiking trip in Dolomites ends here. I wish you all a pleasant journey and a safe return home!
