Walking in the mountains of Majella National Park, Italy with Sawadee

Walking holiday with day walks in the fabulous nature of Majella National Park accompanied by charming accommodation places and excellent Italian cuisine

Tour type:

group

Tour operator:

Sawadee

Park:

Majella National Park

Highlights of the holiday

During this walking week in PAN Park Majella you get to know an unknown corner of Italy: hike in high, rugged mountains with snow-covered peaks even in early summer, in deep, green gorges and among amazing rock formations. There are several day walks in nature complemented with fantastic cuisine, great hospitality and a visit to Rome.

The tour is organised by the Dutch tour operator Sawadee and is conducted in Dutch.

Holiday type

walking holiday
guided tour
small groups (max. 14 participants)

Duration of holiday

9 days

Activities by days

Day 1: Arrival in Decontra – O/N in Decontra on HB basis
Arrive in Rome FCO at 12.00 and private bus transfer to Santo Spirito del Morrone Abbey in Sulmona where the Majella National Park headquarter is based for an introduction/presentation of the National Park with the use of slide projectors, some maps and written information. The introduction will included the following points:

The PAN Parks Foundation:

info about the Park Authority and about the reasons why the Majella National Park has decided to take part in the PAN Parks European Project,
which are the criteria requested to become a PAN Parks partner (also mentioning the accommodations used in the trip that are already Pan Parks’ partners),
which is the wilderness zone of Majella National Park.

The Majella Nation Park (territory, flora and fauna):

the main highlights of the National Park,
the valleys, the mountains, the hermitages and the spiritual paths, the villages and towns, the local artisans, food.

After the introduction, private transfer to Decontra and welcome drink with dinner at the accommodation.

Day 2: Orfento Valley walk + Optional cooking demonstration - O/N in Decontra on BB basis
Today you hike through the Orfento Valley - descending in a deep, narrow canyon and following the river. Back at the ’agriturismo’ you have time to relax, or if you have booked in advance, you can enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious dinner. If not, you will have dinner on your own tonight.

Day 3: Guided walk to the Santo Spirito Hermitage - O/N in Decontra on BB basis
After breakfast, you meet up with an English speaking local guide for a nice walk on the Spirit Path to the Santo Spirito Hermitage, certainly know as the largest and most famous hermitage of this area. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 4: Monte Cavallo guided walk - O/N in Caramanico on BB basis
The Monte Cavallo excursion starts with a morning transfer to the Rifugio Pomilio, where you meet your English speaking local guide. It is a full day walk on the Brigants’ Tablet with orienteering activities and faunal watching. After the walk you are transferred to the hotel in Caramanico Terme. Possible alternative walk at low altitude in case of snow or bad weather: San Giovanni waterfalls’ walk with transfers to/from the start/end of the walk. Dinner is on your own tonight. After dinner optional visit to the Otter centre (to be booked at least one day in advance and to be paid on the spot).

Day 5: Free morning in Caramanico with Optional MTB tour - Afternoon artisans’ shops visit in Pretoro - O/N in Pretoro on BB basis
Morning at leisure to visit Caramanico town and its shops or choose to go to the thermal baths and swimming pool. Lunch on your own. If you have booked it in advance, depart for the MTB guided tour. The itinerary starts with a transfer to Roccacaramanico and ends in Caramanico Terme. It is both on asphalt and dirt road. They are in total about 25 km and the level of difficulty is moderate. Lunch along the way during the tour or in Caramanico at your arrival. After lunch, you will be transferred to Pretoro for a guided visit of 3 artisans workshops (the wood sculpture and inlay, the stone masone, the straw weaver and the wrought iron smith). After the visit you go to the accommodation in Pretoro and free time to relax. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 6: Foro Valley morning guided walk - Afternoon faunal introduction activity and wild animal watching at sunset - O/N in Pretoro on BB basis
Morning walk through the Foro Valley with local English speaking expert guide. Lunch on your own. Afternoon faunal activity that consists in a presentation of the customs and tradition of Pretoro and of the wolves and other animals that live in that area. You will be listening to the wolf howling through audio channels, you will be study animal skulls. After the introduction, private transfer to Piane Tarica where you will post for about 1 hour to do wildlife faunal watching.

Note: we suggest you bringing your own binocular to spot animals at a distance.

The return to Pretoro is scheduled between 7.00 and 9.00 pm, depending on sunset time. Dinner on your own.

Day 7: San Liberatore Abbey walk – Afternoon wine tasting at the Zaccagnini winery and transfer to Rome
Today begins with a short private transfer to the start of the walk to the impressive San Liberatore Abbey. Picnic lunch at the picnic area near the Abbey. In the afternoon you are transferred to Bolognano for a local Winery visit with wine tasting. After that, private transfer to your hotel in Rome. Dinner on your own.

Day 8 & 9: Rome and departure
These days are at leisure to discover this beautiful ancient town. Lunches and dinners are on your own. On day 9 make your way to the airport by public transport (bus or train) unless you have booked extra nights in Rome.

Supporting wilderness conservation

By participating in this trip you support the PAN Parks Foundation and thus financially contribute to the protection of Europe’s wilderness, the continent’s most undisturbed areas of nature.
More on what the PAN Parks Foundation does