2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

CHRISTOF SONDEREGGER NICOLE ABBOTT

JEAN-FRANÇOIS HAGENMULLER

Cable cars and gondolas carry us up to stunning trails on the flanks of the highest mountains in Europe.

Italy: The Tour of the Giants SPECTACULAR ALPINE TRAILS OF THE VAL D’AOSTA

This high alpine journey crosses the craggy ridges and cols of the majestic Val d’Aosta, a valley ringed by the giants of the Alps—the iconic Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Mont Blanc. Our challenging hikes (with shorter options on many days) bring unforgettable panoramas as we hike into glacier-carved Gran Paradiso National Park, once the private hunting grounds of King Vittorio Emanuele II, and across portions of the Alta Via, Italy’s premier long-distance trail. The ancient mountain culture and cuisine of the Val d’Aosta reflect its shared border with France and Switzerland, and in this splendid mountain realm, we’ll enjoy the best wines and hearty mountain cuisine, from warming soups to gnocchi, polenta, and game from the forest. Days 1-3 Aosta, Val d’Aosta / Breuil- Cervinia From the car-free village of Buisson, a cable car brings us to Chamois for our hike on the Grand Balconeta of the Matterhorn, a fantastic trail with great views of the breathtaking spire of the Matterhorn (known as Monte Cervino in Italy).

Days 4-7 Cervinia / Gressoney-La-Trinité Hiking the Tour de Monte Rosa trail, we enter the glacier-carved Val d’Ayas, an alpine paradise framed by the superb backdrop of the Breithorn, the Matterhorn’s snowy neighbor. Other hikes lead along the Alta Via, a rugged trail encircling the Val d’Aosta, and up to the Rifugio Quintino Sella (11,762'), set on the flanks of Monte Rosa (15,203'), the “Queen of the Alps.” Days 8-9 Gran Paradiso National Park Gran Paradiso National Park is a magnificent landscape of snow-covered peaks, glacial cirques, alpine lakes, and traditional villages. One of our hikes leads up to the Col de Fenêtre (9,318') and down into the town of Lillaz, famous for its beautiful waterfalls. Our trails follow ancient royal hunting roads built for King Vittorio Emanuele II, who donated this vast holding to the newly unified country in 1860. Days 10-12 Courmayeur / Mont Chétif / Glacier Hike From Courmayeur, we catch a cable car to Refuge Maison Vieille (6,417') for our hike up Mont Chétif, a peak below Mont Blanc. A spectacular cable car ride brings us to Pointe Helbronner (11,371') on Mont Blanc for a thrilling hike on the Glacier du Géant (gear provided, no experience necessary). The views across the “Roof of Europe” are amazing! Depart Torino on Day 12.

HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy exhilarating hikes beneath the giants of the Alps—the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Mont Blanc • A true “hiker’s hike” in a mountain realm, shorter options on many days, glacier hike on Col du Géant • Sample the delicious mountain cuisine of Italy’s Val d’Aosta • Discover tiny villages with distinctive Walser architecture and traditions DETAILS • 12-day trip begins and ends in Torino • 11 nights hotels • All meals included except 2 dinners

DATES Jul 9-20, 2019 Jul 23-Aug 3 Aug 20-31

TRIP COST $6495 (11-15 members) $6995 (5-10 members) Single supplement: $520

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

11 hiking days, choice of moderate to steep trails, 4-6 hours a day, altitudes between 8,000-11,700 feet, van support

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 48