Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome to Caramanico Terme
You'll arrive in Rome and connect with your guide Tomas at the airport. From there, a shared minibus takes you on the 200 km drive (about 2.5 hours) to Caramanico Terme in the Abruzzo region. It's your first night, so dinner with your group gives you a chance to meet fellow travelers and get oriented before the week starts.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Shared minibus transfer from Rome airport to Caramanico Terme
- Welcome dinner and trip introduction
Landmarks Caramanico Terme - Day 2
Monte Mileto Hike
After a short transfer to Passo di San Leonardo, you'll hike roughly 13 km up to Monte Mileto in the Morrone Mountains. The trail winds through meadows and beech forests before reaching the ridge at 1,920m where you might spot sheep and semi-wild horses. The afternoon's yours to relax back at the hotel or walk through the village, then dinner wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Monte Mileto (approx. 4-5 hours, approx. 13 km, approx. 550m ascent and descent)
- Transfer to Passo di San Leonardo
Optional Activities
- Afternoon walk through village
Landmarks Monte Mileto Morrone Mountains Passo di San Leonardo - Day 3
Orfento Gorge Hike
You start right from the hotel and head into the wild Orfento Gorge. Walking ancient cattle tracks called mulattieri, you cross sunny slopes with terraced fields leading to the village of Decontra. From there, you'll descend into the gorge itself and follow the river back toward Caramanico Terme, stopping at the clear stream to soak your feet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Orfento Gorge (approx. 5 hours, approx. 12.5 km, approx. 450m ascent and descent)
- Walk on historic mulattieri cattle tracks
Landmarks Orfento Gorge Decontra - Day 4
Eremo San Bartolomeo Hike
A short drive takes you to Decontra where the hike begins over gentle meadows. You'll pass ancient stone shepherd caves (Tholossen) and reach Eremo San Bartolomeo, a hermitage built right into the rock face. Your guide shares the history of the saint's statue kept there before you continue on to Roccamorice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Short transfer to Decontra
- Guided hike to Eremo San Bartolomeo hermitage (approx. 4 hours, approx. 11 km, approx. 350m ascent and descent)
- Visit to rock-carved hermitage
Landmarks Eremo San Bartolomeo Roccamorice Decontra - Day 5
Free Day
This day is flexible and yours to shape. Tomas can arrange an optional short excursion in the afternoon, either to San Tommaso Abbey or to Bolognano (a village connected to artist Joseph Beuys, depending on what's open and what the group wants to do). It's a good chance to rest or explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Afternoon excursion to San Tommaso Abbey (subject to opening times)
- Afternoon excursion to Bolognano
Landmarks San Tommaso Abbey Bolognano - Day 6
Bominaco - Eremo di Sant Erasmo Hike
You leave Caramanico Terme and head toward the second location, but first stop in the remote mountain village of Bominaco to see its abbey church with its unique early Romanesque frescoes. From there, you hike in a loop to Eremo di Sant Erasmo, then continue through varied landscapes to reach Castel del Monte and Santo Stefano di Sessanio.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from Caramanico Terme
- Visit to Bominaco Abbey Church
- Guided circular hike to Eremo di Sant Erasmo (approx. 4.5 hours, approx. 12 km, approx. 420m ascent and descent)
- Transfer to Castel del Monte/Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Landmarks Bominaco Abbey Eremo di Sant Erasmo Castel del Monte Santo Stefano di Sessanio - Day 7
Santo Stefano di Sessanio
A short drive brings you to Campo Imperatore, a high valley surrounded by peaks that feels like a Mongolian plateau at 1,600 to 2,200m elevation. You'll hike through the 'Valley of the Cowboys' (a landscape used for Italian western films back in the 1960s and 70s). Later, you head to the medieval village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio to wander its narrow alleys and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike on Campo Imperatore in the 'Valley of the Cowboys' (approx. 3-4 hours, 8-13 km possible, approx. 250-350m ascent and descent)
- Visit to Santo Stefano di Sessanio village
Optional Activities
- Purchase red lentils from Santo Stefano di Sessanio
- Purchase traditional 'chitarra' pasta maker
Landmarks Campo Imperatore Santo Stefano di Sessanio Torre di Medici - Day 8
Rocca Calascio Castle Hike
A short drive gets you to Calascio, where you'll hike up to Rocca Calascio, Italy's highest castle, sitting on a rugged rocky ridge with panoramic views. Below it stands the small octagonal church of Santa Maria della Pietà, which makes for great photographs. The castle has appeared in films including 'The Day of the Falcon' and 'In the Name of the Rose'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Calascio
- Guided hike to Rocca Calascio castle (approx. 3-4 hours, approx. 8 km, approx. 330m ascent and descent)
- Visit to Santa Maria della Pietà church
Landmarks Rocca Calascio Santa Maria della Pietà Calascio - Day 9
Departure
In the morning, you'll take the bus back to Rome airport for the 3 hour journey. You'll say goodbye to your group with the Italian phrase 'Ci vediamo in Abruzzo' (see you in Abruzzo). If your flight was booked through the tour operator, you'll head home in the afternoon and arrive that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Castel del Monte/Santo Stefano di Sessanio to Rome airport
Landmarks Rome
