Italy's Big Five, discover the wilderness of the Apennine Mountains

Our journey through the Central Apennines rewilding area takes us across thousands of hectares of beautiful rugged mountains, deep valleys and extensive beech forest. This region of Italy is a biodiversity hotspot with abundant populations of iconic species such as Marsican brown bears, wolves, deer, wild boars and the endemic Apennine chamois. Little villages still characterized by the traditional lifestyle of the people who live there provide a special mix of culture and nature that makes this area unique in Europe. During the trip we explore the wilderness and learn how to connect with and get closer to nature and it’s wildlife.

Together with nature guide we will explore the Park’s wilderness, following the tracks of the large animals and learning how to move in the field, correct approach the wildlife. In particular, we will focus our efforts on bears and wolves, while we will have good chances to see chamois, deers and wild boar. The long days in the field will be concluded with tasty meals from the world-famous Italian cuisine, a bottle of good wine in the friendly atmosphere of a very comfortable hotel.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – The protection of natural heritage in Italy

You are greeted by our staff at our office in Pescasseroli. Once you arrive you can check into your rooms before we sit down for an introduction and get to know each other a bit. We will have a short walk to introduce you the oldest park of Italy. Dinner with local products and overnight stay.

2 hours walk · 4 km length · 200 m climb · 200 m descent

DAY 2 – Sights, smells, and sounds in our forests

At sunrise departure for a wildlife watching session. After a hearty breakfast we will make a delightful walk through an old-growth forest UNESCO heritage. We learn about the inhabitants of our beech woods ecosystem. We may not see wildlife, but your guide will show many interesting signs of them. Bears, wolves, pine martin they are all here, and we are humble visitors in their home. We return to the hotel late at evening.

6 hours walk · 7-10 km length · 400 m climb · 400 m descent

DAY 3 – Wolf-howling at dusk

Last night’s adventure ended late, but wolves move very early at the morning. After a coffee we will move along the southern slope of a mountain, a very panoramic territory and pasture area of deers and other wild ungulates. Historically, this area has been frequented from wolves. When the sun is shining transfer to Civitella Alfedena, visit to the Apennine Wolf Museum. We will be free for lunch and there will be the opportunity to rest in the hotel before the evening walk. Dinner based on local products and overnight stay.

6 hours walk · 7-10 km length · 600 m climb · 600 m descent

DAY 4 – New rewilding areas

After breakfast we will move to the north and we will reach the Sirente Velino Regional Reserve. Central Apennines is characterized by steep or undulating limestone mountains, vast karst plateaus, and valleys with deciduous forests on the slopes and mosaic landscapes shaped by livestock grazing at the bottom. The mixture of mountains and valleys with semi-open landscapes and natural forests is creating very attractive sceneries for willdife. This land has become a centre for wildlife with excellent opportunities to experience species such golden eagle, griffon vulture, peregrine falcon, lanner falcon. In the evening return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

4 hours walk · 5-9 km length · 300 m climb · 300 m descent

DAY 5 – Time to say our goodbyes

After breakfast and at the end of five truly fascinating days together with your guide and fellow nature lovers it’s time to say goodbye.

Highlights

An exclusive adventure guided by expert wildlife trackers
Ramble through mountainous valleys and beech forests on the lookout for brown bears, wolves, wild boar, chamois and golden eagles
Bookend long days in the wilderness with classic Italian food and tasty local wines in genuine mountain villages

Costs

from 590,00 €

What's included

Guide and organization
Professional liability insurance
Accommodation in a small hotel
Dinner and breakfast
Binocular Nikon Prostaff 8×42
Headlamp

What is excluded

Lunches
Any transports
Personal Travel insurance
Extra and personal expenses

Participants must be able to walk on moderate terrain and remain quiet during waiting and observation periods. Participants are expected to be physically active, so it is advisable to dress in layers so that you can lighten up during the day. Warm and windproof clothing is required at sunset, even in the height of summer.

What to bring

When going on a Italy's Big Five tour, it is important to be prepared for a lot of physical activity. This means it is advisable to dress in layers so that you can lighten your clothing during the day. Even in high summer, warm and windproof clothing is required at sunset. Waterproof hiking boots are mandatory and you will not be allowed to join the excursion if you do not have them. Only use odourless insect repellent spray and sunscreen.

Daypack (25+ litres)
Raincover
Waterproof jacket with hood
Fleece jacket or similar
Warm jacket
Hiking trousers
Technical t-shirts
Hiking boots
Warm hat
Thin gloves
Waterproof overtrousers
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Water bottles or water bladder

Whether you are going on a day hike or a multi-day trip, it is essential to prepare properly to ensure your safety and enjoyment. See our guidelines on how to equip yourself for each season.

Accommodation is pre-arranged by our tour leader in a small, charming, family-run hotel, in shared double rooms.

Lunch is not included, you will buy packed lunches each morning from the guesthouse or local shops and bakeries to take with you. For dinner you'll enjoy traditional Italian dishes such as maccheroni alla chitarra - a special kind of spaghetti, soup with orapi (wild spinach) and beans, gnocchetti and grilled meat. The region has a strong sheep-farming culture, so there are many local dairy products such as pecorino, ricotta, caciocavallo and a rare goat's cheese called marzolina.

Requests for vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for: please do not forget to advise us of these preferences at the time of booking.

This trip generates an average of 103 kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities and guides.

But what does that mean?

Is it still difficult to understand your impact on the planet? To get a fuller picture:

Driving 1000km in an average car is equivalent to about 300kg of CO2 (or 150kg per person if there are two of you).
A return economy class flight between London and Rome Fiumicino is equivalent to about 670 kg per person.
It is estimated that 10 trees in a temperate forest remove about 250kg of CO2 from the air over a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing?

We are working with all our partners and suppliers to develop long-term carbon reduction plans. We are working with Rewilding Apennines to ensure that this journey achieves net zero emissions by supporting their programmes and ensuring the protection and restoration of natural environments outside protected areas.

Reviews

Unique Experience

June 11, 2024

Unique experience to discover the wildlife from Pescasseroli. There were different activities for each day, according to the weather and the needs from the group. The guide Domenico is very knowledgeable and respectful

Sérgio Schwarz de Assis Farias

Getting it all

May 22, 2025

Our wildlife tour was all that was promised and more. In addition to seeing the big five in the wild we gained an understanding of the area, history, geography, issues and a possible future where wildlife provides both an unforgettable visitor experience and a sustainable future for rural populations. Thank you again for the early morning hikes to catch the foraging bears, the dusk watch over the wolf kill, the soaring vultures and the lovely food. Will be back…

Stewart Mcilroy

An extraordinary experience in an amazing nature

October 10, 2022

- The accommodation was great and the hotel personal very friendly and helpful. - with Andrea, we had a wonderful guide both professionally as well as personally. Simply a passionate conservationist. - The nature in the Abruzzo National Park is incredibly beautiful and wild with all kinds of wildlife. This included some of Italy‘s big five but many more as well.

Achim Dittrich

Fantastic wildlife and mountain guiding

September 10, 2024

I highly recommend this trip to see the Italian big five. Our guide Dominico was super Knowledgeable, friendly and patient guide who showed us the beauty of Abruzzo national park and its Wildlife We were fortunate to have amazing views of two Wolves and four Wolf pups which makes an unforgettable experience. We also had fun spotting chamois, Golden eagle Griffin vulture and seeing and hearing many rutting red deer.

Susanne Schmitt

Marvellous

June 5, 2024

A great experience due to our guide Domenico, fantastic landscape and nice fellow travellers. Perfectly organized and a wonderful hotel as the base with dainty food. No complaints at all. Go there.

Anton Sojer

FAQ

Of course, a good percentage of the participants in the trip Italy's Big Five through the most interesting areas of the Abruzzo National Park are single travellers.

Our tours are usually made up of singles, couples and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, most of whom are between 25 and 50 years old. These adventures are suitable for solo travellers and attract people with a common mindset: a love of nature, a desire to go further and meet like-minded people.

We regret that we cannot accept dogs at the Italy's Big Five. If you love your dog, you certainly love wild animals. To protect them and not to disturb them, certain precautions are necessary. For this reason, in the National Parks of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise and in many other protected areas, there are paths and areas of integral reserve where our pets cannot accompany us.

This activity is especially designed for adults as we need to spend five days in high mountains and wait silently a few hours. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

The climate is typically Mediterranean, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful sunsets in the spring and autumn months. Of course, it is possible to have a day of bad weather, which can have an impact on the single excursion. Our guides will adapt the itinerary to the weather conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

Remember to bring all the necessary equipment and recommended clothing and before you arrive, feel free to ask your guide what to expect for your specific trip dates.

Ask for a private Italy's Big Five tour if you need an exclusive experience. Whether you are a wildlife lover, photography enthusiast or simply in search of moments of peace and contemplation, our tailor-made itineraries will allow you to discover hidden corners and breathtaking landscapes in a unique and unforgettable experience.

We are a fully licensed tour operator, and all our guides are qualified professionals with professional indemnity insurance. It is easy and quick to take out additional travel insurance with major insurance companies. In addition to medical, baggage, and personal accident cover, you can also add cancellation cover travel insurance. Contact us for more information.

We understand that life can sometimes be unpredictable and we are here to help you in any way we can. We strongly recommend that you take out an additional insurance policy that includes a cancellation option. This can also be requested at the time of booking.

Day Tours
- Cancellation is free up to 48 hours prior to departure. Cancellations made after this time will incur a 100% cancellation fee and will not be refunded.

Multi day tours
- Up to 30 days prior to arrival, no charge.
- 29 to 15 days prior to arrival, 50% cancellation fee.
- Less than 14 days before arrival or no show, 100% cancellation fee.

Pescasseroli is the most important village of Abruzzo National Park, the oldest Italian protected area. It has guaranteed a life in harmony with nature for almost a century. You can easily reach it by car through three access points. FROM ROME (Highway A24 Rome – L’Aquila): from Rome highway A24 until Pescina exit, proceed on SR83 or on SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pescina exit, go on towards SR83 or towards SP17 until Pescasseroli. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SR83 until Pescasseroli.

You can arrive by bus thanks to daily connections from Castel di Sangro and Avezzano. Check the timetable on Tuabruzzo. Connections by train are only until Avezzano station. For those who come from Rome it is possible to check the timetable of LineaRoma or Prontobus company that connects Roma and Ciampino airports to Avezzano.