Tales of wolves and sheperds

The sun has just set behind the crest and the forest slowly melts into the shadows. In the progressing darkness, you rapidly find yourself immersed in the bluish and undefined atmosphere of the nightfall. Centuries of persecution, however, have modified the habits of the animals, which, to escape human presence, have focused the rhythms for their activities mainly on the night time.

During this tour we travel together in one of Abruzzo´s wolf territories then, several tales will keep us company during the dinner, in the shelter, near the fireplace. Hearing wolves howl is one of the most exciting experiences that you can have in nature. We cannot guarantee that this will happen, but we hear and see wolves on some of our tours. Depending on the current situation with the wolves we may search for paw prints, droppings, killed prey and other tracks that can prove that wolves are around. We could also meet sheep and shepherds and we can learn about conflict and coexistence with them.

Highlights

The aim is to offer participants an experience that generates curiosity and respect for wolves and the territory in which they live.
Small groups for more genuine experiences: maximum 10 participants per guide ensuring an intimate experience respecting environment and wildlife.
A cosy mountain hut, well situated for wildlife viewing, will be our base for the weekend.

Costs

from 140,00 €

What's included

Guide and organization
Accommodation in a mountain refuge
Dinner and breakfast
Packed lunch
Headlamps
Binocular Nikon Prostaff 8×42
Spotting scopes Nikon and Leica

What is excluded

Any transports
Travel insurance
Extra and personal expenses

Participants must be able to walk smoothly on paths of medium difficulty and be able to remain silent while waiting and observing.

What to bring

Temperatures can range from +5°C to +24°C. We recommend that you bring easily removable rainwear so that you can adapt and stay comfortable throughout the tour. What you should bring on our summer tours

During the tour, we will be based in a characteristic mountain cabin located in one of the most remote areas of the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park. Staying overnight at high altitude allows us to fully enjoy the sunset and sunrise, maximizing our chances of spotting wildlife.

The basic accommodation consists of shared rooms, with access to toilets, hot water, and electricity. The food served at the refuge is sourced from local producers, reviving traditional and typical local cuisine, and welcoming our guests as if they were at home.

For extra energy on the return journey, we offer a rich breakfast, including cakes, biscuits, cereals, yoghurt, fresh bread, and jams, as well as a savory option with eggs and cheese.

Due to the particularly dry periods in recent summers, the manager may restrict the use of water for showers.

This trip generates an average of 13,1 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

Gorgeous experience

August 29, 2024

Start to finish this was a wonderful experience for myself and my son. The organisation was spot on, planning, schedule, itinerary etc, all designed to make the most of the time in the mountains. We walked some stunning routes through the National Park, and of course the bonus is that we were blessed with seeing one of the Park's wolves. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a thoroughly immersive nature experience. Buon divertimento!

LUCY CHAUDHRY

FAQ

Of course, a good percentage of the participants in the trip wolf weekend Tales of wolves and sheperds of 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.

The minimum recommended age for the Wolf weekend in Abruzzo with an overnight stay in a cabin is 12 years. We often stay out late into the evening, especially during the spring and summer seasons. It is also important to remain quiet for long periods in order to fully enjoy the experience and ensure the success of the activity.

We regret that we cannot accept dogs at the weekend Tales of wolves and sheperds . 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.

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 Tales of wolves and sheperds 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.

Bisegna is located in the Giovenco Valley, in the northern part of the Abruzzo-Lazio-Molise National Park, the oldest protected area in Italy, which for almost a century has guaranteed a life in harmony with nature. 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 SP17 until Ortona dei Marsi and Bisegna. FROM PESCARA (Highway A25 Roma – Pescara): from Pescara highway A25 until Pescina exit, go towards SP17 until Bisegna. FROM NAPLES (Highway A1 Naples – Rome): from Naples highway A1 until Caianello exit, enter SS85 towards Venafro and then proceed on SR83 until Pescasseroli and go towards SP17 until Bisegna.

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.