(+39) 0863.399696 (+39) 339.8395335 info@wildlifeadventures.it 
PERIOD
April
DURATION
4 days-3 nights
LOCATION
Pescasseroli, Abruzzo
GROUP SIZE
8 people
ACCOMMODATION
Small hotel
LENGTH
7-10 km per day
ELEVATION GAIN
300-500 m per day
DIFFICULT
Moderate
Participants should be able to walk in the mountain without difficulties however, there are plenty of stops as you wait silently with binoculars to view wildlife.
The full moon guides us to magical places in the lesser known parts of the Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park. The panorama of the Mainarde mountains is unique, for its natural features, for the vision of luminous peaks and for the incomparable silence and solitude of the valley. The Giovenco valley with the villages of Ortona dei Marsi, Bisegna and San Sebastiano dei Marsi is the new frontier of rewilding, with small communities immersed in protected and flourishing nature. These places are home to chamois, red deer, wolves and golden eagles and often free from any sign of chaotic development.
An exclusive adventure guided by expert wildlife trackers
Bookend long days in the wilderness with classic Italian food and tasty local wines in genuine mountain villages
Of all the species of Italian fauna, the wolf is one of the most fascinating. It witnessed the birth of the city of Rome, lives a life full of adventure largely spent lying in wait in the forests and grasslands, is intelligent as it hunts its prey, aesthetically perfect and was loved by St. Francis of Assisi. After being persecuted in every way possible, in the 1960s it was on the brink of extinction, in the 1980s, protection led to its recovery and today it has once again arrived in the Alps where it had been missing for over 100 years
DAY 1 – The Abruzzo Park, Italy’s oldest protected area
Free arrival in Pescasseroli, in the afternoon, settling in at the hotel and presentation of the guide. At 16:00, departure for a first easy hike until sunset. In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
2 hours’ walking – 200 m ascent – 200 m descent
DAY 2 – Wolf hunter or park ranger, the wolf in the collective imagination
At dawn, a session of wildlife watching. After breakfast, departure for a panoramic hike and to seek out signs of the presence of wolves. Possibility of observing grazing red deer, roe deer and chamois. Packed lunch and transfer to Civitella Alfedena, visit to the Museum of the Apennine Wolf and history of its conservation in Italy. In the afternoon, settling in at hotel and short evening excursion in the hopes of hearing wolves howling. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
5 hours’ walking – 400 m ascent – 400 m descent
DAY 3 – Living as wolves in a man’s world
Dawn will find us in the splendid scenery of Pianoro Le Forme at the foot of Monte Meta, a place of strong emotional impact, with rugged, wild mountains. The day will continue in the Val Pagana, to then reach Passo dei Monaci from where you can admire the entire chain of the Mainarde mountains in Lazio and Molise. Return to the valley in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
6 hours’ walking – 400 m ascent – 400 m descent
DAY 4 – From the magic of sacred waters to the return of wild nature
On our last day, we explore the Giovenco valley. From the beautiful and variegated apple orchards of Ortona dei Marsi, we will visit the areas connecting the Central Apennine national parks, where local communities are working daily to achieve peaceful coexistence with returning wildlife. Return to the valley in the afternoon and departure of participants.
5 hours’ walking – 300 m ascent – 300 m descent
Participation fee
€ 360 / per person
What’s included
Guide and organisation
Professional indemnity insurance
Nikon Prostaff 8×42 binoculars
Hotel accommodation
Dinner and breakfast
What is not included
All lunches
Internal transfers
Accident insurance
Extras and personal expenses
Accommodation is offered in double rooms in a characteristic family-run hotel.
Breakfast is both sweet and savoury, with plenty of homemade cakes and good coffee. In the evening we will enjoy traditional Abruzzo cuisine, such as maccheroni alla chitarra, soup with orapi (Good King Henry) and beans or codetti pasta with potatoes and ricotta. Our region has a strong culture of sheep farming, so there will also be an opportunity to taste many other local dairy products, such as pecorino sheep’s cheese from Picinisco, or raw milk caciocavallo cheese from Villetta Barrea.
Lunches are not included, so each morning there will be an opportunity to buy a packed lunch from local shops and bakeries so we can make the most of our days in nature to observe wildlife.
Requests for vegetarian, vegan or special dietary requirements can be accommodated, so please remember to indicate these preferences when booking.
Winter is the wolf season par excellence. They move over smaller areas where their possible prey is concentrated. The snow and damp ground make it easier to read the signs of their passing and during the mating season, there is more movement between individuals from different packs. Check availability on our calendar date to see availability.
Layered clothing is the smartest way to stay at just the right temperature between the long pauses alternating with more intense hours of walking. Even at low altitudes, you’ll need warm, windproof clothing at dawn and sunset.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Soft duffel bag or rucksack
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
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Binocular
Headlamp
Sure can! Over 30% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
This activity is especially designed for adults and young 14+ as we need to spend 3 days in the mountains and wait silently a few hours.
Ask for a private tour if you need an exclusive experience. Send us an e mail and we’ll answer you back with the quotation.
Obviously some day could be cold or rainy: our guides will study alternative propose to offer you the best experience. Be sure to be well equipped for each weather condition.
Our guides are registered at the list of Collegio Guide Alpine Abruzzo and subscribed a professional insurance.
We suggest you to book on line travel insurance with World Nomads. They offer insurances designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
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 Flixbus or Prontobus company that connects Roma and Ciampino airports to Abruzzo.
