Wolf Howling
Spend time in secret hides listening for the eerily melodic howls of these elusive animals.
This seven-day winter itinerary to Italy explores the extraordinary social life of wolves, along the paths and valleys of national parks.
Against a backdrop of remarkable mountain scenery, gain an understanding of the complex coexistence of these carnivores with experts in the field. Spend time in charming villages and feast on sublime local food before finishing with a day’s skiing through the forests of St Antonio or snow-covered slopes of Roccaraso.
This holiday will support the conservation of wolves via a donation given to Lo Non Ho Paura del Lupo (I’m Not Afraid of the Wolf), a local NGO working to protect this keystone species.
This is not an off-the-shelf itinerary. It has been careful curated by the wildlife travel team at Steppes, in conjunction with wildlife and conservation experts at The European Nature Trust. The itinerary can easily be changed to meet with your individual needs while still keeping the essential ingredients of privileged access and insight into the work of The European Nature Trust.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Apennine Villages
Explore traditional Opi and Pescocostanzo with their leafy squares and arty atmosphere.
Mountain Skiing
Ski amongst the magical valleys of St Antonio Forest or at Roccaraso, with over 100 miles of slopes.
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Local Food
Feast along the way at local agritourismos, charming osterias and on countryside picnics
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Day 1
Abruzzo National Park
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Day 2
Abruzzo National Park
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Day 3
Abruzzo National Park
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Day 4
Abruzzo National Park - Majella National Park
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Day 5
Majella National Park
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Day 6
Majella National Park
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Day 7
Majella National Park
Day 1
Abruzzo National Park
Check into your charming family run Albergo Villino Quintiliani and meet with Umberto and Valeria, your expert guides for the week. Before enjoying a wonderful home cooked dinner, head out for a walk around Pesasseroli to get your bearings.
Day 2
Abruzzo National Park
Wake at dawn for some early wildlife spotting. After breakfast walk to a beautiful plateau to learn more about the forest inhabitants and wolves who make this landscape their home. Spot for deer and boar and set up essential camera traps, which help to monitor wolf numbers.
Day 3
Abruzzo National Park
After a leisurely breakfast take to your skis under the snow filled skies. A gentle journey through this rugged landscape passes local shepherds who live within this alpine terrain. Travel to Scanno for a lunch at the charming Agriturismo Valle Scannese and meet with local experts from the COEX Project. Later this evening join your guides to understand wolf howling before dinner bursting with local products.
Day 4
Abruzzo National Park - Majella National Park
At dawn visit the Mainarde mountain range, characterised by rugged and wild peaks. Hike to Passo dei Monaci in search of wolves and chamois – the local goat-antelope. Later this afternoon return to the valley and drive onto Pescocostanzo for dinner and the night.
Day 5
Majella National Park
After breakfast explore the charming village of Pescocostanzo, a pleasant walking town with a lovely central square. In the Middle Ages Pescocostanzo was as a wealthy wool town and a rich centre for arts, evidence of which can be seen in the facades of the towns Renaissance homes and church interiors. Following a local lunch, time will be spent in a comfortable, warm hide, the best place for spotting the elusive wolves. Picnic dinner in the wild before returning to the hotel.
Day 6
Majella National Park
Today a choice of activities – embark on some cross country skiing through the magical St Antonio Forest, an area known for its candelabra shaped trees stretching over 1000 acres. Alternatively head to the ski resort of Roccaraso for some winter sports.
Day 7
Majella National Park
After breakfast depart for your onward journey.
More Details
Wolf Conservation
Spend time with local conservationists from the NGO literally known as ‘I’m not afraid of the wolf’, monitoring numbers and helping to mitigate the conflict that exists between wolves and local farmers. Set up camera traps and discover mountainous wildlife at sunrise and dusk. The wolves are an integral part of rural life in the Apennine region, living side-by-side with the shepherds who guard their flocks. This wolf is an adaptable predator, which survives in hostile environs but they will not survive without greater tolerance and conservation initiatives.
Abruzzo National Park
Two hours east of Rome lie the National Parks of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, the jewel in the crown of Italy’s park system. These parks are key rewilding regions and biodiversity hotspots, comprising of ancient beech forest, high altitude prairies and soaring mountains. This spectacular landscape provides a home to species including the grey wolf, Marsican brown bears, red and roe deer, golden eagle, wild boars and the endemic Apennine chamois.
Wildlife Experts
Expert nature guides will be on hand to ensure the best possible wildlife sightings. Our partners have an intimate knowledge of this region and an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. Umberto Esposito – a mountain guide and passionate wilderness campaigner was inspired following his first encounter with the wolves and bears of Abruzzo during the nineties. Pending availability, meet with professional photographer and local wildlife expert Bruno D’Amicis for a slide show of his work documenting the wildlife of the area.
Accommodation
Traditional style accommodation where the home-made meals are a highlight of this itinerary. Well located, charming and intimate, these properties are chosen to showcase local hospitality at its Italian best.
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It all starts here
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01285 880 980Get in touch with our travel experts to start
creating your tailor-made holiday.
A note on price
The below price range is dependent on the number of people travelling (2-6)
Low Season
From £1,995 Per person
High Season
From £2,995 Per person
This Itinerary
Price
From £2,995 Per person
When to travel
February – March is the best time to take advantage of the snow in the Italian Apennines. Wolves are at their most active during the winter months and their tracks more visible in the snow.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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