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Hiking Lake Como and St Moritz

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Spend eight days journeying across majestic trails to two of Europe’s most picturesque destinations. Italy's Lake Como, with its lemon groves and quaint villages, is an oasis of tranquility surrounded by soaring mountains. The Swiss Alps is a beautifully rugged, glacial environment offering one spectacularly twisted peak after another. The two stand in stark contrast but, together, make for an unforgettable journey.

Highlights:
- Day hikes offering stunning views of Lake Como and the lake region of St. Moritz
- The picturesque and elegant Lake Como villages of Bellagio and Varenna
- Ride the Bernina Express Train crossing high-mountain passes of the Swiss Alps
- Hiking between the glaciated peaks and high alpine meadows of the Bernina Alpine Range

 

Daily itinerary

 

1 Bellagio andrea mezzaniDay 1: Welcome to Bellagio
Meet your trip leader at the Milan, Italy, Malpensa (MXP) airport at 2pm. A private transfer from Malpensa to Bellagio is provided. Bellagio is one of the most charming villages of Lake Como, or Lago di Como, in the Italian Lake District. Located in the middle of the ancient glacier lake, the village provides amazing views of both branches of the Y-shaped lake and the Prealps. The Mediterranean climate is perfect for bougainvillea, olive and lemon trees, as well as elegant lakeside gardens and villas. After checking into our lakeside hotel, we will have a gentle walk through the historic center of Bellagio and the small fishing village of Pescallo before making our way to the 19th-century Villa Melzi Botanical Garden. Enjoy a welcome dinner and discover the ancient recipes of the lake. We spend the next three nights in Bellagio at a lovingly restored 17th-century lakefront hotel. (Meals -/-/D)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
2 San Primo Peak andrea mezzaniDay 2: Varenna and the Pilgrim Path  (4,30 hours hiking, +400 mt - 400 mt, 8,5 km)

This morning we board a ferry for a short ride to Varenna, a picturesque village with brightly painted houses and a medieval castle. Our hike to Bellano follows the historic Pilgrim Path, which links the Alps to Milan. Along the way, we take time to admire the Santi Nazaro e Celso, a Romanesque church built in 1348 AD with beautiful rose windows and frescoes of the Lombard School. After lunch we return to Bellagio by ferry. The late afternoon is free time to relax or take a swim in the lake. Tonight we head to a restaurant in the forest to taste the typical food of the mountains surrounding the lake, such as pizzoccheri and toc, a polenta and cheese dish. (Meals B/L/D)

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lago di como

Day 3 : On top of mount S. Primo, best view of lake Como (6 hours hiking, +400 mt - 700 mt, 9 km)

We begin our day at the Madonna del Ghisallo Church, home of the patron saint of cyclists and a huge collection of historic cycling memorabilia. We then transfer to the base of Mount San Primo and begin hiking through a beech forest and past an alpine farm that produces local milk and butter. We are soon rewarded with panoramic views of the rugged limestone cliffs of the Grigne Mountains. Upon reaching the peak of Mount San Primo (5570'), we admire the views of Lake Como. Weather permitting, we might see the sparkle of the tallest buildings of Milan to the west. Our afternoon highlight is a tasting of wines and cheeses of the Valtellina Valley, which is tomorrow's destination. Dinner is on your own tonight, providing the opportunity to experience the local fish, risotto, osso buco or other specialties (Meals B/L/-)

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4 The wanderer Trail andrea mezzani

Day 4: The Bernina Express Train and Lake Staz (2,3 hours hiking, +200 mt - 200 mt, 8 km)

After a short ferry ride on the lake, we drive to the Italian town of Tirano to begin our train journey. The Bernina Express is the highest rail line in Europe and is arguably one of the most beautiful rail trips in the world. Our journey starts at Poschiavo Lake, passing through tunnels and crossing suspension bridges before arriving at the Piz Palu Glacier. We continue, crossing over the Bernina Pass at 7600' and reach the famous resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. St. Moritz owes its original fame to its therapeutic springs which were visited by guests as early as the Middle Ages. The Upper Engadin Valley, with approximately 90 mountain lakes and dramatic glacier-capped mountains, is a mecca for hikers and climbers. This afternoon we enjoy a moderate hike up to the fabulous Lej da Staz (Lake Staz). We overnight in St. Moritz the next three nights (Meals B/L/-)

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5 Bernina Express Panorama andrea mezzani

Day 5: Alp Suvretta and the Lakes of Engadine (5,3 hours hiking, +650 mt - 770 mt, 12 km)

We hike in the footsteps of painter Giovanni Segantini, known as the Van Gogh of the Alps. Departing from our hotel, we hike to Alp Suvretta in the Bernina Range. An opening in the peaks will reveal some of the most legendary sights in the history of mountaineering including the Piz Bernina and the Biancograt Ridge. In the valley below, the colors of the lakes and ice melt into one as we look out over four alpine Engadin lakes. Returning to St. Moritz this afternoon, we visit the museum dedicated to Giavanni Segantini to view his masterpieces. Tonight's dinner is on your own; our guide will suggest restaurants for a hearty meal of traditional Swiss mountain specialties such as spätzle, cheese fondue or Rösti und Spiegel mit Käse gratiniert (Swiss potato dish with sunny-side up eggs and cheese). Italian influences abound and the pizza or gnocchi will not disappoint at all. (Meals B/L/-)

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6 The Septimer Pass andrea mezzani

Day 6: Glaciers and chocolate (5,3 hours hiking, +580 mt - 820 mt, 11 km)

A transfer by public bus brings us to Pontresina (5,922'), the gateway to Roseg Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Alps. We hike beside the Rosegbach River past European larch, stone pine and mountain pine to the Hotel Roseg Gletscher (6,562'). In the distance, the first glaciers of the Bernina group reveal themselves: the Caputschin, the Piz Roseg and Piz Glousciant. From the hotel we hike towards the Chamanna Tschierva Mountain Hut (8,441'), enjoying exquisite views in in all directions. Biancograt, the legendary ice ridge to the summit of Bernina, and a sea of 13,000' snowcapped mountains provide a backdrop for our picnic lunch. Our hike returns us to the Hotel Roseg Gletscher, and from here we take a one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride down the valley to Pontresina. We take the train or bus back to St. Moritz in time for dinner. (Meals B/L/D)

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7 The Roseg Valley andrea mezzani

Day 7: From the Alps to Milan

Bidding farewell to Switzerland, we depart for Milan. Our scenic, sometimes winding drive features the 5,955' Maloja Pass, ancient stone villages and green hillsides. We stop at the Cascate dell'Acqua Fraggia, an incredible 328' waterfall that so impressed Leonardo da Vinci, he commented on it in his "Codex Atlanticus." We continue to the small, incredibly scenic mountain town of Chiavenna. Walking the cobblestone streets that border the Mera River, we reach the Paradiso Botanical Archaeological Park and explore the open air gardens and thousand-year-old fortress at the summit of the hill. Following lunch in a grotto (cave) that's been converted into a restaurant, we continue to Milan. Tonight we have a celebratory dinner and raise a toast to our adventure and newfound friends. (Meals B/L/D)


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8 Ghisallo Pass andrea mezzaniDay 8: Departure

After breakfast, transfer on your own to Milan's Malpensa or Linate airport, or continue your travels in Italy. Arrivederci!









Notes:
B (Breakfast); L (Lunch); D (Dinner)

Grade :
This trip is rated Moderate [3]. We hike  2.5–6 hours most days, on established dirt and stone trails, cobblestones. No technical difficulties, but a prior hiking experience is recommended.

Accommodation:
- 3 nights in Hotel**** in Bellagio
- 3 nights in Hotel*** in St. Moritz
- 1 night in Hotel **** in Milan

Equipment : hiking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, head torch with batteries, sun glasses and sun cream, walking poles

Getting there : The destination airport is Milan (Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo). We will set a meeting time with the guide at Milan Train Station for the transfers on day 1. For clients arriving not at the set meeting time, we cannot guarantee a transfer. In this instance clients have to make their own way to the first hotel, at their own expenses (taxi cost about 250€ from Milan airport to the hotel). At the end of the trip individual departure St. Moritz. There are several daily lines to Milan.

Included:
- 7 nights in hotel with breakfast included
- All dinners (exc. day 3 and day  5)
- All lunches from day 2 to day 7
- All private transportation, ferries and trains from day 2 onwards as detailed in the program
- Horse coach ride on day 6
- Entrance to Villa Melzi Botanical Gardens on day 1
- Entrance to “Gorge of Bellano” on day 2
- Entrance to “Segantini Museum” on day 5
- Wine and cheese tasting in Bellagio on day 3
- Entrance to Botanical garden in Chiavenna on day 7
- Local English speaking leader throughout
- Local taxes

Not included:
- Transfers to Milan airport  on day 1 and day 8
- Dinner on day 3 and day 5
- Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary

 

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3 comments

  • Comment Link Ron Monday, 07 August 2017 13:57 posted by Ron

    I went on this trip 3 weeks ago and I can’t believe how well planned it was. The guide were amazing and thought of every little detail
    It must be hard for a guide to herd a group through a trip that includes many miles of beautifully scenic mountain hiking, transit by van, ferry, and scenic rail, rustic restaurants and city dining... but Genny made it all look effortless. Her geology degree helped her keep our group of amateur naturalists informed and entertained. The food was mostly great to fantastic.

    Ron – USA

  • Comment Link Suzanne USA Friday, 28 October 2016 09:43 posted by Suzanne USA

    We loved Italy and didn't want to leave. The trip was fantastic! this was the first group hiking trip we have done and it was really a great experience. We hiked in heaven. The guides were wonderful, and really handled all the details so that we could just enjoy the trip. The others in our group were from all over the U.S. and it was fun to get to know them as we hiked in some of the most beautiful areas in the world!The activity level was challenging but very rewarding and inspiring.
    Chiara (our Lead guide) was the LIGHT for our trip. She was so joyful and pleasant. She could not have been better. These two ladies were so sweet and so friendly. They were very enthusiastic and went along with all of our silliness. They were very knowledgeable about the terrain, the culture, the hikes and were just all around terrific to be with all week.

  • Comment Link  Michaela Monday, 12 September 2016 11:48 posted by Michaela

    I'm sure we will have more time to chat, but the Lake Como experience was out of this world. I had such an amazing time, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of travelers and guides to explore The Alps with. We had virtually no cloud coverage (sneak peak pictures attached!), and everyone was so pleasant and inspiring.

    I look forward to chatting more in person!

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Location Lombardy

italia Lombardia

Map tour MOTLOMS1TG

Trips note: MOTLOMS1TG

Destination: Lombardy and Engadin (Swiss)
Travel Style: Guided Walking Holiday
Interest: Alpine Landscape
Comfort: Charming
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Group size: from 4 to 15 people
Airport: Milan (Malpensa Airport)
price on request
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