Valsesia, Italy
- Duration: 7 Days
- Location: Valsesia
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival + frazioni
Arrive* in Alagna.
Enjoy an al fresco lunch of local artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and wine in the garden of our Baita (weather permitting)
Walk: Frazioni d’Alagna. We'll take in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and tour the quaint hamlets that surround the village.
Distance: 4.14 km or 2.6 miles
Elevation: 220 m or 240 yards
Time: 1.5 hours
Group dinner at a favourite local restaurant.
*Airport transfers can be arranged from Milan's Malpensa or Linate airports
Day 2 Valley of the Larches
We do a little local shopping for a picnic lunch before easing into the trip with a hike into the lush Val Vogna, a lateral valley of Valsesia, and a favourite of Italian Queen Margherita of the House of Savoie. We’ll walk through alpine meadows and Walser frazioni to the centuries-old stone bridge used by Napolean's invading armies. On the way back we'll stop at our favourite café for an afternoon cocktail and miacce (crepes).
Hike Distance: 9.4 km or 5.8 miles
Elevation: 381 m or 417 yards
Time: 3 hours
Group dinner at a favourite local restaurant.
Day 3 Monte Rosa up Close
We follow the Sesia river, which runs the length of the valley, up to Alpe Fondecco (2050m), to our family’s mountain hut, and singular views of the Monte Rosa. We then head to a nearby rifugio run by a local shepherd, for a hearty late lunch overlooking a spectacular glacier pasture and waterfall.
Hike Distance: 6.4 km or 4 miles
Elevation: 576 m or 630 yards
Time: 3.10 hours
Free night
Day 4 Heaven Among the Walser
We make our way to Val d’Otro, where we spend the day exploring this beautiful hanging valley. We'll give you a tour of the family's centuries-old Baita, where we can picnic with a spectacular view of the valley, or opt for a meal at the local rifugio. We'll walk through some of the best examples of historic Walser hamlets and visit our family's stone huts in the high alpine. If we’re lucky, a local shepherd will treat us to some freshly made butter and ricotta.
Hike Distance: 9.5 km or 5.9 miles
Elevation: 569 m or 622 yards
Time: 4 hours
Free night
Day 5 Village visit + gelato
Today we take a break from hiking and, depending on weather, we either travel down the valley to the historic town of Varallo, and the famed 15th-century Sacro Monte overlooking the Val Sesia, or take a gondola to the French-infused town of Gressoney in neighbouring Val d'Aosta, the summer home of the House of Savoie. We’ll have lunch, wander through cobblestone streets, hit the markets and have some of the best gelato in Italy.
Group dinner/Free night
Day 6 The Best
We end on a high note with a strenuous hike up to a gorgeous Alpe (2,068m) with panoramic views and a delicious rifugio meal.
Hike Distance: 7.10 km or 4.4 miles
Elevation: 785 m or 858 yards
Time: 4 hours
Group dinner at a favourite local restaurant in Alagna
Day 7 Free Morning & Departure
Take your time with a leisurely morning before departing for your next adventure.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Accommodation
- All breakfasts, all lunches (rifugios + picnics + village visit), miacce + drinks tasting
- Welcome night dinner
- Local certified guide who is an expert on the region and history
- Village excursion transfers, tickets and entrance fees
Not included: Alcohol, dinners (except welcome night dinner), gratuities, *airport transfer
*Getting There
Alagna Valsesia is 2 hours drive by car from Milan. We recommend flying into Milan's Malpensa airport. karibu can arrange a round-trip shuttle transfer to and from Malpensa, with pick-up arranged for the morning of Day 1 of the tour. The round-trip cost is estimated at €60-€100 pp round trip, depending on shuttle occupancy. If you are driving, we will send you the hotel address details in a follow up email.*Medical travel insurance is required to participate in our Programs. Your insurance plan should include full medical coverage, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation.
