The Dolomites at Sunset: Photography in the Italian Alps

Arrive in Selva di Val Gardena on your own (private transfer available on request) and check into your hotel. Located at an altitude of 1,563m / 5,128’ Selva (or Wolkenstein, as it’s referred to in German) is located at the end of the Val Gardena valley, at the foot of the impressive Sella Massif and Puez-Odle Natural Park. Selva boasts a vibrant town centre with plenty of bars, shops, restaurants, an indoor climbing center and bowling.
In the afternoon meet with your photographer guide for a trip briefing, orientation and to check the equipment necessary for you adventure in the Dolomites. 

We begin our trip with a warm-up hike in Val Gardena around the Stevia high plateau. Hike on a steep but good path on rocky terrain and through woods to a cozy wooden hut, located in the Puez-Odle Natural Park. The park extends over an area of around 10,196 hectares, and is particularly important from a geological point of view, as all the minerals, sediment strata, and weathering forms typical of the Dolomites can be found in it. After lunch return to Selva taking in beautiful views of the Sassolungo and Sella Massifs.
(~5 hours hiking, 7,6 km / 4,5 miles, 700m / 2,526' ascent and descent.)
Tonight will be our first night to photograph the sunset over the majestic Dolomites! 

In the morning transfer to Passo Sella (2,244m / 7,362') and take the cable car up into the heart of the Sassolungo massif (ticket not included). Admire the spectacular views from the top, and begin your descent on switchbacks, surrounded by dramatic vertical faces, to a typical Dolomites rifugio and the perfect place to enjoy lunch. After lunch, a green landscape will replace the rocky scenery you just hiked through.
Stop for a drink at a cozy hut before hiking the final kilometer to your rifugio for the night (2,300m / 7,546'). This evening you will marvel at breathtaking pink sunsets on the walls of Sassolungo, and the quietness of the mountains from your rifugio.
(~5-6 hours hiking, 7 km / 4,5 miles, 370m / 1,207' ascent, 750m / 2,460' descent.)

Perhaps not everyone knows that the Dolomites are also called Monti Pallidi. Dwarves once wove a net of light and surrounded the mountains here, ensuring that the Moon Princess could safely live on earth with her prince, and avoid the sadness of these once dark enshrouded mountains. From your rifugio, hike along the Siusi crest over generally even terrain at the start of the ridge, and then onto the slope of the Duron Valley.
A number of saddles and mountain passes along the way will present you with spectacular vistas of the Alpe di Siusi and the Odle from the opposite slope, as you hike to your rifugio for tonight.
You will be in the heart of the Val di Fassa Dolomites, dominated by the magnificent vista of the western wall of the Catinaccio d’Antermoia.
(~4-5 hours hiking, 9,5 km / 5 miles, 636m / 2,086' ascent, 427m / 1,400' descent.)

Today offers many panoramic views of the Dolomites and extraordinary photographic opportunities. From your rifugio, heads west crossing the Antermoia Pass (2,770m / 9,088'), to then flank the western slope of the Catinaccio d’Antermoia (3,002m / 9,849'). The itinerary continues downhill into the Valle del Vajolet, with a vista of the legendary Torri del Vajolet and the eastern wall of the Catinaccio. After a well deserved drink stop, descend to Pozza di Fassa, where your private transfer await to take you to your hotel.
(~3-4 hours hiking 6,6 km / 4 miles, 294m / 965' ascent, 856m / 2,810' descent.)

In the morning, take a private transfer to Malga Ciapela and hike west along the river Torrente Pettorina. The trail climbs steadily through thick forest to reach pasture clearings. After you pass a local farm, the uphill section begins in earnest and then becomes easier as you reach a second farm. This farm marks the entrance to Valle Ombreta, the “Valley of Shade,” named for its position in the shadows of Marmolada to the north. At the end of the valley, you will reach a rifugio, nestled right under the imposing south walls of the Marmolada, with fantastic views eastwards of the Civetta and Pelmo Groups. Hike up to a mountain pass and then descend to your rifugio for tonight.
(~7 hours hiking, 10,4 km / 6,5 miles, 1,300 m / 4,265' ascent, 700 m / 2,300' descent.)

Today we follow the Contrin Valley and then descend into the Ciampac depression. You’ll work your way east, first hiking trails traveling south, and then north toward Canazei. When you descend into the Ciampac depression, you can take the cableway to Alba di Canazei, where a private transfer will take you to Selva Val Gardena for your last night.
(~6-7 hours hiking, 16,6 km / 10 miles, 1,213m /3,980' ascent, 533m / 1,749' descent.)

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).