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Italy - Wildlife of the Bergamasque Alps
Tour Code: ITA21A 9-day wildlife holiday exploring one of the most biodiverse, yet lesser-known, areas of the Italian Alps.
£2,395
£2,195
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Enclosed by Lake Como in the west, Lake Iseo in the east and by the large valley of Valtellina in the north, the Bergamasque Alps, also known as the Bergamo Alps, are one of the richest regions of Europe in terms of biodiversity and variety of landscapes.
We begin our holiday with a flight to Milan Bergamo Airport, where we start our immersive experience of one of Europe's most biodiverse regions with an exploration of the dry grasslands of the Serio River, a rare habitat home to busy birds like Red-backed Shrike and European Bee-eater, alongside vibrant orchids. Our journey continues to Clusone, where we traverse valleys rich in unique flora and fauna, including Dwarf Mountain Pine and, with our local expert guide, we have the chance to see various snake species. Other highlights of our itinerary include gentle hikes through picturesque valleys and relaxing by serene pre-alpine lakes teeming with birdlife and dragonflies.
We visit the Scalve Valley, enjoying a scenic walk to a mountain hut amidst dolomitic peaks, and the Presolana massif, where alpine flora and birds like Alpine Choughs can be enjoyed. The tour also includes a visit to the Alta Val Brembana, where we base ourselves at an alpine lodge, exploring peat bogs and meadows that attract migratory birds and playful Alpine Marmots.
From the siliceous scree of high elevations to the lush shrublands and serene lakes, we will gain a deep appreciation for the area's natural beauty and ecological significance. The tour concludes with a hike to Passo del Verrobbio, offering breathtaking views and encounters with alpine flora and fauna, before returning to Milan Bergamo Airport. This itinerary is perfect for nature enthusiasts seeking a blend of adventure, relaxation, and wildlife observation in a spectacular alpine setting.
- The perfect mountain holiday for the all-round naturalist
- Beautiful scenery away from the main tourist areas
- An appreciation of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and flora
- Discover calcareous habitats habouring rare and endemic flora
- Spectacular grassland scenery with its associated birdlife and orchids
- Led by an expert local guide
Grading
B. This tour is suitable for participants with a good level of fitness.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
The hotels' bedrooms are quite simply appointed but are clean and comfortable, with en suite bathrooms, and the restaurant serves excellent cuisine.
- Food:
All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 9.
Dates & Prices
2027
Tour Leader: Simone Giachello
Simone Giachello is a naturalist and passionate photographer from northern Italy, with a soft spot for herpetofauna and montane habitats. Born in Milan, his love for nature has been strong since childhood but truly blossomed during his university years when he approached nature photography and began traveling around Italy, discovering a, for him, unexpected biodiversity. After completing his master’s degree in Natural Sciences, he couldn’t resist the call of the mountains and moved from the city to a village in the heart of the Bergamasque Alps.
Nature conservation has played a key role in shaping his career and life. Simone works as an ecologist at the University of Milan, where he studies how high-altitude ecosystems and amphibian populations are impacted by anthropogenic threats such as climate change, habitat degradation, and invasive species, with the aim of developing effective conservation strategies. He loves merging scientific research with hands-on field experience to raise awareness in the general public by showcasing the beauty of nature through photography and guided excursions and trips.
His work and passion have taken him around Italy and the world, from the cave systems of Sardinia to the Sahel of Mauritania, from the snowy peaks of the Alps to the Danube Delta in Romania, from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the desert of southern Morocco. Whether it's a brief one-day excursion or a three-week expedition, he thrives on exploring remote areas in search of rare and elusive species but also loves to rediscover and appreciate the beauty of the most common ones we have right outside our door. Yet, what he cherishes most is not just finding the target species, but experiencing the immense variety of habitats that blanket our planet.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
