Rewilding in the Central Apennines: Italy
Register now and we will contact you with full tour details soon.
September 2024 – 7 days
Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you later this year with full tour details.
Journey into Italy’s Central Apennines region and discover a fascinating introduction into the concept and practicalities of rewilding. Spend time tracking wildlife on foot in the company of a specialist nature guide, while learning more about the Rewilding Italy project. In addition to wildlife, experience the region’s everhospitable people and their culture and delicious cuisine.
Boasting several world-class national parks, the Central Apennines are a nature lover’s paradise, with wildlife species such as the iconic Marsican brown bear, wolf and the endemic Apennine chamois, together with high numbers of red deer, wild boar, golden eagle, griffon vulture and others. The region has fantastic wildlife tourism potential.
In partnership with The Ultimate Travel Company.
DAY 1: ROME TO PESCASSEROLI
You will be met on arrival into Rome airport. From here, journey to the quaint mountain town of Pescasseroli, a journey time of around three hours.
After settling into your room, enjoy a special presentation on rewilding in the area by the team leader from Rewilding Apennines which will focus on the role of the marsican brown bear both in terms of ecology but also in terms of social and economic impact.
Afterwards, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
DAY 2: VISIT THE FIRST BEAR SMART COMMUNITY – PETTORANO SUL GIZIO
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Pettorano sul Gizio, the first bear smart community in Italy to learn about how bears and local communities can coexist. This remote town has been shaped by a peaceful rewilding processes.
The bear corridors here are part of one of Rewilding Apennines projects. Here, you will be guided through the measures being taken. In one of the Bear Smart Communities, you will see how they have dramatically reduced bear damage and increased social acceptance of them through the installation of about 100 electric fences since 2015, along with the deployment of bear-proof waste bins. See just why and how these corridors are vital to the protection of the local community as much as the bears themselves as we visit local entrepreneurs, farmers and shepherds in the region to hear their stories about how wolves and bears are part of the area, and of their lives.
Accompanied by an expert from Rewilding Italy, you will have an unique opportunity to see an active camera trap and some of its previous data which is located in the beautiful Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Reserve which, has hopefully of captured some footage.
Afterwards, in the late evening you will return to your hotel.
DAY 3: ABRUZZO NATIONAL PARK
In the early morning, you will visit Abruzzo National Park to look for wolves and other wildlife in the valley.
Here, you will learn about human/wildlife conflict in this region and the processes being taken to mitigate this.
Later, transfer to Civitella Alfedena to visit the Apennine wolf museum.
There will be time to relax this afternoon before another wildlife walk in the evening.
Early evening visit to local bear smart enterprise.
DAY 4: VIST BEAR SMART COMMUNITY – ORTONA DEI MARSI
Today, you will visit another of the regions bear corridors at the Bear smart community of Ortona dei Marsi accompanied by a Rewilding Apennines expert for insight into the project.
Witness the work being done to reintroduce the Marsican brown bear into these areas, ensuring bears and humans can coexist peacefully.
In the afternoon, visit a local Cidery, learn more about the processes required and sample some of the different ciders produced.
DAY 5: GRAN SASSO NATIONAL PARK
In the morning, you will depart to one of the Gran Sasso the Bear smart communities, where the first male bears are expanding towards. Focus on how different bear smart community perceive bears.
Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to explore Gran Sasso National Park, one of the largest protected and most biologically diverse areas of Europe.
In the afternoon, you will visit the historical villages of Capestrano and Navelli both rich in history, art and culture and renowned for their saffron production.
Return to the hotel for a final meal in this region, before travelling to Rome where you will spend time exploring this beautiful historic city.
DAY 6: PESCASSEROLI TO ROME
In the morning, depart Pescasseroli and drive to Rome, a journey of around three hours.
On arrival, you will enjoy a city tour exploring the key sites of this beautiful city.
In the evening, you will have a final meal with the group.
DAY 7: ROME DEPARTURE.
In the morning, enjoy free time to explore Rome at your own leisure.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. There is the opportunity to extend your stay in Rome.