Rewilding Adventure in Italy's Abruzzo Mountains

Meet your host at Rome Airport, hop in the van and drive through rural Italy to the town of Pescasseroli – your base for the next few days. Check into your guesthouse and meet up with your guide who will give you the lowdown on the rewilding efforts in the area and brief you on the adventure to come. Head out for an easy afternoon hike to get your first taste of Abruzzo National Park and catch the sunset before tucking into an Italian feast for dinner.

After an early breakfast you'll head out for a big circular hike in the southern area of the Abruzzo National Park, past rock walls, along deep glacial valleys and through beech forests. Walking silently and respectfully you'll see one of the most important populations of Apennine chamois, meekly grazing between pastures and rocky walls. You may also see griffon vultures circling high above. Enjoy your packed lunch high up in the peaks before returning through forests to cap off a wild first day in the Abruzzos.

Another early start as you sip a pre-dawn coffee and head out to try to glimpse one of Abruzzo's most enigmatic residents – the wolf. Hike through the twilight to a higher altitude where the wolves are known to pass-through. After sun up, head back down the valley and visit the Museum of the Apennine Wolf in Civitella Alfedena to learn more about the wolf's history of persecution and subsequent revival now happening in the Apennines. Enjoy lunch in a rural village before hiking up to the Bisegna Refuge high in the mountains where you'll spend the night. You'll then set out into the twilight for an evening walk to listen to the howling of the wolves.

Rise before dawn to head out for a sunrise session to see the wildlife, often most active first thing in the morning. After breakfast, you'll hike through forests that are frequented by bears, martens and wild cats. Your tracker guide will lead the group through the forests, pointing out signs of bears and hoping for sightings. The guide is also on hand to ensure a safe and respectful passage through the home of these creatures who were close to extinction here but are making a comeback thanks to the rewilding work being done. Finish off another epic day with a traditional Italian feast.

You'll be used to the pre-dawn escapades by now as you step out for one last sunrise stomp in the wilderness and hopefully another glimpse of a wolf, bear or wild boar going about their morning business. After breakfast, it's time to jump back in the van and bid farewell to the mountains as you return to Rome in time for your flight home.