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Italy
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Trentino-Alto Adige/South Tyrol
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Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol
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Bolzano
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Tours & Activities
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From Bolzano: Private Day Tour by car: The Great Dolomites Road
6 h
Private
Instant confirmation
About this activity
The Great Dolomites Road runs through the Dolomites from Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Along the road it is possible to admire the most beautiful views of the Dolomites and to reach the Pordoi Pass (2.239 m) and the Sella Pass (2.244 m), two of the most important and panoramic passes in the Alps.
Itinerary
Depart from Bolzano, the Gateway to the Dolomites, capital of the province South Tyrol; then cross the Ega Valley which begins at Bolzano and runs eastward between the Rosengarten and the Latemar mountains. This road was built in 1895 when the territory was part of the Austro Hungarian Empire. Part of the route is located in a canyon carved by the river Ega.
Stop at Carezza Lake, the most beautiful lake of the Dolomites; with 30 minutes of staying time and the chance to walk around the lake (optional); then head to Costalunga Pass. Near the Pass you will see the historical “Grand Hotel Carezza”, built in 1893, the first luxury hotel in the Dolomites which hosted very important guests like the Empress Sissi, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie.
From the Costalunga Pass, reach the Fassa Valley in Trentino and pass through the towns of Vigo di Fassa and Canazei to arrive under the imposing peaks of the Sella Groups. From here, a long series of 27 hairpins bends (switchbacks) begins, that will lead you to the famous Pordoi Pass at an altitude of 2.239 meters above sea level. One hour of staying time if you decide to arrive with the cable car to Sass Pordoi (altitude of 2950 meters: the cable car is open from late May until mid-October and from Christmas to Easter).
From the Pordoi Pass you will return back a few kilometers to reach the Sella Pass: here the landscape is really impressive with the Sella vertical walls that stand right in front of you and from the Sella Pass you can admire the Marmolada glacier (3,343 m) and the majestic Sassolungo (3,181 m), the most famous mountain in Gardena Valley: 10 minute stop for photos;
Coming down from the Sella Pass you will enter in the Gardena Valley, the best known tourist valley of the Dolomites and you will have the chance to see its largest town, the beautiful Ortisei: one hour of staying for lunch break and to visit the town.
From Ortisei in less than an hour, you'll be back in Bolzano.
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Itinerary
Depart from Bolzano, the Gateway to the Dolomites, capital of the province South Tyrol; then cross the Ega Valley which begins at Bolzano and runs eastward between the Rosengarten and the Latemar mountains. This road was built in 1895 when the territory was part of the Austro Hungarian Empire. Part of the route is located in a canyon carved by the river Ega.
Stop at Carezza Lake, the most beautiful lake of the Dolomites; with 30 minutes of staying time and the chance to walk around the lake (optional); then head to Costalunga Pass. Near the Pass you will see the historical “Grand Hotel Carezza”, built in 1893, the first luxury hotel in the Dolomites which hosted very important guests like the Empress Sissi, Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie.
From the Costalunga Pass, reach the Fassa Valley in Trentino and pass through the towns of Vigo di Fassa and Canazei to arrive under the imposing peaks of the Sella Groups. From here, a long series of 27 hairpins bends (switchbacks) begins, that will lead you to the famous Pordoi Pass at an altitude of 2.239 meters above sea level. One hour of staying time if you decide to arrive with the cable car to Sass Pordoi (altitude of 2950 meters: the cable car is open from late May until mid-October and from Christmas to Easter).
From the Pordoi Pass you will return back a few kilometers to reach the Sella Pass: here the landscape is really impressive with the Sella vertical walls that stand right in front of you and from the Sella Pass you can admire the Marmolada glacier (3,343 m) and the majestic Sassolungo (3,181 m), the most famous mountain in Gardena Valley: 10 minute stop for photos;
Coming down from the Sella Pass you will enter in the Gardena Valley, the best known tourist valley of the Dolomites and you will have the chance to see its largest town, the beautiful Ortisei: one hour of staying for lunch break and to visit the town.
From Ortisei in less than an hour, you'll be back in Bolzano.
Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Ticket of the Sass Pordoi cable-car
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
Original
20%
Reviews
This was a very good excursion into the Western Dolomites provided by our guide Alex. Alex is professional in his work and passionate about his business and everything ran very smoothly from pick up to drop off. The tour is leisurely, the sights and views are spectacular and Alex provides expert advice and commentary as you go. Don't miss the cable car to the top at Pordoi Pass. The views from the top are magnificent. A great day out!
This tour was incredible - easily the highlight of our trip. We were able to do and see so much more than we would have if we had been on our own. We went up the cable car to Sass Pordoi the lift ticket is not included, but it is worth it!, and we were also able to stop and do a little hike, visit one of the local towns, and enjoy the views. Alex, our guide, was a very safe driver, and an expert on the region. He had very interesting things to share about all of the places we went, and even packed extra supplies in case we weren't dressed for the weather. He does a fantastic job. The Dolomites are absolutely stunning. Take this tour!
I can highly recommend this tour. Alex was informative and congenial and spoke English fluently. It was good value for the money.
Agree with all the other reviews - absolutely brilliant tour and Alex is an exceptionally safe and careful driver as well as being a lovely person who clearly enjoys sharing this region and knowledge with others. Would recommend to anyone and will certainly book in with him again when we return to that area of Italy. Fantastic that he will pick up/return you to your hotel as well we were staying in Merano.
As 2 seniors from Sydney Australia who took this tour in August 2017 we fully agree with the positive reviews of others. We happened to go on a Wednesday not realising this was holiday time and how much traffic there might be and also that one of the passes would be closed, but this did not faze Alex. He was such a patient competent driver and took us around the long way which added to our trip. The scenery was fantastic. It was so nice to leave the driving to someone else so we could take everything in and take numerous photos. Alex is very fluent in English, has an easy going nature, is very enthusiastic, has great knowledge of the local area and its history and is very thorough and likeable. He even contacted us prior to the tour to confirm the pickup to ensure everything ran smoothly. All this made this tour a must do when in the Dolomites. Many thanks, B and K
Alex did a great job introducing us to the Dolomites. Picked us up in Bolzano at our hotel. He's a native of the area, so could give us a lot of local knowledge. He took us to some beautiful sites and even gave us time to take the cable car to the top and have lunch there. I would highly recommend this tour as an introduction to the area. He gave us some excellent ideas on place to eat and things to see on our own the next day.
Alex was a fantastic guide for this amazing day trip! He truly has a passion for his home area. He was very knowledgeable about the Dolomites and answered our questions easily. We would recommend this trip to anyone. The Dolomites are not to be missed!! Thanks Alex!
This is a great tour. The scenery was amazing. The host Alex is great. He is very knowledgeable, personable and professional. We would highly recommend this tour and would go on other tours with Alex without hesitation.