Walking tours – Val d’Orcia Tour

(10 days – 9 nights)

Departure dayFROMTO
DailyApril 1, 2021 October 31, 2021
ITSW320

Individual tour – Minimum 2 people

The Tuscan landscape of the Val d’Orcia will warm your heart like a classic photograph as you penetrate its natural beauty. You are in for a thrilling ride along steep valleys, dense forests, rivers and the legendary “badlands” eroded clay slopes. Walk by picturesque farmhouses nestled amidst olive groves, vineyards and fig trees on your way to the hot spring hamlet of Bagno Vignoni and the heavenly Renaissance city of Pienza. You shall visit captivating palaces, Romanesque churches, thermal baths, and prestigious wineries serving the divine local red “Brunello”. Soaring up high on invigorating hilltop towns, you’ll revel in delight

Day 1 – Arrival in Florence

Arrival at Florence airport. Private transfer to the hotel reserved. Rest of the day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight

Day 2 – Florence

Full day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight.

Day 3 – Florence – Montepulciano

Private transfer from Florence to Montepulciano. Once settle in your hotel, our Tuscan walking begin in this medieval and Renaissance hill town. Admire the impressive views over the rolling Tuscan landscape that you’ll be exploring over the next week. Overnight.

Day 4 – Walk from Montepulciano to Pienza

Starting from the San Biagio church you follow a quiet track to the peaceful village of Montichiello where you can pause for a relaxed lunch or perhaps just a quick cappuccino before continuing to Pienza.Pienza is a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique Renaissance architecture. The town is well known for its delicious pecorino cheese and truffles; this is a great spot to indulge in Tuscan treats! Overnight.

Challenge: 4 hours, 13/15 km, 384 m ascent, 504 m descent

Day 5 – Walk from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni

Today you wander through a beautiful region of rolling hills, oak woods, cypress trees and pretty villages. The thermal baths complex at Bagno Vignoni Is the perfect location to spend the afternoon soaking up the Tuscan warmth. Overnight.

Challenge: 4 hours, 12 km, 197 m ascent, 418 m descent

Day 6 – Walk from Bagno Vignoni to Sant’Antimo and transfer to Montalcino

A more challenging but rewarding day’s walking awaits as you follow dry riverbeds through a fairly wild environment to Sant’Antimo, an isolated abbey situated in a Pastoral landscape. After exploring the abbey you will be transferred to Montalcino. Overnight.

Challenge: 5 hours, 14 km, 227 m ascent, 187 m descent

Day 7 –  Walk from Montalcino to Buonconvento

A hearty breakfast will set you up for a long but enjoy day of walking in the famous Brunello wine region, passing vineyards and olive groves, then again entering the beautiful Tuscan landscape of the Crete Sensi and Buonconvento. Overnight.

Challenge: 5 hours, 15/18 km, 316 m ascent, 619 m descent

Day 8 –  Loop walk to Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery

A short day which is full of ups and downs, beginning with a transfer to the monastery at Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an impressive abbey built of red brick and set in the rugged Tuscan landscape. After an early visit to avoid the crowd, walk back to Buonconvento. Overnight.

Challenge: 5 hours, 14 km, 382 m ascent, 460m descent

Day 9 –  Transfer to Monteroni d’Arbia and walk to Arbia & train to Siena

Today you will start with a short transfer to Monteroni d’Arbia from where you start the walk towards Siena. Hike through a landscape of rolling hills and small hamlets as the unmistakable sight of Siena appears in the distance. Once you reach Arbia train station take the train into Siena. Enjoy the magnificent beauty of Siena, famous for its biannual “Palio” horse race, held in the most beautiful shell-shaped square in Europe: the Piazza del Campo. Don’t miss a visit to the Duomo, an architectural treasure, and numerous imposing medieval palaces.

Challenge: 4 hours, 10 km, 227m ascent, 187m descent

Day 10 – Siena/departure

The trip and our services end after breakfast. Individual transfer to Siena train station and train to Florence. Individual transfer to the airport or proceed with your trip in Italy

ROUTE PROFILE AND MAP

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Difficulty: 🔴 🔴 ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️

Activity characteristics: The route is quite easy, with ups and downs typical of the Tuscany’s rolling hills. The whole itinerary is mostly on paths and gravel roads (strade bianche), even if you will find some sections on asphalted road. Some walks can be shortened if requested in advance.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel 3* in Florence, Hotel Il Duomo in Montepulciano, B&B Il Giglio in Pienza, B&B La Locanda del Loggiato in Bagno Vignoni, B&B Le Scalette di Piazza in Montalcino, Agriturismo Pieve a Salti in Buonconvento, Hotel Chiusarelli in Siena

PRICE PER PERSON IN EURO

2021PRICE
April 1 – October 311,180

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodations in double rooms in the hotel category mentioned above
  • Daily breakfasts in hotel, 1 dinner on Day 7
  • Arrival transfer in Florence (day 1), transfer Florence/Montepulciano (day 3)
  • Transfer from Castelnuovo dell’Abate to Montalcino (Day 6)
  • Transfer from Buonconvento-Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey (day 8) and from Buonconvento to Monteroni d’Arbia (Day 9)
  • Train ticket Siena/Florence (day 10)
  • Luggage transportation
  • Detailed information pack, route notes and maps with tracks on
  • 24/7 phone assistance

NOT INCLUDED

  • Local tourist taxes that are collected directly by the hotels
  • Trains or busses wherever necessary
  • Any service not mentioned in the “price includes”

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • The package can be booked starting from day 3 with individual arrival in Montepulciano.
  • We listed the hotels used for this itinerary. It may happen that due to high demand, these hotels are not available. We will provide alternative accommodation of the same type and category
  • Self guided walking tour requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems
  • Supplements may apply during special events dates
  • Pre-post itineraries can be arranged

Please use our contact form or request form to submit your request for this itinerary.