Adventure FAQs

Are flights included?

Flights to and from your destination aren’t included in the trip price — you’ll need to book these independently. You’ll find recommended arrival and departure airports, along with suggested timings, in the FAQs below.

Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into either Bolzano (BZO) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and out of Venice Marco Polo (VCE).

What time do I need to arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

Please book a flight that arrives before 2pm on Day 1.

There’ll be two group transfer times (11:00 and 14:00) from the airport, so please book a flight that lands at least 30 minutes before whichever transfer you plan to take.

If you miss the second transfer at 14:00, you’ll need to arrange for your own taxi at a cost of around 350 EUR.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

If you’d like to take the group transfer back to the airport, don’t book a departure flight before 14:30-15:00. Your included transfer departs from Cortina d’Ampezzo at 10:00 and arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport at approximately 12:30-13:00, giving you a comfortable two-hour window before a 14:30-15:00 flight.

If you’re only able to arrange a later flight, you’re welcome to make use of 3 hours of airport lounge access at VCE – please ask your Pack Leader for details on how to arrange this ahead of departure day.

What are the arrival and departure transfer times, and what if my flight doesn't align?

If you are flying into Bolzano airport (BZO), and you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport transfer will be included and scheduled to your flight arrival time.

If you’re arriving into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), a group arrival transfer will depart from Venice Marco Polo Airport at 2:00 PM on Day 1, timed to coincide with flights arriving from our key markets.

Guests arriving early and flying into VCE, can book a pre-night at our recommend hotel in Mestre (Hotel Plaza, Mestre) and get picked up by the group transfer on Day 1 of the trip – pick up will be around 1:30pm.

Guests who miss the group transfer will need to arrange and pay for a private transfer themselves (€350).

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

A departure transfer is also included in the cost of this adventure.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
• Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer. 

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

A departure transfer is also included in the cost of this adventure.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person, per day, are:

• Pack Leader: 10-15 EUR
• Drivers: 5-10 EUR
• Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

What health and fitness levels are required for this ‘Challenging’ trip?

Trips in our challenging portfolio are action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled, and designed to push your limits. While no specialised training is required, good overall stamina and fitness are recommended, and certain activities on the trip may carry specific health and safety restrictions, set directly by the operator.

You should be comfortable being on your feet for five to seven hours, covering up to 15km in a day and spending sustained periods at altitude. No technical outdoor skills or prior climbing experience are required, but Flashpackers who are generally active in their daily lives will get the most out of this adventure.

If you can’t take part in an activity, your Pack Leader can suggest ways to make the most of your free time. Your trip price covers the itinerary as a whole, so activities you choose not to join aren’t refundable.

Have a read-through of the itinerary above, and if you have any fitness, health or mobility concerns, we strongly recommend that you contact us before booking. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

What's the most challenging day?

The most challenging day is Day 5, which combines a beginner via ferrata circuit with a subsequent lunch at a working alpine malga. The via ferrata on Ra Gusela and Averau is classified as beginner level, fixed cables, no technical climbing, but it does require confidence at height, a reasonable level of upper body strength for the cable sections, and a willingness to move on exposed rocky terrain with a harness and helmet.

Day 2 is the most aerobically demanding, with a 15–20km guided e-bike ride across the Alpe di Siusi plateau followed by the Lago di Braies lake walk in the late afternoon.

Are there any activities with weight or height restrictions?

Yes, the below activities have the following restrictions:

• E-bike cycling has a maximum weight limit of 130kg (286lbs).
• Via Ferrata harnesses have a maximum weight limit of 130kg (286lbs).

If a weight or height restriction means you can’t take part in an activity, your Pack Leader will suggest options for your free time. Your trip price covers the itinerary as a whole, so activities you are not able to join due to these restrictions aren’t refundable.

I’m a keen outdoor runner, is it generally safe to do so?

Absolutely. Bolzano has excellent flat running paths along the Talvera and Eisack rivers, well-marked and used daily by locals. Cortina has a network of marked trails through pine forest and valley terrain accessible directly from the town. In summer, you should be aware that afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Dolomites, typically building from around 14:00 onward, so morning runs are recommended.

What happens if I want or need to sit out of an activity?

At Flash Pack, we’re all about adventure, but we get that not every activity will be for everyone. If there is something that you need to skip, your Pack Leader can suggest ways to make the most of your free time. Your trip price covers the itinerary as a whole, so activities you choose not to join aren’t refundable.

If you have a health or medical condition or mobility or fitness concerns which may affect your ability to join in a part of the trip or a particular activity on the trip, get in touch with us before booking. We can tell you exactly what’s involved, so you can decide whether the trip is right for you.

Please note that any health and safety restrictions for each activity are set directly by the operator, who retains the right to assess a participant’s suitability and safety at the time of the activity, and may advise against participation.

Will this itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.