Trip Overview
A nine-day journey designed for the culturally curious traveler, Sardinia's Nuragic Heart traces the island's history from the beautiful shoreline to the rugged interior.
Your journey begins in Cagliari, where you'll walk through 3,000 years of history at the seaside ruins of Nora.
You'll then move inland, to rolling hills and towering limestone peaks. Here, you'll enter Oliena, a region that has preserved its identity for millennia. Based in the heart of Oliena, you're in the perfect place to meet the people who define Sardinia: the master shoemakers, the artisanal cheesemakers, and the shepherds of the Lanaitho Valley.
The soul of the adventure lies in the wild Supramonte, where you'll share a meal under the shade of ancient oaks and listen to the Tenores, whose UNESCO-recognized singing is one of the oldest forms of polyphony.
The soul of the adventure lies in the wild Supramonte, where you'll share a meal under the shade of ancient oaks and listen to the Tenores, whose UNESCO-recognized singing is one of the oldest forms of polyphony.
Finally, we bring you to the Costa Smeralda, where the rugged mountain spirit meets the Mediterranean. Between private wine tastings and sailing the La Maddalena Archipelago, you'll find that at the heart of Sardinia lies the harmony between its unspoiled nature and its enduring traditions.
From Nuragic mysteries to the shepherd's table and the bays of the Costa Smeralda, this is Sardinia at its most authentic.
Highlights
- Experience a curated nine-day private journey across Sardinia, from Cagliari and the Nuragic heartland to the Costa Smeralda, with private guides, transfers, and experiences throughout.
- Explore the Phoenician-Roman ruins of Nora and the UNESCO-listed Bronze Age fortress of Su Nuraxi di Barumini.
- Immerse yourself in Oliena, meeting master shoemakers and generational honey producers in their private workshops.
- Witness the storytelling murals of Orgosolo on a private tour of its world-famous political and social walls.
- Savor a traditional shepherd’s lunch in the wild Lanaitho Valley, with local roasted meats and a private performance of Tenores' polyphonic singing.
- Cruise the crystal-clear waters of the La Maddalena Archipelago on a private boat excursion to secluded coves.
- Discover the artistic village of San Pantaleo and the refined glamour of the Costa Smeralda.
- Stay in hand-selected four- and five-star hotels, including three nights in an artistic retreat nestled in the Supramonte mountains.
Day By Day
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.
-
Day 1
Hotel in Cagliari (B)
-
Day 2
Hotel in Cagliari (B)
-
Day 3
Hotel in Oliena (B,D)
-
Day 4
Hotel in Oliena (B,D,L)
-
Day 5
Hotel in Oliena (B,D)
-
Day 6
Hotel in Costa Smeralda (B)
-
Day 7
Hotel in Costa Smeralda (B)
-
Day 8
Hotel in Costa Smeralda (B)
-
Day 9
Accommodation
Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.
Exceptional accommodations are an integral part of the Sardinian experience. We carefully curate a selection of properties that truly reflect the island’s distinctive landscapes. Our collection includes intimate, family-run Charme Hotels nestled in historic villages; serene Luxury Beach Resorts where fragrant juniper meets the sea; and exclusive Villas offering private pools and terraces bathed in the soft glow of evening light. By working directly with owners, we ensure you receive a warm welcome, thoughtful local insights, and personalized service that respects your pace. In Sardinia, the culinary experience is as vital as the setting, so we also provide you with access to authentic regional cuisine, from crisp pane carasau to the freshest seafood.
To explore more about Sardinia, we invite you to visit our blog, featuring articles such as “What to Drink in Sardinia,” “Sardinian Cuisine – What to Eat!,” and “Exploring the Wilds of Sardinia.”
To explore more about Sardinia, we invite you to visit our blog, featuring articles such as “What to Drink in Sardinia,” “Sardinian Cuisine – What to Eat!,” and “Exploring the Wilds of Sardinia.”
Sardinia offers a perfect setting for both active and leisure vacations, with sandy shorelines eroded by the intense blue waters of the Mediterranean, sharp granite peaks, and colorful landscapes in its interior. The largest of the Italian islands and the second largest of the Mediterranean, Sardinia gifts its visitors with rugged coastal trails and mountain tracks cocooned by a pristine coastline, a pleasant climate, rich history, and diverse culture, making it ripe for adventure. Its coasts are lined with white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs in fantastic shades of purple, gray, and black, and caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Sardinian sea.
Away from the shore is a harshly beautiful, wild landscape, characterized by mountain chains, forests, plateaus, and rivers. And everywhere in Sardinia there are traces of human settlements, ancient and rich in history and legends, dating as far back as the Neolithic Age. And did we mention the food!? Not surprisingly, seafood figures prominently in Sardinian cuisine, as does wild boar, stews, and unusual pastas just waiting to be discovered. Exploring the island never ceases to be extraordinary. What are you waiting for?
Away from the shore is a harshly beautiful, wild landscape, characterized by mountain chains, forests, plateaus, and rivers. And everywhere in Sardinia there are traces of human settlements, ancient and rich in history and legends, dating as far back as the Neolithic Age. And did we mention the food!? Not surprisingly, seafood figures prominently in Sardinian cuisine, as does wild boar, stews, and unusual pastas just waiting to be discovered. Exploring the island never ceases to be extraordinary. What are you waiting for?
Our guides are mountain and coastal enthusiasts who live this work year-round. They are local experts who know the trails, the weather patterns, and the families who run the village bars. They are dedicated to keeping you safe and pointing out the details you would miss on your own - the wild orchids in April, the best angle for a photograph, or the quiet fork in the path that leads to a better view.
Cost
All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.
Guided Trip:
€ 9675 per person (2 participants)
€ 6930 per person (4 participants)
€ 6030 per person (6 participants)
The cost is based on the specified hotel category. (Please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.
We will do our best to accommodate you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price.
€ 9675 per person (2 participants)
€ 6930 per person (4 participants)
€ 6030 per person (6 participants)
The cost is based on the specified hotel category. (Please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.
We will do our best to accommodate you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price.
Cost Includes:
- Private transfer from Cagliari airport to Cagliari hotel
- Round- trip transfer from/to Cagliari to/from Nora
- Private transfer from Cagliari to Oliena with stop in Gergey and Barumini
- Private transfer from Oliena to North Sardinia with stop in San Pantaleo
- Private transfer from North Sardinia to Olbia airport
- 2 nights accommodations in 5-star hotel in Cagliari
- 3 nights accommodations in 4-star hotel in Oliena
- 3 nights accommodations in 5-star hotel in North Sardinia
- All breakfasts
- 1 Light lunch
- 3 Dinners
- Cheese tasting
- Sunset aperitif
- Honey tasting
- Cooking class
- Wine tasting Costa Smeralda
- Lunch with a shepherd
- Tenors singing
- Entrance tickets to Nora and Su Nuraxi di Barumini
- 2 days with Local English speaking Professional Tourist Guide
- 1 day with Local English speaking Professional Hiking Guide
- Visit to a traditional shoemaker's workshop
- Boat day
- An €18 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral
- Italian VAT tax
Itinerary in Pictures
Sardinia’s Nuragic Heart from Cagliari to Costa Smeralda: Discover a land shaped by the "unconquerable" spirit of the Oliena mountains and the ancient mysteries of Sardinia's Nuragic civilization. On this nine-day odyssey from the vivacious streets of Cagliari to the turquoise bays of the Costa Smeralda, you'll dine with shepherds, master ancient crafts with local artisans, and witness the haunting beauty of UNESCO-recognized polyphonic singing.
Area Map
