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Hiking excursion at Zagori and Meteora (7days)

Activity ID : 1162
Moderate
7 days
Apr - Oct
Minimum participation limit 6 years
English, Greek, Spanish
Reviews

Activity Description

Unknown to most of the world, yet so beautiful and unspoiled, the Zagori area is the ultimate hiking destination in Greece! Traditional stone-made villages, arch stone bridges, and pristine natural landscapes will offer you an unforgettable weekly hiking adventure in Zagori! Plus, do not miss the chance to visit the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of Meteora and follow the hiking trails of the ancient monks!

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, join us and explore on foot the secret paths of Vikos – Aoos National Park and Meteora, learn more about the myths and stories of the area, observe the unique flora and fauna, taste the delicious local cuisine and listen to the stories of the local villagers.

Tour Highlights

  • Hike through Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in the world
  • Explore the picturesque, untouched by time, stone–made villages of Zagori, wander around their narrow cobbled streets, and admire the traditional architecture
  • Cross historical arch stone bridges
  • Hike to the mythical Alpine Dragon Lake at 2.100m!
  • Admire the panoramic views over Vikos Gorge and take beautiful photos from Beloi viewpoint (1.650m altitude)
  • Observe the rich flora and fauna of Vikos – Aoos National Park
  • Follow the paths of the ancient monks and hike to the top-cliff Meteora monasteries
  • Taste delicious local food and experience the hospitality and warmth of the local people

Day 1: Athens - Monodendri - Vitsa

Our hiking adventure starts from Athens (or from Thessaloniki, upon request), from where we transfer to the Zagori area by car* (around 5 hrs from Athens). You are met and welcomed by our team and your group leader explains briefly the trip details.

We then set off for the village of Monodendri, where we will visit the Rizarios School of Handicrafts and learn how women make handmade textiles and weavings. We will also visit the Rizarios Photo Exhibition, where temporary photography collections are exhibited, as well as the original stereoscopic cameras that British photographers used to capture the first modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896! We will then take the short hiking path to Agia Paraskevi church and enjoy the impressive views over Vikos gorge! Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest come next.

(Total Hike duration: 1 hrs/level of difficulty: easy)

* You can optionally fly from Athens to Ioannina national airport (1hr flight), from where our team will pick you up and head to Zagori villages by car (around 50 min driving distance).  In case you wish to fly to another Greek airport, please contact us, so we can arrange your transfer to Zagoria villages.

  • meals included: snack lunch, dinner                             
  • accommodation: traditional guesthouse in Vitsa

Day 2: Vradeto steps - Beloi viewpoint & Zagoria stone bridges

After a good breakfast, we start our hiking day from the village of Kapesovo down to Vikos Gorge and then upwards, through the beautiful Vradeto steps (stone path built in the 16th century at the slopes of Vikos Gorge) towards the highest village of Zagori, Vradeto (1340m). From there, following a beautiful path at the rims of Vikos Gorge, we arrive at Beloi viewpoint (1450m), where we can enjoy panoramic views over the gorge. We return to Vradeto village and from there back to Kapesovo village.

After a quick snack outdoors, we will visit some of the most important and beautiful arch-stone bridges of Zagoria, dating back to the 16 – 18th centuries.

  • Kapesovo – Vradeto- Mpeloi (return trail)
waypoint altitude elapsed time total distance
Kapesovo village 1.150 m 0’ 0 m
Vradeto steps 1.060 m 20′ 1.100 m
Vradeto village 1.340 m 1:15′ 3.300 m
Mpeloi viewpoint 1.450 m 2:00′ 5.300 m
return reverse (r/f)   3:50′ 10.600 m

(Hike duration: 3.5-4 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate)

  • Arch stone Bridges tour (o/w or r/w)
waypoint altitude elapsed time total distance
Kokori Bridge 700 m   0 m
Plakida Bridge 730 m 20′ 1.500 m
Milou Bridge 740 m 50′ 3.500 m
Pitsioni Bridge 740 m 1:20′ 5.000 m
Kontodima Bridge 750 m 1:40′ 6.000 m
Koukouli village (optional) 870 m 2:30′ 7.800 m
Missiou Bridge (optional) 690 m 3:10′ 10.000 m

*The tour of the arch stone bridges can be done in many different ways, we may hike to all of the bridges or do parts by car (it depends on the travelers’ fitness level and willingness to do parts or all of it, it is a quite flexible trail)

(Hike duration: 2-3.5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate)

(Total Hike duration: 6-7.5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate)

  • meals: breakfast, snack lunch, dinner     
  • accommodation: traditional guesthouse in Vitsa

Day 3: Crossing Vikos Gorge

Today we will hike in one of the most beautiful, impressive, and rewarding hiking paths in the area! We will transfer to Monodendri village, from where we will descend down to Vikos Gorge, said to be one of the deepest gorges in the world.  Walking parallel to the river, it will take us about 6 hours to cross the canyon. Traversing the ravine, we can admire the rare varieties of wild birds and flowers that have found their habitat in Vikos-Aoos National Park. We will make a stop at the river springs to relax and eat our snacks. Depending on the season, you can also swim in the river!

Early in the afternoon, we arrive at Vikos village where we are picked up by our minibus and transferred to Papigo village for dinner and an overnight stay.

  • Monodendri – Vikos Gorge – Vikos (o/w)
waypoint altitude elapsed time total distance
Monodendri village 1.050 m   0 m
Vikos Gorge 680 m 45′ 2.000 m
Klima fountain 610 m 2:45′ 5.300 m
Voidomatis river springs 480 m 5:00′ 10.400 m
Vikos village 750 m 5:50′ 12.500 m

(Total Hike duration: 6 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate to challenging)

  • meals: breakfast, snack lunch     
  • accommodation: traditional guesthouse in Papigo

Day 4: Hike to the Alpine Dragon Lake

Our hiking exploration for today is quite demanding, yet truly fulfilling!

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we start from Papigo village our ascending hiking route towards the Astraka refuge. The surrounding alpine scenery will captivate you for sure! After a short break for coffee and relaxation, we continue to the beautiful “Dragon Lake”, situated at 2100m altitude. The view of this magical landscape will definitely reward you after a long hiking day.

Tonight we will stay overnight at the mountain refuge of Astraka, after which we enjoy a homemade dinner.

  • Mikro Papigo – Astrafa refuge – Dragon Lake – Astraka refuge (r/w)
waypoint altitude elapsed time total distance
Mikro Papigo village 980 m   0 m
Astraka refuge 1.950 m 3:00’ 6.000 m
Dragon Lake 2.050 m 4:20′ 8.800 m
return to Astraka refuge (f/r) 1.950 m 5:40′ 11.600 m

(Hike duration: 6 – 6.5 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate to challenging).

  • meals: breakfast, snack lunch, dinner   
  • accommodation: at the mountain refuge

Day 5: Astraka descend - Papigo - Meteora

After breakfast at the mountain refuge, we will start our descending way back to Papigo village. This is our last day in the Zagori area, so we cannot leave without making a stop at the natural swimming pools in Ovires. During the summer months, you can also enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the river!

We’ll enjoy a delicious pick nick lunch by the riverside before we depart with the destination the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage site of Meteora. Upon arrival in Meteora, we’ll enjoy a sunset tour for beautiful views and photo shooting, before we check in to our hotel.

  • Astrafa refuge – Mikro Papigo (o/w)
waypoint altitude elapsed time total distance
Astraka refuge 1.950m 0’ 0 m
Mikro Papigo village 980m 3:00’ 6.000 m

(Total Hike duration: 2.5 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate)

  • meals: breakfast, pick Nick lunch, dinner   
  • accommodation : 3* hotel in Meteora

Day 6: Hiking Meteora - Athens

What better way to start your day than admiring the spectacular rock pillars of Meteora stone forest? After breakfast, we will explore this unique landscape on foot, following the hiking paths of the ancient monks and we’ll visit some of the top-cliff monasteries of the area.

In the afternoon, we will return back to Athens and you will be transferred at your hotel.

(Total Hike duration: 3 – 3.5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate/ Total Distance: 6km / Altitude difference: 280m)

  • meals: breakfast, lunch   
  • accommodation : 3* hotel in Athens

Day 7: Departures

This is the last day of our weekly hiking adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, you are free to explore Athens, continue your holidays in Greece or make your way to the airport.

  • meals: breakfast

Prices 2023 for Private Group:

  • For 2-3 people €1,620
  • For 4-5 people €1,140
  • For 6-11 people €1,040
  • For 12-18 people €910
  • For a single room, there is an additional charge of €170

*** 10% discount for children up to 11 years old


Included

• 5 days of accommodation in 3* hotels and traditional guesthouses, based on double occupancy and 1 night in mountain hut (bunk beds in dorms)
• All meals as indicated on the trip notes (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners)
• Pick up from your hotel on day 1 or a common meeting point in Athens city center
• Transportation with private vehicle for the whole trip, fuel and tolls
• Entrance fees, to Rizaris Photo Exhibition & to 1 Meteora monastery
• All taxes

Not included

• International/domestic airfares
• Travel insurance - mandatory (we can arrange that for you, upon request)
• Transfers to/from Athens airport
• Lunch on day 7, dinner on day 3, 6 & 7
• Any beverages or alcoholic drinks during meals
• Optional activities that are not included in the day-to-day itinerary
• Other expenses of personal nature and gratuities (optional)

Do nοt forget

• Contact with the business prior to the activity.
• A minimum number of participants involved.
• This trip is available from 1st of May until 31th of October
Cancellation policy

Cancellation policy

 

  • Cancellation 90 days or more prior to the agreed activity starting date. You are automatically reimbursed for the full activity price.
  • Cancellation between 30 and 90 days prior to the agreed activity starting date. You are entitled to a 50% reimbursement.
  • Cancellation 30 days or later no reimbursements will be effected.

 

* If the activity is canceled by the activity provider (due to weather, non-completion of minimum entries, force majeure, etc.), the price of your activity, is refunded in full.


  •  Many activities are based on the weather, so it is recommended that you contact the company before the activity.
  • It is a good idea to be at the meeting point on time, before the scheduled start time.
  • After your reservation it is enough to give your details to the cooperating company so that you can carry out your activity. However, it is recommended that you have the booking confirmed in digital or printed form.
  • Read the benefits of the activity carefully to avoid possible extra charges from additional optional services.
  • Read the cancellation policy carefully before booking.

Location

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Meeting Point

Region: Athina, Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon

Address: Syntagma Square

Notes: Group staring point in Syntagma Square. Pick up from your accomodation (in range 3 km from Syntagma Square) upon request, free of charge of course.

Point of activity

Region: Dimos Tumfis, Ioannina

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