Usually Greece is the sea, yachts, and resorts. But there is another Greece – mountainous. After all, 80% of the country’s territory is occupied by mountains and plateaus.
We will visit the Pindus Mountains, located in the north of the country in the administration of “Epirus and Western Macedonia” in the territory of the Vikos-Aoos National Park. This is the largest mountain system in the country. The park was founded in 1973 and has an area of 126 km², including the Vikos Canyon, the Aoos Gorge, the Timfti mountain range, the highest peak of which is Gamila, 2497 m, and several Zagorje villages.
The Epirus region is one of the most beautiful regions of Greece. The Zagoria region is a picturesque place in Epirus in the Pindus Mountains. The architecture and general atmosphere are very different from the rest of Greece. Cozy narrow streets stretch among houses built from local material, and the roofs are covered with flat stones (slate), which were collected locally. It gives the impression of clean, white-stone and some kind of fairytale towns. According to Greek law, in order to preserve the historical heritage, all new buildings in Zagoria must be constructed from local stone and other local traditional materials and in accordance with local architectural features.
Before the walking part of our trip we will visit the Perama Cave. It is located in the village of Perama, near the city of Ioannina, through which we will pass on the way to the mountains. The cave is located inside the Goritsa hill, located above the village. Along the route, which is about 1.5 km., we will see a large number of halls, rich in their natural decorations, consisting of countless stalactites and stalagmites.
Further along our route we will climb to the top of Gamila (2497 m), the highest point of the mountain range of Timfi, admire the mountain lake Drakolimni (Dragon Lake), go down the ancient staircase of Vradeto, 1200 steps long, which is built by hand from stones and goes serpentine along an almost vertical slope and walk along the grandiose gorge of Vikos, which reaches 20 kilometers in length, 450 to 1600 meters in depth, and 400 to several meters in width in the narrowest places. And finally, we will visit the monasteries of Meteora – the famous complex of six monasteries standing on giant rocks “meteoros”, which is translated from Greek as “hanging in the air”.
Note:
The program is not difficult and is recommended for people with basic physical fitness.
Главные впечатления от похода по Фанским горам:
Hiking route in Greece in the Pindus Mountains:
Thessaloniki – Ioannina – Papingo village – Astraka mountain hut – Dragon Lake (Drakolimni) – Gamila Peak (Gamila, 2497) – Chapel near the village of Vradeto – Viewpoint above the Vikos canyon (Vikos) – Vradeto village – Vradeto stairs – Vikos gorge – Vikos village – Kalambaka village and monasteries in Meteora – Thessaloniki
Route of a hike in Greece in the Pindus Mountains by days
day
Meeting in Thessaloniki at the hostel, getting acquainted, preparing for departure.
day
We go to the city of Ioannina by chartered (or public) transport. We change to chartered transport and go to the mountain village of Popingon. On the way we stop in the village of Perama, which is a few kilometers from Ioannina and visit the Perama cave. Here you will be immersed in another, mythical world. The cave itself is located inside the Goritsa hill, located just above the village. The natural decoration of this cave is known for the variety of stalactites and stalagmites.
The Perama cave is one of the best and most interesting caves in the world. Overnight in tents, near the village of Papingon. Overnight in tents. The journey takes 6.5 hours.
day
Today we will pass through two beautiful villages and climb to the pass where the Astraka mountain shelter is located. There you can have a snack with a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Then we go down to a small valley, put up tents and go radially to the Dragon Lake. The largest lake in the national park is Drakolimni, which in Greek means Dragon Lake. It is located at an altitude of about 2000 m on Mount Timfi, the maximum depth of the lake is 4.95 m, and its surface covers 1 ha.
Overnight in tents. 11 km, 6.6 hours.
day
On this day we will climb to the top of Gamila, 2497 m high. This peak offers a stunning, simply unreal view, a feeling of height, or perhaps depth, when you stand on the edge of a cliff and everything inside you “falls”, you want to fall to the ground and cling to the rocks. High, very high! And beautiful, very beautiful! You will never see anything like this below!
Overnight in tents. 12 km walk, 7.8 hours.
day
Today our route will go along mountain paths leading through mountains, canyon, desert sandstone and through forest area. Very diverse views and impressions. We will pass by a lonely Orthodox chapel, near which it is pleasant to rest and have lunch, and spend the night at one of the most beautiful viewing platforms on Vikos Canyon – the largest canyon in Greece.
Overnight in tents. 10 km walk, 6 hours.
day
We wake up, have breakfast with a stunning view of the canyon and continue our journey! Today we have to go down the ancient stone stairs. 1200 steps along the steep cliffs, created by people absolutely by hand. It was built over the course of 20-30 years. The age of the stairs is about three hundred years.
There is not much information about this place, but as an attraction it is one of the “must see” attractions. Although this staircase is the work of human hands, it fits so well into the landscape that it seems that it has stood here for thousands of years and grew by itself!
Afterwards, we enter the Vikos canyon and spend the night there.
Overnight in tents. 11 km 7.4 hours.
day
Today we will walk along the path leading along the bottom of the Vikos Canyon. The Vikos Gorge is the deepest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records (at least that’s what Wikipedia says). The Voidomatis River flows along the bottom of the canyon, creating bizarre overflows and rapids, but by autumn it dries up.
The trail will take us through a beautiful forest, through which you can see the majestic rock walls of the canyon. Then we will climb to the village of Vikos and go by transfer to the town of Kalambaka, to the monasteries of Meteora.
Overnight stay at the hostel. 7 km walk, 5.8 hours.
day
Today we have a light day walk, without backpacks. We will try to visit all the monasteries of Meteora. The Meteora Monasteries are the largest complex of monasteries in Greece. They rest on the tops of rocks – Meteora, which rise up to 400m above the Thessalian Valley, near the city of Kalambaka in Greece.
In total, throughout history, according to various sources, there were 22 or 24, now there are only six monasteries: four male and two female. “Soaring in the air” (this is how Meteor is translated from Greek), these monasteries represent a unique architectural achievement and are among the most amazing buildings in Greece.
day
Today we leave Kalambaka for Thessaloniki. Flight home.
Why is it profitable to go hiking with Extremeguide?
Cost and conditions of hiking in Greece in the Pindus Mountains
Is this trip right for you?
The program is not difficult and is recommended for people with basic physical fitness.
Previous experience is not required to participate in this program, but is desirable.
The price includes:
- camp meals during the active part of the hike;
- 2 nights in a hostel;
- transfer Thessaloniki-Ioannina-Papingon;
- transfer Vikos-Kalambaka;
- transfer Kalambaka-Thessaloniki;
- guide work (group of 10-12 people);
- group first aid kit;
- rental of public equipment (tents, dishes, burners, gas);
- assistance in buying cheap tickets;
- assistance in obtaining a visa (for Ukrainians a visa is not required).
Not included in the price:
- аairfare to Thessaloniki;
- visa. (We will help you get a visa). For citizens of Ukraine with a biometric passport, a visa is not required;
- accident insurance and medical coverage from €30,000 (will be issued by ExtremeGuide), the cost is €3–10/day depending on the selected insurance program and residence. Check the cost;
- tips for the guide (optional);
- transfers by public transport and taxi in Meteora and other transfers not included in the program;
- fee for visiting six monasteries in Meteora (6*€3=€18);
- fee for visiting the Perama Cave (€7);
- meals in villagec/towns;
- other expenses not specified in the program.
Without airfare – approximately 120 EUR.
Cost depending on the number of participants
| Number of participants | Cost per 1 participant |
|---|---|
| 7 | 500 EUR |
| 6 | 550 EUR |
| 5 | 600 EUR |
| 4 | 700 EUR |
| 3 | 900 EUR |
| 2 | 1200 EUR |
Best price guarantee!
- If you find a tour with a similar set of services cheaper, we will refund you the difference!
- We have included in the price all possible basic expenses for the program and guarantee that there are no hidden additional costs, while we have retained the best service at a low price: transfers, hotel accommodation, guides and staff!
We have a flexible discount system
Find out the details right now:
Necessary equipment
Basics:
- Backpack 60-80 l. (please note that in addition to personal belongings, it should also accommodate food and communal equipment) (More about choosing a backpack);
- Sleeping bag (More about choosing a sleeping bag)
- Pad (More about choosing a pad);
Shoes and clothes:
- Trekking boots (it is important that the shoes are comfortable and worn in. Usually, shoes are chosen with a thick toe and 1.5 – 2 sizes larger than the foot size) (More about choosing clothes and boots)
- Change of shoes (sneakers, sandals or flip-flops);
- Warm jacket (fall, spring);
- Warm hat (fall, spring);
- Walking pants (Gore-tex, cotton or synthetic);
- Walking jacket (Gore-tex, cotton or synthetic);
- Rain cape (if walking clothes get wet);
- Thermal underwear set (if there is no thermal underwear, long johns and a T-shirt);
- Warm jacket (preferably fleece, but in extreme cases – a sweater);
- Socks 2 pairs (“thermal socks” or other thick ones);
- Socks for overnight stays (preferably woolen);
- Warm gloves (fall, spring);
- T-shirt;
- Shorts;
- Change of underwear;
- Sun hat.
The rest:
- A cover for a backpack (or large plastic bags for packing things);
- Mug, spoon, bowl, knife (all of this should be as light as possible – made of stainless steel or special plastic; you shouldn’t take ceramic mugs or enameled dishes);
- Headlamp + spare set of batteries;
- Hygiene items (a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap and a little shampoo will be enough; do not take full bottles of shower gel and shampoo, heaps of creams and lotions with you);
- Documents;
- Individual first aid kit (plaster, cold, stomach, head. You also need to take into account specific and chronic diseases, if any. In addition to the individual first aid kit, the instructor has a general);
- Mountaineering goggles (protection category 3-4);
- Water bottle ( 1-2 l.)
- Swimsuit, swimming trunks;
- Matches + a piece of dry fuel in a sealed package;
- Camera;
- lip balm chapstick;
- Insect repellent ointment;
- Sunscreen ointment;
- Seating pad;
- Work gloves;
- Trekking poles.
Additional information
We will visit the Pindus Mountains, located in the north of the country in the administration of “Epirus and Western Macedonia” in the territory of the Vikos-Aoos National Park. This is the largest mountain system in the country. The park was founded in 1973 and has an area of 126 km², including the Vikos Canyon, the Aoos Gorge, the Timfti mountain range, the highest peak of which is Gamila, 2497 m, and several Zagorje villages.
The program takes place in Greece, which is a Schengen country, we can help with visa processing (We will help with obtaining a visa).
The most convenient way to look at flights is on aggregator sites like skyscanner or avisales. Low-cost airlines Wizzair and Ryanair fly to Greece.
The group will meet after 14:00 in Thessaloniki. (Please check with the organizers about the possibility of meeting at the airport)
Transport – public large buses. In case of a large group it is possible to order a private transfer.
Cross-country running at least 8-10 km, 2-3 times a week, general physical training, see more details
In Thessaloniki and Meteora hostel or apartment.
During the period of stay in the hostel, meals are self-sufficient. During the autonomous program, meals are on the move: breakfast porridge: buckwheat, oatmeal, rice + sweets, lunch – sandwiches with tea, dinner – soup, tea + dessert. The guide cooks, the participants actively help.
List of diseases, in case of insufficient physical, technical, moral and psychological preparation for the safety of you and other participants, the guide has the right to refuse to pass the route, without compensation for the cost of the tour and other expenses.
The group first aid kit is with the guide. You must have individual medications.
Before the start of the tour, you make an advance payment of 30%, the rest either before the start of the tour or directly on site to the guide.
Up to +21ºС during the day, in the mountains – up to +10ºС at night.
Guides provide the necessary safety, provided that participants comply with safety regulations. The decision to stop the ascent in conditions that threaten the safety of participants is the exclusive responsibility of the guide and is not subject to discussion.
The table shows the basic cost for a group and may change depending on the number of people in the group. For the calculation of the cost of the tour for a smaller number of people and individual groups, see the «Price» block for more details.
We guarantee that on the dates indicated in the table, even if there is a minimum number of people allowed in the group, the tour will take place 100% with a minimum change in cost.
Pleasant bonuses, which everyone receives when ordering a tour with us
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