GREECE

The treks and prices    

Zagorian Explorer

Zagorian Trekking

Pindos Mountains

PINDOS MOUNTAINS AND MT OLYMPUS

Grade - demanding
Max altitude 2911m
Max hours of walking 8
Average hours of walking 6
Group size min 8 max 12

Itinerary

1st DAY:
We fly to Athens and transfer to our hotel with time to explore the traffic free streets of the Plaka

2nd DAY: 
Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight to Ioannina from where we transfer by bus to the mountain village of Vitsa (1 hour).

3rd DAY: VITSA - VIKOS VILLAGE:
We begin our course going down-hill into the Vikos ravine. Traversing the ravine we'll admire the rare varieties of wild birds and flowers that have found protection  into it. Early in the afternoon we'll arrive in Vikos village where we'll overnight in a pension. (trek duration: 8 hours.)

4th DAY: VIKOS VILLAGE - PAPINGO: 
Following  the  old up-hill  path we will traverse the beautiful ravines to "Papigo" village.  Above us the "Towers of Papingo"  are rising  to an inaccessible place that no-one can reach. At the natural swimming pool of  the  village  we'll swim  and  then  we'll  have  a rest. (trek duration: 3 hours.)

 5th DAY: PAPINGO - REFUGE OF ASTRAKA - DRAGON LAKE _ REFUGE OF ASTRAKA: 
We'll go on up-hill to  "Astraka" mountain and we'll reach  the  hut  at  the  height  of 1950m.  In  the  afternoon  we'll  continue  till   the beautiful  "Dragon  Lake".   Return  and  overnight  in Astraka hut. (trek duration: 6 hours.)

6th DAY: REFUGE OF ASTRAKA - TOP OF ASTRAKA MOUNTAIN - REFUGE OF ASTRAKA:
Early departure heading for the top of Astraka mountain (2436m) or to the top of Gamila (2497m) depending upon the weather. Going down we'll return and overnight in Astraka hut. (trek duration: 7 hours.)

7th DAY: REFUGE OF ASTRAKA - TSEPELOVO:
Trekking down the  mountain  "Astraka"  we  pass beneath "GAMILA PEAK (2497m)" and we follow the course to  "Tsepelovo"  village,  which is the biggest village of "Zagori".  Overnight in traditional house. (trek duration: 6 hours .)

8th DAY : REST DAY

9th DAY: TSEPELOVO – VIA TSOUKA ROSSA TO VRISSOHORI :
We start in the morning from Tsepelovo and trek up to the pass of Tsouka Rossa at 2315m in about 4hrs. From here wew trek through alpine meadows, and black pine forests to reach Vrissohori., the ‘village of sources’.Overnight in pension. (trek duration 8hrs)

10th DAY: VRISSOHORI – SMOLIKAS CAMP:
We begin with a descent to the Aoos River where we have time for swimming and relaxing in the pools. From here we climb up to the base of Mt Smolikas and to our wilderness camp that has been established by our guides. Overnight in tents. (trek duration 5 hrs)

11th DAY: CAMP – TOP OF MT SMOLIKAS 2637M AND ON TO SAMARINA
Early in the morning we climb to the summit of Smolikas for terrific views of the Pindos mountain range and into Albania. From here we descend to reach Samarina village home to the semi nomadic Vlach people. Overnight in pension.(trek duration 8hrs)

12th DAY: SAMARINA – METEORA-LITOCHORO
Today we have a different experience as we drive for approx 5hrs to Meteora and the monasteries perched on seemingly inaccessible rock faces. The monasteries were built in the 13^th to 15^th century and more recently were used as a back drop to a James Bond movie. After visiting the monasteries we have lunch and transfer to Litochoro. Overnight in hotel.

13th DAY: LITOCHORO-MT OLYMPUS REFUGE SPILIOS AGAPITOS
In the morning we drive to the area of Prionia and from there begin our ascent of the mountain of the Gods. We climb through forest that becomes sparser as we gain altitude to reach the mountain refuge at Spilios Agapitos 2200m. Trek duration 3hrs. 

14th DAY: REFUGE – SUMMIT OF MT OLYMPUS-REFUGE – LITOCHORO
Today is a challenging mountain day where fitness and determination are needed to reach the Skolio summit of Olympus at 2911m. We return to the refuge for lunch and descend to Litochoro for a well earned celebration. Overnight hotel. Trek duration 7hrs.

15th DAY: LITOCHORO – METSOVO-IOANNINA
It takes about 6 hours to drive to Ioannina where there is time to explore the old town. Overnight in a pension in the old castle.

16th DAY : DEPART FOR IOANNINA AND FLY TO ATHENS.
In the afternoon there is time to further explore this fascinating city and visit the Acropolis or Archaeological Museum.

17^th DAY : DEPART
Further time to explore before taking the early evening flight back to London

How to get there

Access to Zagoria is via Athens and we include time here to visit the Acropolis and the Archaeological Museum or explore the old town around the Plaka. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Stanley with quick metro connections to the historical heart of Athens. The flights quoted are with Olympic Airlines, for which we hold reservations, and include the connecting flight to Ioannina. Should you choose to take an alternative airline to Athens you will need to book the internal flight to Ioannina. From Ioannina we drive for 40minutes into the mountains to Vitsa and the start of the walking holiday.

 

Accommodation

On trek, rooms are in locally owned pensions with en suite facilities, many with balcony views and individual character. On the more strenuous treks these are combined with a night in a mountain refuge where accommodation is of a more basic dormitory style and one night camping on the Pindos and Mt Olympus trek. The food is simply delicious with many local specialities available that can be washed down with local wine that varies from village to village.