Rivers And Mountains Of Greece
Duration
7 days
Airports
Arrival and departure: Athens - International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
Transportation
Plane, minivan
Available in
English & Spanish (according to availability)
Have you ever traveled to a place unknown to most of the world, but so beautiful and wonderful that you want to keep it a secret while you shout it out to the world? Have you imagined Greece as a destination with wild and steep mountains, perfect for an adventure vacation?
Just join us on our “Rivers and Mountains” trip to experience the hidden beauty of the Greek mainland through a variety of outdoor sports! Traditional stone-built villages, thick spruce forests, alpine views, magnificent lakes and rivers, arched stone bridges, tasty local food and the friendliness of local people await your exploration. Also, you will have the opportunity to experience Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a unique way!
During this 7-day adventure in mainland Greece, you will have the chance to enjoy hydro biking on a lake, hike beautiful mountain trails, go rafting and horseback riding in the North Pindos National Park, and explore the Aoos canyon. through a spectacular via ferrata.
Take advantage of the pleasant climate of Greece and embark on a weekly adventure beyond the beaten path…
This trip is especially good for families who want to see places and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
During the trip we will:
- Discover the National Park of Pindos, one of the most virgin areas of Greece.
- Visit beautiful and unspoilt traditional Greek hilltop villages.
- Explore the magical Plastira Lake in a kayak or hydraulic bike.
- Enjoy a horse ride under the impressive Astraka towers in Zagori.
- Climb the steps of Vradeto and enjoy the stunning views over the Vikos Gorge from the Beloi viewpoint
- Go rafting on one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, Voidomatis
- Take a via ferrata and explore the Aoos canyon in an unforgettable way!
- Taste delicious food and local wines
- Follow the ancient paths of monks and visit the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora
- Explore Athens and the Acropolis on a guided walking tour
By Trip Tailors
Precio por persona desde 1.365€
Check the scheduled departures and prices in the following table.
* 6 noches en hoteles 3* con desayuno incluido
* Traslado al aeropuerto los días 7, transporte privado durante todo el viaje, consumo de combustible y peajes
* Entradas a 1 monasterio de Meteora
* Costo de todas las actividades incluidas en el programa del tour y todo el equipo necesario
* Todos los impuestos
* Todas las actividades mencionadas en el programa y el equipo necesario
* Comidas según programa
* Vuelos internacionales, consultar precio según aeropuerto y fecha de salida
* Comidas no especificadas en el programa
* Traslados de hotel a/desde aeropuertos que no sean el aeropuerto de Atenas o en otras fechas antes/después del tour
*Actividades opcionales que no están incluidas en el itinerario
* Gastos personales
* Tips
* Travel insurance
- ITINERARY
Your steps
1
Athens - Lake Plastira - Meteora
2
Meteora - Vitsa
3
Vradeto - Beloi - Zagori arch stone bridges
4
Papigo: Rafting and Horseback Riding
5
Via ferrata on the Aoos river/canyon
6
Rogovos Natural Pools – Athens
7
Athens & Acropolis
DAY 1
Athens - Lake Plastira - Meteora
On this first morning, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or a central meeting point in Athens, and you will head to the wonderful Plastira Lake, a site that harmoniously combines peace and action (approximately 4 hours away by car). When you arrive at the lake, you will have a picnic lunch by the lake before exploring the lake on a hydro bike or canoe/kayak. Archery is another activity you could try!
In the afternoon, we will travel to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a must for any visitor to Greece (1.20 hrs drive). When you arrive in Meteora, we will take you on a tour of this unique region so that you can see for the first time the “stone forest”, appreciate the granite pillars that rise 400m above the ground and the monasteries built on top. We'll make a few stops at some of the best views so you can appreciate the scenery and capture postcard-worthy images.
This long but fulfilling day will come to an end with check-in at the hotel and dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Activity duration: approx. 1.5 – 2 hours / Level of difficulty: easy
Accommodation: Meteora
DAY 2
Meteora - Vitsa
What better way to start the day than seeing the impressive sandstone cliffs of Meteora that rise more than 400 meters above the ground! After breakfast, we will go beyond the usual to see this unique terrain and impressive cliff-top monasteries!
We'll follow the ancient paths used by monks through the sheer cliffs, see some of Meteora's monasteries and other hidden gems, and of course experience the breathtaking views.
(Hiking duration: 2.5 – 3 hours / total duration of the activity, including the visit to the monasteries:. 4 – 5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy / Total distance: 5-6 km / elevation difference: 280m)
After lunch in the open air, you will board our car to the scenic area of Zagori (approximately 2.5 hours of driving). The picturesque town of Monodendri, located at an elevation of 1,060m, will be the first stop. You will walk the short trekking path from the town square to the Agia Paraskevi church and experience the stunning views of the Vikos Gorge! Then you will continue to the Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest.
Hiking duration: 1 hour/ Level of difficulty: easy
Early in the evening, you will arrive at a traditional pension in the village of Vitsa and enjoy a homemade dinner.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Vitsa
DAY 3
Vradeto - Beloi - Zagori arch stone bridges
After breakfast, we will go to the town of Kapesovo. Following the beautiful stone route of the Vradeto stairs, we will reach the highest settlement in Zagori, Vradeto (1450 m), and 2 km later to the Beloi viewpoint (1650 m), where we will enjoy stunning panoramic views of the canyon.
After lunch, we will take a walk to see some of the most important and impressive stone arch bridges in the area.
Kapesovo – Vradeto- Mpeloi (return trail)
Hiking duration: 3.5 - 4 hours / Hiking distance: 10.6km / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate
Reference point | Altitude
| Time elapsed
| Total distance
|
Kapesovo Village | 1.150 m |
| 0 m |
Vradeto stairs | 1.060 m | 20′ | 1.100 m |
Vradeto Village | 1.340 m | 1:15′ | 3.300m |
Mpeloi Viewpoint | 1.400 m | 2:00′ | 5.300m |
Reverse turn |
| 3:50′ | 10.600m |
Arch Stone Bridges Tour
* The tour of the stone arch bridges can be done in many different ways, we can walk to all the bridges or do parts by car (it depends on the physical condition of the travelers, it is a fairly flexible trail)
Hiking duration: 1.5 to 3 hours / Distance: 5 to 10 km / Level of difficulty: easy
Reference point | Altitude | Time elapsed | 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 Bridge (optional) | 870 m | 2:30′ | 7.800 m |
Missiou Bridge (optional) | 690 m | 3:10′ | 10.000 m |
Hiking duration: 6 to 7.5 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate
Meals included: breakfast, snack and dinner
Accommodation: Vitsa
DAY 4
Papigo: Rafting and Horseback Riding
Get ready to float in one of the purest rivers in Europe! Starting from the spectacular stone bridge of Aristi, we will float across the Voidomatis River, passing through the Vikos – Aoos National Park. It is a simple path and suitable for everyone, but very spectacular due to the crystal clear waters of the river and the natural environment that surrounds it.
Activity duration: approx. 1.5 hours in the water – 3.5 hours total / Level of difficulty: easy
In the afternoon, you will go horseback riding around the town of Papigo. We will take you on a charming horseback ride through this stunning landscape, through the cobbled paths of the village, the large agricultural fields and the small dirt tracks! The route and duration are determined by your experience, but no previous experience is necessary.
Activity duration: approx. 1 hour / Level of difficulty: easy
Meals included: breakfast, lunch - snack
Accommodation: Papigo
DAY 5
Via ferrata on the Aoos river/canyon
Get ready for a unique and amazing adventure today as you will discover the stunning Aoos River in a whole new and exciting way! Flowing alongside the Aoos River and flanked by beautiful mountains such as the Smolikas and Tymfi, the magnificent Aoos Canyon lies just north of Papigo and Mt Tymfi.
Our adventure will start at the historical bridge of Konitsa, which will fascinate your eyes! A 45-minute walk parallel to the river will take us to the start of the via ferrata. Two bridges will cross our way: a tiny one in Gravos that is 6-7m long, and a bigger one, the Aoos Tibetan, which is 17m long and 35m high! After that there are many impressive climbs on steel stairs and a steep rock 60-70m above the water. We will locate several hiking trails in the middle of the way with a charming panoramic environment, and we will finish again at the medieval bridge of Konitsa.
**Via Ferrata is a unique activity with a special character that does not require any previous experience. A medium level of fitness is necessary, however one should not be afraid of heights. The minimum age to participate is 16 years**.
Activity duration: approx 4 - 5 hours, level of difficulty: easy to moderate
If you are traveling with small children or are afraid of heights, we can also offer you a hike on a similar route in Aoos Canyon. We will go up from the old Konitsa bridge to Moni Stomiou, a medieval monastery built in 1774 between two steep mountain slopes. The trail is easy and beautiful, and will take you to the monastery in about 90 minutes. We will return by the same path to the Konitsa Bridge.
Hiking duration: 3 to 3.5 hours / Distance: 10 km round trip / Level of difficulty: easy
In the summer months, you can enjoy an invigorating swim in the cool waters of the Aoos River!
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Papigo
DAY 6
Rogovos Natural Pools – Athens
Unfortunately, today you will have to say goodbye to this magnificent unspoiled corner of Greece! But first, we'll take you to a neighboring well-kept secret. Rogovos, a beautiful little canyon, is only a 10-minute walk from the town of Papigo. The stream that runs through the canyon creates beautiful natural pools around the unusual rock formations. In the summer, you can even dare to dive into the icy waters!
We will then embark on our journey back to Athens (around 5.5 hours of driving), where you will arrive early in the evening (around 18:00). We'll drop you off at your hotel and you'll have the rest of the night free to explore the city at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Athens
DAY 7
Athens and the Acropolis (guided tour)
After breakfast at your accommodation, you will embark on a guided walking tour of Athens and the Acropolis archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Athens landmark. We will meet our tour guide in the morning at a predetermined meeting place and go on a fantastic historical journey. Visit the Greek Parliament, Syntagma Square, the National Gardens, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch before reaching the Acropolis. You will enter the Acropolis via the southern slope and explore the Sanctuary of Dionysus and the Theater of Dionysus before walking up the slope to the Acropolis monuments. Panoramic views of the city and insights into the ancient past of Athens will complete your fantastic active trip in Greece!
Tour duration: approx. 3.5 hrs (our tour ends at approximately 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.).
Your afternoon transfer will take you to Athens International Airport for your flight home. End of the adventure!
Meals included: Breakfast
