The Pindos Mountains, Meteora Monasteries, and the abode of Zeus

Greece: Zagoria & Mt. Olympus

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The hidden world of traditional Greece lies in Zagoria, “the land beyond the mountains,” where exquisite walled villages are perched along the dramatic Vikos Gorge, part of the craggy Pindos range. On village-to-village hikes, we follow trails through silvery olive groves and across arched stone bridges, with a chance to encounter the friendly Greek villagers in their daily lives. We then head for the spectacular Meteora monasteries, built atop towering rock pinnacles between the 13th and 15th centuries, for a hike up to these airy sanctuaries. Our odyssey’s grand finale is a hike up Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home of the gods, where from the summit we can gaze out over the ancient world as Zeus once did.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Ioannina / Zagoria

From Ioannina, we head north to the picturesque village of Tsepélovo in Zagoria. Our first hike brings us to the highest Zagorian village, Vradeto at 4,700 feet, from which we hike down a remarkable 17th century stone staircase to the village of Kapesovo.

Days 3-4
Vitsa / Kipi

Spectacular 10th century stone bridges of double and even triple arches span the upper reaches of the sheer Vikos Gorge. We cross them on our hike up to delightful Vitsa, with its cascade of stone houses and lovely village square shaded by a huge plane tree. The Paliogefiro bridge leads us to the handsome village of Kipi, with its folk museum of artifacts of life in Zagoria between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Days 5-6
Voidhomatis Springs / Pápingo

Hiking along the river in the Vikos Gorge, we enjoy a chance for a swim in a natural spring before we ascend to Pápingo, a truly spectacular village nestled beneath limestone towers and overlooking the entire length of the Vikos Gorge. The trail to Astraka Refuge (6,400') takes us past gleaming Dragon Lake (6,800'), set on one of the high peaks of the Pindos Mountains.

Days 7-8
Dodona / Meteora / Litochoro

After we explore the sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest of Greek oracles, we head for magnificent Meteora, one of the great sights of mainland Greece. Meteora means “suspended in the air” in Greek, and here atop towering rock pinnacles are spectacular and seemingly inaccessible medieval monasteries. We enjoy an afternoon hike to savor this surreal landscape of sheer rock pedestals. The next day, we visit the airy monastic refuges on foot, following ancient narrow trails with great views, then continue on to Litochoro, gateway for Olympus climbs.

Days 9-11
Spilio Agapitos Refuge / Mt. Olympus

We climb soaring Mount Olympus, ascending trails through the forest then above treeline to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge (7,200'). The next morning, we rise early to hike to the rocky summit at 9,600 feet, a fitting abode for the gods. Depart on Day 11 via Thessaloniki.

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Tour Costs $2995 (13-15 members) $3195 (8-12 members) $3495 (6-7 members) Single supplement: $425 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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