Greece: Zagoria & Mt. Olympus
The Pindos Mountains, Meteora Monasteries, and the Abode of Zeus
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $3495 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 11 days |
| Arrive: | Ioannina, Greece |
| Depart: | Thessaloniki, Greece |
| Lodging: | 9 nights hotels and traditional guesthouses, 1 night mountain refuge describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 1 lunch |
| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
9 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 2-8 hours a day, altitudes between 3,000-9,600 feet
|
Highlights
- Traditional villages of Zagoria, with their stone and slate architecture
- Spectacular cliff-top monasteries of Meteora
- Hike to the summit of Mt. Olympus, abode of the gods
I loved the entire experience! The “Big Greek Kostas” showed us the country he loves—with style!Diane G.—Vista, CA
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
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A hidden world of traditional Greece is found in Zagoria, where thousand-year-old stone villages perch above the dramatic Vikos Gorge in the craggy Pindos Mountains. In this quiet realm where the 21st century does not yet intrude, we hike trails along and into the gorge, with its soaring arched bridges, crystal-clear springs, and 17th century stone staircases. We then head to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora for a hike up to these airy sanctuaries, built atop towering rock peaks. Our grand finale is a climb of Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home of the gods, where we can gaze out over the ancient world from the abode of Zeus, ruler of the sky.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-2
Ioannina / Zagoria
From Ioannina, we head into the mountains to picturesque Tsepelovo, the largest of the 45 Zagorian villages. The next day, we begin our journey with a hike to hilltop Vradeto (4,700'), the highest in the region, then to Beloi, with splendid views of the Vikos Gorge. A descent on the amazing Vradeto Stairs, a 17th century stone staircase, takes us down to lovely Kapesovo, a great place to taste the local herb-infused cuisine and regional wine.
Days 3-4
Vitsa / Kipi
Spectacular stone bridges of double and even triple arches span the upper reaches of the sheer Vikos Gorge, and we cross our first one, the Paliogefiro, constructed in 980 AD, to arrive at the handsome village of Kipi. After lunch in a taverna, we descend cobbled trails to the floor of the gorge and then ascend to delightful Vitsa, with its cascade of stone houses and lovely village square shaded by a huge plane tree. The next day we continue on stone steps to atmospheric Koukouli, where the absence of motor traffic evokes a past era.
Days 5-6
Voidhomatis Springs / Papingo
Hiking along the river, we can stop for a swim in a gorgeous natural spring before we ascend to Papingo, a truly spectacular village overlooking the entire length of the gorge. The trail to Astraka takes us past gleaming Dragon Lake (6,800'), set on the edge of a cliff on one of the high peaks of the Pindos.
Days 7-8
Dodona / Meteora / Litochoro
After we explore the sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest of the Greek oracles, we head for magnificent Meteora, where medieval monasteries are perched atop towering rock pinnacles. We hike in this surreal landscape, 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 the 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. After enjoying this peak where Zeus once hurled his thunderbolts, we descend and depart on Day 11 via Thessaloniki.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 4+, Moderate to Strenuous. It features daily hikes, with accommodations in hotels and simple pensions. Hikes vary from 3-5 hours a day at altitudes of 3,000 to 9,403 feet (the summit of Skala peak on Olympus). Although you carry only a daypack on the hikes, there are many steep ascents and descents and there are some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Regular hiking or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail. Please note that in Greece, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 8:00 PM.
The hotels we use are often traditional family-run pensions, full of ambiance and colorful local history. Although the rooms in these pensions are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders always try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
Departures & Leaders
Jun 4-14, 2012
Oct 1-11, 2012
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2012
$3495 (9-16 members)
$3895 (4-8 members)
Single supplement: $405
Forced single supplement: $202
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- Accommodations in hotels and small comfortable inns and pensions with one overnight at a mountain refuge on Mt. Olympus
- All meals included except 1 lunch
- Entrance fees to sites
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, hotel transfers to/from airports other than the designated group flights, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, and so on).Hotel Gouris
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Tsepelovo, Greece
In the beautiful old village of Tsepelovo, with its slate-roofed houses and stone bridges, we stay in the pleasant Hotel Gouris, a rustic hotel in a quiet location. The hotel is a renovated traditional Zagorian house.
Hotel Selini
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Vitsa, Greece
The Hotel Selini is a converted traditional house in the village of Vitsa, with seven comfortable rooms and panoramic views. It has a home-like ...
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Hotel Dias
Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Papingo, Greece
Named for Dias (Zeus), the father of Greek Olympian gods, the Dias guesthouse has a stunning setting in the middle of the dramatic stone-built village of Papingo. It was built in 1990 but blends perfectly with the ancient architecture of the village. From the hotel’s patio, we can see the Vikos Gorge and the rocky towers of Mount Astraka, and it’s a pleasant place to enjoy dinner and sunset over the peaks.
Hotel Kastraki
Day 7 (1 night), Meteora, Greece
Right at the foot of the spectacular Meteora rocks, the Kastraki has grand views and comfortable air-conditioned rooms. It is situated near ...
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Hotel Olympus Mediterranean
Day 8 (1 night),
Day 10 (1 night),
Litochoro, Greece
This small new hotel is near the main square in Litochoro, the beautiful small town below Mt. Olympus. It is set on a quiet street within walking ...
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Spilios Agapitos Refuge
Day 9 (1 night), Mt. Olympus, Greece
Located on a natural flat area at 7,200 feet on Mt. Olympus, surrounded by impressive age-old Bosnian pine trees, this log-cabin-style lodge has ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Nikos Koutsoupas has led and co-led our hiking trips in Greece for the last six years and developed a true passion for introducing travelers to Greece’s high mountains trails as well as the ancient kalderimia (cobbled pathways) that lead village to village. A certified professional mountain ...
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Kostas Vasileiou was born and raised in Ioannina, Greece, and now lives in the historic village of Kipi in the Vikos Gorge. He holds a professional mountain guide's licence from the Alpine Club of Greece and has also led trekking expeditions in Nepal. "Being a Trip Leader puts me in contact with ...
Click here for a full bio and list of all upcoming trips
Client Comments
I loved the entire experience! The “Big Greek Kostas” showed us the country he loves—with style!Diane G., Vista, CA
This is a very well designed trip.Margaret H., Washington, DC
Nothing beats a day of challenging exercise followed by a great dinner surrounded by friends. I’ve taken a number of exceptional trips, but this one will be hard to beat.Candy H., Del Mar, CA
Once again, WT comes through with a memorable and unique experience.Susan L., Cobham, Surrey, UK
The trip was a wonderful introduction to Greece. We loved everything we saw—the people, the food, the incredible history.Frederick L., Cobham, Surrey, UK
The time in Zagoria was especially magical. The food was spectacular and unforgettable. We enjoyed staying in smaller guest houses—all good choices.Tom H., Shoreline, WA
This is a great way to experience Greece.Barbara Kay C., Brighton, CO
This was a very unusual experience that we couldn't have had on our own, with Kostas sharing his knowledge of this area that he knows so well.Ollie H., Castle Rock, CO
We had a great time, off the beaten path, away from the crowds, the best lodging available in the area.Holly S., Boulder, CO
Trip exceeded our expectations and should be on everyone's to-do list.Jim and Carol B., Kensington, MD





