Explore the many villages of Zagori in this spetacular hiking trip!

Zagori consists of a peculiar geographical and cultural unit, which consists of 46 traditional villages. Most of these villages were built around the year 1400, when the local population retreated into the mountains. Geographically, these villages are located between Ioannina, Metsovo and Konitsa with pristine mountains in northwestern Greece. The environment consists of a mixture of pine, coniferous and deciduous forests, spread over a large area, crystal clear waters, picturesque stone bridges, old mansions, beautiful churches and a large variety of different plants. In this environment, the range of flora and fauna is so great that it is hardly matched anywhere else in Greece.

Zagori offers hikers unimagined possibilities. The gorge of Vikos is located at the west end of the National Park Vikos-Aoos and crosses the Western and Southern Zagori. It has a length of about 12km, the height of the cliffs is in some places reach 1200m, while the width ranges from 100 to 1000m. The gorge is characterized by its weather and its water and is drained by the river Vikos. According to the “Guinness World Records” Vikos Gorge is categorized as the deepest gorge in the world, measured by the ratio between depth and width.

Equipment List
Identity card or passport
Cash / debit card / credit card
Photocopies of important documents (Keep originals separate)
Travel documents
Backpack
Plastic box for picnic or day boarding
Ankle high and well broken in hiking boots with grip
Rain jacket, rain pants might also
Sweater, jacket, long and short pants
Easy care T-shirts and long sleeve shirts / blouses
Headwear, scarf
Women: knee skirt or a large sheet of Church and monastery visits.
Bathing suit
Bathing shoes (can be bought cheap on site)
Sunscreen
Water bottle (min. 1 l capacity)
First aid kit, personal medication
Insect repellent (if necessary)
Pocket knife (not your hand luggage when flying)
Flashlight
Maybe walking sticks for hiking (if possible take telescopic walking sticks, as long / rigid poles are usually checked in as bulky luggage and may incur additional charges at the airport)
Photographic equipment, battery charger, memory card may
Travel literature

Itinerary:

DAY 1 FLIGHT TO THESSALONIKI – TRANSFER TO VITSA
Flight from your hometown to Thessaloniki. Arrival in Thessaloniki and welcome by our tour guide. Transfer to Vitsa. Vitsa is a village next to the famous gorge Vikos. Distribution of rooms and walk around the village and the surrounding area. Duration 2 hrs drive. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2 VITSA – KOUKOULI – KIPI – DILOFO – VITSA
Walk around the neighborhood Vista, Koukouli and Kipi. We walk across bridges that have connected these villages for centuries. Start in Vitsa, descend the cliff which leads us to an old arch bridge. We then continue to Koukouli, a beautiful village which is well worth a visit. The next stop is Kipi, we visit the famous old bridges in Zagori. The road takes us to Dilofo and after a short break back to Vitsa. Duration 5-6 hours.

DAY 3 VIKOS GORGE
We cross the spectacular Vikos Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world! From Monodendri we walk down to the small river that flows through the gorge, and follows the river bed in the heart of the National Park. The gorge is a sanctuary for all animal species, such as birds, bears and wild boars. After a short 40 minute climb to the village of Vikos, we have dinner and then drive to the village Aristi to stay at the hotel. Duration 6-7 hours.

DAY 4 VIKOS – MIKRO PAPIGO
We drive back to Vikos village and wander back into the gorge. We are next to the source of the Voidomatis river, which we walk past and continue on the impressive way to Mikro Papigo. Duration 4 hours.

DAY 5 M. PAPIGO – ASTRAKA COUNTRY COTTAGE – DRAKOLIMNI
Walk across the plateau Tymphi to a mountain lake (2050m). The trail begins from the village of Mikro Papingo, one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori, and we walk with the gentle and varied mountain landscape towards to Astraka refuge. On the way up we encounter numerous sources where our water can be refreshed. The walk takes about 1.30 hours. After a short break at the cottage, we continue to the lake Drakolimni where we can admire the beautiful scenery and stunning views over the entire Pindos mountain range. Return to Astraka mountain lodge and overnight. Duration 6 hours.

DAY 6 ASTRAKA – TSEPELOVO
Today is the longest hike. We will cross a large part of the mountain Timfi. It’s a beautiful way through alpine terrain beneath the rocks of Astraka. We wander through Megas Lakkos canyon, which flows after Vikos, and then Tsepelovo, the main village of Zagori. Duration 8 hours

DAY 7 TSEPELOVO – BELOI – VRADETO – KAPESOVO
We go by a stairway to the highest village in Zagori – Vradeto. We begin the descent down the stone steps of Tsepelovo towards Vradeto and visit the vantage point Beloi. We have the Vikos gorge before us! Continue to Vradeto.

DAY 8
Drive to Thessaloniki airport and return to your point of origin.