8 days trekking Zagoria Villages, Greece

8 days trekking Zagoria Villages

Level of difficulty

Day 1: Ioannina - Tsepelovo

Arrival at Ioannina airport where the group meets their guide. Transfer by bus to Tsepelovo where we spend the night.

Day 2: Tsepelovo - Vradeto - Beloi - Tsepelovo

From Tsepelovo (1050m) we start walking on an ascending path towards the highest Zagori village called Vradeto (1450m), following a beautiful path overlooking the riverbed of the Vikos Gorge we will arrive at the the Beloy viewpoint (1650m). From there we can admire almost the entire Vikos gorge and observe the beautiful paths that we will follow the next day. We return to the village of Vradeto and continue downhill to the village of Kapesovo. We walk down the famous Vradeto steps (a stonepath built in the 16th century at the slopes of Vikos Gorge) and then we are transfered back to Tsepelovo. Overnight stay in a traditional pension in Tsepelovo. (4 hours)

Day 3: Tsepelovo - Kipi - Koukouli - Vitsa

We descend to the trailhead of the Vikos Gorge, marked by a stone bridge built in the year 980AD, called “Paliogefyra” and continue through a forest of beech and pine trees where we will have the opportunity to observe traces of bears passing on our path, we will end our walk in the village of Kipi and have lunch at the local taverna. From Kipi we will walk up the stairs of Koukouli (stone steps like in Vradeto ) and visit the center of this picturesque village. We walk down into the Vikos gorge again, crossing the “Misiou” bridge and we take the old Vitsa steps up in order to reach the villages of Vitsa and Monodendri built right on the edge of the gorge wall. Overnight stay in a traditional pension in Vitsa. (5 hours)

Day 4: Vitsa village - Vikos village

Early in the morning we descend the old Vitsa stairs into the Vikos Gorge. Walking on the riverbed we will admire the rare varieties of wild birds and flowers that have found shelter in the gorge. Right above stand the impressive walls of the gorge rising steeply and majestically to1.000 or more vertical metres. After about 4 hours we will reach the Voidomatis river springs. Early in the afternoon we will arrive in Vikos where we will spend the night in a hotel. (7 hours)

Day 5: Vikos - Papigo

Following the old ascending path we are facing the beautiful ravines around Papigo in the distance. Above us the “Towers of Papigo” are rising abruptly to treacherous heights. At the natural swimming pool of the village we will swim and then have a rest. Overnight stay in a traditional pension. (4 hours)

Day 6: Papigo - Refuge - Dragon Lake - Papigo

From Papigo we follow the mule trail up through juniper scrubs and on above the tree line to some flat countryside, continuing from there up to the hut on the Astraka Col (3 hours). Northward lie the Albanian mountains. After lunch at the refuge there will be an optional walk to the Tsoumani (Sarakatsani) sheepfolds and pastures up to the scenic Dragon Lake (2100m), perched on the edge of the northern escarpment of Mt Gamila, which at 2497m is one of the great peaks of the Pindos mountain range.( Narrow, rough, up hill stone paths)or/and return back to Papigo. Overnight stay in a traditional pension. Dinner at a local taverna.

Day 7: Papigo - Ioannina

Transfer from Papigo to Ioannina. Free day in Ioannina to visit the island and the museums.Overnight stay in hotel in Ioannina.

Day 8:

Transfer to the Ioannina airport. Departure.

TRIP DETAILS

Price Includes : All accommodations, all meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 8, all picnic lunches, group transfers from and to the airport, all transportations throughout the trip, luggage transportations, tour leader - guide, all taxes and VAT.

Not Included : Air fare to and from Ioannina, personal travel-health insurance, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest not included in the trip description.

Insurance : Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance prior to the trip. The personal insurance must at least cover medical expenses as well as air rescue and the cost of repatriation.

Alpine Travel is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.
(See Terms & Conditions)

Period : From July to August 2010.

Transportation : All transfers during the trip are included.

Accommodation : Hotels in the cities, village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities).
The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Food : Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunch en route and a dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

Group Size : 6 -16 participants.

Difficulty Level : (2)
Moderate trek with a maximum of 6-7 hours walk on rocky terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.

Equipment :
Daypack (approx. 15-20 l)
Trekking shoes
Waterproof wind jacket
Polar fleece
Water bottle
Walking batons
Hat
Sun cream
Sun glasses
Sleeping bag

Check for Prices

Persons & Prices

€ 1180 per person for a group size of 6 -16 persons
Single Supplement € 190

Check for Availability

Dates	Availability
July 03 - July 10
July 10 - July 17
July 17 - July 24
July 24 - July 31
July 31 - August 07
August 07 - August 14

Available

Limited

Full

Closed