Greece: Zagoria and Mt. Olympus

11 days
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Small Group Tour
Traditional Greece can still be found in Zagoria, where stone-built villages are perched along the Vikos Gorge in the rugged Pindos Mountains. We discover this beautiful realm on hikes along shepherds’ paths and across arched stone bridges that span the gorge. Heading to the famed monasteries of Meteora, we’ll walk the monks’ paths up to these airy medieval s...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Traditional villages of Zagoria, with their stone architecture and classic Greek cuisine
    • Spectacular cliff-top monasteries of Meteora
    • Hike to the summit of Mt. Olympus, abode of the gods

What's this trip about?

    Traditional Greece can still be found in Zagoria, where stone-built villages are perched along the Vikos Gorge in the rugged Pindos Mountains. We discover this beautiful realm on hikes along shepherds’ paths and across arched stone bridges that span the gorge. Heading to the famed monasteries of Meteora, we’ll walk the monks’ paths up to these airy medieval sanctuaries, built in the 13th century. Our grand finale is an incredible hike up Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home of the gods, where from the summit we gaze over the ancient world. Our Trip Leaders make culinary adventures a highlight of the journey, and we’ll fuel our hikes with delicious meals and renowned wines from ancient vineyards.

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityIoannina
End CityThessaloniki

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks
  • High Adventure
  • Climbing & Mountaineering

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Nature
  • Rock Climbing
  • Wine Tasting

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip 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
    • A glass of wine or beer with dinner
    • Entrance fees to sites

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1-3: Ioánnina / Dodóna / Zagoria

Accommodation: Mir Boutique Hotel

From Ioánnina, we explore Dodóna, home to the impressive amphitheater of the Oracle of Zeus, the first ancient oracle of Greece, then head to the village of Tsepélovo in Zagoria to begin our hikes. As we follow paths to the hil...

Days 4-6: Kipi / Vitsa / Koukoúli / Dragon Lake / Zagoria

Accommodation: Hotel Selini; Hotel Dias

Spectacular stone bridges span the Vikos Gorge, and we cross our first one to arrive at the handsome village of Kipi. From Vista, with its cascade of stone houses, we have the option for a hike to the Agia Paraskevi Monas...

Days 7-8: Meteora Monasteries

Accommodation: Hotel Dias; Hotel Kastraki

At Meteora, which means “suspended in the air,” monks of the Eastern Orthodox church built hermitages atop sheer pinnacles in the 13th and 14th centuries. We follow paths to these seemingly inaccessible sanctuaries, whe...

Days 9-12: Thessaloniki / Mt. Olympus

Accommodation: Mediterranean Palace Hotel; Spilios Agapitos Refuge

From Thessaloniki, we head to the village of Prionia, below Mt. Olympus, and start our hike, ascending above treeline to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge (7,200'). The next day we hike to the rocky po...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,795
Price per day$345
Single supplement (single occupancy)$325
Last Updated: 3/3/2019

Prices are for 2019

  • $3795 (10-16 members)
  • $4095 (3-9 members)
  • Single supplement: $325
  • Forced single supplement: $163

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Wilderness Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare, hotel transfers to/from airports other than the designated group flights
    • Airport departure taxes
    • Optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff
    • Pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports
    • Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, and so on)

Accommodation

Mir Boutique Hotel: Day 1 (1 night), Ioánnina, Greece

With its exquisite location on a hillside near the village of Lyggiades, this stylish 14-room boutique hotel overlooks Lake Pamvotis and the city of Ioánnina. Constructed on several levels, the hotel’s buildings are connected with stone-paved walkways interspersed with lovely gardens and terraces. Individually decorated guestrooms have superb views of the lake and town (the city lights are especially stunning at night). Breakfasts are excellent, featuring traditional dishes including homemade breads and pastries.

Hotel Selini: Days 4 to 5 (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 atmosphere and excellent local-style food.

Hotel Dias: Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Pápingo, 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 Pápingo. 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 Dias: Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Pápingo, 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 Pápingo. 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 8 (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 the traditional village of Kastraki on the road leading up to the monasteries—the first Meteora monastery is within walking distance of the hotel. From your balcony, you can gaze up at the amazing Meteora spires.

Mediterranean Palace Hotel: Day 9 (1 night), Day 11 (1 night), Thessaloniki, Greece

Nestled near the waterfront of Thessaloniki port and within a short walk to Aristotelous Square, the Mediterranean Palace Hotel combines the unique atmosphere of a peaceful hotel with the convenient location in a cosmopolitan area. Unwind at the indoor pool after our exhilarating hike to Mt. Olympus, and relax in the comfortable guestrooms with richly colored details and warm lighting. Also be sure to explore the cultural delights in Thessaloniki from a number of nearby shops and scenic walks.

Spilios Agapitos Refuge: Day 10 (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 shared rooms with bunk-style beds, and common bathrooms with several toilets and sinks. There are no showers at this refuge. The lodge offers us hot food and mountain tea made from herbs picked on Olympus. It’s a simple place for hikers to rest up before the dawn ascent of Olympus, mountain of the gods. The refuge accommodates up to 100 hikers and has a fireplace and a well-equipped kitchen. It is operated by the Greek Alpine Club.

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Meals Included

All meals included except 1 lunch

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
wilder2-grezagwil

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