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In this 5-days hiking tour at Zagori, Ioannina we will meet some of the most beautiful traditional villages of the area, the easy way! Especially designed for couples with children or groups of elderly hikers, this route will impress you with its beauty.
Zagori, is the famous region in the Pindus mountains in Epirus, in northwestern Greece. This area covers 989.796 km2 and its population is about 3,700 people, which equals a density of 4 inhabitants per square kilometer, compared to an average of 73.8 for Greece as a whole. Little villages here and there, built with traditional stone architectural characteristics, old stone bridges, gorgeous local cuisine and a unforgetable natural landscapes.
You can also combine this hiking tour with our rafting in Voidomatis river activity!
Itinerary
Arrive Monodendri
Arrive at the village of Monodendri
O/N at Monodendri
Steps of Vitsa
Our first day starts from the village square of Vitsa, one of the most beautiful and amazing villages of Zagorochoria that is built at an altitude of 950 m.
From the first moment of our hiking tour we will start finding a wide variety of herbs and flowers and several kinds of mushrooms. Our first stop will take place at the old church of Saint Nicholas that also is a great view spot of the Vikos gorge, the deepest canyon of our planet. We will continue our tour inside a wonderful landscape until we reach the first of the two old stone bridges. The old bridge of Missiou (built 1748) will help us to cross the river of Vikos and after 1.5 km we will complete our day, reaching the bridge of Kokori (built 1750).
Estimated Walking Time: approx. 2-2.5 hours.
Distance: 3.6 km.
Highlights:
- Vitsa village: altitude 950 m.
- Saint Nicholas church: altitude 790 m (1.4 km. distance from Vitsa)
- Bridge of Misiou: altitude 773 m. (1.95 km. from Vitsa)
- Bridge of Kokkori: altitude 742m (3.6 km. from Vitsa)
O/N at Monodendri
Vradeto-Beloi
In an altitude of 1340 m. resides Vradeto, the highest village all of Zagori villages.
Our day starts at the egde of the village, in a path with big stone steps that will lead us to the area of Beloy, which has a watchtower with a great view of the Vikos gorge. Completing our first day, we will go back to Vradeto village.
Estimated Walking Time: approx. 1.5- 2 hours.
Distance: 4.6 km.
Highlights:
- Vradeto village: altitude 1340 m.
- Beloy: altitude 1331m. (distance from Vradeto 2.3 km.)
Steps of Vradeto – Kapetsovo (optional activity)
After returning to Vradeto you can enjoy an optional extra hiking to the steps of Vradeto. The staircase consists of 1100 steps, span 1500 m., 39 bends and an altitude difference of 250 m. After the descent we will reach the two old bridges, Pera and Dothe, that was built exclusively for the specific path. When we pass those two bridges we will continue uphill to the main street. After 400 m. of walking on asphalt we will arrive back to Vradeto.
Estimated Walking Time: approx. 1.5-2 hours.
Distance: 3.1 km.
Hightlights:
- Kapesovo: altitude 1120 m
O/N at Papigo
Bridge of Aristi – Bridge of Kleidonia
Our day starts from the bridge of Aristi (Papingo).
After walking 300 m. on the main street, we enter the stone path that will becomes forestry after a short distance. We will continue our walk between old plane trees and near the river of Voidomatis.
After 2 km., we will find the old church of Saints Anagriroi (built 1658) and optionally we can swim in the (cold!) river waters. By the end of our day we will find another two great viewpoints to rest and enjoy the natural landscapes before reaching the old brigde of Klidonia.
Estimated Walking Time: approx. 2-2.5 hours.
Distance: 5 km.
Highlights:
- Bridge of Aristi: Built 1923, altitude: 448 m.
- Bridge of Klidonia: Built 1853, altitude: 380 m.
O/N at Papigo
Papigo-Kokkino Lithari
The last day of our tour is the easiest for our hikers but unique because we will hike in the most beautiful area of Zagori, with great viewspots of the gorge and of the Tymfis Mountain.
We will start from the village of Mikro Papingo (altitude 980 m.) and during the hike we will walk under the Towers of Papingo until we reach Kokkino Lithari, with its emblematic red limestones.
Estimated Walking Time: approx. 1.5-2 hours.
Distance 4.8 km.
Highlights:
- Mikro Papigko: Altitude 980 m.
- Kokkino Lithari: Altitude1030 m.
At Monodendri village, at the arranged time.
Participation fee:
- For 1 pax 1370.0 €
- For 2 – 3 pax 730.0 € / person
- For 4 – 5 pax 470.0 € / person
- For 6 – 7 pax 420.0 € / person
- For 8 – 9 pax 370.0 € / person
- For 10 – 11 pax 350.0 € / person
- For 12 – 16 pax 330.0 € / person
Four o/n on 3 star hotels or traditional guest houses up on the mountain (b/b) , HB supplement (4 dinners, water included), The rates are per person sharing double / twin, All the transfers according to the itinerary, Expierienced English speaking local guide, Third party insurance, All the taxes.
Personal expenses, Drinks at dinners, Overnight Taxes, Anything not mentioned clearly above, Transfer to / from Monodendri.
Fulfillment of participation document, prepayment of participation fee, physical and mental health.
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to local and weather conditions.
Suitable for ages: 8-80 years
Extra services:
- F/B supplement: 40€ / person (4 lunches)
- SGL / Supplement: 80€ / person
- TRPL Reduction: 30 € / person
What participants should have with them:
Please try to travel as light as possible; remember that you must carry everything you bring on all the days’ walk.
- Large, comfortable rucksack (40-50 litres) with padded straps and waist belt, internal frame preferred; waterproof liner recommended to keep clothing, etc. dry inside.
- Sturdy, worn in trekking shoes
- Good waterproof top with hood
- Warm clothes, both for windy / cold daytime conditions and for the cool evenings (fleece tops or similar)
- Shorts and long trousers for walking, preferably quick-drying material (cotton or polycotton not denim)
- Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with long sleeves and collar (against sun-burn)
- Sheet sleeping bag or similar (e.g. duvet cover), for the overnights in the refuge, although blankets will be available.
- Sunglasses, towel, sun hat or cap, sun block
- Penknife
- Water bottle
- Wash bag and simple first aid kit (plasters or blister kit, aspirin or similar, antiseptic)
- Photographers: bring your cameras
- Torch (head torch if you have one)
- Walking sticks
