Wild mountains and rivers’ exploration (Athens, Lake Plastira, Elati, Pertouli, Kalliroi, Metsovo, Vitsa, Vikos Gorge) 7 DAYS by bus

Mainland Greece, including landscapes and reliefs, offer unique experience combining nature, culture and action. This trip combines some of the most popular places to discover in Greece - sites with alpine meadows, peaks above the clouds, mountains, gorges, trails in the forest with beech trees, oaks and maples, rivers with stone bridges, mills, waterfalls, national parks with plants and rare animals. All you have to do is to live this authentic experience. Your trip includes 6 nights in a hotel of your choice and your traditional hotels with breakfast, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, transport leader and local francophone guide.

​Highlights: Athens, Lake Plastira- Fir (reservoir, horseback riding, canoeing, Elati, arched bridge Ag. Vissarion), Pertouli- Kalliroi (riding or bike Pertouli, Ag. Paraskevi Church of the Holy Cross, traditional museum, wine tasting), Metsovo-Vitsa (rafting on the Acheloos river, mountain Lakmos, folk art museum in Metsovo, Averoff cave), Passing by the Vikos Gorge (sources of Voidomatis Vikos, Papigko), Papigko- Meteores (Aristi, rafting in Vico, visit of Meteora monasteries)


Day 1: Athens
Upon arrival in Athens International Airport, the guide will wait and transfer you to the hotel. You will have the day free to explore the city of Athens and its numerous cultural and historical places of interest, such as the Acropolis, the temple of Zeus, the unique Acropolis museum, the Ancient and Roman Agora. You can also walk around Filoppapou hill, visit the flea market in Monastiraki and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea in one of the beautiful cafes in Thisio. (If you wish to enjoy a guided walking or bike tour of the city, please contact us).
Day 2: Athens - Lake Plastira - Elati
Early in the morning, we depart with direction the dreamy Lake Plastira, a destination that harmonically combines serenity with adventure. We will first visit the Dam of the artificial lake and enjoy the stunning views it offers! After lunch in one of the traditional taverns around the lake, we will explore the endless natural beauty of the area on a hydro-bike or canoe/kayak! For those of you that prefer mountain biking, there are numerous trails around the lake. Later in the afternoon, we depart for the beautiful mountainous traditional village of Elati. On our way there, we will make a stop at the beautiful arch stone bridge of Saint Vissarion, built in the 1527. You are free to enjoy a walk by the riverside, a refreshing tea/coffee by the bridge or buy herbs, honey and traditional drinks by local vendors. Once in Elati, you can explore the village, admire the traditional architecture of stone-made houses and enjoy the delicious local cuisine in one of the village’s family run tavernas.
Day 3: Elati - Pertouli - Vitsa
After breakfast, we will drive to Pertouli meadows, a beautiful plateau, surrounded by mountains with dense forests, rivers and enormous fir trees, which we will explore while riding our horses! Coffee break, before we board our car with destination the stunning area of Zagori (approx. 2:50 hr driving). In the afternoon, we will reach Monodendri village and we’ll first visit the Rizarios School of Handicrafts to find out how local women make traditional handmade carpets and textiles. We will then take a short hiking path to Agia Paraskevi church and the impressive cliff-hanging trail that follows! (Hike duration: 1 hour, level of difficulty: easy) Visit to Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest come next. In the evening, we will check in at our traditional guesthouse in Vitsa village and enjoy homemade dinner.
Day 4: Vradeto steps, Beloi viewpoint & Zagoria arch stone bridges
After breakfast, we will drive towards Kapesovo village. From there, following the beautiful stone trail of Vradeto steps, we’ll reach the highest village of Zagori, Vradeto (1450m) and 2km later at Beloi viewpoint (1650m), where we can enjoy striking panoramic views over the gorge! (Hike duration: 3-4 hrs, level of difficulty: moderate) After lunch in one of the local small cafes/restaurants, we will explore hiking 6 of the most important and beautiful arch stone bridges of the area (Hike duration: 2 – 4 hrs, level of difficulty: easy to moderate). Dinner and overnight in Vitsa village.
Day 5: Crossing Vikos Gorge
This morning, we will take one of the best and most impressive hiking trails in all the Zagori area! We start our hike from the village of Vitsa, descending the Vitsa steps, all the way down into Vikos ravine, one of the deepest canyons in the world. We hike parallel to the stream, and walk right into the heart of the National Park. The surrounding environment is a paradise for nature lovers that can observe the rich flora and fauna. The gorge is shelter for a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears and wild boars. We will have a nice break for snacks at the spring of Klima and then continue until our next stop at Voidomati springs. We rest before the small steep ascend to Vikos village (about 40 minutes). From Vikos village, we transfer to Papigo village, for dinner and overnight. 
Day 6: Papigo (rafting) – Meteora
Prepare yourselves for rafting in one of the clearest rivers in Europe! Starting from the beautiful stone bridge of Aristi, we will cross the National Park of Vikos – Aoos, while rafting across Voidomatis river. This is an easy route, ideal for everyone, yet very impressive because of the river’s crystal clear waters and the surrounding natural landscape. In the afternoon, we will depart with destination the UNESCO Heritage Site of Meteora, also called the “stone forest”. Upon arrival in Meteora, we’ll enjoy a short, yet funny, hiking trail to the “Holly Spirit” pillar, before we check in to our hotel.
Day 7: Meteora - Athens
What a better way to wake up rather than admiring the spectacular sandstone rocks of Meteora, rising over 400 m above the ground! After breakfast, we will explore this unique landscape and the impressive top-cliff monasteries beyond the ordinary way! We will follow the ancient paths that the monks used to follow, through the steep rocks, visit some of the monasteries and admire the breathtaking views. In the afternoon, we depart for our way back to Athens. For those of you having a late evening flight from Athens International Airport, you can be transferred straight to the airport or you can enjoy your last night in beautiful Athens.
PACKAGE INCLUDE
- 6 Days of accommodation in 3* hotels and traditional guesthouses, based on double occupancy
- Trails Beyond tour leader for the whole trip, Local guides,  Activity instructors
- 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- Mini bus rental for the whole trip, driver, fuel consumption and tolls
- Entrance fees to sites listed in the tour itinerary
- Cost for all activities included in the tour program and all the necessary equipment
- All taxes
PACKAGE NOT INCLUDE
- Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price.
- International airfares
- Travel insurance, mandatory
- Hotel transfers to/from airports other than Athens airport
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Any beverages or alcoholic drinks during meals
- Additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors
- Optional activities that are not included in the day-to-day itinerary
- Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, and so on) and tips.





  
 
PRICE PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM 

Single supplement 40%