PROGRAM T 2: ZAGORIA VILLAGES - VIKOS GORGE - DRAGONFLY LAKE
Admiring traditional villages in magical surroundings
| Trekking level 1-5: | 2-3 |
| Min - Max: | 2 - 12 persons |
| Duration: | 8 days - 7 nights |
| Price per person: | € 768, -- |
The villages of Zagoria are of an extraordinary beauty and are well known for its cobbled paths and traditional villages, all constructed with local stone. Zagoria is a part of the massive Pindos Mountain Range and is defined by Mitsikeli Mountain and the Aoos River. More than 1000 plants along with the most clear and drinkable water in Europe compose the deepest canyon in the world: The Vikos Canyon (Guinness Book of Records 1997). An overnight stop at the refuge of Astraka, 2000 meters high, a marvelous view from the top and a swim in Dragon Lake will reward the visitor for many years!
Day 1 Airport - Vitsa
Your guide meats you at the airport to transfer you to Vitsa. Arrival at the guest house and dinner on the terrace. For those who arrive early there is the possibility of a walk to Monodendri and the monastery of Paraskevi with a view on the Vikos Gorge.
Day 2 Vitsa - Dilofo - Kipi - Koukouli - Vitsa
Departure from the guest house. Paths between old stone houses lead us to the starting-point of our hike. After an hour and a half we make a stop in Dilofo, a village that is still inaccessible for modern traffic, which is evident at the beginning with the narrow stone path. That is why the village has kept its traditional character.
The next stage brings us to Kipi, famous because of its antique stone bridge with three arches. After a light lunch in the local taverna we continue walking to Koukouli, which we traverse by the original kalderimi-paths. Leaving the village we will already see Vitsa on the other side of the Vikos Gorge. We then descend and trek up again, until we get back to our guest house, where we will eat and stay overnight.
| Trekking altitude: | 950m - 550m - 880m - 800m - 900m - 550m - 950m |
| Trekking time: | 6 - 7 hours |
| Total time: | 7 - 8 hours |
Day 3 Vitsa - Vikos
This hike will lead us through one of the most beautiful parts of the Gorge - according to the Guinness Book of Records it's the deepest in the world. Here the unsurpassed beauty of nature appears - one cannot imagine a better place for a picnic! He who dives into the source of the river here will become part of the pure, deep blue water. The small church of the Holy Virgin reminds us of the everlasting miracle of life-generating water. Dinner and overnight stay in Vikos village.
| Trekking altitude: | 950m - 550m - 770m |
| Trekking time: | 6 - 7 hours |
| Total time: | 8 - 9 hours |
Day 4 Vikos - Papigo
Today we make a shorter hike in order to relax and swim in Ovires. The inhabitants of Papigo call it like this, because the river that runs down from the mountain has created deep holes in the rocks here. This unique village is located at the foot of the majestic "Five towers of Papigo", part of Mount Timfi. The stone houses, the allies paved with cobblestones and the church, which is almost a thousand years old, with the hospitality of the inhabitants, make our stay here unforgettable. Dinner and overnight stay in Papigo.
| Trekking altitude: | 770m - 550m - 960m |
| Trekking time: | 3 - 4 hours |
| Total time: | 4 - 5 hours |
Day 5 Papigo - bridge of Aristi - bridge of Klidonia - bridge of Aristi - Papigo
On this day a car will take us to the bridge of Aristi. During the walk along the Voidomatis-river we enjoy the deep blue water that runs between limestone rock formations, and on the riverbanks there are wild plain trees - their light green leaves filter the sunlight. The murmuring of the rapid stream puts us into a dreamy mood. After a picnic on the edge we walk back. This river is one of the cleanest of Europe, you can drink the water. After a dive into the water you will feel the tingling effect for hours. Dinner and overnight stay in Papigo.
| Trekking altitude: | 500m - 400m |
| Trekking time: | 4 - 5 hours |
| Total time: | 5 - 6 hours |
Day 6 Papigo - mountain hut Astraka - Dragon Lake - mountain hut Astraka
Today we will climb more than thousand meters. The beauty of the impressing landscape is an ample compensation for the effort of climbing up. The steep rock high above will give us a feeling of insignificance. We will take a light lunch in the mountain hut and then we continue our hike up to the Dragon Lake. From there our eyes won't get enough of the breathtaking view that developed over the course of millions of years by the unfailing creativity of nature. After this you can't resist swimming in the lake (agreeable temperature). Dinner and overnight stay in the mountain hut.
| Trekking altitude: | 960m - 1950m - 1700m - 2100m - 1700m - 1950m |
| Trekking time: | 7 - 8 hours |
| Total time: | 8 - 9 hours |
Day 7 Mountain hut Astraka - Tsepelovo
Between the highest tops of Astraka and Gamila our last walk starts. From here the path descends to Tsepelovo.
Halfway down we stop for a picnic. At this altitude we no longer find trees. A rough, empty landscape infolds itself, in which the shape of the mountains is very picturesque. These rocks are an impressing final sight for this last day of the hike, that has lead us through such an abundance of nature that finally we will return home with the opinion , that paradise on earth is not only a myth but truly exists! Dinner and overnight stay in Tsepelovo.
| Trekking altitude: | 1950m - 1700m - 2000m - 1500m - 1600m - 1080m |
| Trekking time: | 5 - 6 hours |
| Total time: | 6 - 7 hours |
Day 8 Tsepelovo - Airport
Transfer from Tsepelovo to the airport.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM T2 ZAGORIA € 768, -- p.p.
Transfer times from / to Airport:
| Airport of Ioannina to Vitsa | 1 hour | Tsepelovo to Airport of Ioannina | 1 hour |
| Airport of Preveza to Vitsa | 3 hours | Tsepelovo to Airport of Preveza | 3 hours |
| Airport of Corfu to Vitsa | 5 hours | Tsepelovo to Airport of Corfu | 5 hours |
Included in the price:
- Experienced and licensed trekking guide
- Transfer of your luggage
- Transfer from and to the airport
- 6 nights bed & breakfast in local guest houses, based on double rooms
- 1 night bed & breakfast in a refuge
- 13 meals: 7 dinners, 2 lunches, 4 picnics
- Local taxes
Not included in the price:
- A single room is possible on request and at an extra cost of € 140, -- per person
- The lunch on day 1
- All beverages i.e. tea/coffee
- Airplane tickets
- Anything which is not mentioned inside the program
Necessary items for trekking days:
- Bottle/flask of water (1 litre per day)
- Rucksack
- Sun protection
- Waterproof coat / wind stopper
- WALKING BOOTS ARE RECOMMENDED!
Note:
- The guide can at any time, change or modify the program at his own digression due to i.e. weather conditions,
or if there are circumstances which give the guide reason(s) to think any person(s) are in danger.
- Every night at the dinner the guide will inform the guests for the following day ahead.
- On the mornings where there are picnics, the picnic items will be divided among the guests just before leaving
for the day ahead and is the responsibility of the guide.
- The luggage will be transferred by private car to the next location.
- The refuge contains bunk beds, bed linen, pillows / pillow cases and blankets. There is also a restaurant, showers (no hot water) and toilets. Guests are welcome to carry their own bed linen / sheets, for personal usage.
Responsible for the program:
