Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Greece: Zagoria & Mt. Olympus THE VIKOS GORGE, METEORA, AND THE ABODE OF ZEUS

A hidden world of traditional Greece is found in Zagoria, where thousand-year-old villages are perched above the magnificent UNESCO- protected Vikos Gorge in the craggy Pindos Mountains. We’ve chosen wonderful hikes to explore these unique hamlets, following shepherds’ trails and soaring arched bridges

us up to gleaming Dragon Lake (6,800'), below the striking peaks of the Pindos Mountains. Between hikes, we’ll swim in natural springs, relax in ancient village squares, and enjoy the local wines and herb-infused cuisine of these remarkable hamlets. Days 6-8 Dodóna / Meteora Monasteries We explore Dodóna, home to the impressive amphitheater of the Oracle of Zeus, Greece’s first oracle, then head to the magnificent World Heritage Site of Meteora. In Greek, Meteora means “suspended in the air,” and monks of the Eastern Orthodox church built these hermitages atop sheer sandstone pinnacles in the 13th and 14th centuries. We follow the paths to the top of these seemingly inaccessible sanctuaries, where some 60 monks still reside. Days 9-12 Mt. Olympus From the village of Prionia at 3,600 feet, we hike through beech forests to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge (7,200') for an overnight, then ascend to the rocky summit of Skala (9,403'), the main peak of this majestic sacred mountain. Depart on Day 12 via Thessaloniki.

across the gorge. Heading to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora, we walk the monks’ paths up to these airy medieval sanctuaries. For a grand finale, we hike up Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home of the gods, where we gaze out over the ancient world from the abode of Zeus, ruler of the sky.

“I loved the entire experience! The ‘Big Greek Kostas’ showed us the country he loves— with style!”

KOSTAS VASILEIOU

Diane G., Vista CA

All along the way, we’ll fuel our hikes with an enticing array of northern Greece’s delicious culinary treats and sample the renowned local red wines. Days 1-5 Ioánnina / Zagoria From Ioánnina, we head to Zagoria to hike amid the villages of the Vikos Gorge, including Pápingo, nestled beneath limestone towers, and the leafy mountain hamlet of Koukouli. One hike brings

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike to the traditional stone-built villages of Zagoria in the Pindos Mountains • Explore the surreal clifftop monasteries of Meteora • Climb to the summit of one of Mt. Olympus’s main peaks DETAILS • 12-day trip begins in Ioánnina and ends in Thessaloniki • 10 nights hotels and traditional guesthouses, 1 night in mountain refuge • All meals included except 1 lunch

DATES May 7-18, 2017

Jun 1-12 Oct 3-14

TRIP COST $3495 (10-16 members) $3795 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $340 Classical Greece extension: from $1650 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 + 5 6 7 9 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 2-8 hours a day, altitudes between 3,000-9,400 feet

Our journey brings you on hikes to the spectacular monasteries at Meteora, to the villages of Zagoria, and to the summit of Skala, one of Olympus’s main peaks!

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