Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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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
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.
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
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.
“I loved the entire
experience! The
‘Big Greek Kostas’
showed us the
country he loves—
with style!”
Diane G., Vista CA
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!
KOSTAS VASILEIOU