Ready to explore the hidden gems of Northern Greece? Fill out the form with your details, and our team will contact you to design your dream travel experience—uniquely offbeat, as always.
Group size
6-15 persons
Language
French-speaking guide throughout the trip
Meals
All breakfasts and dinners. Picnic lunches and 3 lunches at local tavernas
Accommodation
3-star hotels and guesthouses, sharing double rooms, for 11 nights
Activities
Hikes, cooking workshop, and festive evening in Zagori
Service
Local mountain guides during hikes. 24/7 assistance from the agency
Transfer
All transfers mentioned in the program in air-conditioned vehicles
Duration
11 nights / 12 days
Available dates & prices
April: 06/04 to 17/04 | 2175€ per person
May: 04/05 to 15/05 | 2475€ per person
May: 18/05 to May 29th | 2475€ per person
June: 01/06 to 12/06 | 2475€ per person
September: 07/09 to 18/09 | 2475€ per person
October: 19/10 - 30/10 | 2375€ per person
Cultural Immersions and Hikes in the Vikos Gorge, Meteora, Mount Olympus, and Pelion
Join us in Northern Greece, an uncharted region filled with authentic beauty.
This immersive journey will allow you to share meals with your hosts and learn about the region’s history through its enchanting landscapes.
Upon arrival at the airport, a guide and driver will greet you for a 30-minute transfer to the city center. You will check into your hotel in this city, rich in heritage, home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Thessaloniki is a dynamic, cultural hub, renowned for its gastronomy. Share a welcome dinner in a traditional taverna, a great opportunity to meet your travel companions and savor the local specialties.
This morning, your guide will take you to the covered market in Thessaloniki, just a 5-minute walk from your accommodation. Then, head to Metsovo, the “princess of Epirus,” perched at 1150 meters above sea level. After lunch in a local taverna, enjoy a leisurely walk through the town and its sights, including the Monastery of Saint Nicholas (about a 40-minute walk). In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Elati, where Penelope will welcome you to her guesthouse. After a delicious dinner, breathe in the fresh mountain air from the terrace or take a stroll through the village’s charming streets.
This morning, after breakfast, your mountain guide will lead you on a hike through the culture and history of Zagori. We will traverse the famous trails and stone bridges of Petsioni, Milos, Kalogeriko, and Kontodimos, built by local craftsmen in the 18th and 19th centuries. Departing from the village of Kipi, we will loop to the picturesque hamlet of Koukouli to visit the Lazaridi Museum, known for its collection of medicinal herbs.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Distance: 7 km
Elevation gain/loss: 160 m
ALTERNATIVE:
Panoramic Hike in Central Zagori
A circular walk that takes you through some of the most beautiful traditional villages—Vitsa, Koukouli, Kipi, and Dilofo—passing through ancient “merchant trails.” Impressive century-old bridges, cobbled paths, and stairs wind through stunning natural beauty. This journey combines local history and culture with traditional architecture and natural beauty, which is why Zagori is a UNESCO World Heritage site! You will have the chance to visit and take short breaks in each village, either to admire their beauty or simply stop for a refreshment at the local kafenion.
Duration: 5.5 hours
Distance: 11 km
Elevation gain/loss: 500 m
After some free time for lunch, head back to the guesthouse to rest. Later, a short transfer will take you to a local farm for a visit, relaxation, and a cooking workshop. Discover daily life in Zagori by exploring a farm with 400 sheep and a weaving and felting workshop, all accompanied by traditional music and an introduction to folk dances for those who wish to participate.
This morning, we will follow a peaceful route along the stunning Voidomatis River, tracing the path of Ice Age hunters. Under the shade of plane trees, we will discover prehistoric rock shelters and an abandoned monastery. The sandy banks are perfect for resting, and the turquoise waters invite a refreshing swim. Next, we will head to Papigo, one of the 46 villages of Zagori, located at 960 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Tymfi. After a lunch break, an optional 40-minute hike will lead us to the neighboring village of Mikro Papigo, with a swim stop in the “kolymbithres”—natural pools carved in the limestone. In the late afternoon, return to the guesthouse for dinner.
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 km
Elevation gain/loss: 200 m
After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Epirus and head towards Meteora. On the way, we will stop in Ioannina, a city with a rich cultural heritage. During this short cultural hike, we will first visit the medieval fortress of Ioannina, a historical site offering stunning views of the city and Lake Pamvotis. Inside the fortress, you can explore landmarks such as the Aslan Pasha Mosque and the former princes’ palace.
ALTERNATIVE:
Enjoy a short boat excursion to the island of Ioannina, located in the center of Lake Pamvotis. Here, you can explore its unique charm, with picturesque streets, small churches, and a Byzantine cemetery. This 1.5 to 2-hour walk, blending history and nature, will end with a light lunch by the lake.
In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to Meteora, the impressive rock formation that houses the “sky-bound” monasteries. The six active monasteries are perched on towering natural pillars and are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage. After settling into the hotel, enjoy your first walk to admire the spectacular landscape and visit the hermit caves, before sharing a traditional dinner.
This morning, we depart from the center of Kalambaka and in just a few minutes, we will find ourselves on a beautiful trail, enjoying the unique scenery of one of the most amazing natural settings. Discover the Ypapanti Monastery, built in a large rock cavity and considered one of Meteora’s hidden gems. Nearby, the statue of the local hero Papathymios Vlahavas stands as a monument to the Greek War of Independence and the long history of this place. Listen to stories about the traditions, history, and monuments along the way. This 4-hour excursion includes a visit to one of the monasteries. Dinner will be served at a taverna close to your accommodation.
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 7 km
Elevation gain/loss: 320 m
After breakfast, we depart for the Pelion Peninsula, the land of the Centaurs. Its gentle slopes and easily accessible peaks make Mount Pelion a favorite destination for hikers, nestled between the Pagasitikos Gulf on one side and the Aegean Sea on the other. We will make stops along the way in the traditional villages of Milies and Ano Lechonia. Once we arrive at the accommodation, check-in, then take a short hike from the hotel. Departing from the Agioi Taxiarches square, we cross much of the village to reach Agia Paraskevi Square with the millennial plane tree—one of the five largest in Europe. Then, we’ll ascend to the mountainous part of the village, where, through a trail and short forest road sections, we will cross the chestnut forest before returning to the starting point. The total activity duration is about 3 hours, with stops and at the group’s pace.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 4 km
Elevation gain/loss: 450/570 m
Following the central cobblestone path that for centuries connected the eastern Pelion villages to the Pagasitikos Gulf, starting from the Agia Paraskevi square in Tsagarada, we will cross a part of the village and learn a bit about its history. After about 45 minutes of pleasant hiking, we will leave behind Agia Kyriaki Square and enter the legendary Kagiolia, where we will have an excellent panoramic view of Damouhari beach. (Here, we may optionally descend to the beach, adding an additional 150 meters of elevation to the route.)
After a short break, we will continue on the coastal trail heading south. Passing by Agios Athanasios and the hidden school with its magnificent great marine (seal shelter during winter months), we will finish at Fakistra Beach. The total duration of the excursion is approximately 5–6 hours with pauses, swims, and a picnic.
Return to your accommodation after a short 15-minute transfer.
Duration: 4.5 hours
Distance: 8 km
Elevation gain/loss: 450 m/0 m
Departing from Agioi Taxiarches Square in Tsagarada, we will ascend the slopes above the village. We will pass through a beautiful forest, initially dotted with chestnut trees, meadows, and oaks, eventually giving way to beeches that dominate the landscape. As we climb, we will visit the chapel of Prophet Elias, and after about two hours of hiking, we will reach the “Vigla” area—also known as “Kourouplias to Cotroni” by the locals—at an altitude of about 1250 m. The view from this point is magnificent, with an east-southwest orientation, offering a panoramic view of the central and southern Pelion, the Sporades, while the Mylopotamos Gorge below dominates the scene.
THE MYTHS OF MOUNT PELION:
While enjoying a picnic in the heart of nature, we will share with you the fascinating legends that have made Mount Pelion famous—an ancient, mythical mountain of centaurs and gods, a true crossroads of ancient stories. This pause will give you the opportunity to discover the tales of heroes, mythical creatures, and deities that have shaped this iconic landscape.
The return takes us to the village for a lovely, well-deserved break in one of the traditional tavernas, after a day of hiking.
Duration: 4.5 hours
Distance: 8 km
Elevation gain/loss: 900 m
On the way to Palaios Panteleimonas, known as the “balcony” of Mount Olympus, we will stop for coffee with a stunning view of the Pagasitikos Gulf. Upon arrival at your accommodation, enjoy the sight of the Aegean Sea from a garden shaded by chestnut trees. Later, explore the charming 14th-century village, renovated in the 1980s, with its cobbled streets and small shops selling famous “mountain tea” and other local products. End the day with a short 30-40 minute hike, then enjoy dinner at a taverna just 10 minutes on foot from your accommodation.
To conclude this magnificent journey, we will embark on a hike on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. Along the way, you’ll be captivated by the raw beauty of the surrounding national park: you’ll see a waterfall and the natural pools of Orlias, where you can swim in crystal-clear waters.
According to legend, the Orlias River, once a majestic waterway in the Pieria region, “disappeared” underground in shame. Today, the river reappears near the city of Dion, forming stunning waterfalls that add to the magic of this place.
After this adventure through mythology, we’ll begin our journey back to Thessaloniki. The return trip will take you through the diverse landscapes of the region, offering one last chance to savor the spectacular panoramas that marked this adventure.
We plan to arrive in the afternoon and check into the hotel. You’ll have free time to wander the streets of this beautiful city, visit a museum, or have a refreshing drink by the sea before the farewell dinner.
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 km
Elevation gain/loss: 300 m
Depending on the time of your flight, we will adjust the day’s schedule. You will be transferred to Thessaloniki airport, approximately 30 minutes away.
Ready to explore the hidden gems of Northern Greece? Fill out the form with your details, and our team will contact you to design your dream travel experience—uniquely offbeat, as always.
