Exploration trip to the mountainous paths of Greek maniland
Dates
This excursion tour takes place only upon request. Please contact us for further details.
Duration
12 days
11 overnights
Included Services
Self-driving vehicles with camping gear
Unlimited kilometers
Free camping
Experienced scouts
AWD escort vehicles
Tour guide/interpreter
2Way VHF & CB intercom
Provision for technical support
First Aid kit
Tour booklet with pictures
Pictures, videos & drone captures
Tour description booklet
Optional Services (not included in price)
Hotel room or organized camping fees (available upon request)
Food & drinks in local Greek traditional cafes & taverns (available upon request)
Fuel, tolls, admission tickets, fines and anything that is not written expressively
Description
Exploration trip from the southern mountains of Pindos till the protected area of Epirus, with notable ecological and cultural points of interest and remarkable architecture, history and gastronomy. The route is surrounded by fir trees, ideal for the 4WD fans with streaming rivers, canyons, historical monuments, monasteries, traditional bridges and stone houses, all combined to experience a magical journey. Tour through cramped routes and forest roads in the mountain range of Pindos.
Roadmap
Starting south, from wooded Evrytania with the towering fir tree-covered mountains, the abundant running waters and canyons of unique beauty, for an 11-days Cross up to its northern edge, the Pindos National Park. The waters of the rivers Agrafiotis, Acheloos and Megdovas, that flow and cross with the uncountable fountains, the abrupt rocks and the shadowy canyons, the unpalatable vegetation and the human wooden and stony structures. Traditional villages and stone bridges have totally harmonized with the natural environment and compose a unique landscape.
We explore the protected area of Epirus with its important ecological and cultural characteristics. Meeting with the unique architecture, history, folklore and gastronomy of the region. Meeting with people that live in the preserved and traditional settlements, following cramped Off-Road routes in the National Park of North Pindos with the National Park of Pindos (Valia Calda) and Vikos-Aoos.
We admire the worldwide unique geological formations of the rocks of Meteora and visit the second most significant monastic complex in Greece, after Agio Oros, that are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Day 1: Athens – Karpenisi
Driving all the way of the National Road we make a quick stop at Kamena Vourla, a seaside resort, and continue to the town of Spercheiada near the city of Lamia. Spercheiada sets the starting point for our Off-Road route, through forest paths, with daily endpoint the town of Karpenisi. At 200 m altitude our adventure begins with river-crossing on a trail that includes mud and running water under coniferous trees. At 1650 m altitude we finally reach the alpine meadows at Kokkalia plateau. We follow paths through a spruce-fir forest with destination the region of Evrytania and the town of Karpenisi.
220 km highway and national road
50 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Karpenisi or camping
Day 2: A tour of the villages and the mountains of Potamia
Our second day begins with a mixed route towards the Kaliakouda mountain and the Panta Vrechei (Always Raining) canyon. There we have the option to walk for about 45 minutes along the river to reach the breathtaking “Always Raining” waterfalls. From there we follow a mixed route which includes river-crossing towards the Mavri Spilia (Black Cave) canyon. Right after a visit to the monastery of Prousos which is contracted with the cliffs of Prousos. Our return to Karpenisi is via a dirt-road route through the spruce-fir tree forest of the mountain Chelidona.
20 km national road
50 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Evrytania or camping
Day 3: Journey to the streams, rivers, lakes of Evrytania and Agrafa
We leave Karpenisi behind us, heading towards the mountain range of Agrafa. The streams, the small tributaries and the countless springs, as the water flows downwards, they meet to form the rivers Agrafiotis, Acheloos and Megdovas and empty in Kremasta, the largest artificial lake in Greece. The cliffs of the shady canyons, the wild nature, the imposing mountain peaks, the human wooden and stone structures, the traditional villages and the stone bridges have harmonized with the natural environment creating the unique landscape of Agrafa. Our route driving among the river Krikeliotis up to the impressive bridge of Episkopi in Kremasta. Our route continues crossing rivers, forests and dirt-roads till the arrival to the traditional village of Agrafa.
20 km main road
50 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Agarafa or camping
Day 4: Journey to the rugged mountains, rivers, and isolated villages of Agrafa
Take a villages tour for the fascinating opportunity to discover the traditional life in mountainous Greece. Tour to the villages of Agrafa perched at over 1000 m altitude. Routes in forest roads next to an through the rivers of the area. We cross the Wildlife Refuge (Tsouka-Sakka) to the traditional forage village of Trovatos under the tops of Mount Demelimi (2160m) to continue for a stop in the traditional cafe with local kickshaws under the hard lacy peaks of Tsekoura and Katarthia. If the weather allows us, we will drive to Nialas mountain peak at 1770 m to return to our base to have dinner.
5 km main road
40 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Agarafa or camping
Day 5: The arched stone bridges and the lake in the hug of the Sleeping Beauty of Agrafa
The 4×4 routes in the wild mountains of Agrafa are continued to admire the arched stone bridges joining paths engraved in steep-narrow gorges. Then we head towards Plastira Lake to visit the post-Byzantine monastery of Panagia Pelekiti, built on the steep slopes of the Agrafa mountains above the lake. Offroad route to the deep mud that forms at the shores of the lake Plastira.
20 km main road
50 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in lake Plastira or camping
Day 6: The aesthetic forest of Rona and the mansions of Metsovo
We leave lake Plastira to continue our exploration of the protected area of Epirus, the National Park of Pindos. Our destination is the traditional settlement of Metsovo through Peristeri mountain and the aesthetic forest of Rona (1000-1700m). Route to alpine lakes, small rivers and traditional mountain villages. Arrival at Metsovo in the late afternoon and dinner to taste the traditional Wallachian cuisine.
30 km main road
40 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Metsovo or camping
Day 7: In the heart of the National Park of Valia Kalda
Starting from Metsovo, we cross the National Park of Valia Calda and visit the traditional village of Zagorohoria, Vovousa. Routes in one of the most virgin areas in Greece in the shade of the forest with the dense vegetation and under the unique in whole Europe towering fir-trees Mavroelata (Abies-cephalonica). Route next to the wild river Arkoudorema in the heart of the Valia Calda National Park and from the springs of the Aoos river and the lake of the same name.
40 km main road
50 km dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Zagorochoria or camping
Day 8: Tour of the Vikos-Aoos National Forest and the villages of Zagori
Offroad routes through the dense forest to discover the bridges, the rivers and some of the 46 villages of the area of Zagorohoria. Gastronomy trip to the Epirotic cuisine. Lunch with traditional recipes prepared from the pure products of the area at the village Kepesovo with amphitheatrical position at the edge of the Messaria gorge at 1100m altitude. Guided tour to a local Cheese Diary to learn about the unique traditional kinds of cheese of Epirus.
30 km main road
40 km minor dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Zagorochoria or camping
Day 9: The villages and the rivers in the shadow of the stone towers of Astraka peak
Tour of the West Zagori region near Papigo village. We start our tour with a visit to the naturally formed Rock Pools in order to admire these impressive geological formations. Next stops are at Charadra Aoou and the Voidomatis River that rises in Vikos Gorge, which the Guinness Book of Records lists as the narrowest canyon – deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width.
30 km paved road
20 km minor dirt-road and off-road
Night spend in Zagorochoria or camping
Day 10: The majestic rocks of Meteora dominate the area of Kalabaka
The almost euphoric stone rocks of Meteora, that embrace Kalabaka, are an UNESCO Conserved and Protected Monument of Humanity and the largest monastic state of the country after Mount Athos. After breakfast we drive to Kalabaka to visit of the 24 monasteries, the one on the edge of a steep and ancient rock, the most accessible Monastery of St. Stephen from the 12th century. After lunch, nearby route to admire the sun setting behind the imposing rocks of Meteora. The day closes with dinner and overnight at the nearby town Kalabaka.
130 km highway and national road
Night spend in Kalabaka or camping
Day 11: Kalabaka- Athens
After our breakfast starts your return journey with coffee stops and farewell meal next to the sea.
500 km highway
Definitions
Organized Camping: All amenities
Basic camping: Camping with WC and shower
Free camping: No amenities
With 4×4 Off-Road ISUZU equiped with Alu-Cab camping equipment
(4 people in a vehicle)
With VW T6 Campervan
(4 people in a vehicle)
