Zagoria: the Secret Villages
Zagoria: the Secret Villages
Zagoria: the Secret Villages
8 Days Starting in Preveza or Ioannina Airport and ending in Ioannina
Visiting: Greece
Tour Overview
By western European standards Zagori in the Pindus Mountains in Greece is a relatively wild and remote area. However, the footpaths have been marked and we have prepared route notes, which read in conjunction with the map we provide, will enable you to find your way. The walk includes a traverse of the magnificent Vikos Gorge (sometimes referred to as the Greek Grand Canyon), as well as treasures of vernacular architecture. Many of the late 18th century stone-built villages, which we visit, are within what is today a Conservation Area and since late 2023 on the UNESCO list of World Heritage. Maintenance grants assist house owners to repair and renovate using traditional materials. Five nights of this walking tour in Greece are spent in the lovely Zagori villages, one night in a mountain refuge, and one night at a hotel in Ioannina on the shores of Lake Pamvotis.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Tsepelovo
On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Tsepelovo for your overnight accommodation.
Wander around the village where you can admire the old mansions' decorated wooden balconies, a feature of this timber-producing locality. Don't miss the interesting frescoes at the restored Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos.
Accommodation: Your first two nights are spent in a comfortable small pension in this typical Zagori village.
*Transfer time from Ioannina Airport: 1 hour; and from Preveza Airport: 3 hours. If flying into Preveza Airport, you can arrive no later then 5.00 pm.
Day 2 : Tsepelovo - Vradeto - Beloi - Tsepelovo - 15 Km /9.3 Miles, 4-5 H
Meals Included: B
From Tsepelovo (1050m) you start with an uphill path towards the highest village in Zagoria called Vradeto (1450m), from where the beautiful path at the edge of the Vikos gorge leads to a great viewpoint at Beloi (1650m). From here you can look right over the Vikos in all its resplendence and see the paths that you will be following tomorrow. Return to Vradeto village continuing downhill to Kapesovo village heading down the famous steps of Vradeto – a stone path built in the 16th Century on the slopes of the Vikos. Transfer back to Tsepelovo for your second evening.
Day 3 : Tsepelovo – Kipi – Koukouli – Vitsa - 14 Km/8.5 Miles, 4.5 H
Meals Included: B
An easy descent to where the Vikos gorge starts, which is marked by a stone bridge dating back to 980 called the “Paliojefira.” Continue through a forest of beech and pine trees, where you might see evidence of bear pugmarks on the path. You end up in the village of Kipi. From here you walk up the “Koukouli Steps” and visit the centre of this picturesque village. From here walk down into the Vikos gorge again crossing the “Misiou” bridge and climb the Vitsa stairs and reach the villages of Vitsa and Monodendri that are built at the edge of the gorge.
Accommodation: The stone-built guesthouse where you stay offers traditionally decorated rooms with views of Mout Mitsikeli. Rooms are all ensuite.
Day 4 : Vitsa – Vikos, Overnight Aristi - 12.5 Km/7.5 Miles, 6.5 H
Meals Included: B, L
Early in the morning descend the old Vitsa stairs into the Vikos ravine. Traversing the ravine you can do a bit of bird and flower watching, as there are quite a number of rare species that have taken refuge into the gorge. Early in the afternoon you will arrive in Vikos village and be transferred to nearby Aristi, where you will overnight.
Accommodation: This 2 star hotel is constructged in traditional local style with stone-built walls and warm wooden falls. All rooms are ensuite and they offer home made, local dishes.
Day 5 : Vikos – Papingo (Also Called Papigo) - 5 Km/3 Miles, 3-4 H
Meals Included: B
After a short transfer (included) back to Vikos village, to the start of the walk, you follow the old up-hill path, which traverses the beautiful ravines to Papingo Village. Above the Towers of Papingo skyrocket inaccessibly into the sky. At the village’s natural swimming pool, you will have time for a dip and a break before heading to your accommodation. The twin villages of Megalo (Big) and Mikro (Little) Papingo huddle below the great limestone buttresses called the "Towers of Papingo" on the north side of the Vikos Gorge.
Accommodation: Tonight you stay in a simple small guesthouse in Mikro Papingo.
Day 6 : Papingo – Astraka Hut – Dragon Lake – Astraka Hut - 12Km/7.5 Miles, 6 H
Meals Included: B
Head on uphill, up Mount Astraka. After a 3 hour ascent you will come to the Astraka Hut (1950m). The footpath up to the hut is also a mule track or route leading from the Papingo villages to various high level grazing pastures which are the traditional territory of two or three local Sarakatsani shepherding families. There are four springs along the way. From here optional ascent to Dragon Lake at 2100m, before returning to overnight at Astraka hut. You will need to carry overnight items as luggage is not moved this day due to no road access.
Accommodation: Astraka Hut - Mixed dormitory style. The hut is owned by the Greek Federation of Alpine Clubs and all supplies are brought up by mules and horses. There are inside toilets and sinks and a couple of showers, be warned, these are cold!
Day 7 : Walk Back To Papingo, And Then Transfer To Ioannina - 6 Km/4 Miles, 2 H
Meals Included: B
After breakfast walk to Mikro Papingo the same way you came up yesterday, it should take about 2 hours. Return to your accommodation to pick up baggage and take the prearranged transfer to Ioannina which will take approx. 1.5 h. A tour of Ioannina old quarter and citadel is worthwhile. Out-of-town excursions could include the huge limestone cave system at Perama, discovered in the 1940's, or the 3rd century BC theatre of Dodoni, and nearby ancient oracle with its whispering oaks, 15 km/9.3 miles from Ioannina and accessible in an afternoon by public bus. For those who want to take home souvenirs or gifts, a local specialty is silver and filigree jewellery.
Accommodation: We usually choose a hotel in the old walled part of the town, formerly the Turkish citadel or a property in the town centre.
Day 8 : Transfer To Ioannina Or Preveza Airport, End Of Arrangements
Meals Included: B
Depending on your flight times, there may be time for further sightseeing or souvenir buying before your transfer by taxi/minibus to Ioannina or Preveza airports.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
3 nights in village pensions -
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
-
4 nights accommodation in village pensions, 1 night dormitory in a mountain refuge, 2 nights hotels. En-suite facilities available, except at the mountain refuge.
-
Transfer from Preveza or Ioannina to the start of the tour (and back at the end of the tour)
-
Information pack including route notes & maps
-
Luggage transfer (except day 6)
-
Transfers as per the itinerary
-
Emergency hotline
-
3 nights accommodation in village pensions, 1 night dormitory in a mountain refuge, 3 nights hotels. En-suite facilities available, except at the mountain refuge.
-
7 breakfasts & 1 lunch
-
3 nights accommodation in village pensions, 1 night dormitory in a mountain refuge, 3 nights hotels. Twin share basis usually with ensuite facilities, except at the mountain refuge.
What's Not Included
-
1 dinner, 2 lunches & beverages
-
Entrance fees
-
Travel insurance
-
Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
-
Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
-
Dinners, lunches & beverages
-
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
-
Guide - this is a self guided holiday
Accommodation
3 nights in village pensions
Village pensions for 3 nights, mountain refuge (dormitory) one night, hotel 3 nights. Rooms with en-suite facilities (shower/bath and WC) are available, except at the mountain refuge. Those described are our usual accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used. Baths/showers: many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space. Some hotels/guesthouses may however have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests.
Grading
The tour is graded 'moderate to challenging'. The paths are rough and stony but reasonably well defined. There are ascents/descents of up to 900m/3000ft per day but the walking need not be seen as particularly strenuous as the days are not long. However, it is necessary to have some experience of map reading and route finding from written descriptions. This tour is best suited to hill walkers who are experienced at route finding in all weathers, in places like the English Lake District, Snowdonia or the Scottish Highlands. Because of the remote and rugged terrain this self-guided tour is not available to solo walkers.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Dates & Availability
tourhub Discount Available - Sign In
Sunday - Sunday
Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024Monday - Monday
Jun 10, 2024 - Jun 17, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 11, 2024 - Jun 18, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 12, 2024 - Jun 19, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jun 13, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 14, 2024 - Jun 21, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jun 15, 2024 - Jun 22, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 16, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024Monday - Monday
Jun 17, 2024 - Jun 24, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 18, 2024 - Jun 25, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 19, 2024 - Jun 26, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jun 20, 2024 - Jun 27, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 28, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jun 22, 2024 - Jun 29, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 23, 2024 - Jun 30, 2024Monday - Monday
Jun 24, 2024 - Jul 01, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 25, 2024 - Jul 02, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jun 26, 2024 - Jul 03, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jun 27, 2024 - Jul 04, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 28, 2024 - Jul 05, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jun 29, 2024 - Jul 06, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 30, 2024 - Jul 07, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 01, 2024 - Jul 08, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 02, 2024 - Jul 09, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 03, 2024 - Jul 10, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 04, 2024 - Jul 11, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 05, 2024 - Jul 12, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 06, 2024 - Jul 13, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 08, 2024 - Jul 15, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 09, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 10, 2024 - Jul 17, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 11, 2024 - Jul 18, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 12, 2024 - Jul 19, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 13, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 14, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 15, 2024 - Jul 22, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 16, 2024 - Jul 23, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 17, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 18, 2024 - Jul 25, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 26, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 20, 2024 - Jul 27, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 22, 2024 - Jul 29, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 23, 2024 - Jul 30, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 24, 2024 - Jul 31, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 25, 2024 - Aug 01, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 26, 2024 - Aug 02, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 27, 2024 - Aug 03, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 28, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 29, 2024 - Aug 05, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 30, 2024 - Aug 06, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 31, 2024 - Aug 07, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 01, 2024 - Aug 08, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 02, 2024 - Aug 09, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 10, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 05, 2024 - Aug 12, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 06, 2024 - Aug 13, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 07, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 08, 2024 - Aug 15, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 09, 2024 - Aug 16, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 10, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 12, 2024 - Aug 19, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 13, 2024 - Aug 20, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 14, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 15, 2024 - Aug 22, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 17, 2024 - Aug 24, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 19, 2024 - Aug 26, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 20, 2024 - Aug 27, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 21, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 22, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 23, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 24, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 25, 2024 - Sep 01, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 02, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 27, 2024 - Sep 03, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 28, 2024 - Sep 04, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 29, 2024 - Sep 05, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 30, 2024 - Sep 06, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 07, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 02, 2024 - Sep 09, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 10, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 04, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 05, 2024 - Sep 12, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 09, 2024 - Sep 16, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 17, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 11, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 13, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 21, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 16, 2024 - Sep 23, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 19, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 23, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 01, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 25, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Walkers' Britain requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of walkers' britain charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."