Zagoria Trek: 6-day Private Zagoria and Vikos Gorge Trekking TourHiking and Trekking

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Zagoria Trek: 6-day Private Zagoria and Vikos Gorge Trekking Tour

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About this experience

✔ Health & safety measures apply
✔ Private trekking experience
✔ No booking costs

DURATION: 6 days
LANGUAGES: English, Greek
MEETING POINT: Ioannina airport or in the city center of Ioannina
DIFFICULTY: Moderate, some trekking experience is a requirement
WHO CAN COME: Ζagoria trek is suitable for groups, hiking clubs & families. Not suitable for children under 12

Overview

Embark on an exhilarating 6-day Zagoria trek that promises both a challenge and an abundance of excitement as you and your group explore one of Greece's most awe-inspiring destinations. Prepare to be captivated by the majestic beauty of towering mountains, untouched forests, and breathtakingly deep gorges that define Zagoria and Vikos Gorge. Renowned as one of Europe's most spectacular trekking and hiking locations, this remarkable terrain offers an unforgettable journey through pristine landscapes that will leave you in awe of nature's grandeur.

24/7 Available Support

Are you not sure about the itinerary? Do you need more flexibility for your start and departure time? No worries! We offer 24/7 customer support for this Zagoria trek. Send us a mail with your questions at support@gofreedly.com and enjoy personalized attention and assistance.

Highlights

◾Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Zagori region as you visit traditional villages throughout your adventure. Discover the charm of these picturesque settlements, characterized by their stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and welcoming locals.
◾Embark on a thrilling hike through Vikos Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. Marvel at the sheer magnitude of this natural wonder as you traverse its rugged terrain and soak in the breathtaking views that surround you.
◾Challenge yourself on the historic Vradeto steps, an ancient stone structure trail that offers not only a physical test but also rewards you with stunning panoramic views.

About this Experience

✔ Health & safety measures apply
✔ Private trekking experience
✔ No booking costs

DURATION: 6 days
LANGUAGES: English, Greek
MEETING POINT: Ioannina airport or in the city center of Ioannina
DIFFICULTY: Moderate, some trekking experience is a requirement
WHO CAN COME: Ζagoria trek is suitable for groups, hiking clubs & families. Not suitable for children under 12

Description - What to expect

Zagoria Trek Itinerary

◾ Arrival day
You are picked up at Ioannina airport and transferred by bus to Tsepelovo, the largest of the Zagoria cluster villages. Upon your arrival, your tour leader will brief you and give you an outline of your Zagoria trek adventure ahead. Overnight in Tsepelovo.

◾ Day one: Tsepelovo - Vradeto - Beloi - Tsepelovo. (4-hour trek)
Start your Zagoria trek from Tsepelovo (1050 m) ascending towards Vradeto (1450m), the highest of Zagoria village. Follow a beautiful trail, overlooking the riverbed of the impressive Vikos Gorge to arrive at the Beloy viewpoint (1650m). From there you can admire almost the entire Vikos Gorge and view the distant trails about to follow the next day. Return to the village of Vradeto and continue downhill to the village of Kapesovo. Walk down the famous Vradeto Steps (a stone path built in the 16th century at the slopes of Vikos Gorge) and from there get a transfer back to Tsepelovo to rest and relax in a traditional guesthouse.

◾ Day two: Tsepelovo - Kipi - Koukouli - Vitsa. (5-hour trek)
Start the second day of your Zagoria trek with a descent to the trailhead of the Vikos Gorge, marked by a stone bridge built in the year 980 A.D, called “Paliogefyra”. Continue through a beech and pine tree forest and watch out for tracks of bears passing on your path. Your trekking ends in the village of Kipi for lunch at a local taverna. From Kipi continue trekking up the stairs of Koukouli (stone steps like in Vradeto) to explore the unique architecture of this picturesque village. Hike down into the Vikos Gorge again, crossing the “Misiou” bridge, and take the old Vitsa steps up in order to reach the villages of Vitsa and Monodendri, build right at the edge of the gorge wall. Overnight in a traditional mansion in Vitsa.

◾ Day three: Vitsa village - Vikos village (7-hour trek)
Early in the morning, continue your Zagoria trek descending the old Vitsa stairs into the Vikos Gorge. Walking on the riverbed admire the rare varieties of wild birds and flowers that have found shelter in the gorge. Right above our heads stand the impressive walls of the gorge, rising steeply and majestically to 1.000 or more vertical meters. After about 4 hours of walking, reach the Voidomatis river springs. Early in the afternoon, you will arrive in the village of Vikos where you will spend the night.

◾ Day four: Vikos - Papigo (4-hour trek)
Following the old ascending path, you will be able to view in the distance the beautiful ravines around Papigo. Above you, the “Towers of Papigo” are rising abruptly to treacherous heights. Take a dip in the natural pool before you have a rest in a traditional guesthouse.

◾ Day five: Papigo-mountain shelter-Dragon Lake-Papigo (3-hour trek)
Follow the trail, through juniper scrubs, to the Alpine zone to the mountain shelter of Astraka. Watch to your north the distant Albanian mountains. After lunch at the shelter you will have the option for a further ascent to the Tsoumani (Sarakatsani) sheepfolds and pastures up to the scenic Dragon Lake (2100m), perched on the edge of the northern escarpment of Mt Gamila (2497 m), one of the great peaks of the Pindos mountain range. Descent once again to your base in Papigo for an overnight. In the evening enjoy a delicious Greek dinner in one of the local tavernas.

◾ Day six: Explore the lake city of Ioannina
End your Zagoria trek with a transfer from Papigo to the beautiful city of Ioannina. Visit the charming island at the center of the lake that seems like floating. Take your time to explore the city and do your last-minute shopping. Overnight in a hotel in Ioannina.

◾ Departure day: You will be taken to the airport of Ioannina for your departure or assisted with directions and advice if you are continuing your trip to other parts of the country.

What's included, what's not

✔ Seven nights accommodation with breakfast
✔ Picnic lunches and dinners
✔ Group transfers from and to the airport
✔ Transportation between the villages
✔ Experienced tour leader
✔ All local taxes and VAT
✖ Extra drinks
✖ Personal insurance
✖ Trekking equipment

Free Cancellation

Free cancellation is available for this Zagoria trek up to 7 days before the start of the experience

Good to know - practical information

◾ You should be able to walk for about 5-7 hours daily on rocky terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition. Some trekking experience is recommended
◾ Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance prior to the Zagoria trek​

Health and safety

✔ Provider complies with local legislation and applicable health recommendations with regard to Covid-19 prevention measures

Description - What to expect

Zagoria Trek Itinerary

◾ Arrival day
You are picked up at Ioannina airport and transferred by bus to Tsepelovo, the largest of the Zagoria cluster villages. Upon your arrival, your tour leader will brief you and give you an outline of your Zagoria trek adventure ahead. Overnight in Tsepelovo.

◾ Day one: Tsepelovo - Vradeto - Beloi - Tsepelovo. (4-hour trek)
Start your Zagoria trek from Tsepelovo (1050 m) ascending towards Vradeto (1450m), the highest of Zagoria village. Follow a beautiful trail, overlooking the riverbed of the impressive Vikos Gorge to arrive at the Beloy viewpoint (1650m). From there you can admire almost the entire Vikos Gorge and view the distant trails about to follow the next day. Return to the village of Vradeto and continue downhill to the village of Kapesovo. Walk down the famous Vradeto Steps (a stone path built in the 16th century at the slopes of Vikos Gorge) and from there get a transfer back to Tsepelovo to rest and relax in a traditional guesthouse.

◾ Day two: Tsepelovo - Kipi - Koukouli - Vitsa. (5-hour trek)
Start the second day of your Zagoria trek with a descent to the trailhead of the Vikos Gorge, marked by a stone bridge built in the year 980 A.D, called “Paliogefyra”. Continue through a beech and pine tree forest and watch out for tracks of bears passing on your path. Your trekking ends in the village of Kipi for lunch at a local taverna. From Kipi continue trekking up the stairs of Koukouli (stone steps like in Vradeto) to explore the unique architecture of this picturesque village. Hike down into the Vikos Gorge again, crossing the “Misiou” bridge, and take the old Vitsa steps up in order to reach the villages of Vitsa and Monodendri, build right at the edge of the gorge wall. Overnight in a traditional mansion in Vitsa.

◾ Day three: Vitsa village - Vikos village (7-hour trek)
Early in the morning, continue your Zagoria trek descending the old Vitsa stairs into the Vikos Gorge. Walking on the riverbed admire the rare varieties of wild birds and flowers that have found shelter in the gorge. Right above our heads stand the impressive walls of the gorge, rising steeply and majestically to 1.000 or more vertical meters. After about 4 hours of walking, reach the Voidomatis river springs. Early in the afternoon, you will arrive in the village of Vikos where you will spend the night.

◾ Day four: Vikos - Papigo (4-hour trek)
Following the old ascending path, you will be able to view in the distance the beautiful ravines around Papigo. Above you, the “Towers of Papigo” are rising abruptly to treacherous heights. Take a dip in the natural pool before you have a rest in a traditional guesthouse.

◾ Day five: Papigo-mountain shelter-Dragon Lake-Papigo (3-hour trek)
Follow the trail, through juniper scrubs, to the Alpine zone to the mountain shelter of Astraka. Watch to your north the distant Albanian mountains. After lunch at the shelter you will have the option for a further ascent to the Tsoumani (Sarakatsani) sheepfolds and pastures up to the scenic Dragon Lake (2100m), perched on the edge of the northern escarpment of Mt Gamila (2497 m), one of the great peaks of the Pindos mountain range. Descent once again to your base in Papigo for an overnight. In the evening enjoy a delicious Greek dinner in one of the local tavernas.

◾ Day six: Explore the lake city of Ioannina
End your Zagoria trek with a transfer from Papigo to the beautiful city of Ioannina. Visit the charming island at the center of the lake that seems like floating. Take your time to explore the city and do your last-minute shopping. Overnight in a hotel in Ioannina.

◾ Departure day: You will be taken to the airport of Ioannina for your departure or assisted with directions and advice if you are continuing your trip to other parts of the country.

Latest reviews

  • Pieter-Jan
  • Nov 9, 2020
  • We absolutely loved the experience organized by Gofreedly and executed by Georgios.
    He's a master in organisation, and foresaw everything we could possibly need during the trip, from tents to snacks and... a Greek apetizer from time to time.

    He's very good company with great knowledge about the history and nature of the environment.

    Thanks for the great experience Georgios and gofreedly team!

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