Compare Wild mountains and rivers adventure by Trails Beyond vs Absolutely Greek by Eskapas
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,038 | $ 1,450 |
| Price Per Day | $ 148 | $ 181 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
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| Description |
Have you even been to a place, unknown to most of the world, but so beautiful and magical, that you want to keep it secret for yourself, yet, at the same time, scream it out to the world? Have you ever thought of Greece as a place with wild and steep mountains, deep gorges and wild rivers, ideal for adventure holidays? You simply have to join us on our “Wild Mountains & rivers” adventure and discover the secret beauty of the Greek mainland! Traditional stone-made villages untouched by time, lush fir forests, alpine landscapes, magical lakes and rivers, arch stone bridges, delicious local food and the hospitality of the local people are waiting for you to explore them! Take advantage of Greece’s mild weather and enjoy a week long adventure beyond the beaten path. |
Mythology, History, Mediterranean art, generous sun … Absolutely Greek is the perfect tour in Greece that offers the perfect cocktail for a successful holiday! This package provides the ideal opportunity to experience vastly diverse aspects of Greece. The cosmopolitan city of Athens, the more traditional parts of the mainland and of course the Greek islands. Start your journey from Athens, where ancient ruins lie next to contemporary buildings and stand in awe at marvelous coming together of two eras that are millennia apart. Heave your anchors for a mini cruise to the picturesque islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina where you will traverse the local trails leading to secluded sandy beaches. Travel through mainland’s vivid natural environment sprinkled with graphic villages which encompass true Greek hospitality. Immerse yourself in the rich history, including Epidaurus, Mycenae and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Finally, you will bear witness to one of the world’s most unique geological formations when you visit Meteora, where you can see monasteries hanging on for dear life on the cliff sides raising up from the valley. Make the smart choice and book now! |
Day 1: Arrival in Athens – Exploring the city
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Athens
Upon arrival in Athens International Airport, you are met and welcomed by our team. You transfer to your hotel and, since your fellow travel companions arrive in different times of the day, you have the day free to explore the city of Athens and its numerous cultural and historical places of interest, such as the Acropolis, the temple of Zeus, the unique Acropolis museum, the Ancient and Roman Agora. You can also walk around Filoppapou hill, visit the flea market in Monastiraki and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea in one of the beautiful cafes in Thisio.
*If you wish to enjoy a guided walking or bike tour of the city, please contact us.
Day 2: Athens – Lake Plastira – Elati
Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Elati
Activity duration: approx. 1.5 hour, level of difficulty: easy
Early in the morning, we depart with direction the dreamy Lake Plastira, a destination that harmonically combines serenity with adventure (approx. 4 hours driving distance). Upon arrival at the lake, we will enjoy picnic lunch by the lakeside, before we set off on exploring the lake on a hydro-bike or canoe/kayak.
Later in the afternoon, we will depart for the beautiful mountainous traditional village of Elati. On our way there, we will make a stop at the beautiful arch stone bridge of Saint Vissarion, built in the 1527. You are free to enjoy a walk by the riverside, a refreshing tea/coffee by the bridge or buy herbs, honey and traditional drinks by local vendors. Once in Elati, you can explore the village, admire the traditional architecture of stone-made houses and enjoy the delicious local cuisine in one of the village’s family run tavernas.
Day 3: Elati – Pertouli – Vitsa
Meals: Breakfast, Snack lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse in Vitsa
Hike duration: 1 hour, level of difficulty: easy
After breakfast, we will drive to Pertouli meadows, a beautiful plateau, surrounded by mountains with dense forests, rivers and enormous fir trees, which we will explore while riding our horses! Coffee break, before we board our car with destination the stunning area of Zagori (approx. 2:30 hr driving).
In the afternoon, we will reach Monodendri village and we’ll first visit the Rizarios School of Handicrafts to find out how local women make traditional handmade carpets and textiles. We will also visit the Rizarios Photo Exhibition, where temporary photography collections are exhibited, as well as the original stereoscopic cameras that British photographers used to capture the first modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896! We will then take the short hiking path to Agia Paraskevi church and enjoy the impressive views over Vikos gorge! Visit to Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest come next.
In the evening, we will check in at our traditional guesthouse in Vitsa village and enjoy homemade dinner.
Day 4: Vradeto steps, Beloi viewpoint & Zagoria arch stone bridges
Meals: Breakfast, Snack lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse in Vitsa
After breakfast, we will drive towards Kapesovo village. From there, following the beautiful stone trail of Vradeto steps, we’ll reach the highest village of Zagori, Vradeto (1450m) and 2km later at Beloi viewpoint (1650m), where we can enjoy striking panoramic views over the gorge!
(Hike duration: 3-4 hrs, level of difficulty: moderate)
After snack lunch, we will explore hiking some of the most important and beautiful arch stone bridges of the area
(Hike duration: 1.5 – 3 hrs, level of difficulty: easy to moderate).
The tour of the arch stone bridges can be done in many different ways, we may hike to all of the bridges or do parts by car (it depends on the travelers’ fitness level, it is a quite flexible trail)
Dinner and overnight in Vitsa village
Day 5: Crossing Vikos Gorge
Meals: Breakfast and Snack lunch
Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse in Papigko
(Total Hike duration: 5.5 – 6 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate to challenging)
This morning, we will take one of the best and most impressive hiking trails in all the Zagori area! Starting from the village of Monodendri, we’ll hike all the way down into Vikos ravine, one of the deepest canyons in the world. We hike parallel to the stream, and walk right into the heart of the National Park. The surrounding environment is a paradise for nature lovers that can observe the rich flora and fauna. The gorge is shelter for a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears and wild boars. We will have a nice break for snacks at the river’s springs, before the small steep ascend to Vikos village. From Vikos village, we transfer to Papigo village, for dinner and overnight.
If you are on a family holiday with young children (less than 12 years old) or you are not keen in long hikes, we can do shorter hikes in Vikos gorge.
Day 6: Papigo (rafting) – Meteora
Meals: Breakfast, Picknick lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Meteora
Activity duration: approx. 2 hours in the water – 3.5 hrs total, level of difficulty: easy
Prepare yourselves for rafting in one of the clearest rivers in Europe! Starting from the beautiful stone bridge of Aristi, we will cross the National Park of Vikos – Aoos, while rafting across Voidomatis river. This is an easy route, ideal for everyone, yet very impressive because of the river’s crystal clear waters and the surrounding natural landscape.
In the afternoon, we will depart with destination the UNESCO Heritage Site of Meteora, also called the “stone forest”. ). Upon arrival in Meteora, we’ll enjoy a sunset tour for beautiful views and photo shooting, before we check in to our hotel.
Alternative activity: horse riding tour in Zagoria
Day 7: Meteora – Athen
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
(Total Hike duration: 2 – 3 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate/ Total Distance: 6km / Altitude difference: 280m)
What a better way to wake up rather than admiring the spectacular sandstone rocks of Meteora, rising over 400 m above the ground! After breakfast, we will explore this unique landscape and the impressive top-cliff monasteries beyond the ordinary way!
We will follow the ancient paths that the monks used to follow, through the steep rocks, visit some of the monasteries and admire the breathtaking views. In the afternoon, we depart for our way back to Athens. For those of you having a late evening flight from Athens International Airport, you can be transferred straight to the airport or you can enjoy your last night in beautiful Athens, if you continue your vacations in Greece!
Day 1: Athens Arrival
On arrival you will be met by our assistant and transferred to your hotel Cenral 3*** or similar tourist class hotel. Transfer will be made by our minibus or taxi driver. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Athens Half Day Sightseeing Tour
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we meet you at your hotel or close by, in order to start the morning Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour. (with the new Acropolis Museum) Return at 13:30 Overnight: Athens
Day 3: Saronic Gulf Island Cruise: Hydra to Poros to Aegin
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
07.30 a.m. Transfer by motor coach from Athens center to Piraeus port to embark on the cruise ship in order to start the full day cruise to the 3 beautiful Islands of Hydra – Poros - Aegina, which are nearby Athens (lunch on board is included). Return to Piraeus port at 7.15 p.m. and transfer back to your hotel in Athens. Overnight: Athens
Day 4: Athens to Epidaurus to Nafplion to Olympia
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Early in the morning, departure for visiting ancient Mycenae and Epidaurus theatre, famous for its acoustics. After a short stop at Nafplion depart for Olympia through the central Peloponnesus.
Overnight: Olympia
Day 5: Olympia to Delphi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
In the morning visit the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium and the archaeological museum. Drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia and over the magnificent cable stayed bridge of Rio-Antirio. Arrive in Delphi.
Overnight: Delphi
Day 6: Delphi to Meteora to Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing rock formations of Meteora. Overnight: Kalambaka
Day 7: Kalambaka to Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Visit Meteora. Amidst striking scenery, perched on huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Return to Athens for overnight stay. Overnight: Athens
Day 8: Departure from Athens
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast you will be met by our assistant at your hotel and transferred to the airport by our minibus or taxi driver for your departure flight. Overnight: - Optionally you can extend pre/post stay.
