Compare Wild mountains and rivers adventure by Trails Beyond vs 5-Day Athens, Meteora & Delphi Exploration Trip by Greeking.me
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 7 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 1,038 | $ 1,590 |
| Price Per Day | $ 148 | $ 318 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
|
| 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. |
Discover the most beautiful, fascinating, and unspoiled areas of Greece. From Athens, the historic Greek capital, to the incredible monasteries of Meteora, the wonders of spiritual Delphi, fairytale towns such as Arachova and dramatic scenery that will leave you speechless this is your chance, in as little as 5 days, to see a Greece that is verdant, mountainous and steeped in centuries of learning, aspiration, and worship both spiritual and religious. |
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
The first day of your engaging trip will help you uncover Athens' treasures! Admire the incredible monuments of the Acropolis Hill, such as the famous Parthenon, the Temple of Nike, the Propylaea and the sacred Erechtheion, before walking the short distance to the Acropolis Museum, where you will have the opportunity to delight in exhibits and artifacts nearly 3.000 years old
Explore Plaka, snap as many pictures as you can in this picturesque island-like neighbourhood in the heart of Athens, and learn about the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates that lies in its premises! Following a much-needed break, hop on your luxury vehicle to bass by Athens' most important landmarks, including the Library of Hadrian, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the multicolored Monastiraki, with its vivid flea market, and the emblematic Syntagma Square. A day packed full of fun is waiting for you!
Days 2-3: Meteora
Time to experience a truly unique UNESCO Heritage site, the stunning Meteora rock pinnacles, home to exceptional Orthodox monasteries. Board the morning train to Kalabaka and enjoy a scenic trip through the Greek countryside. As soon as you arrive at Meteora train station, meet with your expert local guide and embark on a Meteora tour! Across 5 hours, take in the mystical landscape of the region from the comfort of your vehicle and learn the history behind each nook and crevice of the city. Stop on the top viewpoints of Meteora, visit the caves of Badovas, and go inside 3 Meteora Monasteries.
The next day, indulge in scrumptious local delicacies on a private food and wine tour that will last from morning till afternoon! Take a walk around Kalambaka and a picturesque drive through the villages around Meteora. Taste luscious local wines, home-made sausages, and top-quality meat, local cheese, yogurt, honey, homemade sweets, and tsipouro. The delicious food, however, is not the only experience you're going to get: you’ll have the exceptional opportunity to enter the only ancient hermitage accessible to the public in the area, the hermitage of St Theodosius. Take advantage of your free evening to wander through Kalabaka in search of local delicatessens, the Museum of Mushrooms, or just a refreshing drink.
Day 4: Delphi
Today is the day to experience the mystifying vibe of Delphi, where prophets used to chew bay leaves to foresee the future and mythical gods ruled from the high mountains. Your driver will take a most interesting detour to Pavliani, a traditional village that harmoniously sits amidst a forest of plane, maple, chestnut, and walnut trees! In the afternoon, you will discover the core of mythical and spiritual ancient Greece with a private guided tour around the archaeological site of Delphi and its Museum.
Depending on the time of your travel, you will visit either Galaxidi, which offers iconic sea views and the chance to take a dip in its calm waters, or Arachova, which offers a beautiful mountainscape and busy village fora walk inside its picturesque alleys.
Day 5: Hosios Loukas / Return
While it may be the final day of your trip, there is plenty to do before your return to Athens. Not far from Arachova, you will stop at Distomo to visit Hosios Loukas Monastery, one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art and a UNESCO World Heritage site! Your road trip finishes at your Athens hotel or at Athens International airport. Until next time!
