EPIRUS AND THE Tour Code: 15550 Grade 6 PINDHOS MOUNTAINS Holiday Duration: 11 days HOLIDAY DATES 19th May 2017 - 29th May 2017, 8th Sept 2017 - 18th Sept 2017 Walking in a dramatic corner of northern 29th Sept 2017 - 9th Oct 2017 Greece Explore charming Epirus, in a still relatively unknown area of northern Greece, bordering with Albania to the north. HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS A rewarding hike of the dramatic and challenging Vikos gorge. Traditional stone built villages of the Zagori. Floating monasteries at Metéora. EPIRUS AND THE PINDHOS MOUNTAINS A cool breeze drifts through the tree-shaded gorge, as you follow the trail up to the natural viewing platform affording spectacular views of the Vikos Gorge, the deepest in the world, in almost virgin condition and a haven for endangered species. Outdoor activities take centre stage here and hiking the dramatic Vikos Gorge – one of the top five gorges in Greece - will certainly be a highlight of your holiday. The Pindhos mountain range is a remote region with rugged scenery, rushing rivers and traditional cobbled and well trodden kalderimi paths. If you are looking for challenging walking in spectacular scenery then this holiday is for you. The floating monasteries of Metéora appear to defy gravity. Traditional architecture of stone-built villages of Zagori and graceful arched bridges that span clear, fresh rivers, give the feel of a different country. This holiday offers sometimes challenging, but most certainly rewarding walking. With a couple of walks reaching grade 7. WHAT'S INCLUDED Return flights and airport transfers. Transfer between centres. B&B en-suite accommodation. Dinners taken in local restaurants and hotels. All local transport costs. HOLIDAY GRADE Grade 6 This is a Grade 6 moderate holiday which includes full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent with walks in some remote areas. Paths are mostly good, but there may be some steep and rough ground. Walks will last up to 6 hours and could involve as much as 750m of ascent and descent and are likely to be at the upper level of ascent, descent, walking time and distance. See the Walks & Excursions section for more information. HOLIDAY ITINERARY Day Content Meals Location 1 Arrive Thessaloniki airport and transfer by coach to the D Kastraki village of Kastraki located in Metéora. We stay at the Hotel Kastraki for 2 nights’ accommodation. 2 From the picturesque village of Kastraki, we explore on B,D Kastraki foot the stunning region of Metéora, with its “floating” monasteries. 3 We transfer by coach to the village of Kostitsi (approx 1.5 B,D Kostitsi, Ioannina hours driving time), where we stay at the Hotel Princess Lanassa for 4 nights’ accommodation. On route we will visit Ioannina with a walk on Nissi Island and time to see the Old Town with its Islamic architecture After check in at the hotel we may take a stroll from the village to the local church, perched high above the Arachtos Gorge. 4 From Kostitsi, our walks take us to the village of Serviana B,D Kostitsi, Ioannina and Bizani Hill, with its massive ruined fortifications from the 1912 war against Turkey; into the Tzoumerka range offering varied terrain paths, ending at the site of the old Plaka stone bridge across the lower Arachthos river; down into the gorge of the Arachtos River and up to the spectacular village of Eliniko. 7 We transfer to the North Pindhos range today, to the B,D Papingo village of Megalo Papingo. We’ll enjoy a short walk en route that introduces us to the beauty of the Zagori region, renowned for its villages of grand mansions. We stay at the Hotel Papaevangelou for 4 nights’ accommodation. 8 Our walks from Megalo Papingo take us into the B,D Papingo mountains to the Astraka refuge with stunning views and mountain springs; a scenic route into the Vikos Gorge – a challenging but rewarding walk and possibly the highlight of the holiday – and along kalderimi with views of the Aoos Valley and Albanian mountains. 11 Transfer by coach to Thessaloniki airport for the flight to B - the UK. Key to Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner. In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in your final travel documents Walks & Excursions Our grade 6 walking programme from Kastraki, Kostitsi and Megalo Papingo offers some quite challenging but rewarding walks with the opportunity to visit typical Greek villages and churches, enjoy picturesque views and experience stunning gorges with flowing rivers and bubbling springs. All the walks are taken at a comfortable pace, with plenty of opportunity to admire the views that the area is famous for. The terrain is varied – there are some short steep climbs and descents, some paths are stony and occasionally overgrown, but much of the walking is also on easy tracks. The walking programme includes some shorter walks but also some longer days out in the hills. On some days, there could be ascents and descents of about 700 metres and on one day we gradually ascend and then descend 1000m into the midst of the Zagori range. Our walking programmes may be adjusted to suit weather conditions at any time of year. An example of some of the walks we may include in our programme (dependent on weather conditions and the ability of the group) are as follows: Meteora: A D+ walk up and down the valleys and ravines, passing four of the monasteries. Distance 13 km/8 miles.Ascent and Descent: 680m Vikos Gorge: A top-of-grade walk from Monodhendhri village down to the gorge, following an undulating path alongside the dry river bed and ascending to Papingo. Distance 15km/10miles. Ascent 750m Descent 700m Kataraktis waterfalls to Aghnanda and Plaka Bridge: A varied walk along mountainside and through forests & villages, to the most famous of the renowned stone packhorse bridges. Distance 17km/11.5miles Ascent 400m Descent 1200m Astraka Refuge: Another top-of-grade walk, out and back, with a long, beautiful ascent into the mountains as far as the Astraka refuge, culminating with stunning views into the central mountains of the Zagori. Weather and group ability depending, there is the option to continue to Dragon Lake (see note on insurance) Distance: 15km/10 miles Ascent/Descent: +/- 1200m Ano Kleidhonia and Lower Vikos Gorge: A wonderfully varied walk that contours through bushes/scrub and up and down gullies. The views are increasingly beautiful stretching to the Aoos Valley and Albanian Mountains. Distance: 14km/8.5 miles Ascent 400m Descent 1000m The majority of walking on this holiday is done at grade 6 but the Vikos Gorge and the Astraka Refuge walk (especially the extension to Dragon Lake) could be considered grade 7. We feel they are highlights of a visit to the area and should be included in the programme. Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice. Local Transport Costs All local transport costs, in conjunction with the advertised activity programme, are included in the holiday cost. Tour Leaders Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't lose sight that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. On most holidays of 7 nights and over, the tour leader will have one day's break a week, enabling you to have a 'free' day too! Accommodation & Meals Hotel Kastraki Kastraki Kalabakas,42200 Trikala,42200,Greece Phone: 0030 24320 75336 Web: www.hotelkastraki.gr, E-Mail: [email protected] The three-star Hotel Kastraki has an enviable position with a backdrop of the majestic Metéora mountains and all rooms have a balcony so you can take time to enjoy the scenery. All en suite rooms are tastefully decorated and furnished with TV, climate control, hairdryer, safe and wi-fi. The hotel offers a lounge, bar with fireplace, breakfast room and its partner taverna is located a short walk from the hotel. Hotel Princess Lanassa KOSTITSI, VORIA TZOUMERKA,44013 Ioannina,44013,Greece Phone: +30 26590 22600 Web: http://www.hotellanassa.gr, E-Mail: [email protected] The family run Hotel Princess Lanassa is located in the village of Kostitsi, in the Tzoumerka hills south of Ioannina, in a country home that has remained in the Poulis family for over 300 years. It is traditional in design and offers a stunning interior with well-appointed rooms. The hotel has a swimming pool (usually open from June onwards, but weather dependent), terrace, restaurant, wi-fi in the reception area, bar and small gym. All bedrooms have a safe, television, fridge, hairdryer and phone. The hotel restaurant, where we will have our evening meals, offers superb local dishes. Hotel Papaevangelou MEGALO PAPIGO,Megalo Papigo 440 04,44004,Greece Phone: +30 26530-41135 Web: http://www.hotelpapaevangelou.gr/, E-Mail: [email protected] The traditional Hotel Papaevangelou, lies in the pretty Zagoria village of Megalo Papingo, under the shadow of the majestic cliffs known as “The Towers”.