ATH30. Adventure and Antiquity Roadtrip in Epirus 8 Days Athens, Zagori, Meteora

Escape the ordinary tours and enjoy an alternative premium adventure and antiquity road trip in both Athens city and the North-Western part of Greece. Of course a visit to Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum is a must, as well as to the beautiful part of the city, Plaka. Epirus is known for its spectacular terrain of mountains, uncharted routes, gorges, rivers and remote settlements. It’s the most mountainous region of Greece which is blessed with a lush and soaring landscape, monasteries and villages that preserve their traditional character and architecture located in the most remote places. A splendid mixture of city and mountain villages, culture and nature!

Our adventure trip sets off from Athens after getting familiar with Acropolis and Plaka, by travelling in a premium seven seated off-road vehicle and heading towards Epirus: Zagori where we will be based in one of the forty six villages for 3 days of our escape. Exploring Epirus region, you’ll discover the magnificent 12 km long Vikos Gorge, one of the world’s deepest gorges, drive through the national park on uncharted routes filled with forests, waterfalls and ice-cold mountain lakes, surrounded by the Zagorohoria stone villages. Zagori constitutes an entity of 46 villages with clear geographic boundaries and definite historic and cultural characteristics. You will experience activities like off- road tour in the dense forests, visiting remote monasteries and charming lakes, impressive canyons, via Ferrata crossing, flying fox above Aoos River and walks through lush vegetation.

Continuing our road trip we leave Epirus following a route towards Meteora. Meteora is UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest places and most striking sights on Earth, huge monasteries built on top of granite boulders 400m above the ground. The site was chosen as an escape from raiders but also as a place of solitude to be near to God. You will enjoy a guided tour, by a certified guide, on the monasteries built by monks six hundred years ago on the top of these rocks, that is creating a unique synthesis of nature and man.

We end up our unique adventure and antiquity road trip following the national road back to Athens full of impressions of the off beaten landscapes and experiences. Epirus and Meteora are unique for all history buffs, best nature views through uncharted routes where only a 4x4 off-road vehicle can approach, panoramic photo stops and premium services.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival to Athens airport and transfer to hotel

Driving Distance: 50 Km, Driving Duration: 1h

Day 2: Athens Acropolis and Museum Tour, Plaka Walking Tour

Driving Distance: 30 Km, Driving Duration: 1h, Tour Duration: 7 - 8 Hrs

Exploring the city you will see the pillars of Acropolis rise above the passing cars. Walk down the narrow streets and find your way to the Acropolis Museum. After your journey deep into the past of Greek culture, enjoy a walk in Plaka and a delicious meal in a fine restaurant.

Day 3: Athens – Ioannina - Konitsa

Driving Distance: 500 Km, Driving Duration: 5h 30m, Tour Duration: 7 - 8 Hrs

After Breakfast we depart from Athens heading towards Ioannina through the National road to Ioannina. A short stop next to Ioannina Lake and to enjoy the city. After lunch we depart towards Zagori villages complex where our hotel is located for check-in. Free time for rest and dinner.

Day 4: Konitsa Activity Day (Konitsa Bridge visit, Nature walk, Via Ferrata, Aos Zip Line)

Driving Distance: 50 Km, Driving Duration: 1h 30 m, Tour Duration: 5 -6 Hrs

After breakfast we visit Konitsa’s famous bridge and Voidomatis River for photos. From there our one hour treck route by Voidomatis River starts until we reach the point for a Via Ferrata crossing. Refreshing stop in nature and we follow the same route back to Konitsa Bridge. Continuing our activity day and in a distance of 20 km by Aoos river a quick 15 minutes Flying fox crossing takes place with and for the most adventurous a dive in the river. After activities our lunch takes place in traditional tavern, before we return back to our hotel for rest. Evening free time to walk in the village or dinner or relaxing in our guest house.

Day 5: Off-road safari tour to Gramos or Smolikas Mountain

Option I. Smolikas Route with Hiking 2 hours round Trip

Driving Distance: 75Km, Driving Duration: 3 hrs, Tour Duration: 6-7 Hrs

Option II. Gramos Lake Mountain safari tour

Driving Distance: 160Km, Driving Duration: 4 hrs, Tour Duration: 6-7 Hrs

Our day starts after breakfast and it’s a tailor-made day, you decide between two activities and based to weather conditions which option you prefer. For more active guests we can follow an off-road safari tour to Smolikas Mountain including a 2 hours trekking tour to the refuge or an off-road tour to Gramos Mountain, Arenes Lake and Aetomilitsa village. Both options are unique in matters of terrain, uncharted routes, and lush vegetation and picturesque villages. We return back in our guesthouse approximately at 16:00 for resting and relaxing.

Day 6: Konitsa - Zagori Villages - Meteora

Driving Distance: 210 Km, Driving Duration: 5 hrs, Tour Duration: 7 - 8 Hrs

After breakfast and following a road-trip through Zagori complex villages we visit a spot with panoramic view of Vikos gorge from above for breathtaking photos of one of the deepest gorges. Continuing our trip through Epirus National Park and Zagori villages, we reach Metsovo village for our lunch stop and city tour walk. Through an asphalt route we reach Kalambaka village and our hotel. Relaxing time and evening walk in the city with dinner.

Day 7: Meteora Monasteries - Athens

Driving Distance: 365 Km, Driving Duration: 4,5 hrs, Tour Duration: 9 -10 Hrs

After breakfast we follow the road to the unique historic hills of Meteora where our certified guide will offer us a unique guided tour in the monasteries. The view from Meteora, a UNESCO’s World heritage area, is magnificent.  After the historic tour and the unique photo stops, we enjoy lunch in Kalambaka village and then through the national road we return back to Athens and our hotel approximately at 20:00.

Day 8: Departure from Athens Hotel to Airport

Driving Distance: 50 Km, Driving Duration: 1h

The trip is ideal for everyone who's looking for an experience beyond the ordinary, for example youth groups, single or couple participants, families with older children, and companies.

The trip has guided stops every 30-40 minutes, for everyone's convenience.   

When meals are included, Uncharted Escapes can arrange vegetarian alternatives, but information is required upon reservation. This also counts for any kind of food allergies, in order to find suitable alternatives if possible.

Travelers Info: COVID-19

Being always concerned about our guests’ and staff wellbeing and having as a priority your health and safety, we remain committed to our premium standards, fully complied with all necessary measures set by the Government. Always ready to welcome you, we act with responsibility. We stay up to date following the guidelines set by The World Health Organisation and the National Public Health Organisation. We know that your holidays with family and friends are very important to you, so we are here to make sure you can relax, enjoy and dream the way you want to.

In detail:

Before Your Tour:

• We recommend that you should be at the pick-up area (your hotel or another indicated point nearby your hotel) 10 minutes prior to your pick up time. Our driver/escort will be on time to welcome you and show your seat, in order to keep social distancing guidelines.
• Our vehicles are filled up according to governmental covid-19 law of their capacity. Those governmental laws and regulations against covid-19 infections might change, but are strictly followed at all times.
• The body temperature and wellness of all those participating in the tour (escort, driver, staff and guests) will be monitored daily, excluding and maintaining in quarantine any who display fever or other symptoms.

On Board:

• Please follow all the instructions given to you by your guide.
• Sanitising dispensers are available at each vehicle.

During Your Tour:

• Everybody that is taking part in the tour (escort, driver, guests etc...) will wear face mask throughout its duration as long as it is required by law.
• Sealed lunch boxes will be given on some of our day tours. On day tours which include meals served at restaurants, those will be provided only at restaurants following all the applicable hygiene protocols.

Cleaning Standards:

Enhanced Vehicle Cleaning:

• The average cleaning effort in all vehicles is doubled both during the day and after the end of each tour.
• All sensitive touch areas such as seats, armrests, sidewalls etc. are intensively cleaned and sanitised daily before and after each tour.

Air Circulation On Board:

Our vehicles are equipped with A/C (and when used, the internal air circulation is turned to OFF) but as our safari tours are mainly operated in country side we strongly recommend the tours to be conducted with open windows for continuous fresh air circulation and to feel the freshness of the countryside.

Our Staff:

Our staff is trained in the latest hygiene protocols and cleaning procedures. They use personal protective equipment (face masks/shields and optional gloves) to ensure a safe travel experience for you and themselves.

Greece is well known for its long history and unique hospitality throughout the centuries. We remain confident that our services are of high value and will provide the most memorable experience in Greece to you, your family or friends. We are looking forward to escape the ordinary with you!