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

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 traveling 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 the 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 the off-road tour in the dense forests, visiting remote monasteries and charming lakes, impressive canyons, via Ferrata crossing, flying foxes above Aoos River, and walks through lush vegetation.

Continuing our road trip we leave Epirus following a route towards Meteora. Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest places and most striking sights on Earth, huge monasteries are 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 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, which is creating a unique synthesis of nature and man.

We end up on 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, with the best nature views through uncharted routes that only a 4x4 off-road vehicle can approach, panoramic photo stops, and premium services.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at 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 the 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 to enjoy the city. After lunch, we depart towards the 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 at 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 a 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 on 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, 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 a 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 of the monasteries. The view from Meteora, a UNESCO 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

Highlights

• Visit Athens, Akropolis, Plaka, Ioannina, Zagori complex villages, Vikos, Konitsa, Meteora
• Imposing mountains and traditional villages
• Uncharted off-road routes through Epirus National Parks
• Private tour in premium off-road vehicles with driver-escorts
• Certified Guides in Archeological sites and mountain activities.

Adventure Tips

• 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 the information is required upon reservation. This also counts for any kind of food allergies, in order to find suitable alternatives if possible.

Important Information

• The trip is not recommended for people suffering from car sickness, having mobility or kinetic or back problems, pregnant women or children younger than 7 years old as we don't provide baby seats, or people taller than 195 cm or heavier than 130 kg.
• Alcohol consumption is not allowed for minors under the age of 18 years old.
• Our company reserves the right to make minor changes in the program when considered necessary, for example, in case of unfavorable weather conditions. This can be done without any prior notice. 
• The cruise takes place all year round except for Christmas and Easter