Hellenic Alps Jeep Safari (5 days)

If you love 4WD off-road adventures through unbeaten mountain trails, and if you want to escape and revitalize yourself in a refreshing and wild lush landscape, then this is the right exploration for you! You will combine soft adventure with cultural activities and a visit to the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of Meteora. Starting from Athens, you will first head towards Evrytania, one of the most mountainous regions in Greece. The region of Evrytania, composed of dense fir forests, is an ideal destination for nature and off-road driving lovers. Verdant slopes in the summer and snow-covered landscapes in the winter, rushing rivers, impressive canyons, archeological sites, historical monasteries, traditional mountainous villages, and the hospitality of the locals compose a wonderful scenery that invites us to explore it.

Available most of the year, the “Hellenic Alps” jeep safari will offer you a different experience, depending on the season you are visiting Greece. Whether you seek winter adventures or a fresh getaway during the hot summer, this exploration can offer you all that you want!

Tour Highlights:

• Drive off-road through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled mountains of mainland Greece, also called the “Hellenic Alps” or the “Switzerland of Greece”
• Enjoy river trekking in the spectacular “Panta Vrechi” canyon or rafting in the Trikeriotis river
• Hike to the Black Cave and visit the impressive Prousos monastery
• Taste the Greek “prosciutto” and other cold cuts, locally produced by the Stremmenos family
• Visit traditional small villages, untouched by time
• Cross Agrafa mountains, one of the most isolated, rugged regions in Greece
• Explore the dreamy Plastira Lake on a canoe or hydro-bike
• Visit the cliff–top monasteries in Meteora and explore the center of the Greek Orthodox spirituality

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Athens - Karpenisi

On day 1, you will be met and welcomed by your tour leader, who will give you some explanation about the itinerary for the coming days and the convoy concept that we’ll follow during our off–road adventure. We will then depart with destination Karpenisi, the capital of Evrytania prefecture. On our way there, we can make a short stop at Leonidas' monument in Thermopylae. Upon arrival in Karpenisi, we will check into our hotel and relax.

In the evening, we can visit some of the nearby traditional villages (such as Mikro and Megalo Chorio) and enjoy dinner all together.

*Optional activity: horseback riding

• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Traditional 3* Hotel in Karpenissi

Day 2: Exploring Karpenisi

Karpenisi is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled, and clean areas in Greece, ideal both for nature lovers and history/culture enthusiasts. After breakfast, we will visit the Prousos Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Greece, built on a steep rock, above a deep canyon. After the monastery, we will hike to the gorge of Mavri Spilia (Black Cave), passing through ponds, cascades, and small stone bridges, ending at a magnificent 7m waterfall and the black cave.

At the end of our visit, we will arrive at the village of Prousos, where the local butcher shop of “Stremmenos” produces high-quality cold cuts, naturally matured with no preservatives! You are free to try the “Greek” prosciutto, or the salami from the delicatessen and you can buy whatever you like from the shop. On our way back to Karpenisi, we will off-road drive through Mt Chelidona, a beautiful mountain trail offering stunning views over Lake Kremaston, the meeting point of 4 rivers in Central Greece. You have your evening free for optional activities in the area, such as horseback riding, mountain biking or simply relaxing in these refreshing natural surroundings.

Depending on the season, we can also visit the spectacular canyon of “Panta Vrechi” (translated to “it always rains”), a natural paradise lying between Mt Kaliakouda and Mt Platanaki. After a short hiking path, we enter the Krikelliotis River canyon and we start walking under massive rocks and huge trees until we arrive at the waterfalls! Waterproof clothes and swimming suits are necessary since we can swim under the beautiful waterfalls!

* River trekking in Panta Vrechi is available only between June – October. The rest of the year, there are other alternatives to this activity, such as canyoning through the Via Ferrata or rafting in the Trikeriotis River, at an extra cost.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic)
• Accommodation: Traditional 3* Hotel in Karpenissi

Day 3: Karpenisi - Lakes Plastira (via Agrafa Mountains)

Early in the morning, we leave Karpenissi and are bound for Viniani Bridge. After a short coffee/tea break, we continue our off-road driving in one of the most remote and unspoiled areas in Greece, through the Agrafiotis River canyon with destination Agrafa village. We visit the village and we have lunch in a local tavern, where we can eat locally fished trout, from the rivers of Karpenissiotis and Krikeliotis. Crossing the famous wild mountains, we continue to the dreamy Lake Plastira, synonymous with peace & endless natural beauty. We will first visit the dam of the lake and enjoy the panoramic views it offers, before checking in to the hotel. Relaxation and dinner are after a day full of adventure!

• Meals Breakfast, Dinner 
• Accommodation 3* – 4* Hotel in Lake Plastira

Day 4: Lake Plastira - Meteora

We start our day with a canoe or hydro–bike tour in the Lake, so you can explore this magical place beyond the ordinary way! For bike lovers, you can explore the lake on mountain bikes.

In the afternoon, we arrive at the UNESCO “stone forest” of Meteora. We will drive around the monasteries and make stops at some beautiful viewpoints, so you can enjoy the striking landscape and take panoramic photos!

Check in to our hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.

• Meals Breakfast
• Accommodation 3* Hotel in Meteora

Day 5: Meteora - Athens

After breakfast, we will explore the monasteries of Meteora and the surrounding stunning landscape. You have the option to choose between a hiking tour or just a jeep tour around the area. After lunch, we depart for Athens, where we will arrive late in the afternoon.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can either head straight to the airport or spend your last night, enjoying the city’s nightlife.

Prices per person for private groups 2022