Day 1: Thessaloniki – Ioannina – Metsovo – Papigo (Zagori)
We’ll pick you up in Thessaloniki in the morning and head straight for Epirus. Our first stop is Metsovo, where we’ll walk through the stone-built centre and grab a coffee or snack before continuing into the Zagori mountains. By afternoon we’ll arrive in Papigo, check in to our boutique hotel, and take an easy first walk through the cobbled alleys and viewpoints to get a feel for the village. If the weather’s good and we still have energy, we can add a short warm-up hike nearby. We’ll end the day with dinner at a local taverna and overnight in Papigo.
Day 2: Vikos Gorge crossing (Papigo – Monodendri)
After breakfast, we’ll set off for a full-day guided crossing of Vikos Gorge. We’ll descend from the Papigo side and follow a mix of riverbed sections and forest paths, with the gorge walls towering above us. We’ll finish near Monodendri, where we’ll have a little free time for a drink or a quick look around, then we’ll transfer back to Papigo in the late afternoon. Evening free. Overnight in Papigo.
Day 3: Dragon Lake (Drakolimni Tymfi) – Papigo
Today we’ll go big. After breakfast we’ll start a full-day guided hike climbing above Papigo towards the Tymfi plateau and the famous Dragon Lake. At the lake we’ll take time to rest, breathe it in, and get photos before hiking back down to the village in the afternoon. Free time and optional dinner. Overnight in Papigo.
Day 4: Vradeto Steps – Beloi Viewpoint – Papigo
After breakfast we’ll drive to Kapesovo and start a circular hike on the historic Vradeto Steps (around 1,100 stone steps, about 1.5 km), crossing the Pera and Dothe bridges on the way up to Vradeto. From there we’ll walk to the Beloi viewpoint for a huge panoramic view over Vikos Gorge, then return to Vradeto for coffee or lunch before descending back to Kapesovo and driving to Papigo. Free time. Overnight in Papigo.
Day 5: Papigo – Ioannina – Meteora
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll leave Zagori behind and drive to Ioannina. We’ll walk the lakeside promenade, get our first taste of the old town, and have free time for coffee, lunch, or a short wander. In the afternoon we’ll continue to Meteora, check in to our boutique hotel, and head out for an orientation walk or a short drive to selected viewpoints for our first close-up look at the rock pillars and monasteries. Dinner and overnight in the Meteora area.
Day 6: Meteora full-day hiking
After breakfast we’ll spend the day hiking through Meteora, following forest paths, panoramic viewpoints, and old trails once used by monks. Expect constant changes in perspective as the rocks rise above us and the plain spreads out below. We’ll return to the hotel in the afternoon, then keep the evening free for rest or independent exploration. Overnight in Meteora.
Day 7: Meteora – Thessaloniki
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll start our drive back to Thessaloniki, wrapping up the trip with one last scenic return route.
