Itinerary
- Day 1
Thessaloniki
You'll arrive at Thessaloniki International Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Afterward, there's time to either wander through the Kapani market on your own or relax if the travel tired you out. In the afternoon, take a walk through the historic city center where you'll pass through layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman architecture. By evening, head to a family-run tavern and try some meze and traditional Greek dishes with other travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Meze dishes at family-run tavern with Greek cooking flavors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Domotel Olympia)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Thessaloniki city center
- Dinner at family-run tavern with meze dishes
Optional Activities
- Explore Kapani open-air market
Landmarks Kapani Market - Day 2
Kastraki
Drive three hours southwest to reach Meteora and the village of Kastraki. After settling in and having lunch, you'll hike through forest paths to visit the monasteries of Varlaam and Great Meteoron, learning about how monks lived and constructed these remarkable structures. The hike back down takes you through the valley at a comfortable pace. Dinner happens back in the village where you can discuss the day's discoveries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spanias )
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Varlaam and Great Meteoron monasteries
- Visit to monasteries with guided explanation
Landmarks Varlaam Monastery Great Meteoron Monastery - Day 3
Monodendri
Travel north to the Zagori region and arrive in the village of Kipoi. Start with a picnic of local treats at the Mylos bridge, then begin a three hour hike along the Bridges Trail. You'll cross seventeen stone bridges built between the 17th and 19th centuries while mountain views surround you. The trail ends in Monodendri where the group gathers under the village's legendary plane tree in the square.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic of local treats), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Philoxenia)
Included Activities
- Guided hike along Zagori Bridges Trail
- Visit to historical stone bridges
Landmarks Mylos Bridge Zagori Stone Bridges - Day 4
Vikos Gorge
This morning you'll hike into the Vikos Gorge, one of the world's deepest gorges relative to its width. Descend cobbled steps to reach the canyon floor, then spend four hours walking along the riverbed with steep cliffs rising above you and raw wilderness all around. After that, the trail climbs uphill beneath the Papigko Towers until you reach the mountain village of Papigko where you'll stay for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Saxonis)
Included Activities
- Guided hike through Vikos Gorge
Landmarks Vikos Gorge Papigko Towers - Day 5
Dragon Lake
Start early for the highlight hike to Drakolimni, also called Dragon Lake. Beginning from Mikro Papigko, you'll hike uphill for three hours to reach the Astraka Refuge mountain hut where there's time to rest and eat lunch. From there, continue for over an hour more to Dragon Lake at 2050 meters in an alpine setting surrounded by Mount Tymfi peaks. You might spot alpine newts and wildflowers before hiking back through the refuge to Papigko.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Saxonis)
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Drakolimni (Dragon Lake)
- Visit to Astraka Refuge
Landmarks Drakolimni (Dragon Lake) Mount Tymfi - Day 6
Agios Germanos
Travel from Papigko to the Prespes Lakes region and settle into a guesthouse in Agios Germanos. Later, head to the lakeside village of Psarades and walk to a small monastery carved directly into the rocks. Board a boat to explore Askitaria caves and chapels where 15th century hermit frescoes are still visible on the walls. Return to Agios Germanos for dinner and reflection on what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Agios Germanos)
Included Activities
- Visit to monastery at Psarades
- Boat tour of Askitaria caves and chapels
Landmarks Prespes Lakes Psarades Askitaria Caves and Chapels - Day 7
Agios Germanos to Mount Varnountas and Agios Achillios
Hike up Mount Varnountas to the Potistres viewpoint where panoramic views stretch across both Prespa lakes and the borders where Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia meet. The descent back to Agios Germanos keeps those views with you the whole way down. After resting, spend the afternoon on the island of Agios Achillios exploring ancient Orthodox churches. Watch the sunset, take a group photo marking the tour's end, then return for a farewell dinner at the guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner at guesthouse)
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Agios Germanos)
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Mount Varnountas and Potistres viewpoint
- Visit to Agios Achillios island
- Visit to historic Orthodox churches
Landmarks Mount Varnountas Potistres Viewpoint Agios Achillios Island - Day 8
Agios Germanos to Thessaloniki
Have a leisurely breakfast before starting the drive back to Thessaloniki. You'll arrive around midday with the afternoon free to relax or explore the city's lively atmosphere on your own terms without any scheduled activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Domotel Olympia)
Optional Activities
- Explore Thessaloniki independently
- Day 9
Thessaloniki Departure
After breakfast, your tour concludes. Transfer to Thessaloniki International Airport for your flight home. If you're interested in extending your time in Greece or joining another Monopati tour, the team can help arrange those options before you leave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend travels in Greece
- Join another Monopati Hike n' Bike tour
