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Walking and swimming in the Land of the Centaurs combined with the sacred UNESCO site of Meteora. Lots of wonderful, freshly made local food along the way.
START / FINISH - Thessaloniki [Athens, Volos - on request].
Activity code: GRPW01
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. [Participants should be in good physical condition with some relevant hiking experience.]
Duration: 8 Days/7 nights
Mount Pelion, otherwise known as the Land of the Centaurs, is covered with lush vegetation, orchards, olive and chestnut trees. Twenty-four villages emerge through the forests with their remarkable cobblestone paths and characteristic manor houses.
Along the coastline you'll discover isolated shores drenched in a tapestry of colours, sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages that create a perfect combination of walking and swimming, while admiring stunning views on almost every route.
This tour, combined with a hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, is a hiking lover’s dream and has something for everyone. These monasteries, built on top of steep sandstone peaks (the monks used rope ladders and nets to ascend and descend), make Meteora one of the most breathtaking sites in the world. The monasteries were built by the monastic community in the area around 11th century A.D. Today, only 6 out of 22 monasteries are inhabited and accept visitors. The combination of incredible hiking paths, breathtaking views and fascinating cultural and architectural uniqueness make this tour a great choice.
This walking holiday is available as part of a Small Group or Private Journey. Our guides are officially qualified Mountain Guides and have many years of experience. Overall this is a hiking and food lover's dream and has something for everyone.
Suggested equipment for your trekking holiday:
Extra Information
Please note that this tour is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
Available as a small group tour on the dates below or as a private booking for any date from May 1st - Oct 30th.
Departures
Itinerary
On arrival at Thessaloniki Airport you will be met by your guide & be driven to your guest house in Kastraki, a village lying beneath the towering rocks of Meteora. This evening enjoy dinner in a nearby local taverna in Kastraki village.
After breakfast you'll head off with your guide on your first hike. You'll walk between the rocky pinnacles of the famous monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the best way to explore the beauty of this unique area; you'll walk on the same trails as the monks did centuries ago. Along the way you will spot some of the earliest stages of occupation by the monks, simple cave dwellings and more elaborate "monasteries" hundreds of feet up the side of the rocks.
Ample time will be given for photography and at the end of the tour you will depart for the picturesque village of Milies in Mount Pelion.
Today you will hike on an old stone path as you follow the old steam engine train route from Milies to the train station of Pinakates and continue on to the village of Kala Nera. As you hike through olive orchards you'll have a stunning view of Pagasitikos Bay. Upon arrival in Kala Nera there is the chance to swim and have lunch at a quaint fishing taverna before hiking back to Milies.
From Milies, which is on the south west side of the mountain, you'll travel north-easterly to Xourichti village and then on to Tsagarada through an enchanting forest road teeming with tall chestnut trees and other greenery. In Tsagarada you'll see the oldest plane tree in Europe, more than 1750 years old, and enjoy a pleasant picnic beside a charming white chapel along the hillside.
The destination on today's hike is the isolated beach of Fakistra. Following the coastal path with magnificent views of the Aegean Sea, you can enjoy a refreshing swim followed by a delicious picnic lunch.
After lunch descend to Damouchari beach crossing of one of the most beautiful old stone paths and walk through the lovely seaside village which may be already familiar to those who have seen the movie “Mamma Mia” since many scenes from the movie were filmed here in 2007.
Today's hike begins at Damouchari taking the shoreline path to Agios Ioannis and the breathtakingly white sandy beach of Papa Nero. It would be a crime not to leave ample time for relaxing and a splash in the turquoise waters. A 30 minute transfer takes you to Chania, followed by an afternoon walk in the area of the ski centre.
Today you will follow the same path that was used, according to Greek Mythology, by the Centaurs, half-horse half-human creatures which constantly struggled with their two natures, one beastly and one civil.
This path, which begins in Chania at an altitude of approximately 1200 metres and overflowing with Mediterranean vegetation, leads you to the village of Portaria. In the afternoon discover yet another incredibly beautiful village of Pelion – that of Makrinitsa or “the balcony of Pelion”. With its historic old mansions and stunning view of the Pagasitikos Bay and the city of Volos below, hence its nickname, the beauty of Makrinitsa will become etched in your memory forever.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Thessaloniki Airport* for your return flight.
*Alternative Airports: Volos / Nea Aghialos (VOL) & Athens (ATH)
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