Things to do in Zagori

Drive to the rafting base in Klidonia, on the main road from Aristi village to Papingo village. There the rafting team will welcome at 10:30 AM and provide you with the necessary safety equipment. When ready, a minibus will transfer you to the starting location, the bridge of Aristi-Papigo. During the transfer you will have impressive views of Mt. Tymphi, Astraka towers and Papigo villages. A safety briefing will follow, some river practice and off you go! During the descent, the group will stop for an optional refreshing dive in Voidomati’s crystal clear waters and visit the deserted 16th-century Agioi Anargyroi monastery. On the final stage of the trip, the boat groups paddle under Klidonia’s stone bridge artificial waterfalls. The descent finishes shortly after Klidonia’s bridge just outside the rafting base. One thing is certain; by the time you reach the end, at approximately 1:30 PM, you’ll wish you could start all over again!

Discover Zagori's striking natural landscape on a private Jeep tour. See its soaring mountains, deep gorges, clear rivers, and architectural heritage at your own pace with your own local guide. Learn about the local, cultural, geological, and architectural heritage en route. Begin your adventure by driving to the picturesque valley of West Zagori, passing by Aristi, and admiring the evolving landscape en route. Stop at the Voidomatis River, one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, where you can plunge into its icy cold water, should you wish to, and then climb to the villages of Papigo. Head on to visit Ovires Rogovo, natural pools nestled in a narrow canyon, before heading to the village of Mikro Papigo. Then, turn back to cross a 1,090-meter pass to reach central Zagori, where a magnificent view of the Vikos Gorge at its deepest unfurls itself in front of your eyes. Marvel at the world's deepest gorge before heading back to your starting point.

Enjoy a light 3-hour hike with a trek leader from the Chapel of Profitis Ilias to the Beloi viewpoint in the Pindus Mountains, offering breathtaking panoramas of the limestone and dolomite rocks and virgin vegetation. Visitors to the Zagori area will often hear about Vradeto, the highest village in the region. But there is more to see than a mountain village. A stunning ride through varied landscapes leads to this small, picturesque place, from where you’ll start your hike of about 3.6 miles (6 kilometers). Suitable for the entire family, this is one of the easiest hiking routes in the Pindus Mountains, home to the world’s deepest gorge. After you’ve taken in views of the entire length of the Vikos Gorge, return to Vradeto for a short coffee break at the traditional kafenion (café), where you can see a photo exhibition. Next, you will walk the famous Vradeto rocksteps, a traditional stone-made path that used to connect Vradeto with the rest of the region’s settlements. End your tour close to the village of Kapesovo, where a transfer will be waiting to take you back to the meeting point.

Vikos gorge is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Greece. The gorge consists of limestone and dolomite formations dating back to 150 million years ago and vertical walls extending up to a height of 1700 m. The hike starts from Monodendri village with a 45-minute descent towards the river bed. The trail is ascending and descending surrounded by steep mountain tops and dense forests of deciduous trees and 1800 plant species. Before ascending to Vikos village, visit the Voidomati Springs, Greece's cleanest and coldest river, with an average all year temperature of 8.5°C. If you are brave you might want to try the experience of a very refreshing dive in the crystal clear waters during summer months. The hike finishes at Vikos village, after a 1-hour ascent from the Voidomatis springs.

Discover the beauty of the Valia Calda forest on this guided tour with hotel pickup and drop-off from Ioannina. Go for a dip in the natural pools of the Arkoudorema stream, cook an authentic Greek meal, and enjoy a delicious picnic with wine and an aperitif.  Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and relax on the air-conditioned drive in an all-terrain vehicle. Arrive at the starting point of your hike in the heart of the Valia Calda forest. Pass thorugh a magical mountain landscape with spectacular trees on your way to the natural pools.  Take refreshing a swim in the crystal-clear waters before heading back to the vehicle to cook a traditional meal of trachanas (fermented mixture of grain and yoghurt) and salad. Have a picnic with seasonal fruits, granola bars, wine, an aperitif, and the traditional food.   Head to the charming village of Vovousa after lunch were you can take in tall black pines, streams, and high peaks. Spend some free time exploring the town or going for another swim in the Aoos river, under the bridge of Vovousa. Finally, visit the source lake Aoos and the incredible mountain landscapes around the lake on the way back to your accommodation. 

Vikos gorge is the deepest canyon in the world. The Vikos Gorge, with a length of 20 km, walls that range from 120–490 m deep, and a width ranging from 400 m to just a few meters at its narrowest part, is listed by the Guinness Book of records. The Vikos Gorge has been designated as a world geopark by UNESCO. Most of the route has no elevation differences except for the start (downhill) and the end of it (uphill). In the middle of the trail visitors may refill their canteens from a spring. At the end of the trail a tour of the nearby Voidomatis springs and the monastery of Panagia will be provided. Visitors also have the chance to swim in Voidomatis cold blue waters and drink water from the springs. Trekking time is about 6 – 8 hours. Difficulty level: moderate. Equipment needed: mountain sports shoes or hiking boots, waterproof jacket.

Discover all Zitsa has to offer on a private Jeep tour to see its striking landscape and wineries. Tuck into some wine tastings and try your hand at bread and pie baking on this day out. Enjoy a short walk in the vineyards of Zitsa and marvel at Vlacha's pools' clear waters en route. Start your day with a bread baking and cooking lesson, making traditional pies. Knead the dough and smell the warm aroma of freshly baked bread before enjoying the flavors of bread from a traditional village bakery. Continue your journey by Jeep on a short off-road route and embark on a quick 15-minute hike to Vlacha's pools. Find yourself in a stunning natural landscape inspired by a fairytale. Vlacha’s pools is made up of small waterfalls where anyone can swim in its clear waters. Enjoy nature at its best. After your refreshing stop at the pools, drive on to a local winery. Learn about and taste various varieties of local wines and wines from the local grape variety Debina that is the true essence of of Zitsa. Tase some tsipouro, as the area’s wineries also specialize in the production of tsipouro. Round your day out with a pleasant and short walk through the green vineyards of Zitsa before heading back to your accommodation.