From Athens to the summit in the footsteps of the Gods

A hiking-intensive exploration of Mount Olympus, Meteora, Dragon Lakes, and the Vikos Gorge, with an optional summit attempt of 9,593 foot Mount Olympus. Led by Erik Perez, one of our most senior guides and a perennial guest favorite, this trip will have you strolling through the ancient ruins of Athens and gazing down from the summits where Athena, Zeus, and the Twelve Olympians presided.

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Activities

6 days moderate to strenuous hiking (max. elev. 9,568'), easy touring

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hiking-intensive exploration of Mount Olympus, Meteora, and the Vikos Gorge, with an optional summit attempt of Mount Olympus!
• In-depth cultural tours of Athens as well as hikes among monasteries spread through the countryside
• Trip is led by Erik Perez, one of our most senior guides and a perennial guest favorite!

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Athens End Location: Athens

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Athens

  Arrive in Athens, Greece.

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  Day 2 : Athens

  Sightseeing in Athens, including the Acropolis, Agora, and other monuments of the ancient city.

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  Day 3 : Mikro Papingo

  Fly to Ioannina and drive across the Pindos Mountains to Mikro Papingo , a charming hillside village at the entrance of the great Vikos Gorge. Afternoon hike in the village.

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  Day 4 : Dragon Lakes

  Roundtrip hike through forested terrain, then alpine pastureland to starkly beautiful Dragon Lakes (6,888'), on the peak of Astraka (7,992'). En route we'll have great views of Aoos, Mount Smolikas (8,650'), and the impressive serrated crest of Gamila (the camel) peak.

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  Day 5 : Vikos Gorge

  Hike in the spectacular Vikos Gorge, with its lazy turquoise pools of water, crossing the canyon floor to the Voidomatis Riverm and up to Monodendri where we'll overnight.

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  Day 6 : Arrival in Meteora

  Transfer to Kalambaka and the site of Meteora. Upon arrival, hike to a nearby monastery, then descend to Kastraki for dinner in a local taverna.

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  Day 7 : Meteora

  All day hike around the rock towers of Meteora to see some of the clifftop monasteries, built by the monks in the 13th-15th centuries.

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  Day 8 : Litochoro

  Drive to the village of Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus. Optional afternoon hike.

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  Day 9 : Hiking Mount Olympus

  Steep 5,000-foot ascent to a private hut on the Plateau of the Muses.

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  Day 10 : Summit of Mount Olympus

  Early morning optional hike to the summit of Mytikas, the highest peak on Olympus. The mountain's massif has a series of six summits-the highest is Mytikas at 9,568'. Descend, stopping for lunch at a mountain hut. Return to Litochoro.

• Day 11 : Depart

  After breakfast, transfer by car to Athens and depart.

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  Divani Palace Acropolis

  Athens

  With courteous service and superior amenities a given, Divani Palace's prime draw remains the stunning views of the Acropolis from the hotel's 7 stories' worth of luxury rooms. The hotel is is walking distance to many of Athens's premier attractions.

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  Mikro Papingo 1700

  Mikro Papingo

  This luxury boutique hotel is named 1700 for the year the oldest building in town - the hotel's restored historic building - was built. Impeccably restored to a classy "eco-chalet," Mikro Papingo 1700 provides a serene haven for guests. Primely situated at the top of Papingo for the best view to the Timfi mountains, the Vikos gorge, and the small and large Papingo settlements below.

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  Arturos/Zarkadas Guest House

  Monodendri

  The Zarkada family built this guesthouse in the Zagori tradition and the style of Epirotic architecture, providing guests with the hospitality of a traditional guesthouse within the comfortable setting of a modern hotel. The guesthouse is on par the old manor houses and natural beauty of Monodentri, with rooms that look onto the Vikos gorge.

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  Divani Hotel Meteora

  Kalambaka

  A deluxe hotel in Kalambaka village, surrounded by the towering Meteora rocks. The subdued textiles of designer Andre Warwick adorn the rooms, where oak furniture and luminous wood floors shape spacious sitting areas and terraces.

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  Hotel Olympus Mediterranean

  Litochoro

  This romantic little hotel, situated on a quiet street near the center of Litochoro, is a sophisticated favorite for local travelers. Each of the elegant rooms features a fireplace, and balconies with a view over the town's red roofs, the towering mountains, and the Aegean sea in the distance.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Erik Perez

  Erik was born and raised in Asturias, Region of Northern Spain, with the big range of Mountains called Picos de Europa and Cordillera Cantabrica. He is an accomplished climber (climbing Mont Blanc numerous times), backcountry and downhill skier. Erik has been with MTS since 1989 and has received his certification to be a IFMGA/UIAGM guide which is the highest professional award attainable in mountaineering. He has written two guidebooks on hikes and climbs in the Picos de Europa. Erik studied Humanities at the University of Oviedo, Capital city of Asturias and received a Masters degree in History.

photo credits: ©Erik Perez