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Description of Active Adventure

Walking
With the exception of the descent from the Gamila refuge to Stomiou monastery, the walking is on well-defined paths, mostly in fir forest and open moorland above the treeline. The optional ascent of Smolikas is over steep cross-country terrain. In the Vikos gorge there is one river-crossing (still, knee-high waters) and the path is narrow and rocky in places. There may be poor visibility and/or high winds above 2000m on either mountain.
Participants will be expected to carry some food on the treks.


Day by day programme
Day 1 - Travel to Monodendri (or Ano Pedina) and short walk
Meet at 1pm in Ioannina at the hotel. Transfer to Monodendri (1 hr) or nearby other Zagorian village, Ano Pedina. First walk to Mikro Papingo through the Vikos Gorge with its turquoise river-pools (5 to 6 hours). A classic trek in one of Europe’s finest canyons. Spectacular cliff walls tower up on both sides as we follow the river-bed downstream, or a small path alongside (4 hrs). We end with a further 2 hours uphill beneath the towers of Papingo. We may cool off with a dip in the natural swimming pool of a nearby stream before settling into our rooms. O/N in pension.
Day 2 – Monodendri to Vikos and O/N in Papingo.
Day 3 - Papingo to Mt Gamila Refuge and Dragon Lake (6 hrs)
Today’s walk starts with 3 hours’ uphill from Mikro Papingo to the “Astrakas” refuge on Mt. Gamila, at 1950m or so. Here we picnic and leave our packs for the afternoon walk to the first of the Dragon Lakes, an hour away across grassy uplands studded with flowers and (until July) some small snowpack. We return to the guesthouse for the night.
Day 4 - Loop walk on Gamila’s and Astraka’s summits (7 hrs round trip)
Over the refuge, two summits which we can both ascend in a loop walk, if we are fit enough and in a good shape : Mount Gamila 2480m and Mount Astraka at 2436m. We may also choose one of the two summits and enjoy as well the panoramas over the plunging Aoos ravine below and across to Smolikas to the north. We return to the refuge for the night.
Day 5 - Walk down to Klidonia (6 hrs)
We walk down to Papingo and then to Kato Klidonia Stone Bridge one of the most beautiful stone arched bridge of the Balkans via the deserted hamlet of Klidonia. Short transfer (1 hour) to Konitsa and O/N in guesthouse.
Day 6 - Konitsa to Mt. Smolikas refuge , refuge to Agia Paraskevi (6-7 ½ hrs).
A gentle day to recover and see some town life. In the morning we shop and visit the town, before catching taxis or a bus to the village of Palioselli (1 hour) for a light lunch. Then we climb through fir forest to the Naneh refuge at 1650m, and settle in - we may be the first visitors here for a while, as it is not often used.
Dragon Lake at 2200m, 3 hours up the mountain just above the treeline. The energetic can here make a side trip up to the visible 2637m peak, with views encompassing Corfu and Mt. Olympus on a clear day (1½ hours return). O/N in refuge.
Day 7 - Travel to Ioannina
We catch an early bus to Konitsa, and another on to Ioannina, to arrive around noon. Those who wish can visit the beautiful old town or the island in the lake where Ali Pasha lived. After a final tavern lunch the trip ends.

Age range, type of group

Leadership and group size
Your tour leader will be with you throughout the week to guide you along the route, help organise and interpret in the villages and assist the group in any other way possible.
Our leaders are fluent in English and Greek as well as often another language, and have walked in the area before. They will try and give you a real insight into the local way of life and, for those interested, will happily give some basic Greek lessons while walking or over evening drinks. Although not specialists, they are interested in the area's flora and fauna and usually carry field guides. We expect to run this trip with a group of 6-16 participants.

Sleeping and meals

Accommodation & Food
We spend 4 nights in 2- to 4-bedded rooms with private facilities in traditional village guest-houses, which also provide delicious local food; and 2 nights in comfortable mountain refuges (1700-2000m altitude). The first refuge is a staffed “Alpine-style” hut with food and drink supplied; the second is unstaffed - we are likely to be the only visitors - but fully equipped; we carry and prepare our own food. We usually eat pasta dishes with meat or fish sauce, plus salads and sweet. All huts have cold water, dormitory bunks and bedding. Lunches are picnics taken at a scenic spot en route.

Rates

DURATION: 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS
APRIL: 19
MAY: 7
JUNE: 7, 21
JULY: 12
AUGUST:23
SEPTEMBER: 6, 20
OCTOBER: 11
PRICE PER PERSON: EURO:505, $:510

TREKKING HELLAS
7 FILELINON STR.
ATHENS 105.57 GREECE
TEL. +30-1--3310323
FAX. +30-1-3234548

Other Information

Transport
We use local buses for the transfers from Ioanina to Monodendri and Agia Paraskevi to Ioannina; for the Konitsa - Pades lift we will use taxis (or a bus if timetables change).
Return travel between Ioannina and your point of arrival / departure is your responsibility and is excluded from the trip cost. We can advise on times, costs and connections.

Money
All meals, accommodation and transport (as per itinerary) are included in the tour cost; personal expenses including drinks are excluded. You will not be charged for any hidden extras. We suggest that you bring a minimum of 10,000 Drs with you to pay for any drinks or snacks and any souvenirs or unexpected items.
Note: Travel to/from Ioannina is not included in the tour price.