Tzoumerka, Ioannina and the Zagori Mountains
Tzoumerka, Ioannina and walking in the Zagori Mountains
Walking in the Zagori Mountains is a distillation of a journey I made in the summer of 2024 and which I have described in a blog post here. Although, we will do a couple of hikes in the Zagori mountains, the tour is not exclusively a hiking holiday. There will be sightseeing in Ioannina and exploration of some of the villages in the Tzoumerka region of Northern Greece.
- Walking the Vikos gorge
- Staying in Ioannina.
- Visiting the Tzoumerka region
- Airport transfers, meals & transfers included in the price
Tour Features
- Hiking in the Zagori mountains.
- Small group travel: maximum group size is 12 guests.
- Guaranteed departure dates
- Accompanied by a Tour manager throughout your journey
- Private 17-seater minibus
- Tour cost includes all hotel city taxes
- Tzoumerka
- Sirako
- Ioannina
- The Zagori Mountains
- Hiking the Vikos gorge
- 2 night in Tzoumerka (classic room)
- 2 nights in Ioannina (classic room)
- 3 nights in the Zagori (classic room)
- all lunches/breakfasts
- All evening meals (with wine) are included
- Arrival airport: Preveza airport
- Departure airport: Preveza airport
- The tour dates are intended to coincide with the arrival and departure of the Easyjet flight from London Gatwick. For anyone not arriving from the UK, there is chance to join and finish the tour in Athens.
- Transfers and pick-ups/drop-offs from/to the main airport of arrival on the day of arrival/departure of the tour are included
- Strenuous – if you would like to take part in the hikes. Otherwise, easy.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Tzoumerka
For those arriving in Athens:
Depart Athens airport 13:00 and onward drive to Preveza (5 hours).
For those arriving in Preveza:
18:30 pick up arrivals on the Easyjet flight from London and onward drive to Kostitsi, Tzoumerka.
We will probably arrive about 9:30pm. Light evening meal and overnight in Hotel Lanassa.
Day 2
Full day exploring Tzoumerka
This morning we have an exploration of the Tzoumerka region and a visit to the Arachthos river and a visit to the Klifkis waterfalls.
Evening meal and overnight in Hotel Lanassa
Day 3
Kalarites & Syrako
After breakfast, we depart Lanassa for our exploration of two fascinating villages: Kalarites and Syrako.
It was from Kalarites that the Voulgaris family originated. A family of itinerant silversmiths, they opened a store in Paramythia before emigrating from Epirus to Naples in 1880. It was there they set up their jewellery store, Bulgari which is nowadays a household name.
Onward drive to Ioannina.
Evening meal and overnight in Ioannina.
Day 4
Full day’s exploration of Ioannina
Set on the shores of Lake Pamvotis, there are few inland cities in Greece that inhabit such a lovely location. The old city is reminiscent of a somewhat dilapidated Ottoman town from somewhere in Anatolia. But it is presided over by the walls of the imposing fortress, which itself harbours a citadel of Ottoman houses. The Itskale – from the Turkish İçkale, or inner castle, is an impressive preserve of Ottoman buildings – two mosques, a Harem and other buildings, dating from the time that Ioannina was ruled over by Ali Pasha.
We also visit the silver-smithing museum.
Evening meal and overnight in Ioannina.
Day 5
Zagori
We depart from Ionannina and set of for the Zagori region of Epirus. On our way to Papingo, we take in some of the sights of the spectacular scenery of the region.
Evening meal and overnight in Papingo
Day 6
Vikos Gorge walk
We set off early in the morning from Papingo and drive to Monodendri for the beginning of our hike along the Vikos gorge.
This 8 mile trail through the bottom of the gorge takes around 5-6 hours to complete.
The trail is not difficult walking, but there are a couple of points where there are technical challenges using a rope to navigate some of the collapsed path. This means the route is unfortunately not suitable for novices.
Evening meal and overnight in Papingo
Day 7
Papingo
Today we take one of the other hikes in the Papingo region – this time to the lakes high in the mountains beyond.
Evening meal and overnight in Papingo
Day 8
Departures
We depart Papigo after lunch for a return to Preveza/Athens. The drop-off at Preveza airport will be at 4pm and the arrival in Athens at 9pm.
