Hills and Valleys Hike 2024: Meteora, Greece

Description

Our Hills and Valleys hike provides able-bodied travelers a fabulous opportunity to explore the region around Meteora and make new friends along the way.

Nestled in central Greece, the enchanting region of Meteora beckons travelers with its otherworldly landscape of towering rock formations crowned by ancient monasteries. As you gaze in awe at these gravity-defying structures, you’ll feel a sense of wonder and reverence for the monks who once sought solitude in these lofty retreats. Explore the mystical monasteries perched precariously on the cliffs, each with a story of faith, resilience, and architectural brilliance. Lose yourself in the serene atmosphere, surrounded by panoramic views of lush valleys and the Pindos mountain range.

A visit to Meteora is a journey through time and spirituality, offering a glimpse into a world where nature and human ingenuity harmoniously converge to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Hills and Valleys Hike Daily Itinerary

The Hills and Valleys hike will begin and end in Sofia, Bulgaria, and we will travel by chartered coach to and from Greece. Western Hemisphere participants should plan to depart on Friday, 9 August, and arrive in Sofia on 10 August.

Day 0: Saturday, 10 August

Out-of-town participants gather at the hotel at 18:00 for a kick-off dinner.

Day 1: Sunday, 11 August

For out-of-town participants, breakfast is at the hotel. We will gather at Sofia’s central bus station at 8:00 for an 8:30 departure to Meteora (about a 6-hour drive + some waiting time at the border). We will arrive in Kastraki in the afternoon, checking in and relaxing or exploring the town a bit before dinner at 19:00.

Day 2: Monday, 12 August

Breakfast at the guest house. Morning hike and group lunch back in town. We start our walking with an easy hike to the Great Meteoron, the largest and oldest monastery at Meteora, dating back to the middle of the 14th century. We will go inside to explore the monastery grounds, including the 16th-century church and museum. Then, we will visit Ypanatis monastery and return to the guest house. The entire circuit is about 10 kilometers. Afternoon free time to rest or explore. We will reassemble at the guesthouse at 19:00 for dinner nearby.

Day 3: Tuesday, 13 August

Breakfast at the guest house. After breakfast, we will take a morning loop hike to St Stephen’s and Holy Trinity Monasteries, a distance of 9.5 kilometers. Lunch in Kalabaka and free time to explore the town in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the guest house.

Day 4: Wednesday, 14 August

We will start our hike super early, leaving the guest house at 5:00 to reach the Main Observation Deck in time to catch the sunrise around 6:45. We will enjoy a picnic breakfast at the viewpoint. Then, we will walk to Varlaam Monastery and loop around back to town via the Roussanou Monastery. The total walking distance is about 10 kilometers. Lunch near the guest house will be followed by free time to rest or explore. Dinner and overnight will be at the guest house.

Day 5: Thursday, 15 August

Breakfast at the guest house. Optional morning visit to Theopetra Cave, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. The cave has been closed in recent years for renovation, so if it is not open, we will only visit the museum. We will return to the guest house for lunch nearby. After lunch, an optional walk down to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church in Kalambaka, which celebrates its feast day on 15 August. There is bound to be plenty happening around the church. We will reassemble at the guest house around 18:00 for a hike up to the Psaropetra Viewpoint for its spectacular sunset panorama, followed by a short bus ride down to town for our farewell dinner.

Day 6: Friday, 16 August

We will have an early breakfast at the guest house, then return to Sofia via Litochoro, where we can hang out at the beach for most of the day or combine a short hike with a dip in the sea. We expect to arrive in Sofia in the evening. Out-of-town participants will check into the hotel and have dinner nearby.

Day 7: Saturday, 17 August

Airport transfer for flights home.