Hike, Kayak and Raft Greece's Wild North

Meet up with your host at Athens international Airport, then take in the sights of the metropolis as you are transferred to your hotel in a lively part of central Athens. Meet up with your fellow adventurers and head out to a local taverna for a welcome dinner and a chat through the adventure ahead of you. Go easy on the ouzo! There’s a cracking road trip first thing tomorrow.

Tuck into breakfast at the hotel before hopping in the van and settling in for the drive north towards the Pindus Mountains. After few hours watching Greece go by out of the window, you’ll get your first taste of the stunning Zagori region. Head out for a hike at one of the area’s most famous spots – the Vradeto Steps – and on to Beloi, an incredible natural balcony with an unrivalled view of the Vikos Gorge. Descend a stone trail for an hour to end the hike at the village of Kapesovo. Enjoy dinner of local Zagori dishes and bed down ahead of a big hike day tomorrow.

Northern Greece is packed full of incredible hikes which fly a little below the radar. Vikos Gorge is up there with the best day hikes in Europe – its trails meander in the shadow of towering 1000m+ walls through the second-deepest gorge in the world (only the Grand Canyon is deeper). This is a truly wild ecosystem, providing a sanctuary to myriad wildlife including European brown bears. After breakfast, you’ll hop over to the village of Monodendri to set off into the heart of the gorge. Hit the trailhead and hike all the way down to the canyon’s base, following one of the Voidomatis River's tributaries, flanked by the huge walls of the gorge. Enjoy a couple of breaks along the route to take in the surroundings before eventually tackling the big uphill section, to reach the gorge’s exit.

The Vikos Gorge warmed you up: now it's time for the biggest hike of the trip. Rise early, head towards Drakolimni to find the trailhead and set off uphill from here, eating into a good chunk of the ascent on your way to the Astracas Shelter at 1930m. You'll pass through dense forest areas before the landscape changes as you reach the alpine zone of Mount Tymphe. After four hours or so you’ll reach a shelter where you can stop for lunch before tackling the final push to Drakolimni. The views up here are some of the best found anywhere in Greece. Soak up this memorable spot as the light fades, then drop down to the mountain refuge for a well-earned dinner and sleep.

Wake up in this unique spot, sip a coffee taking in the solitude, then tackle an easy-going three-hour descent down the mountain. Back at the van, you’ll roll along to Konitsa, stopping en route at the natural pools of Ovires for a dip in the emerald waters. This quaint rural town at the foothills of Mount Trapezitsa sits right above the mouth of the Aoos Gorge. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore, take in the old single-arched stone bridge and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful River Aoos.


Today you'll head to the banks of the Voidomatis River to get kitted out for a rafting trip down this pristine natural wonder winding through Vikos-Aoos National Park. The Voidomatis is known for being one of Europe's cleanest rivers, testament to the wild and relatively untouched area that it flows through from the source in the Vikos Gorge. Navigate a series of fun Class I and II rapids – as far as rafting days go, this is lower on the adrenaline scale with more emphasis on exploring a magical wild place, stopping for swims in the inviting waters as you go. After a few hours on the water, you'll hop in the van for a couple of hours to reach your next adventure spot: the iconic UNESCO-listed site of Meteora. Settle in here and enjoy a delicious Greek dinner at a local taverna.

The Greek word 'Meteora' means 'suspended in the air' – an apt name for this incredible place, famous for its towering rock pillars and the monasteries perched impossibly on top of them. Today you'll hike along an ancient trail that was crafted by monks during the Middle Ages, back when the monasteries were still in use. The trail winds through stunning scenery to the summit of one of Meteora's tallest rock formations for the ultimate vista of one of Greece's must-see landscapes. Reaching this spot is a fitting end to your time in Northern Greece, and after the hike you'll settle in for the ride back to Athens.

No trip to Greece is complete without some time spent exploring its coastal gems. After a leisurely breakfast to let you catch your breath after all the adventuring of the past week, you'll head to the often-overlooked coastline outside of the capital. You're in for a day of sea kayaking along the Athenian Riviera, which runs between Piraeus and Cape Sounion. Paddle the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, hugging the coast to find hidden beaches for dreamy sea swims. Back in downtown Athens later in the afternoon, soak up the capital's atmosphere and head out for an evening walk through the charming Plaka district and enjoy a farewell dinner, to toast an incredible eight days of Greek galavanting. You have permission to indulge in the ouzo to your heart's content tonight!

*Please note: in the event of poor weather affecting the sea conditions, your host will arrange a canyoning outing in a region close to Athens, instead of sea kayaking on the Athenian Riviera.

Your adventure ends today after breakfast as your host transfers you to Athens Airport in time for your onward flight.

Alternatively, in 2025, you can opt to extend your time in Greece and join our Island Hopping in the Cyclades adventure visiting the islands of Naxos, Tinos and Koufonisia.