8-day – “The best of Mt. Olympus, Mt. Ossa & Meteora towers”

After breakfast, we are transferred to the high hills above the north rocky side of the Tempi valley, at a height of 220m. A very important geologically and geographically land mark, very rich in history and mythology. Here we start our walk. We follow a path, which taol-kiss-met3kes us along and over the cliffs of the Tembi Valley and onto the Pinios River. This is a high crossing of the valley with stunning views of the river down below and Mt. Kissavos, all the way along the trek. We will have a lot to talk about, as we cross this historic valley. The place holds amazing stories and myths from the very – very old times… We finish at a chapel where the picnic is waiting for us, at about 100m. A wonderful walk indeed!

The longest main section of the walk is almost flat and the last part is downhill. After the walk we will visit the near by village of Ambelakia, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Schwartz Museum and be introduced to the rich history of the place. Your remaining time will be free to explore or, indeed, relax at the peaceful village square enjoying a drink or a meal along with the locals. Altitude covered, 200m down. Approximate net walking time, 2.30 hours, easy.

Transfer to the village of Spilia at 850m. From Spilia on the western slopes of Kissavos, we trek around the central parts of the mountain leading to the highest summit Prophet Elias (Profitis Elias) at about 1987m. Being atop, will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the region including the Aegean Sea, the Plain of Thessaly, Mount Olympus, Mount Pelion, the Pinios River delta and in clear weather – not very unlikely – the huge pyramid of Mt. Athos emerging out of the sea in the very distance to the east. After a short descent to the Kanalos location at 1604m (4812ft), you are taken back to your hotel and the rest of your day is free. Altitude covered, 1137m up. Approximate net walking time,4.00’ to 4.30’ hours, easy / moderate.

Today we are transferred to Meteora. (1.30’ trip by road). A nature’s wonder! A religion’s stronghold and rock climbers’ paradise! Tradition, Byzantine architecture, theocracy and solitarily as well as a unique geological phenomenon and great rock climbing attraction internationally. All in one place! During a very nice walk through the conglomerate sandstone towers, you will admire nature’s and man’s creations. The path takes us to very impressive spots with little chapels carved in the rock. You can then visit the monasteries, being museums of the orthodox Christian faith and monastic life. In the evening, transfer back to your accommodation in Paleos Panteleimon. Altitude covered, 200m up and the same down. Approximate net walking time, 2.30 hours, easy / moderate.

Transfer to Litochoro, the main citadel at the eastern feet of Mt. Olympus. Then, we move to the Prionia location and parking space at 1100m, where we start off our walk. A stunningly beautiful place, dominated by impressive rock faces and enormous mountain pine trees. A well paved path in a very rich pine and birch tree forest will take us up to 2100m and the refuge B or ”Spilios Agapitos”. During the walk the guide / s will introduce you to the very special Mt. Olympus flora. After settling in at the refuge, we will have plenty of time to soak up the energy and atmosphere of this very special place, as the refuge is situated on a natural balcony with amazing views all around! We will also discuss all about the next day’s route, as we can see almost the full length of it high above our heads. Not map needed, its all there for real! After a good meal and rest, we spend the night here. Altitude covered, 1000m. Approximate net walking time, 3.00’ to 3.30’ hours, easy / moderate.

Today we have an early start and continue up to the higher parts of the mountain. At about 2300m we leave behind the last trees and move up in alpine terrain aiming for the Muses’ Plateau at 2650m. After a long and very impressive traverse bellow the high summits of the mountain, the path leads us to this amazing place, the plateau and the mountain refuge where we are going to spend the night and have a well earned rest and a light lunch. The impressive north rock face of the ”Throne of Zeus” summit dominates the area above us. In the late afternoon we set off to climb the highest summits in Greece and the whole of the Balkans. First Mytikas at 2918m, the highest summit of Mt. Olympus and then Skolio at 2911m, the second highest. This is a unique trek around the main summits of Olympus, offering great views. After a picnic lunch, you will have the chance to appreciate the impressive scenery and feel Olympus’s unique “atmosphere”. Return to the plateau. Altitude covered, 600m up to the plateau and 218m up to Mytikas and an other 218m down from Mytikas back to the plateau. Approximate net walking time, 2.30’ to 3.00’ hours to the plateau, moderate / challenging walk and another 4.00’ hours to Mytikas, Skolio and back to plateau, challenging / scramble.

After breakfast we set off to climb the rocky summit ”Throne of Zeus” (2909m), the third highest. A similarly challenging scramble like the one to Mytikas the previous day, leads us to the summit of the ”Throne of Zeus”. A wonderful view of the plateau itself and Mytikas. We descend via the same route and return to the plateau after an overall of 3.00’ hours of challenging walk / scramble. After a rest and a meal at the refuge, we descend via a different route than the one we have ascended, the so called the Petrostrouga route, thus completing the circumnavigation of the great, central-east horseshoe of the mountain. Duration of walk 4.30’ to 5.00’ hours, moderate to strenuous. After you have come down, transfer back to Litohoro and your accommodation there for a good rest and prepare for your return.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

Pricing policy: our multi activity holiday programs / trips are meant mainly for you who “Plan your own holiday” or if you who want to “Do it yourself”. By being retailers and providers at the same time on these actual programs, we are able to deliver and provide a personalized service at an excellent price, without compromising on the quality of our activities. As local activity suppliers, our expert knowledge of the area ensures for you a more personal feel and direct communication with us and the area, thus, more control on your behalf, over your holiday.

Our multi activity holiday programs / activity combinations are designed and put in place for every different proposal / program in such a way, that only our experience and knowledge concerning the local conditions could achieve towards your maximum enjoyment. It took long sessions of evaluating various elements and parameters like the group’s type – individuals/family/children’s age groups – the activities’ level and the time period in relation to the weather conditions, before reaching the desired outcome. We believe that we have succeeded there achieving the harmony we were seeking. Our clients’ comments which have helped us a lot towards it, are in favor of this. We are grateful to them!

Just take the advantage of this work, at prices that you will find nowhere else for such full, well designed, high-quality multi-activity holiday programs!

So, the above Prices apply mainly to the independent traveler, who will have their own means of transport, thus, come independently from their accommodation to the meeting point for every activity and back, with our and our website’s directions at all times. During the booking procedure and contact with us you will also be given all the information / directions needed to get from the airport to your accommodation. The “Google Maps – our activities Destinations” in our website will help you a lot towards it. We take care of the appropriate accommodation for you, being close and handy to the activities area.

As it is explained below (“Things you should know” at “Transport”), if you do not have your own means of transport, the transfers from the arrival stations to your accommodation and back, as well as the transfers from the accommodation to the activity’s location and back, will be done by us at an extra cost.

Note that if you are less than 4 persons without other participants in your actual available dates, we can do the full program exclusively for you if you wish, at an additional 25% if you are 3 persons and 45% if you are 2 persons on the activities price. This means an 18.5% for 3 persons and 33.5% for 2 persons on the above total (activities + accommodation) prices.