Your journey begins with a private transfer from the lively city of Ioannina to Tsepelovo, the largest of the 46 zagorochoria villages located at 1060m. Upon arrival, you’ll settle into a welcoming guesthouse. Take time to relax, wander through the cobbled alleys and visit the church of Agios Nikolaos (1753) decorated with exceptional frescoes before enjoying a traditional dinner in the village’s central square under the shade of the old plane trees.

In the morning, a short transfer takes you to Vradeto, the highest village in Zagori at 1340m. From here, a 30-minute walk leads to the Beloi viewpoint, offering a breathtaking panorama of limestone cliffs, forested slopes, and the Voidomatis River far below. Returning to Vradeto, you continue down the famous Vradeto Steps, a centuries-old cobbled path that zigzags over 1200 steps, once the only connection between Vradeto and the outside world, into Mezaria canyon. The trail then leads to the picturesque village of Kapesovo, where you can pause for lunch or coffee in the main square with its sweeping views. From there, a final hike of about 1.5 hours brings you back to Tsepelovo and your guesthouse.

After breakfast, you set off south from Tsepelovo, following a scenic dirt road that leads to the village of Kipoi, once a hub for stonemasons, where you can pause for lunch or coffee. From here, the trail winds through a forest of birch and beech trees, guiding you across several of Zagori’s famous stone bridges, like the single arched Kontodimos Bridge and Missiou bridge with its graceful arch. After crossing the Misios bridge, the path ascends the historic Vitsa Steps, which once connected the lower villages to the upper plateau and are a testament to Zagori’s traditional trail network. Your stay tonight is in a traditional inn full of character offering warm hospitality.

Today invites a slower rhythm. From Vitsa, you can follow the old path of Kokkini, a shaded, almost forgotten trail, to reach the nearby village of Monodendri, famed for its cultural legacy and dramatic location on the edge of the gorge. There you may visit the Rizario School of Textile Art, showcasing traditional weaving and embroidery techniques, or the historic monastery of Agia Paraskevi, perched on the edge of the Vikos Gorge. You might also spend time in Monodendri’s central square for a coffee or meal. For those interested in local initiatives, a visit to the Land Beyond Convention Center offers insight into a community-driven effort toward sustainability. In the afternoon, you can return to Vitsa and enjoy a quiet moment in the main square, shaded by its centuries-old plane tree.

After breakfast, you return to Monodendri and descend for about one hour through limestone cliffs and forested slopes into the Vikos Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world in proportion to its width, according to the Guinness Book of Records. For the next 4 hours, the trail follows the riverbed, revealing a mosaic of small ecosystems and impressive rock formations. At the northern end of the gorge, the path gradually leads you up to Papigko, the most iconic village, nestled beneath the dramatic Papigko Towers. Your evening is spent in a traditional stone-built guesthouse, offering comfort and mountain views

Today brings one of the highlights of your journey: the hike to Dragon Lake (Drakolimni), a glacial jewel nestled high in the Tymfi mountain range. Starting early from Papigko, the trail climbs steadily through alpine meadows and rocky outcrops to the Astraka plateau, where the mountain refuge offers a chance to rest and enjoy coffee or lunch with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks or Papigko towers. From here, it’s another hour to reach the glacial lake set high in the mountains at 2,050 meters with its shimmering surface reflecting the sky and mountains. After your visit to the lake, you return by the same path, descending to Papigko and your guesthouse.

After breakfast, a private taxi will take you from Papigko back to Ioannina. If you wish to spend more time in Zagori or explore other regions of Greece, extensions can be arranged upon request.