8-Days Jeep Tour in CENTRAL GREECE

Highlights:
Entering the Mainland, from Parnassos to Agrafa, you will meet the most isolated communities, that you can only reach through dirt roads. No asphalt...the paradise for jeep-drivers looking for adventure.
Further away on your road, the Pelion peninsula known as the mythical resting place of the Olympian gods and the hunting grounds of the legendary Centaurs is a place of vast contrast and beauty : rugged hills, luxuriant vegetation and crystal-clear waters…the Greek Wonderland.

AREAS

Delphi :
The myth recounts that at a certain time Zeus released two eagles. At the point where they met, Zeus threw the Sacred Stone, marking the centre of the world. It was then, that one of the most important Oracles of antiquity was developed-the Delphic Oracle.
Places to visit: The village of Chrisso with a unique view of  the olive grove of the nearby town of Amfissa.
Itea. The name of this summer resort derives from the willow tree.
Galaxidi. A small town built with a traditional architectural style, suitable for summer and winter holidays as well.
Nafpaktos: A famous town for the battle that took place off its shores in 1571. The well kept Venetian castle and circular walled harbour catches the eye of the visitors. The well-preserved citadel is one of the most beautiful in Greece. The mountains near the town are the most thickly wooded.
Karpenissi:  The capital of the Evrytania region, the most thickly-wooded, best-watered region in Greece. Karpenissi is located at an altitude of 960 metres. The name derives from the maple trees that were  in the area.
Meteora: The Meteora monasteries rise at the centre, where Pinios river emerges from the deep canyons of the Pindus range and surges into the Thessalian plain. Trese are giganticrocks etched by time into a variety of shapes; grey stalagmites rising towards the sky , they appear as nature’s gift to the pious who, driven by faith, have opted for solitude and a life of worship. The Monasteries , with their wooden galleries and corniced foortops, crown the summits of these formidable pinnacles. Precariously hanging over the sinisterabysses , with the Pindus range at their back and the vast plain , woods, gorges and picturesquevillages below, these unwordly hermitages compose one of the most breathtaking sites on earth.
Metsovo: Among Greece’ s most picturesque small towns. It is situated along  Pindus range. Metsovo is well known for it’s striking scenery. The traditional arts of woodcarving and weaving, are kept alive. Metsovo is also famous for the production of cheese and red wine.
Pelion:The native country of the legendary Centaurs,  mountains covered by pine trees, oaks, olive trees, chestnut trees therapeutic plants. The highest peaks of Pelion  are in the northern part of the range. Pelio has a mild climate thanks to the sea that surrounds it to the south and east.  The picturesque villages reveal us traditional built houses, old folk-art museums and are joined with stone covered paths, the oldest of which were built during the Ottoman Years.

According to mythology, the Greek Gods stayed in this area because of it’s natural physical beauty.

Equipment: All necessary equipment for jeep safari (jeeps, road books, maps) is provided by the organizer

Useful notice
1. In the countryside there are plenty of dirt roads, either mentioned or not in your map. Be sure not to get lost! In case of rain the condition of some of that can mess you in unexpected problems.
2. The car insurance doesn’t cover damages in the tires, windows and underneath the car
3. If you want to inscribe more drivers on the contract, there is a surcharge per day & per driver.

Trip Summary:
Day 1. Arrive in Athens. Our representative is waiting for you at the airport. After the “bureaucratic” proceedings (contracts, payments, vouchers, roadbooks) you can drive directly to the national road, and arrive in Delphi where you will spend the first night. (Athens-Delphi: 160 km)

Day 2. Today, after breakfast, we will visit the archaeological site of Delphi, the centre of the world for ancient Greeks, and its unique museum, together with a professional guide who will explain us all about it’s history. Then take the road to the fishing port of Nafpaktos. On the way, we make a stop for a light picnic lunch. From here beggins a wild mountain range with dramatic scenes and unspoiled villages. The road brings you to the heart of the county Nafpaktia, in the villages of Ano Chora or Elatou, where we stay overnight. (Delphi-Nafpaktos: 93 km, Nafpaktos-Ano Chora: 48 km)

Day 3. An asphalt road drives you to the small town of Thermo. From here begins the strait road up to the Mt. Panaitoliko. The highest point you reach is approximately 2.000 m, in a deep pin forest. From now you are in Evrytania, the most remote area in south Europe! The dirt road ends in the village of Proussos. But the breathtaking views continue until to reach Karpenissi. (Ano Chora-Thermo 67 km, thermo-Karpenissi 60 km)

Day 4. After breakfast we go for river rafting in Tavropos river through Daphnis’ bridge until Trekking Hellas’ basis and trekking in Krendis village. Picnic lunch after the activities. The asphalt road drives you to the west of Karpenissi, through a pin forest. After crossing the picturesque village of Krendi, you follow the dirt road to the village of Agrafa, Don’t omit to taste the local speciality: lamb cooked in a specific way.
Always on dirt road and through a mountain range you reach the lake “Plastira”. From here the asphalt road drives you to Kastraki, laying under the huge rocks, called Meteora (meteors!). (Kredis-Lake Plastira-Meteora 140m km)

Day 5. After breakfast, we visit the two famous monasteries of Meteora. We reach the monasteries after an easy 50 minutes trek through the mountains and the rocks! On the west of the plain starts the range of north Pindos, with summits up to 2.500m.  In the deep valleys small villages appear, inhabited by shepherds from May to October - uninhabited the rest of the year.  We drive a round trip to Metsovo (total distance 134 km)

Day 6. The straight roads drives you to Mt. Pilion, home of the mythological Centaurs (semi men-semi horses.) The village of Tsagarada is considered to be one of the prettiest, with a unique view. We spend the night in a family run guesthouse. (Kastraki-Pilio 272 km)

Day 7. Suggested activities for today: either trekking in Tsagarada or horseriding in Katigiorgis. After our picnic lunch we take the national road (highway in most of its parts) back to Athens. Settle to our hotel in Athens and meet later in the evening with the guide to visit the district of Plaka which is ideal for shopping and walks.

Day 8.You can either return your jeep the previous evening or drive with it in the airport and return it there. Your trip ends in the airport and your flight back home.

 Services included:
Accommodation with breakfast in selected hotels (in double rooms),
Light picnic lunches,
Assistance at the airport,
English speaking tour leader,
Rroad book and maps.
Jeep Cherokee or Suzuki Vitara,
Fuel.
All the outdoor activities mentioned above with the necessary equipment.

Services not included:
Dinners not mentioned,
Personal expenses.

Minimum participation: 5pax

Additional information:
You can add two days more in the above program, one in Karpenissi and one in Meteora -area. The day in Karpenissi you can join activities as rafting, the day in Meteora you can do lake kayak.
Rafting in Karpenissi area, in Acheloos river, full of water during the summer, in a deep unspoiled gorge and picturesque villages all around. (Equipment, river guide, local transfer & snack provided.) Also available in the area: snapling, horse riding, lake kayak.
Kayak in lake “Plastira”, explore the evergreen artificial lake of “Plastira”, surrounded by mountains over 2.000 m. high. (Equipment, kayaking guide & snack provided.) Also available in the area: snapling, mountain biking, fly with Ultra Light.