Zagoria & Vikos Gorge

A hidden world of traditional Greece is found in the region of Zagoria.  An area of incredible natural beauty where thousand year old stone villages perch above the dramatic Vikos Gorge in the craggy Pindos Mountains.  

Travelling to the other side of Ioannina and into the region of Zagoria & home of the Spectacular Vikos Gorge.

The area also has some well-preserved stone ‘Pack Horse’ bridges and the first stop will be at the single-arched bridge called ‘Kokoros’ spanning the River Aoos.  You have an opportunity to walk the bridge and take photos and also visit another superb bridge called ‘Kalogeriko’ which is especially beautiful because of its 3 arches. 

Continuing on to the village of Monodendri, which is on the rim of the gorge, near the south end.  It has great architectural works with impressive 2 storey mansions.  Here take a stoned pathway (approx. 1km) passing walled courtyards with fortress-like gates, to the small but beautiful Monastery of ‘Ayia Paraskevi’ and the observation point to the Vikos Gorge. The Vikos Gorge according to the Guinness Book of Records is 1,300 metres deep and is the world’s deepest gorge in proportion to its width. 

Return back to the village for lunch (not included in excursion price). 

On way back to Parga, making a short stop at the lakeside city of Ioannina, the capital of Epirus.  Ioannina is famous for its handmade silverware and Jewellery and the notorious Turkish tyrant Ali Pasha made his home on the lakes island, which is now a museum.