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Book Sardinia Hiking | Explore Scenic Trails
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION5 hours - 6 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Minibus
TimelineMap
START POINT
2 starting points available
1. Kalabaka
At 8:30am, depart from Kalabaka aboard a VIP Mercedes minibus and head toward the foothills of Meteora. With a small group of only 12 participants, you’ll receive personalized attention and a more intimate, immersive experience throughout the day.
2. Kastraki
Depending on your ticket choice, you can also set out from Kastraki aboard a VIP Mercedes minibus and head toward the foothills of Meteora. With a small group of only 12 participants, you’ll receive personalized attention and a more intimate, immersive experience throughout the day.
2.5 kms
7 minutes
1
Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki)
15 minutes
Free Admission
Meet your mountain guide at Mesochori, the historic settlement of Kastraki, and begin your hike from the scenic foothills of Doupiani Rock. This beautiful spot lies at the base of the ancient Pantokrator Monastery, offering a stunning backdrop as you start your adventure.
2 kms
30 minutes
Passes by
Northern Meteora
2
Meteora monasteries
60 minutes
2 attractions
Tickets included
Around mid-hike, stop to explore 2 to 3 of Meteora’s most iconic sanctuaries (likely the Great Meteoron or Varlaam Monastery, depending on their rotational schedule). Step inside to see ancient manuscripts, frescoed halls, and 600-year-old architecture perched impossibly high above the valley. A small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person is required to enter each monastery.
Highlights
1. Great Meteoron Monastery
30 minutes
The largest and oldest of the six, Great Meteoron, feels like a fortress in the sky. Inside, you’ll find an impressive museum with ancient manuscripts, religious icons, and a former kitchen with medieval tools still intact. The frescoes in the main church are striking and solemn, depicting scenes of martyrdom in vivid detail.
2. Varlaam Monastery
30 minutes
Varlaam is famous for its massive wooden wine barrel that once held 12,000 liters of wine—it’s still on display! The monastery’s chapel features delicate post-Byzantine frescoes, and its peaceful terrace offers sweeping views of the Pindus mountains. Climbing up, you’ll appreciate how monks once hauled supplies via rope and winch.
7 kms
20 minutes
4
END POINT
2 ending points available
1. Kalabaka
2. Kastraki
Venture off the beaten path on a guided Meteora hike with forest trails, dramatic views, and monastery visits along the way.
- Day out to: Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pickup from Kalabaka or Kastraki, followed by a scenic ride in a VIP Mercedes minibus to the trailhead near Doupiani Rock. Meet your expert mountain guide in the ancient settlement of Mesochori, a stone-built hamlet nestled beneath Meteora’s towering cliffs, then set out on your 5-hour journey, mostly on foot, along paths once traversed by monks, hermits, and pilgrims centuries ago.
- Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
- Everything you get: The ticket includes a professional mountain guide fluent in English, with French or Italian-speaking guides available on select days. With just 12 people per group, the pace stays relaxed and personal, with time for stories, rest stops, and spontaneous viewpoints. You'll also visit one monastery, typically Great Meteoron or Varlaam, and enjoy panoramic views of all six from spots unreachable by road.
Venture off the beaten path on a guided Meteora hike with forest trails, dramatic views, and monastery visits along the way.
- Day out to: Your adventure begins with a convenient hotel pickup from Kalabaka or Kastraki, followed by a scenic ride in a VIP Mercedes minibus to the trailhead near Doupiani Rock. Meet your expert mountain guide in the ancient settlement of Mesochori, a stone-built hamlet nestled beneath Meteora’s towering cliffs, then set out on your 5-hour journey, mostly on foot, along paths once traversed by monks, hermits, and pilgrims centuries ago.
- Travel tip: You will need to make a small cash offering of €3 to €5 per person for entry to each monastery.
- Everything you get: The ticket includes a professional mountain guide fluent in English, with French or Italian-speaking guides available on select days. With just 12 people per group, the pace stays relaxed and personal, with time for stories, rest stops, and spontaneous viewpoints. You'll also visit one monastery, typically Great Meteoron or Varlaam, and enjoy panoramic views of all six from spots unreachable by road.
Inclusions
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Kalabaka or Kastraki by VIP Mercedes minibus
- Guide meeting point at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki)
- Meteora hiking tour with panoramic views of all 6 monasteries
- Small group size (up to 12 guests)
- Professional English-speaking mountain guide
- French and Italian-speaking guides (depending on availability)
- Entry to 1 monastery (likely Great Meteoron or Varlaam, depending on their rotating schedules)
- Bottled water onboard
Exclusions
- A small offering of €3 to €5 per monastery
- Guide inside the monasteries
- Food and drinks
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Personal travel insurance
- Meet your guide at Mesochori (Ancient Settlement of Kastraki), near the Doupiani Rock trailhead, just beneath the Pantokrator Monastery ruins.
- Depending on the day and schedule, you’ll visit between 2 to 4 monasteries. Each monastery closes one day per week ( Great Meteoron on Tuesdays, Varlaam on Fridays).
- Meteora is not wheelchair accessible. All monasteries involve stairs or uneven paths. For easier access, consider visiting St. Stephen’s Monastery, which has a paved walkway and fewer steps.
- Transport between sites is provided by a local minibus or coach. While distances are short, the roads can be steep and winding.
- There are no toilets on the bus, but a scheduled rest stop is included midway for snacks and bathroom breaks.
- Guided commentary is not allowed inside the monasteries.
- Bring earphones and a smartphone if you’d like to use the audio guide app during your visit.
- All monasteries follow a strict dress code. Men must wear trousers, and women must wear long skirts and cover their shoulders. Wrap skirts and shawls are typically available at entrances, if needed.
- Wear closed, comfortable walking shoes; paths are uneven and often steep.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.