We climb above the tree line for one night at a refuge of the Hellenic Alpine Club, perched on a col overlooked by the dramatic Astraka peak and visit the beautiful Dragon Lake on the edge of the great limestone cliff which borders the Aoos valley. In the spring mountain meadows are a mass of colour with crocus, orchids, and gentians. We visit Tsepelevo, where our English speaking hostess, has been welcoming our walkers to her flower-bedecked villa for many years. At the end of the tour we make a brief visit to Ioannina, on the shores of Lake Pamvotis. Your accommodation is in comfortable village pensions usually in traditional Zagoria houses.
Most rooms have en-suite facilities.
The building of hotels is simply not allowed in this protected area. One night is spent at a mountain hut of the Hellenic Alpine Club so that you can experience the high mountain ambience, and in Ioannina we stay near the old castle. The hospitality of the Greek mountains is legendary and you will enjoy food far removed from the kalamares and chips variety to be found in the coastal resorts.