TOUR MASTOROCHORIA, EPIRUS, GREECE

DAY 1:

TIME: 9h00 – Morning tour to the first unity, the west Mastorochoria at the mountain peak Maria

A few kilometers outside Konitsa, we cross Sarantaporos river and we climb a rural road of unrivalled beauty. At the end of this road, close to the border with Albania we arrive at the therapeutics baths of Amarantos, just outside the homonymous picturesque village, which is placed at an altitude of 1.260 meters. There, we will enjoy a rejuvenating bath to its modern facilities.

TIME: 11h00 – Coffee Break in Amarantos village (F1)

We will have the opportunity to drink traditional Turkish coffee and taste the local sweets.

TIME: 12h30 – Visit to Amarantos traditional watermill (F2)

Going backwards, in the exit of the village we will stop to take a brief glance back into how our ancestors managed to live in interaction and harmony with the natural environment. The recently restored traditional water mill, beside the rushing waters of the crystal clear Ziasiaka river, is a representative example.

TIME: 13h00 – Visit the Bridge of Smiksi (F3) in Ziasiaka river, close to Ag. Varvara village (F4)

Afterwards, we will visit the village of Agia Varvara where we can also see the picturesque stone bridge Smiksi, a few meters away from the village.

TIME: 13h00 – *Epirus Trail: Amarantos-Ag. Varvara

Alternatively, if some of you want to enjoy the fresh forest, you can leave from the village of Amarantos and, by following the awarded Epirus Trail, go to the Smiksi stone bridge on foot. This is a relatively easy path, very well marked, of 1.15 hours walk.

TIME: 15h00 – Monastiri (F5) – Molista (F6) – Ganadio (F7)

From Agia Varvara we will take the road back to Sarantaporos River and then we follow the old national road towards Thessaloniki. In 10km we will meet a crossroad and we will turn right towards Monastiri. After exploring this complex of very well preserved Mastorochoria (Monastiri, Molista Ganadio), we can end up in Ganadio and enjoy a nice lunch of local products with historic precedent in traditional cuisine.

TIME: 17h30 – Konitsa / Free time

As the sun sets we return back to Konitsa base camp on the amazing riverside of Aoos, where we can rest and plan the rest of the evening enjoying the local cuisine and/ or the nightlife of Konitsa.

* If all the participants want to follow the Epirus Trail it will have to be organized in advance.
The availability of local drivers has an extra cost.

DAY 2:

TIME: 9h00 – **Rafting (F8) to Aoos or Voidomatis River

Close to the base camp, we will have the unique opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty from an insight through the rivers complex of the area. This activity has various levels of difficulties you can choose.

TIME: 12h30 – Morning tour to the second unity, the central Mastorochoria cross crossing routes between the Grammos and Smolikas mountains, that Sarantaporos river divides geographically but unites culturally

Following the old national road towards Thessaloniki, after 28km approximately, we will turn left towards to Pyrsogianni (F9). In 1km we will meet the central Mastorochori, Pyrsogianni. Once we will drink coffee or enjoy a traditional snack, we will explore the best preserved village, which was the richest and the most famous of the stone-craftsmanship heritage.

TIME: 14h00 – Visit the Vourbiani Village (F10)

Continuing the rural road to Plikati village, very close to Pyrsogianni, we will stop to admire Vourbiani, the village that shared the culture and the glory with Pyrsogianni.

TIME: 14h45 – Visit the Hioniades village (F11)

Afterwards, we will climb up the mountainous road to Hioniades village placed at an altitude of 1.120m. There we will visit the Museum of the artists of Hioniades #2. Apart from the significant heritage of this artistic movement of Naives painters that dominated the Balkans as a Boulouki mode since the 18th century, we will also experience a breathtaking landscape.

TIME: 16h30 – Visit the Kastanea village (F12)

From Hioniades we will take the road back to Sarantaporos River and then we follow the old national road towards Konitsa. In 18km we will meet a crossroad and we will turn left towards Kastanea. After having a lunch with local dishes, we can explore the natural and cultural beauties of this protected traditional settlement.

TIME: 19h15 – Konitsa (F13) / Free time

As the sun sets we return back to Konitsa base camp on the amazing riverside of Aoos, where we can rest and plan the rest of the evening enjoying the local cuisine and/ or the nightlife of Konitsa.

**The choice of the river for rafting depends, primarily, on the level of the water of the rivers and secondarily on the preferences of the participants.

DAY 3:

TIME: 9h00 – Breakfast by the river (F14)

Our last day we will have the opportunity to experience a homemade breakfast on the riverbank in our base camp.

TIME: 10h30 – Morning tour to the last unity, the south-east Mastorochoria at the Smolikas mountain

Following the old national road towards Thessaloniki after 17km approximately we will turn right towards to Pournia village. As we climb the amazing landscape of Vourkopotamos valley, just before entering the village, we will meet the outstanding stone bridge of Mavri Petra(f15) and the unique mural painted on the sheer cliff face rock (f16). Afterwards we will have a brief tour to Pournia village.

TIME: 12h30 – Visit the Fourka Village (f17)

Going backwards, after 8km we turn right towards to Fourka. This is the village of the highest altitude of Mastorochoria unity and one of the higher altitude in Greece, built at 1.450m. The Landscape is a breathtaking experience and of extreme beauty. The people of village give special honors the heroic Women of Pindos.

TIME: 14h00 – Visit the Kerasovo Village (f18)

Going backwards after a small stop to breathe the clarity of the mountainous springs we will meet Kerasovo. This village is well known mainly for its significant musical tradition. Once we explore the architectural beauties of the village and have a brief stop at the local folklore museum, we will enjoy a traditional lunch in the picturesque central square.

TIME: 18h00 – Konitsa / Free time

As the sun sets we return back to Konitsa base camp on the amazing riverside of Aoos, where we can rest and plan the rest of the evening enjoying the village of Konitsa and/ or its nightlife.