Summary:
An absolute highlight in all respects is this 14 day botanical tour to the big 4 of northern Greece! During this trip attention is focused on the alpine zone of Mt Olympos, Mt Kajmaktcalan, Mt Smolikas and Mt Timfi. Some strenuous walks are planned, therefore its important you are fit. The rewards will be great though: Viola striis-notata, Alyssum handelii and Campanula oreadum on Mt Olympos, spectacular plants of endemic Dianthus myrtinervius ssp caespitosus together with Gentiana punctata and Saxifraga pedemontana ssp cymosa on the summit area of Mt Kajmaktcalan with an old chapel and wonderful views as a bonus!
Also on Mt Smolikas and Mt Timfi there will be ample reward for our efforts:
getting to the Drakolimni lakes on both mountains is worth the effort alone, but there is more like Viola albanica, Dianthus haematocalyx ssp pindicola,
Iberis epirota, Aubrieta glabrescens, Alyssum smolikanum, Campanula hawkinsiana on Smolikas and Minuartia pseudosaxifraga, Prometheum tymphaeum and Rhinanthus pindicus on Timfi.
After all these alpine treasures an other exciting highlight will be visited,
the monasteries of the Meteora..

After arriving in Thessaloniki we will go to our base for the coming 3 nights,
a mountain resort in the Pieria mountains with Olympos views.
The second day we will visit the northern slopes of Olympos, especially the area around the Papa Rema gorge. Day 3 will be strenuous, first we have to drive up along tracks as high as possible. With some luck we can get at approx. 2400m, from here we have to walk to the summit area.
Day 4 we will drive to our next hotel at the base of Mt Kajmaktcalan.
Next day we first drive along roads at an altitude of approx. 2000m, from here we walk to the summit at 2524m. Mt Kajmaktcalan is part of the Voras range and is situated along the border with Macedonia(FYROM), there is a chapel on the summit.(see map)
Day 6 we continue in south west direction to a village in the Timfi range for our next adventures. We will stay in a hotel in the village.
Day 7 will be a long day, from the hotel we walk up the Timfi range to the Drakolimni lake.
Day 8 we have short drive down to our next stop, a hotel in Konitsa near the Aoos river and the old bridge.
Day 9 we will make a tour along the base of Mt Smolikas, this mountain consists mainly of serpentinite and therefore has a distinctive flora.
Day 10 is serious again, first we drive along tracks at an altitude of approx.
1900m from where we will walk to the summit of Mt Smolikas at 2637m,
passing yet another Drakolimni lake.
Day 11 is a well-earned day off, for the real enthusiasts it is possible to walk through the Aoos gorge to the Stomio monastery.
Day 12 we will drive to Meteora, crossing the Pindos mountain range, to a renovated guesthouse from 1845 at the base of huge rocks of the Meteora.
Day 13 is spend visiting some of the Meteora monasteries.
Day 14 is your return to Thessaloniki airport.
For more pictures of the flora, please visit: Mt Olympos
                                                                              Mt Kajmaktcalan
                                                                              Mt Smolikas
                                                                              Mt Timfi


Accommodation
The first 3 nights we will stay in a mountain resort in the Pieria mountains with Olympos views.
The following 2 nights are in a hotel at the base of Mt Kajmaktcalan.
A hotel in a village in the Timfi range will be our home for night 6 and 7.
The next 4 nights we stay in a hotel in Konitsa near the Aoos river and bridge
Night 12 and 13 will be in a renovated guesthouse very close to the Meteora.


Transport
All transport during this tour is in comfortable 4WD cars with air conditioning.


Cost
1595 euro p.p. based on 6 persons
1960 euro p.p. based on 4 persons
2320 euro p.p. based on 2 persons
Group size is minimum 2 and maximum 6 persons
Included: transfers Athens airport
                  all transport in comfortable 4WD
                  stays in mountain resort, several hotels and guesthouse
                  all meals
                  guidance
Excluded: flights
Price including flights on request

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