About 20 years ago I arrived in the Tzoumerka region riding a Suzuki Jimny Jeep. I started my journey from the town of Metsovo to the village of Chaliki while crossing the crazy peaks of the mountain Lakmos and all on a bumpy dirt road with amazing views, streams, forests and even a bunch of wild wolves which were curious and did not understand what this jeep was and where it came from.
From there I continued to the picturesque secluded village of Kalarites on a wild and winding dirt road coming north to the Tzoumarka region.
All that experiential trip I thought about trekking and mountaineering in Nepal when only a year earlier I had climbed one of the Himalayan ridges to an altitude of 6200 meters.
Tzoumarka – “The Himalayas of Greece” is very similar in its dramatic landscapes
Jagged mountains, secluded villages, rushing rivers and especially the mystical atmosphere of the Nepalese Himalayas
In April 2019 I returned to the Tzoumarka region again this time in a regular car with my good friend Harris from Metsovo. We started our journey from the beautiful city of Ioannina the capital of the province of Epirus with the destination Agnata Pramanta and the picturesque villages of Tsopela and Melissourgoi
The weather is cloudy and foggy which added to the drama of the winding road and endless views towards the peaks of Mount Tzoumarka and the Arachthos River out between jagged canyons with tremendous flow, a huge channel of the largest in the Greek rivers. The outskirts of the Tzoumarka region to the northwest are the villages of Lazena and Kalentzi. This is a quiet and pastoral area that can be a base for day trips, especially for families with children. Hotel Rodami is highly recommended
We continued on our way up a winding road that gradually descends to the Arachtos River gorge until we met the Plaka Bridge named after the village in the place.
For families with children, right at the entrance to the village there is a sports center with sports activities and active recreation for children of all ages T.A.C www.tac.com.gr
It is recommended to stop there for about two hours of fun activities for the whole family. The place is maintained by a lovely family including a certified guide.
We drove from there a short distance to the provincial capital of the largest village Pramanta in the Tzoumarka region with high class modern hotels, local taverns with fine food, bakeries, cafes and a special atmosphere with the Stroggoula summit and the Tzoumarka mountain ranges in the background.
We stopped for lunch at the local Verys Lampros tavern delicious and fresh food as it is all based on organic crops of the fertile area.
After the meal and local dessert we continued to visit two boutique hotels sitting in front of the amazing view of the Tzoumarka ridges and the Stroggoula Mountain: Orizontes resort 5 star Hotel very suitable for families with children The hotel has spacious and large families rooms. Close to Orizontes Hotel There is ANAVASI Hotel located in the village of Tsopela, next to a nature reserve with the possibility of easy and pleasant walks and trekking to the mountain area to a hidden waterfall that flows there all year round.
Highly recommended hotel in the village of Vourgarelli is Hotel Rouista resort Boutique hotel of a high standard and in a great location.
We finished this part of the trip we returned to Pramanta and before the village of Ktistades we turned right onto a wild and amazing road and this is as usual on many trips both private and as a tour guide not to repeat the same way these create a fascinating and exciting circular route. About a kilometer and a half drive there is a right turn to a small and narrow road that leads after a journey of about 7 kilometers to the Kalarritiko River whose sources From the snows of Mount Lakmos and it passes on its way the picturesque village of Syrrako and the village of Kalarites after which the river is named. Our encounter with the river and the narrow bridge is a lovely corner of the area.
We returned to the main road and continued towards the village of Ampelochori with amazing views of the village and the Claritico River flowing north of the village. we went down to the Politsa Bridge where the Arachtos River crosses and from there we usually start rafting on the river.
This is where our day trips end. On our way back to Ioannina we passed again the two villages at the North of the Tzoumarka region Lazena and Elliniko.
Travelling to Greece, planning a trip to northern Greece including Tzoumerka region, Flight to Greece via Athens.
Trip to northern Greece You can land in Athens rent a car to head towards the city of Patras and cross the Rio Antirrio Bridge and drive towards the city of Arta from there you can continue to the southern part of Tzoumarka and stay in the village of Vourgareli and actually start your trip in the Tzoumarka region. Highly recommended hotel in the village of Vourgarelli is Hotel Rouista resort Boutique hotel of a high standard and in a great location.
Another option after visiting Tzoumerka is to continue to the city of Ioanina and stay there for at least 4 nights as a base for day trips.
Landing in Thessaloniki rented car and from there a drive of about three and a half hours towards the beautiful village of Metsovo Accommodation 2 nights in Metsovo and from there continue according to plan.
The village is situated in the mountainous northern part of Greece in the district of Epirus highly recommended hotel is Grand Forest Hotel
It is possible with special planning to fly early in the morning to Athens and from there a short connection and a direct flight to Ioannina, the capital of the province of Epirus. Accommodation 3-4 nights in the city of Ioannina and from there go out every day for a different trip.
So take a break from the crazy life and the routine and give yourself the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing vacation to recharge your batteries.
Within a short flight to Greece, from Athens or Thessaloniki you will reach a variety of attractive destinations, special places where you can combine an amazing vacation with clean beaches, clear water and spa treatments, mountains and forest with amazingly pristine nature, trekking, hiking, rafting, detoxification and more. For example, you can book a holiday in one of our chosen unique Hotels that include yoga, meditation, spirituality, hiking and trekking for your personal empowerment, enjoy amazing views, beaches and excellent healthy Greek-style food.
Well-Being in Greece-The best way to discover yourself, relax & feel free
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Every day in life and especially these days, it is important for you to know how to find you’re inside voice. To be able just to be. Live in balance and the control of your life will return to your own hands.
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