You’ll stay in a twin room in a locally owned, independent guesthouse where the views are almost as good as the local food and hospitality.

View from the Kastoria Guesthouse

Kastoria

You'll stay in another beautiful, Greek guesthouse beneath the towering peaks of the Pindos mountains - a spectacular and very comfortable base for your hikes in the area.

Dias Guesthouse, Mikro Papigo below the Dias Mountains

Mikro Papigo Guesthouse

Mikro Papingo

You’ll stay in a twin room in a locally owned, independent guesthouse where the views are almost as good as the local food and hospitality.

You'll stay in another beautiful, Greek guesthouse beneath the towering peaks of the Pindos mountains - a spectacular and very comfortable base for your hikes in the area.

Cancel up to 31 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Transferrable Deposits

Free date changes up to 31 days before departure.

Free Date Changes

No previous experience is needed, but you’ll be crossing rough, uneven terrain so a decent level of general fitness is required.

You're in Greece, the food is incredible! You'll have traditional food at various points during the trip, including classic Greek evenings in local tavernas. Vegans and Vegetarians can be catered for on this trip, just let your host know in advance

Greek Salad

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Your host will let you know meeting point prior to departure. On the final day you are free to book any flight that departs after 15:30.
If you are unable to take the group transfer from Thessaloniki on day 1, there are various options to make your own way to Kastoria. Buses from Thessaloniki to Kastpria take approximately 3 hours and cost around €25. You can also take a train from Thessaloniki to Florina, and then a 45-minute taxi to Kastoria. This option will cost around €70.

Expert, English-speaking conservation guides

Guides

5 nights in local, independent guesthouses

Accommodation

Meals

To and from the airport and everything in between

Transfers

All national park permits and entry fees

Permits

Expert, English-speaking conservation guides

5 nights in local, independent guesthouses

To and from the airport and everything in between

Head to Kastoria, your base for the bear tracking adventure ahead. Check into your guesthouse, gaze out at the lake and then meet up with your guides and the rest of your team. If there's enough time, take a short hike to a nearby area frequented by bears, before heading out for dinner. You have an early start in the morning so you may want to hold back on the Ouzo.

View of Kastoria across the lake

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Day 1

Head to an area where bears forage for food and If you're lucky, catch a glimpse of a wild bear going about its morning routine.Fuel up yourself, then hike to a spectacular wilderness area where your guides conduct regular field research. During the hike you'll learn about radio-tracking methods, look for signs of bear activity, measure footprints and watch remote camera traps being set. Visit the sanctuary at Nymfaio and see the important work being done to give orphaned and rescued bears a better life. Here you will definitely see them up close.

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Bear prints

bear Greece

Guide pointing out scratches from bears on a tree

Bears

Day 2

Pack your day bag and head to the spectacular Mount Gramos (2520m) for a days hiking in the mountains. This is a wild and beautiful area, with pine and beech forests nestled beneath the peaks of the Pindos Mountains and four different rivers descending into the forested valleys. Head back to Kastoria for a well-earned rest and then take a quick walk around the lake, followed by a classic Greek dinner in a local Taverna.

Pindos Mountains views

The mountain trails of Gramos

Day 3

Start the day with a spot of crack-of-dawn bear tracking. After breakfast, head out again for another wilderness hike, this time keeping an eye out for paw tracks, droppings, hairs and scratch markings on the trees. Wave goodbye to Kastoria and hop in the car for a drive to one of the most picturesque villages on the trip, Mikro Papigno, located right in the heart of Northern Pindos National Park.

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Bear

Brown Bear

Bear and cub

Bears, bears, bears!

Day 4

Hike through the world's deepest gorge (relative to its width), known as ‘Greece's Grand Canyon’. A small trail takes you straight down to the bottom of the gorge where you can stare up at the sheer walls until you reach your lunch spot on the lovely Voidomatis River. Here you can wild swim and drink the water straight from the bank.
Ascend back up and explore Zagori, an area of extraordinary natural beauty made up of two national parks and little villages connected by arched stone bridges. Head back to your guesthouse for a last Greek feast and have an Ouzo or two. You've earned it.

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Voidomatis River, Vikos Gorge, Nothern Greece

Wild Swim at Voidomatis River

Vikos Gorge

Day 5

Have a final breakfast in Mikro Papingo and then pack up and drive back to Thessaloniki. You'll be dropped off at the airport in time for your return flight, or at a hotel in Thessaloniki if you are staying on in Greece.

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Return to Thessaloniki

Day 6

Head to Kastoria, your base for the bear tracking adventure ahead. Check into your guesthouse, gaze out at the lake and then meet up with your guides and the rest of your team. If there's enough time, take a short hike to a nearby area frequented by bears, before heading out for dinner. You have an early start in the morning so you may want to hold back on the Ouzo.

Head to an area where bears forage for food and If you're lucky, catch a glimpse of a wild bear going about its morning routine.Fuel up yourself, then hike to a spectacular wilderness area where your guides conduct regular field research. During the hike you'll learn about radio-tracking methods, look for signs of bear activity, measure footprints and watch remote camera traps being set. Visit the sanctuary at Nymfaio and see the important work being done to give orphaned and rescued bears a better life. Here you will definitely see them up close. 

Pack your day bag and head to the spectacular Mount Gramos (2520m) for a days hiking in the mountains. This is a wild and beautiful area, with pine and beech forests nestled beneath the peaks of the Pindos Mountains and four different rivers descending into the forested valleys. Head back to Kastoria for a well-earned rest and then take a quick walk around the lake, followed by a classic Greek dinner in a local Taverna.

Start the day with a spot of crack-of-dawn bear tracking. After breakfast, head out again for another wilderness hike, this time keeping an eye out for paw tracks, droppings, hairs and scratch markings on the trees. Wave goodbye to Kastoria and hop in the car for a drive to one of the most picturesque villages on the trip, Mikro Papigno, located right in the heart of Northern Pindos National Park. 

Hike through the world's deepest gorge (relative to its width), known as ‘Greece's Grand Canyon’. A small trail takes you straight down to the bottom of the gorge where you can stare up at the sheer walls until you reach your lunch spot on the lovely Voidomatis River. Here you can wild swim and drink the water straight from the bank.

Ascend back up and explore Zagori, an area of extraordinary natural beauty made up of two national parks and little villages connected by arched stone bridges. Head back to your guesthouse for a last Greek feast and have an Ouzo or two. You've earned it.

Have a final breakfast in Mikro Papingo and then pack up and drive back to Thessaloniki. You'll be dropped off at the airport in time for your return flight, or at a hotel in Thessaloniki if you are staying on in Greece. 

Euro

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Single room in Kastoria

Double/Twin room in Mikro Papingo

Single room in Mikro Papingo

Double/Twin room in Kastoria

Spread the cost with as many payments as you need. 

25% deposit to secure your spot

Change your trip date up to 60 days before departure.

Flexible Date Changes

Hike through the world’s deepest gorge and track wild bears across the beautiful Pindos Mountains

Track Wild Bears and Hike in Northern Greece

Trailblazer Price - 2 spots left at 5% off

Trailblazer Price - 3 spots left at 5% off

Trailblazer Price - 4 spots left at 5% off

Explore remote bear territory and get involved in the conservation work being done to protect these incredible animals in the wild

Hike an unspoilt and little-known corner of Europe staying in local independent guesthouses

Visit the Greek Grand Canyon, Vikos Gorge – the deepest in the world

Explore remote bear territory and get involved in the conservation work being done to protect these incredible animals in the wild

Hike an unspoilt and little-known corner of Europe staying in local independent guesthouses

Visit the Greek Grand Canyon, Vikos Gorge – the deepest in the world

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Track Wild Bears and Hike in Northern Greece

Track Wild Bears and Hike in Northern Greece

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE

Track Wild Bears and Hike in Northern Greece

Track Wild Bears and Hike in Northern Greece

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPERADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

HASSLEFREE

SMALL GROUPSOF GOOD PEOPLE

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE