Hike and Raft Greece's Wild North

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Greek food has been shaped by centuries of home cooking, Orthodox fasting traditions and a climate that favours olives, vegetables and legumes. Long stretches without meat or dairy have led to a brilliant variety of plant-based dishes, many of which are still everyday staples. Meals tend to be simple, seasonal and centred around olive oil, with pulses, grains and vegetables doing the heavy lifting. Meals are often eaten in the traditional Greek way, ordering a selection of dishes which are shared between the group. It’s a great destination for vegetarians, vegans and the lactose-free. If you're gluten-free or have more specific allergies, you'll still find options but just be ready to explain your needs clearly, especially in smaller or more remote tavernas (your guide will help you with this).

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Greek cuisine offers a wide range of excellent vegetarian options such as Greek salad, fava (yellow split pea purée), dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs), spanakopita (spinach pie), gemista (stuffed peppers and tomatoes), gigantes (baked giant beans), grilled vegetables, and a variety of mezze.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Options will, however, definitely be more limited in certain areas. Vegan-friendly dishes may include lentil soup (fakes), gigantes beans, briam (roasted mixed vegetables), okra in tomato sauce, stuffed vine leaves, horta (boiled wild greens), salads, and many vegetable-based mezze prepared with olive oil and herbs.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by location and is often not possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, options will be more limited than for those without dietary requirements. While many Greek dishes are naturally gluten-free (such as grilled meats, fish, salads, vegetables and legumes), bread and pastry are common at meals, and awareness of cross-contamination can vary. While your local hosts will do their best, it’s worth knowing that gluten-free specialist supplies are generally only available in Athens. In more remote areas, it's not possible to source specialist products, so meals will be based on naturally gluten-free dishes rather than substitutes. We recommend bringing some of your own snacks or supplements, especially when travelling in more rural regions.

Lactose Free -Lactose-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While dairy (particularly feta and yogurt) features prominently in Greek cuisine, many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can be prepared without dairy, including grilled meats or fish, vegetable stews, legumes, salads, rice dishes and mezze based on olive oil, lemon and herbs rather than cheese or yogurt. Nonetheless, we recommend bringing some of your own snacks or supplements, especially when travelling in more rural regions.

ALLERGIES

Your host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

The drinking water in Greece is perfectly safe, so you'll be able to fill up at your guesthouse and at refill points during the hikes. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle or bladder with you.

It's possible to leave excess luggage in Athens at the start of this trip and collect it when returning to Athens on Day 8. Please discuss this with your host in advance.

If adverse weather affects the planned hikes in the higher elevations of the Pindus Mountains, there are ample alternatives in the region which your guide will pivot to based on the forecast and their knowledge of the region.

You'll have one main tour guide who will guide the hikes throughout the itinerary. You'll have additional guides join the group for the rafting excursion.

Yes absolutely! The departure dates of this trip are scheduled to coincide with our Greek Island Hopping Adventure in the Cyclades adventure, so once you've visited the mountains in the Wild North, you can go and relax on the islands of the Cyclades - all in one holiday!

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The months of May, June, September and October are by far the most pleasant to visit most parts of Greece. In Zagori and Meteora in these months, daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F and most days are clear and sunny with low chances of rainfall. In the early and late season months of May and October it can get chilly at night in this mountainous part of Northern Greece, so bring adequate layers. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can reach 40°C/104°F. These months are also the busiest months in terms of visitors, so we only run trips in early July and right at the end of August into September, to make sure you have the best conditions possible.