Hike, Kayak and Raft Greece's Wild North

Nikos and Hermes were wonderful guides, they had so much energy and enthusiasm. Nothing was too much trouble and they led the group well. This part of Greece is so beautiful and untouched, would highly recommend.

This trip to Northern Greece was an amazing experience. The breathtaking landscapes, well-organized itinerary, and our fantastic guides, Nikos and Hermes, made it truly memorable. They went above and beyond, ensuring we were well fed and entertained with activities like hiking and sea-kayaking. While the last hotel could have been better, the overall experience was excellent, and I’d highly recommend it!

This trip was absolutely incredible...Our guides Nikos and Hermés went over and above to accommodate for the groups needs, provide fun and lots of insight and information into the fascinating places we visited! The areas we visited were breathtaking and I had no idea Greece had landscapes like this. The accommodation was comfortable and the food out of this world. The itinerary was managed and balanced well with a range of activities and flexibility to give the group the best experience. I came away with new friends and some amazing memories. Couldn't recommend this trip enough 🙏

This trip was the perfect mix of active and relaxing. Northern Greece is so incredibly beautiful, and the guides were incredibly knowledgeable. Nikos in particular went out of his way to make sure that everyone was (very) well fed, with delicious food, and that everyone's needs were well catered for. The group was a great mix of people too. Couldn't have hoped for better.

An absolutely wonderful trip - a great adventure of hiking, rafting, sea-kayaking, cuisine (so much Greek food!) and camaraderie. As an opportunity to discover a road less taken in northern Greece with a wonderful bunch of travelling companions; I couldn't recommend it enough. A final shout out must go to Nikos and Hermes, our guides for the week. Hype men, cuisine connoisseurs, wildlife gurus, DJs, night-life experts and all round legends both.

Trip was generally excellent and well planned

Nikos and Hermes were really conscientious guides who couldn’t do enough for us. Was very impressed. Even bringing home prepared food at times which was a lovely touch.

Only minor issues

1. I think that the B21 hotel in Athens wasn’t good enough.

2. Nikos insisted we needed to bring backpacks rather than other soft bags. Don’t think that was necessary.

3. Would have been good to have a get to know you introduction session at the start.

But as I say really minor.

Would come on another mba trip.

good organization, full week. Average atmosphere despite the presence of the guides. Disappointed by the last hotel

A outstanding chance to walk the path less taken in Northern Greece. Very attentive guides going the extra mile to cater for a diverse ability group in an amazing and forgotten area. The UNESCO villages and stunning gorge walks were complemented with some whitewater rafting down what was nothing short of a magical. from Athens to the mountain refuge the local food was generous and of a high culinary standard. It’s a trip where friends and great memories are made.

This multi activity trip to Greece could just as easily be described as a culinary experience with activities in between. The hiking on this trip was stunning. In the Zagori region, Vikos Gorge and Dragon Lake, were highlights but the walks at Meteora were also breathtaking. Our guide Dimitris, with the help of Marios, delivered a varied and interesting itinerary, filled with amazing views, quirky anecdotes and historical information. The hikes were at some times challenging but Dimitris did a great job of ensuring that all abilities were considered by his pace and planned rest stops. It rained quite a bit in Zagori but it didn’t dampen spirits too much and the guides were able to factor in changes that made the most of the situation. You should follow the kit list and be prepared for wet weather and lower temperatures (our trip was early September). The guesthouse accommodation throughout was quite basic bust completely adequate. You will move almost every day to new mountain village locations which are beautiful and traditional. The refuge on Mount Tymfi was more basic but also adequate. Breakfast was always included at the start of each day and lunch was planned, either as restaurant stop or we were briefed for when packed lunch/snacks were required. Note that some lunches are taken quite late to accommodate activity so have some snacks with you for the hikes. Make sure you have some cash for those small village stores and the times you need to split bills. A lot of the Zagori region has fresh spring water so you can actually carry less with you sometimes. Ask the guides for advice. The food at planned meals on this trip deserves special mention. The local restaurants serving a variety of traditional Greek foods were simply stunning. They were able to cater somewhat to one vegitarian group member but it was the meat and seafood that really stood out for the rest of us. There were other activities on this trip outside the planned hiking. The rafting was fun, although we had a low water level but there was also a great opportunity to swim in the cold river. Kayaking was unfortunately cancelled for our trip due to sea conditions but an alternate activity of abseiling down a canyon was arranged and was a perfect alternative. Dimitris also planned some extra walks such as the evening walk along the river Aoos towards the Monastery Panagias Stomiou - this would be a great hike to include in the itinerary and would be a great running challenge for anyone looking to stretch their legs after the day on the water. On the last evening the sight seeing tour of Athens was also a nice way to round off the trip before a final group meal. Our group was a great variety of ages, solos/friends/couples and abilities, I would recommend this trip to anyone who is comfortable with the level of activity.

TLDR: Be prepared for the weather. This is largely a food experience with walking and activities in between. Carry some cash. Some of the walks are challenging but achievable. The guides and extra activities really lifted the experience of this trip.

This multi activity trip to Greece could just as easily be described as a culinary experience with activities in between. The hiking on this trip was stunning. In the Zagori region, Vikos Gorge and Dragon Lake, were highlights but the walks at Meteora were also breathtaking. Our guide Dimitris, with the help of Marios, delivered a varied and interesting itinerary, filled with amazing views, quirky anecdotes and historical information. The hikes were at some times challenging but Dimitris did a great job of ensuring that all abilities were considered by his pace and planned rest stops. It rained quite a bit in Zagori but it didn’t dampen spirits too much and the guides were able to factor in changes that made the most of the situation. You should follow the kit list and be prepared for wet weather and lower temperatures (our trip was early September). The guesthouse accommodation throughout was quite basic bust completely adequate. You will move almost every day to new mountain village locations which are beautiful and traditional. The refuge on Mount Tymfi was more basic but also adequate. Breakfast was always included at the start of each day and lunch was planned, either as restaurant stop or we were briefed for when packed lunch/snacks were required. Note that some lunches are taken quite late to accommodate activity so have some snacks with you for the hikes. Make sure you have some cash for those small village stores and the times you need to split bills. A lot of the Zagori region has fresh spring water so you can actually carry less with you sometimes. Ask the guides for advice. The food at planned meals on this trip deserves special mention. The local restaurants serving a variety of traditional Greek foods were simply stunning. They were able to cater somewhat to one vegitarian group member but it was the meat and seafood that really stood out for the rest of us. There were other activities on this trip outside the planned hiking. The rafting was fun, although we had a low water level but there was also a great opportunity to swim in the cold river. Kayaking was unfortunately cancelled for our trip due to sea conditions but an alternate activity of abseiling down a canyon was arranged and was a perfect alternative. Dimitris also planned some extra walks such as the evening walk along the river Aoos towards the Monastery Panagias Stomiou - this would be a great hike to include in the itinerary and would be a great running challenge for anyone looking to stretch their legs after the day on the water. On the last evening the sight seeing tour of Athens was also a nice way to round off the trip before a final group meal. Our group was a great variety of ages, solos/friends/couples and abilities, I would recommend this trip to anyone who is comfortable with the level of activity. Not a negative but a factor to consider is there is a lot of driving around in minibuses on this trip.

TLDR: Be prepared for the weather. This is largely a food experience with walking and activities in between. Carry some cash. Some of the walks are challenging but achievable. The guides and extra activities really lifted the experience of this trip.

My first tour with this company and will definitely book again. The Pindus and Vikos mountains in Northern Greece are off the tourist path and you will be able to enjoy the serenity. All the little mountain villages you stay in, the excellent Greek food every night, the landscape, various hikes of different difficulties and terrain - it was all fantastic. Made even more so by our guides Dimitris and Marios. Dimitris was patient, kind, looked out for everyone’s needs and bought a good sense of humour. Can’t recommend this tour enough. Despite the fact we were unlucky with the weather (a bit of rain on some of our hikes), it just added to the broodiness of the spectacular landscape. Thank you Dimitris!!

This was our first time using MBA and we definitely will do again based on this trip. Northern Greece was lovely. The itinerary well thought out. The hikes were in beautiful spots with opportunities to cool off in the July heat in rivers and canyons. Really enjoyed the mix of activities, hiking, swimming, rafting, sea kayaking. We did a lot, saw a lot, ate a lot of delicious food and enjoyed the company of like minded travellers in our group.

Great trip. Would thoroughly recommend. Loved hiking through beautiful scenery. Gorge and mountains didn’t disappoint. Enjoyed the night in the refuge with stunning sunset. Great to mix the trip up with water sports too. Fantastic food, drink and accommodation. Mike was a super guide. V informative. Nothing was too much trouble for him either. I look forward to another trip next year.

This trip was absolutely jam packed from start to finish! The hikes were challenging whilst still being enjoyable, and with a slow enough pace to enjoy the scenery. Our guide Mike was there every step of the way and couldn’t have done more for us! The food was fabulous (even as a sometimes tricky to cater for vegan) and the rafting and kayaking were great additions to diversify the trip. Just prepare yourself for the heat if you go mid summer like we did!

From start to finish this trip delivered on every level. The Vikos Gorge, the climb to the Dragon Lake and stay at the mountain range were the hiking highlights for me. The rafting was a good opportunity to get the feet and legs in some cold water. What made the trip so very special was the guide Kostas - the places he took us to, his knowledge of flora and fauna, history and geology was wonderful. Kostas treated us to local delicacies. He was everything you would look for making the pace right for the people on the trip (I was slowest), making sure all our needs were sorted - I could go on and on he was a legend I would happily go on any trip Kostas was leading. We visited local businesses for stays and meals which was good. Finally the food - just wow - heaps of it and the quality was out of this world. Be prepared to eat late thats what happens in Greece but there you go. I was very lucky that the rest of the people on the trip were also great company. Highly recommended & Kostas again wonderful performance.

The Pindus mountains are beautiful! I had no idea how gorgeous they would be. We did the June tour so the weather was ideal and there were wildflowers EVERYWHERE! Not sure I had really appreciated the concept of a real wildflower meadow before this. The activities on this tour are so so good - the gorge walks and spring pools are amazing and then you have a totally different but equally beautiful hike up to the dragon lake and then a total change in (in scenery and temperature 😅) in Meteora. The rafting is actually very relaxing because the scenery is gorgeous and the water is not fast at all. The star of the trip for me though was the food! I realised I hadn’t taken a single photo of it because we all just dived straight in as soon as it reached the table 😂. Our guide Kostas was basically everything you could possibly want in a guide and clearly takes his role (both in ensuring you have a good time and in keeping you safe) very seriously. As well as main role of guide he also acts as car DJ, first aider, local food connoisseur, hype man, wild life expert, Greek language teacher and many more - he’s a non-stop Greek tour guide force! The accommodation was all nice, the ones in the north were really nice though with stunning views over the mountains with your breakfast. The stay in the mountain hut was actually so nice, I slept incredibly well but I would say definitely worth bringing your ear plugs. Also worth taking a pack of cards or game to play with the other guests. The sunrise over the mountains in the morning is not to be missed!

This was my first trip to the north of Greece and my first trip with Much Better Adventures. There were no reviews when we booked, but I am so glad we did. A truly unforgettable adventure with an incredible guide, Kostas, who really delivered an amazing experience. I would absolutely say this was great value for money, and the itinerary, the food, the accommodation and the guiding made it all worthwhile.

The hiking was spectacular. The walk along the gorge was so beautiful, and the pools we stopped at were as breathtaking as the coldness of the water. The hike up the mountain was not what I was expecting, sub alpine forest giving way to lush grass before arriving at the mountain hut. The walk up to the dragon lake took us through the glacial valley, past wild horses up to the dragon lake where we could see Albania. The mountain villages were beautiful and so scenic. In terms of difficulty - none of the walks were that challenging or technical, and with a good level of fitness you would be fine.

The rafting was extremely easy and was more of a lazy river experience, but an incredible experience nonetheless. The water was a stunning blue, and there was time to jump off some rocks. Sea kayaking was good, with a trip round a nearby island with a stop at one of the islands beaches. This was fairly so-so and I would have preferred to have spent another day in the mountains.

The food and accommodation didn’t disappoint, from village tavernas to rustic home cooked food, everything was delicious and in huge portions. Kostas ordered each time, making sure we got a taste of everything Greece had to offer. The stay at the mountain hut was particularly memorable. Each place we stayed in the mountains was unique in its own way.

I can’t understate how much Kostas made the trip - he was such a helpful guide, with great stories, great advice, and went out of his way to make sure our time in Greece was the best it could be.

Overall, an experience I won’t forget and I’ll be sure to try out other trips with MBA.

I was nervous booking this one - it was a new trip and a bit of a risk but I’m so glad I did! I had the best time and really enjoyed exploring a lesser known region of Greece. It was absolutely stunning and at times felt like we were the only people in an undiscovered land! In late May the weather was perfect and the mountains and valleys were full of wildflowers and wildlife. What I loved about this trip was the mix of challenging hikes, other activities and seeing ancient sites. It’s got a bit of everything, plus delicious authentic Greek food! It was great to try my hand at sea kayaking and rafting and was nice to explore the environment in different ways. This is my second Much Better Adventures trip and in my experience they attract great people, I’m so grateful for the lovely bunch of fellow adventurers I got to experience this trip with. And most of all to our brilliant guide Dimitris who went above and beyond to show us the best sights and make sure we had a trip to remember. I felt absolutely safe with him by our side and he really made the trip special and made us feel at home. Thanks Dimitris!

Top tip - if you want to extend your trip a bit it’s really easy to get to a variety of islands from Athens (by ferry or place) and have a few days beach time at the end. Some of us went on to Naxos and would recommend it, lovely and relaxed!

This was a fantastic trip to Greece's 'wild north'. It had a great mix of hiking, with a half day rafting, and a final day sea kayaking. The hikes were in the glorious Vikos National park, and Mateora National Park. The hiking was very manageable, but with one longer day ascending to the beautiful Drakolimni lake by the Refugio, at 2,000 mts. I think this would have been a tough day if you are not used to hiking, but very manageable if you have done some hiking and are moderately fit. The Refugio was closed, so the day included the descent as well, which made it longer. But this then gave us an extra half day to hike in Mateora, which was well worth it with its stunning rock formations, and monasteries impossibly perched atop rocky outcrops. The region is overall much less touristy than coastal areas, and has beautiful tavernas for delicious food. Lots of fresh food, enough for vegetarians, but plenty for carnivores as well. The rafting was on a beautiful river, around 2-3 hours, with up to Grade 2 rapids, so nothing too challenging/adrenaline fuelled, but very pleasant. The sea kayaking was a lovely way to end, with a little picnic and swim on an isolated beach. The kayaks are 2 person very stable sea kayaks, and no previous experience was needed. . The group was great, with like minded adventurers who enjoy hiking and the great outdoors, and everyone was very easy-going and fun. Dimitris was an outstanding host/guide. Always patient and willing to make the trip the best he could for us. I could not fault him.

This was my 5th trip to Greece, first time in the North and first time tour with Much Better Adventures. Boy did this catch me by surprise. I have always loved coming to this country but never envisioned Greece to look like this. The beauty blew me away! This tour has the perfect mix of activities it never felt repetitive.