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“THE NORTHERN CHALLENGE”
Your 10 nights “challenging” moto tour
PROGRAMME
“The North Challenge Ride”
DAY 1 to DAY 11
Meeting at the hotel (Archontiko Metsovou Boutique Hotel).
You can arrive at the hotel either from the port of Igoumenitsa if you choose the sea voyage or through the Greek-Albanian border at Kakavia border crossing if you choose to drive. At the hotel the grM-tours team will wait for your arrival and help you with the accommodation. In the evening, we will all meet for a briefing about the group driving style and conditions. Following this, Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant will take place.
Meet the Wilderness of Pindos Mountains Region.
Going through the highlands of Valia Calda (hot valley), driving on the slopes of Mt Smolikas, opposite to Mt Timfi and climbing up to Mt Grammos, the three highest peaks of Pindos, we are going to spent the first kilometers on scenery roads paved or dirty. Be ready to meet with smiling local countryman, guiding herds of goats and sheeps accustomed with greek shepherd, as the areas is well known been one of the major producers of the famous cheese feta. Following the upper flow of Aliakmon River the day ends at the lake city of Kastoria covering a distance of about 310 km.
A Medieval crossroad.
Starting from Kastoria, the 3rd day will take us to a passage next to the borderline with North Macedonia. Mt Verno (aka Vitsi), Mt Varnoutas, Florina’s Plain, Mt Voras (aka Kaimaktsalan), Arideas’s Plain, the northern slopes of Mt Paiko and the southern slopes of Mt Mpelles, along with Lake Vegoritida, Lake Doirani and Lake Kerkini are going to be our path. The almost 400 km of the day are going to be up and down the mountains. The border city of Sidirokastro (Ironcastle) is going to be our hospitable retreat.
The Nestos River Path.
Departing from Sidirokastro we are going to visit the monastery of Timios Prodromos (St John) established at 1241 AD. One of the oldest monasteries in Greece. Following the Vrodou Pass between Mt Lailias and Mt Menikio we arrive at the Kato Nevrokopi Plain and at Fort Lisse museum. Going around Mt Falakro and within Mt Elatia we meet the Nestos River Gorge and we follow it until we turn our handlebars up to Mt Frakto to reach the unique Dasiko Chorio. A one million stars accommodation for this night after driving a bit more than 300 km.
The Forgotten Lands.
Leaving the Dasiko Chorio installation we are going to pass through the Haidou Forest at Mt Koula, the most southern virgin forest in Europe. We are passing the northernmost areas of Greece, areas forgotten and abandoned due to remoteness but with few, proud and hospitable residents. Destination after of 200 harsh km the city of Komotini. A place where Muslims and Christians makes their living one next to the other peacefully.
The Triborder Point.
Following the Mt Virsini ridges and slopes we arrive at the village Roussa, a unique place in Greece, a sacred place for the Alevitic Islam, the islamic monastery of Kizil Nteli. We follow the mountain down to the Thace Plains and we reach the northernmost establishment of Greece. The town of Ormenio. Following the borderline we are coming close to the Triborder Point between Greece, Bulgaria and Turkiye.
The Turn Around.
Having reached the northeastern tip of Greece we turn around headind South and West. The ancient city of Didimoticho, the Mt Sapka, the Mt Lekani, the wetland of lake Vistonida formed from the Nestos river delta are the highlights of the day. Kavala, an other ancient city build amphitheatrical at the slopes of Mt Lekani is the destination after a bit less than 350 km.
Crossing The Plains.
The plain of Drama and the Cave of River Aggitis, the ruins of Stratoni City, birthplace of Aristotle, the forrest Varvara, the plains of Lake Volvi and the plain of River Axios, the medieval cities of Edessa (Vodena) and Veria are the destinations. The 470 km of this day is going to be the longest distance to be covered .
The Thunder Mountain.
Following the River Aliakmon right bank between Mt Vermio and Mt Pieria we follow a other forgoten but scenic road and we arrive at the biggest river dam of Greece. The Polifitos Dam at River Aliakmon. We continue our way and we pass the abandoned village Skotina (Dark) and village that was established to replace it, Fotina (Bright), while the we ride the north slopes of Mt Olympus. We continue around the home of Greek Gods and we visit the geological museum. Going up again we pass the serpantine road with 32 curves and the Archeological Museum Eanis are the next two spots and the day ends at Elassona town after almost 400 km.
The Passage To Western Side
Elassona was a major hub for the medieval caravans crossing Greece eastbound and westbound. We are going to follow this passage through Mt Kissavos and bring us to the magnificent Meteora above the city of Kalampaka. We follow the next caravan road south at the western side of Mt Koziakas opposite Mt Triggia and Mt Chalikovouno where we turn again heading to the west. Mt Avgo, Mt Fourka and Mt Chatzi will be the next companion. Having cross the Pindos Mountain Range we turn north having the most beautiful Greek mountain, Mt Tzoumerka to our right side. Climbing up we take a break to enjoy the view at Melisourgi Vilage, the last on the road. We continue to Baros Pass, at 1920 m is the highest paved pass at Greece and we end our day at Metsovo having covered about 360 km this last day.
The Farewell
All nice things last short but memories are for ever. The morning of the day 11 signals the end of our excursion.
Drive safe back at home and stay in contact!
Have you ever question your driving limits at a continues drive covering hundreds of kilometers every day either on paved or dirty roads? Up to the mountains or next to the sea? Visiting ancient monuments and modern hotels? Passing from places that Alexander the Great or Leonidas of Sparta took a rest? GReek Mountains Tours in a ten day hard ride give the opportunity to the participants to challenge themselves either at North or Southern Greece.
Price per person: 2,499 €
Including VAT
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