3 days in Drakolimni and the peak of Tymfi

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13
17.00: DEPARTURE from Metro Agios Antonios. Please be at the point 10 minutes earlier 17.20 Palataki 18.10 Isthmus of Corinth. Destination the city of Ioannina and the hotel in the center of the city. Indicative time of arrival +/- 22.00 Check-in at the hotel, arrangement in the rooms (double & triple) and evening out in the picturesque town of Ioannina

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14
08.00 : Check out from the hotel, after having our breakfast, Our hiking trip to the dreamy Mikro Papigo has begun and is expected to be exciting. After about an hour we arrive at the starting point of our hike. We will put on our mountaineering backpacks for the Astraka mountain refuge at 1950 meters. We start our hike crossing the beautiful stone-built settlement of the village with the imposing volume of Astraka in front of us. We follow the national trail 03 in a green forest initially to the Antalki fountain 1178m and then slowly the forest gives way to sparse bushy cedars ending in an alpine field with an unlimited view!! Towards noon, after about 4 hours, we have arrived at the mountain shelter of Astraka. Settling in, free time to eat and rest. 17.30 we prepare our backpacks for the famous Drakolimni of Tymfi at an altitude of 2050 meters. The path initially descends to the seasonal lake "lakka Tsoumani", from where it continues uphill to Drakolimni!! Arriving at the lake, the home of the Alpine Triton, the images will enchant us .. We will enjoy the view of the ravine of Aoos, Trapezitsa and Smolikas!! Return to the shelter by the same route, food and overnight!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: MIKRO PAPIGO - ASTRAKA SHELTER
Mikro Papigo 951m - Astrakas Refuge 1912m → Maximum Elevation: 1912m → Minimum Elevation: 951m → Route Length: 5.9km → Total Ascent: 988m → Total Descent: 37m → Estimated Route Time: 3.30 hours → Degree of Difficulty: 2 (very good physical condition)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: ASTRAKA SHELTER - DRAGOLIMNI
Astrakas Refuge 1912 m - Drakolimni 2050 m → Maximum Altitude: 2050 m → Minimum Altitude: 1755 m → Route Length: 2.8 km → Total Ascent: 273 meters → Total Descent: 189 meters → Estimated Route Time: 1.30 hours → Degree of Difficulty : 2 (very good physical condition)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 15
Morning awakening, and after having our breakfast, we will follow the route to the highest peak of Tymfi, Gamila at 2497 meters!! The route to the top alternates and shows us sometimes impressive rocks and meadows, keeping our interest undiminished, where after about 3 hours we reach the top! In addition to the ravine of Aoos, we will admire Drakolimni Tymfis from a unique angle, the back of the peak of Astraka, the alpine meadows of the plateau, Smolikas in the background, but also the many mountain peaks and slopes of the area. For our return to shelter of Astraka, we will follow the same route back. After returning to the lodge, we will have some time to rest and start our descent to Mikro Papigo, where the coach will be waiting for us! Food in a village tavern and return to Athens late in the evening

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: ASTRAKA SHELTER - GAMILA TOP
Astrakas Refuge 1912 m - Gamila Peak 2497 m → Maximum Altitude: 2497 m → Minimum Altitude: 1767 m → Route Length: 5.1 km → Total Ascent: 679 meters → Total Descent: 150 meters → Estimated Route Time: 3 hours → Grade Difficulty: 2 (very good physical condition)

SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS with VERY good physical condition

Date of Departure / Return Departure: Friday October 13, 2023 / Return: Sunday October 15, 2023

Departure / Return Time Departure Friday:
- Agios Antonios Metro: 17.00, Palataki (Vassilopoulos) 17.20, Isthmus: 18.10 (please be 10 minutes earlier at the meeting point) / Return Sunday: 23.00 (indicative)

Departure / Return PointAgios Antonios Metro / Palataki / Isthmus

There is a kitchen in the lodge, you need to bring flip flops for the lodge.