Meteora Small Group Hiking Tour with Transfer and Visit to Ypapanti and Great Meteoro Monastery
by Visit Meteora Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$81.22Overview
This small-group hiking tour in Meteora lasts about four hours and covers less-traveled local trails between Doupiani rock and the Great Meteoro Monastery. The route includes stops at smaller monasteries such as Ypapanti and offers views of Meteora’s distinctive rock pillars. The tour begins with hotel pickup from Kalambaka or Kastraki in an air-conditioned minivan. A local English-speaking mountain guide leads the hike, providing information about Meteora’s geology, history, and cultural customs, including proper behavior at religious sites. Participants visit the Great Meteoro Monastery, the largest and oldest monastery perched on a giant rock formation. The guide explains its founding by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite around the early 14th century and its role in organized monasticism in the area. The tour also includes a visit to the hidden monastery of Ypapanti, built inside a rock cavity and founded in 1367 by monks Nilos and Cyprianus. This monastery was destroyed in 1809 during local uprisings against Ottoman forces. The path to Ypapanti is straightforward and suitable for most hikers. The hike offers a quieter way to explore Meteora, avoiding the crowds typical of the main tourist routes. Bottled water is provided during the walk. Entrance fees to the monasteries are not included and must be paid separately. The group size is limited to 12 people to maintain a personal experience. Hotel drop-off concludes the tour. Comfortable hiking shoes and adherence to the strict dress code for monasteries are required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meteora
Meteora is a small area in northwest Thessaly known for its tall rock pillars and ancient monastic community. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a recognized archaeological and holy place. At the base of the rocks are the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.
Meteora
The hike follows less-frequented trails through Meteora’s rock formations, visiting top monasteries and local sites. The route reflects the paths of monks who settled here over 1,500 years ago and offers views of the towering pillars and monastic buildings. The hike lasts about two hours and is led by a local guide.
120 min
Great Meteoron Monastery
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the largest and oldest monastery in Meteora, built atop a massive rock. Founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite around 1302, it marked the start of organized monastic life in the area. The monastery’s name refers to its position 'suspended in the air' on the rock.
60 min
Ypapanti Monastery
Ypapanti Monastery is built inside a large rock cavity and founded in 1367 by monks Nilos and Cyprianus. It was destroyed in 1809 during the arrest of the local rebel Papathymios Vlahavas by the Ottoman army. The path to Ypapanti is easy and pleasant for hikers.
30 min
Varlaam Monastery
Varlaam Monastery is the second largest monastery in Meteora, located opposite the Great Meteoro Monastery. Established in the mid-14th century by Hosios Varlaam, its main church was decorated in 1548 by the hagiographer Frago Catelano.
Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas
Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas Monastery, founded at the end of the 14th century, is the first monastery encountered on the route. Its name possibly refers to a benefactor or its position as a resting place for pilgrims before continuing the ascent.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Meteora
- Majestic 4-Hour Sunset Meteora Tour with Local Guide, 6 Monasteries, Byzantine Church & Hermitages
- Meteora Panoramic Morning Small-Group Tour with Local Guide
- Meteora Morning Half-Day Bus Tour of Six Monasteries and Local Sights
- Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport
Meteora Small Group Hiking Tour with Transfer and Visit to Ypapanti and Great Meteoro Monastery
by Visit Meteora Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$81.22Overview
This small-group hiking tour in Meteora lasts about four hours and covers less-traveled local trails between Doupiani rock and the Great Meteoro Monastery. The route includes stops at smaller monasteries such as Ypapanti and offers views of Meteora’s distinctive rock pillars. The tour begins with hotel pickup from Kalambaka or Kastraki in an air-conditioned minivan. A local English-speaking mountain guide leads the hike, providing information about Meteora’s geology, history, and cultural customs, including proper behavior at religious sites. Participants visit the Great Meteoro Monastery, the largest and oldest monastery perched on a giant rock formation. The guide explains its founding by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite around the early 14th century and its role in organized monasticism in the area. The tour also includes a visit to the hidden monastery of Ypapanti, built inside a rock cavity and founded in 1367 by monks Nilos and Cyprianus. This monastery was destroyed in 1809 during local uprisings against Ottoman forces. The path to Ypapanti is straightforward and suitable for most hikers. The hike offers a quieter way to explore Meteora, avoiding the crowds typical of the main tourist routes. Bottled water is provided during the walk. Entrance fees to the monasteries are not included and must be paid separately. The group size is limited to 12 people to maintain a personal experience. Hotel drop-off concludes the tour. Comfortable hiking shoes and adherence to the strict dress code for monasteries are required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meteora
Meteora is a small area in northwest Thessaly known for its tall rock pillars and ancient monastic community. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a recognized archaeological and holy place. At the base of the rocks are the town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.
Meteora
The hike follows less-frequented trails through Meteora’s rock formations, visiting top monasteries and local sites. The route reflects the paths of monks who settled here over 1,500 years ago and offers views of the towering pillars and monastic buildings. The hike lasts about two hours and is led by a local guide.
120 min
Great Meteoron Monastery
The Great Meteoron Monastery is the largest and oldest monastery in Meteora, built atop a massive rock. Founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite around 1302, it marked the start of organized monastic life in the area. The monastery’s name refers to its position 'suspended in the air' on the rock.
60 min
Ypapanti Monastery
Ypapanti Monastery is built inside a large rock cavity and founded in 1367 by monks Nilos and Cyprianus. It was destroyed in 1809 during the arrest of the local rebel Papathymios Vlahavas by the Ottoman army. The path to Ypapanti is easy and pleasant for hikers.
30 min
Varlaam Monastery
Varlaam Monastery is the second largest monastery in Meteora, located opposite the Great Meteoro Monastery. Established in the mid-14th century by Hosios Varlaam, its main church was decorated in 1548 by the hagiographer Frago Catelano.
Agios Nikolaos Anapaphsas
Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas Monastery, founded at the end of the 14th century, is the first monastery encountered on the route. Its name possibly refers to a benefactor or its position as a resting place for pilgrims before continuing the ascent.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Meteora
- Majestic 4-Hour Sunset Meteora Tour with Local Guide, 6 Monasteries, Byzantine Church & Hermitages
- Meteora Panoramic Morning Small-Group Tour with Local Guide
- Meteora Morning Half-Day Bus Tour of Six Monasteries and Local Sights
- Meteora Monasteries Half-Day Small Group Tour with Transport