Educational Excursion to the Chamois Habitat on Mount Grammos, May 11, 2025
We invite you to a unique experience in the habitat of the chamois on Sunday, May 11, 2025, on Mount Grammos. The chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a protected species of ungulate mammal, a symbol of high mountains. More about the species here.
Eligibility:
The excursion is open to all academic members of the University of Ioannina, students and non-students, from all Departments, and to any interested citizen.
Organizers:
- Association for the protection of the Chamois “Chamois in the Mountains-Balkan Chamois Society”
- “Pindos Perivalontiki”
- BCL (Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory of the Department of Biological Applications of the University of Ioannina).
Cost:
- Participation in the workshop and transportation are free.
- Food is not covered.
- Food/coffee is available at the cafe-restaurant “The Grammos Wildflower”.
Excursion Program:
- 7:45: Gathering for boarding in front of the Academia school (Dodoni).
- 8:00: Departure by bus from Academia.
- 10:00: Arrival in the village of Plikati, Municipality of Konitsa.
- 10:00-11:00: Observation of the chamois habitat and attempt to locate individuals of the species with binoculars and telescopes from the area of the tourist accommodation “Grammos Wildflower”.
- 11:00-15:00: Ascent to the Rosdoli Grammos peak (altitude 1975m) with frequent stops to observe the chamois habitat and locate individuals of the species.
- 15:00-18:00: Return to the accommodation “Grammos Wildflower”.
- 18:00-19:00: Rest-food-coffee (anyone who wishes).
- 19:00: Departure for Ioannina.
- 21:00: Arrival in Ioannina.
What to bring:
- Appropriate clothing: walking shoes (ideally hiking boots), long pants, waterproof, jacket, hat, sunscreen, beanie.
- Water bottle: at least 1 ½ liters (each person according to their needs).
- Backpack.
- Equipment: If you have it, bring your camera, binoculars, charged smartphone, GPS or similar mountain route recording application.
- Mobile app: Download the “Agriogido” application on your mobile phone.
There will be the possibility for those who are not in satisfactory physical condition to interrupt the course in the middle and return with an escort to the accommodation “Grammos Wildflower” earlier.
Funding:
The excursion is carried out within the framework of the project “Strengthening the connectivity of the Balkan chamois in Northwestern Greece (PONT area of interest)”. The project is funded by the “Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust – PONT” and the “A.G. Leventis” Foundation.
Important:
- Your personal data is protected (GPDR).
- You declare participation at your own risk for your medical and physical condition.
- The area is remote and there is no access to shops or pharmacies/health center.
Contact:
- We will inform you about your participation by e-mail until May 4, 2025.
- Contact: k.papakostas @ uoi.gr (Kostas Papakostas, PhD Candidate VET)
Register:
Click on the link to register by May 1st, 2025.