14 Days Hiking the Isles of Hellas Tour Package
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: $2,700 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Aug, Sep, May, Jul, Sep
Sign up for a magnificent active adventure as we gear up for a leisurely hike across beautiful landscapes of the Greek Isles, experiencing unique cultures and fascinating ways of life en route. Our mainland jump-off point is none other than Athens, one of the world's greatest capital cities and a bustling metropolis that fuses antiquity and modernity to spectacular effect. Monuments dating from the 4th century BC, Roman buildings built in the 2nd century BC and, of course, the incredible Acropolis and the Parthenon number but a few of the ancient sites in Greece that evoke a cultural ambiance unmatched by any other destination. And having long been a bridge between Europe and the Middle East, the region has enjoyed a constant influx of diverse ranges of traditional craftsmanship, artwork and fashions; today, travellers will be kept busy perusing stalls in outdoor markets or scouring the shelves of modern boutiques. On Tinos, we find Greece's most important centre for Orthodox pilgrims and learn about the island's roots as mythological home of Aeolus, the God of the Winds. Its history of being under Persian, Venetian and Turkish dominion at various stages in its past before being liberated by the Greeks in 1821 means it has all the right ingredients for a captivating destination. Our hikes up the mountains of Tinos yield stellar views of the Aegean and the chance to explore fortress ruins and then it's on to Naxos, where we follow the 'Four Villages Route', which allows us to walk through beautiful, undulating countryside and stop off in some of the prettiest villages on the island along the way. On Amorgos, we tread ancient, cobblestone donkey routes past Byzantine monasteries and olive groves and we end our fabulous tour walking the rim of the caldera on Santorini.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Athens
Today we arrive in Athens, off-and-on the capital of Greece in its many incarnations over several thousand years. The city received a major facelift for the 2004 Olympics and is looking better than ever, with buildings and monuments cleaned and renovated, and newly created pedestrian areas near the Ancient Agora and Acropolis. Overnight in Athens. Dinner if required.
Day 2 Athens: Walking Tour
The best way to explore a city is on foot, and this is especially true of Athens, which has a number of sites located in close proximity to each other. From our hotel we will enter Plaka, the old town of Athens. Standing on a small square is the Lysicrates Monument, a cyclical tower from the 4th century BC. From here, it is just a brief walk along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street to the southern slope of the Acropolis -- the site of the Dionysos Theatre. Constructed in the 6th century BC, it is one of the world's oldest theatres and the place where the great works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were first performed. Walking down the street towards the entrance of the Acropolis, we will come across a more recent theatre, the Odeon of Herod Atticus from the second century BC, which is still used for concerts and performances. The highlight of this tour is the ascent to the Acropolis with its architectural masterpieces dating back to the 5th century BC. We reach the top of this hill by entering through the monumental Propylea in order to admire the magnificent Parthenon and the graceful Caryatid statues at the Erechthion Temple. Turning right at the exit of the Acropolis, we will come to Arios Pagos -- a small hill or a large rock, depending on how you look at it -- which was used as the seat of court during the 5th century BC. This is the place were the Apostle Paul preached to the citizens of Athens 2,000 years ago. The stairs next to the Arios Pagos take us down to the Ancient Agora marketplace. Among the numerous sights in this archaeological park is the well-preserved Temple of Hephaistos and the reconstructed Stoa Attalou. A short stroll away is the more recent Roman Agora from the first century BC and the landmark Tower of the Winds. At Areos Street, just before Monastiraki Square, are the remains of Hadrian's Library -- a Roman building from the 2nd century BC. A ten-minute walk along Ermou Street will take us to Keramikos, the final destination on our walking tour. This is the site of the city's ancient cemetery with its beautifully decorated tombstones and splendid collection of pottery inside the small museum. The balance of the day is yours to explore independently. Overnight in Athens. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Athens - Tinos
This morning we transfer to the port of Pireaus and board the ferry destined for the island of Tinos (approx 3.5 hours)*. On arrival, time permitting, we can have a leisurely stroll about Tinos town, taking in the Panagia Church, Greece's most important pilgrimage centre for Orthodox pilgrims. Note the carpeted strip along the main road leading to the church, put in place for pilgrims who demonstrate their piety by crawling the distance from the main waterfront square, up the hill to the church. According to mythology, Tinos was the home of Aeolus, God of the Winds. The Ionians came to Tinos around 1000 BC; in the 6th century BC Tinos was ruled by Eretria, while in 490 BC the island was seized by the Persians, regaining its freedom after the battle of Marathon. In 1207 Tinos was conquered by the Venetians. Venetian rule in Tinos island lasted longer than on any other island of the Cyclades. In 1715, Tinos was taken by the Turks, to be liberated by the Greeks in the War of Independence of 1821. The year 1822 was an important one for Tinos, for it was then that the famous icon of the Blessed Virgin was discovered, after a nun in the Kechrovouni convent saw it in a dream. * NOTE: Due to ever-changing and sometimes irregular ferry schedules, the actual order in which we visit these islands may vary from this itinerary. Rarely, we may have to alter the number of night spent on some islands in order to retain the integrity of the original programme. Overnight on Tinos. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Tinos: Volax & Agapi
After breakfast we go by taxi to the village of Falatados where our hiking starts. We head uphill to the ruined fortress of Exombourgo to admire a stunning view of the Aegean. Mt Exombourgo is a steep-sided granite cone 553m/1,814ft high that features a ruined Venetian castle and the remains of three churches and a fountain-house. This was the medieval capital of the island of Tinos until the town was devastated by the Turks. We continue to the village of Koumaros where we can make a short break and try a traditional Greek coffee before continuing to the village of Volax, almost hidden in the middle of rounded, granite boulders, a geological phenomenon that sets it apart from the rest of Greece. Volax is also noted for its traditional handmade woven baskets. A footpath winds down the valley to Agapi, the finishing point of today's hike. Look for examples of the island's famous "dovecotes," built long ago for pigeons but today considered works of art. In the old times pigeons were sold to seafarers who came to the island to stock up with supplies. This evening we have a chance to sample the local cuisine in a typical taverna; Tinos is known for homemade cheeses, honey, and local sausages. DAY SUMMARY: 3-4 hours leisurely walking on undulating, mostly unshaded terrain with uneven / cobbled surfaces. Overnight on Tinos. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5 Tinos - Naxos: Chora Walking Tour
This morning we travel by ferry to the island of Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades Islands. Green, fertile, largely self-sufficient Naxos has not needed to go all out to attract tourists. This wealthy agricultural island exports an abundant harvest of olives, grapes, and potatoes throughout the Aegean, and only recently has begun to cater to tourists. On arrival we will have a walking tour of Naxos Chora, the main town and capital of the island. On our stroll you will note the architecture of Naxos, distinct from that of any other Cycladic isle. The Venetians ruled this island from 1207 until the island fell to the Turks in 1566. Some descendants of the Venetians still live here and the influence of Venetian architecture is obvious in the Kastro and the fortified Venetian towers. Also specific to Naxos is the remarkable abundance of small Byzantine chapels, many of which contain exceptional frescoes dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Our walk ends at the Portara, the big marble gate that stands high on the island of "Bacchus" and is the remains of the ancient temple of Apollo. The ruins of the temple are called "Palace" implying the palaces of Ligdami the ancient tyrant of Naxos (6th century BC). The legend says that Theseus abandoned Ariadne there when he passed through Naxos after he slew the mythical minotaur on Crete. While in town you should purchase picnic items for tomorrow's hike, though we should be able to acquire refreshments in the villages we visit. Overnight in Naxos. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6 Naxos: 'Four Villages Route'
This is the ideal hike on Naxos--the 'Four Villages Route'--that ties together some of the prettiest villages on the island along an obvious, undulating, well-trodden route marked by red dots. We start in the picturesque village of Apiranthos where we can first wander around for a short spell. We can visit the folk museum, consisting of three rooms of a not too old house: in the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom you can see all kinds of traditional objects and tools. For the start of the actual hike, we leave from this beautiful little square and pass the church Kimissis tis Theotokou and church of Agia Paraskevi, with its white dome. We enjoy a wonderful descent on a meandering rocky trail amidst an impressive landscape. On the right you see the steep cliff of the Fanari, in front of you there is the marvellous valley with the villages of Moni, our next village. We also pause in Chalki to see the church Panagia Evangelistria i Prototronos. This church contains some beautiful wall paintings and specially a marvellous ikonostasis; unfortunately though, the church is usually closed. We will have some time left to pay a visit to Filoti and see the old Pirgos (tower) Barozzi with an ancient fountain with plenty of water. Above the gate in the tower you notice a beautiful old coat of arms, with the double lion and the inscription "Geronimo Barozzi 1718". A little further down you get to the archaeological museum with a lot of small Cycladic statues, a clay vase from the 3rd millennium BC, a geometric tripodos from the 8th century, some prehistoric stone tools, bronze arrowheads, etc. From here we catch the local bus (or taxis) back toward Chora and our hotel. DAY SUMMARY: It takes about one and a half hours to hike to Moni, whereupon we hike for another 70 minutes to Chalki (via Drosiani); the final stretch to Filoti takes 30 more minutes. All together this makes for three hours of actual hiking time, which means that in reality we should devote about six hours to this hike. Overnight on Naxos. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 Naxos - Amorgos
At around midday we travel by ferry to the isle of Amorgos. The ferry likely stops at several lesser islands along the way and drops us at either Katapola, the main port of Amorgos, or Aegiali, the island's secondary port. If we must disembark at Katapola, we will travel by road to Aegiali where our hotel is located. We will likely arrive in time for dinner. Amorgos's timeless monastery, scattered churches, and pleasant beaches offer both respite from tourists on the other islands and a taste of traditional Greece. For many, Amorgos has become the highlight of the tour, accurately described as "the soul of Greece." The locals are extremely friendly, the mountains surrounding the port majestic, and the sunsets stunning. It has been the location of several movies and is a super place for walks through idyllic olive groves. Overnight on Amorgos. Hotel Aegialis. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8 Amorgos: Tholaria & Langada
This hike is one of the most beautiful on Amorgos. The whole route involves magnificent ancient trails through the paleis above Aegiali. The panoramic views and the villages make this day an unforgettable experience. Aegiali is an area consisting of three traditional villages: Langada, Tholaria, and Potamos, which climbs the slope of the highest mountain on Amorgos, Krikellos (821m 2709 ft). They are built above a deep valley and the harbour of Aegiali where a beautiful sandy beach spans the gentle curve of the bay. We begin our walk at Tholaria, located close to the location of the ancient city of Aegiali (Vigla). Our path is a cobbled donkey route that connected the villages prior to the building of the road (though locals still make the journey by donkey). This first stretch is a traverse that affords spectacular views of the entire valley and its three villages. We come to the gorge of Araklos, the historical church of Agia Triada, the old church of Panagia Epanohoriani, and the half-ruined settlement of Stroumbos. Langada is located at the end of the valley in an idyllic location among steep rocky peaks and deep valleys. One hour from Langada (for those with energy remaining!) we can see the unique Byzantine monument of Theologos, a monastery of early Byzantine years. A bit further, the historical little chapel of Stavros is situated. Langada is a great place for lunch. From here you can take the local bus back down to the harbour area, or stroll the downhill stretch through olive groves. The truly energetic can continue their hike another hour or up a steep path to a row of centuries old ruined windmills at an altitude of 540m / 1,792 ft. This makes for an exceptional spectacle; you stand on a rather narrow rocky ridge and you have an overview over the entire island, with the sea on both sides. All around you can see different islands: towards the south-east Astipalea, Anafi and Santorini, towards the north Ios, the small Cycladics, Naxos, Donoussa and even, on a clear day, Ikaria, all the way in the north-east. There is usually a lot of wind here, even when there is no wind at all down in the valley. The multitude of walls and fields at your feet make you dream about past agriculture and about all the activities that once took place up here. DAY SUMMARY: The hike takes a little over four hours (real walking time). Terrain is undulating with loose stones and cobbled surfaces. Overnight on Amorgos. Hotel Aegialis. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Amorgos: Chora & Chozoviotissa Monastery (to Aegiali)
Early this morning we travel by road to Chora, the capital of the island. We will pause here to stroll about the village, set high above the sea protected from pirates of bygone days. We leave the village and follow a magnificent staircase going down to the Monastery of Chozoviotissa. The monastery is home to the revered icon of the Virgin from the Holy Land. The dazzling white building, founded in the year AD 1099, clings precariously to a cliff face. The icon was found in the sea below the monastery, having arrived here unaided from either Asia Minor, Cyprus or Jerusalem. We will enter the monastery and climb into its snug interior. Hopefully the docent will be available to show us around and provide access to the tiny but fascinating museum. After our visit to the monastery, we commence our hike.* This is definitely one of the most fabulous hikes in the Cyclades, and the longest and most difficult of our trip. We follow the spine of the island and discover some unique landscapes and flora and, of course, some stupendous views. Leaving the monastery, we climb a staircase into an impressive landscape; the silence is overwhelming. High above us towers a huge cliff and on the right you see the deep blue sea below. Twenty minutes after the monastery we get to a platform with remnants of stable walls-- behind you, the highest top of the monastery is just disappearing. We continue through impressive and rocky wilderness; soon we reach a kind of saddle with the two coasts of Amorgos both before and behind us. Soon we come to the Xenodochio, the remnants of a kind of medieval hotel on the road from Chora to Aegiali. Gradually we get a great view on the elongated offshore islet of Nikouria. At Exo Meria, situated on a rocky plateau, we find some deserted houses and the ruins of two windmills. It is hard to imagine how difficult and lonely life must have been on this desolate spot. The trail now continues like a magnificent balcony: far away you can already distinguish the village of Tholaria and all of a sudden you get a great view on the bay of Aegiali where our hike ends at a lovely beach where you can cool off and relax until dinner. DAY SUMMARY: Approx 4-5 hours (actual walking, longer with stops) on uneven, undulating terrain. The path is quite well worn at first, though in places the route becomes quite vague. Expect loose stones and gravel. There is no shade along the route and one can expect a chill wind, especially in the spring (thought the stupendous wildflowers make up for this!). * Some travellers choose to visit Chora and the monastery ONLY and forego today's hike. Please confer with your Tour Leader who, by this point, will have a good sense of your suitability for today's plans. A free afternoon on a beautiful island is often welcomed by tour participants. Overnight in Amorgos. Hotel Aegialis. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10 Amorgos - Santorini: Ancient Thira
Today we ferry to the island of Santorini, also known as Thira. Our route will likely involve a ferry connection on Naxos. We expect to arrive on Santorini mid-afternoon. Vast geological upheavals have given this island its unique form resulting in the nickname, "Pre-Historic Pompeii." The effect of terracing makes this unlike any other island, Greece's most visually stunning. Santorini is also the island of churches, wine, and donkeys! From as early as 3000 BC the island developed as an outpost of Minoan civilization until around 1500 BC when the volcano erupted. At this point the island's history became linked with the legend of Atlantis. This afternoon (ferry timing permitting), we can hike from our hotel to the site of Ancient Thira, located 400m / 1,320 ft above the beach on the southeast coast of the island. Here we find the ruins of an 11th century BC Dorian settlement excavated by a German expedition in the 1860s. Here we can see remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The ruins are limited, but you can see evidence of temples, houses with mosaic floors, an agora, gymnasium, and a theatre with stunning and sheer views to the sea. Alternatively you can stay behind and enjoy one of Satonrini's finest black sand beaches. DAY SUMMARY: 1.5 hours round trip, paved surface (switchback road). Overnight on Santorini (Kamari Beach). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 Santorini: The Caldera Rim to Oia
This morning we travel by local bus to Fira, the main town on Santorini. Our 3.5 hour hike takes us through the town's narrow walkways northward through the sister villages of Fira -- Firostefani and Imerovigli -- along the caldera rim to Oia ("Ee-ah") via a truly magnificent route. This is the most obvious hike on Santorini and offers many changing views of the deep blue sea, distant snow-white villages, and multi-hued caldera cliffs. We aim to arrive in Oia in time for lunch, after which you are on your own to explore and return to our hotel at your leisure using the efficient local bus system. Built on a steep slope of the caldera, many of Oia's dwellings nestle in the niches hewn in the volcanic rock. It was once a major fishing port but is principally known these days as probably the most dramatically situated town in the whole of Greece. This afternoon is yours to explore Oia or Fira on your own. During your time in Fira we recommend a visit to the impressive Archaeological Museum. This museum features many pieces and exhibits specific to the Santorini site of Akrotiri (closed indefinitely for refurbishment), as well as artifacts dating back to the time of the Cycladic Civilization. The most impressive legacies of this civilization are the statuettes carved from Parian marble--the famous Cycladic figurines. Like statuettes of Neolithic times they depicted images of the Great Mother. Other remains include bronze and obsidian tools and weapons, gold jewellery, and stone and clay vases and pots. Overnight on Santorini (Kamari Beach). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Santorini: Free Day
Today is a well-deserved day at leisure in a truly spectacular place. You might return to Fira and explore some of the excellent shopping and / or visit the museum if not accomplished earlier. A popular thing to do is to walk down to the old port and then return to the rim via donkey or cable car (optional expense). Full or half-day volcano boat tours are also a popular option. Your Tour Leader can help you plan your day. Overnight on Santorini. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13 Santorini - Athens
Today we fly back to Athens, aiming to take the mid-morning flight (if available) to afford some last minute free time in Athens. Time-permitting, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Cycladic Art, devoted to the study and promotion of ancient Greek art. The main exhibit, the Cycladic Collection, contains 350 objects representative of every phase or type of artifact that Cycladic islanders have left us, be that marble sculpture, pottery, or metal ware. Among the exhibits, the marble figurines, mostly female, claim prime position. One of the most important assemblages of Cycladic art world-wide, this collection provides the opportunity to study aspects of religion, cult, warfare and every-day life on the Cyclades in the 3rd millennium BC. Overnight in Athens. Breafast and dinner.
Day 14 Departure
Departure from Athens. Breakfast. KALO TAXIDI!!
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9/09
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