Compare Karpathos Walking Holiday by Oxygen Tours
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 937 |
| Price Per Day | $ 134 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
Hiking themed holiday to Karpathos, this unique island born place to Prometheus and his Titans according mythology, with its wild mountains and gas-blue coves, cloud-wrapped villages and rugged beauty. Explore traditional villages, solitary bays, an ancient acropolis, caves, churches and its unique culture. In Karpathos you’ll discover an island with its Greek soul intact and its living traditions, real people, local musicians and mythic festivals untarnished by modern fads. We’ll walk in protected areas characterised by a variety of rare and endemic plants and animals protected by international agreements and the Greek law. Karpathos, along with the island of Saria which we’ll be visiting, is one of the most important destinations in Greece for the protection of rare species and ecosystems. Two sites are included in the Natura 2000 network for their bird and seal populations. |
Day 1: Welcome To Karpathos & Olympos Village
Meet your tour guide and settle into your rooms. Olympus is a living museum as time seems to have stopped here. We’ll walk around the village to learn the history and observe the architecture and traditions of this unique culture. Don’t be surprised if you happen to come across women wearing their traditional dress and baking bread in ovens alongside the narrow paths of the village. Visit to the cultural museum and “show cooking” where you’ll have the chance to observe the preparation and taste the most traditional dish, “makarounes”!
Day 2: Marine Park Visit & Coastal Walk To Tranquil Beach
We’ll start the day with a visit to the Information Centre of the Protected Area of North Karpathos, where you’ll learn about the natural features of the Marine Park area and one of the healthiest populations of monk seals in the Aegean Sea. We’ll continue with a coastal hike to the tranquil beach of Papa Minas. The next hours will flow smoothly along the seaside letting you relax and enjoy the Aegean landscapes and deep blue waters. The day ends with a traditional cooking lesson and a BBQ!
Day 3: Exploration Of Saria Island North Of Karpathos
We’ll start the day with a ‘kaiki’ boat ride, from Diafani to Saria Island, located north of Karpathos, and the bay of “Giaplos”. We’ll cross Saria island from south to north ending at the well-preserved rural settlement of Argos. Our biologist guide will introduce you to the unique flora and fauna of the island which will fascinate you. Our walk will end at Palatia beach where you’ll have the chance to swim and rest. The day will end with snorkelling from our boat in order to discover the magnificent, crystal clear seabed of Saria island. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Hike From Avlona Settlement To The Bay Of Tristomo
This is one of the most beautiful paved paths in Karpathos. The smell of herbs will accompany you. After a 4-hour walk, you’ll have the chance to rest at the natural sanctuary of Tristomo and explore its picturesque settlement, standing right upon the brink of the waves, and the old dilapidated Italian barracks (kazarmas). Opportunity for swimming, snorkelling and a voluntary beach cleanup attended by the staff of the marine park. A barbecue will be you reward.
Day 5: Hike To Ancient Doric City & Top Of Avlona Plateau To Admire The View
In the morning, we’ll follow another old path through incredible nature and landscapes from the little port of Diafani to Vroukounta bay. We’ll guide you around the fortifications’ ruins and the burial chambers of the sacred ancient Doric city of Vroukounda (1st millennium B.C.). We’ll have a picnic in the shade before continuing our walk towards Avlona village. A 3-hour ascend may seem challenging but the magnificent view of the Avlona plateau at the end of the trail is definitely rewarding. Dinner with traditional music.
Day 6: Boat Excursion To Remote Unspoilt Beaches
You’ll enjoy the sun and the sea and relax your mind and body at the most beautiful and virgin beaches of the island! We’ll have a special fish BBQ under the shade of the trees!
Day 7: Walk Around The Island’s Most Traditional Villages
Our last day is dedicated to exploring Karpathos’ traditional villages. In the morning, we’ll go south and walk around Spoa, Mesochori and Lefkos villages. We’ll swim at Lefkos beach and rest for few hours. In the afternoon we’ll continue our walk towards Arkasa village to enjoy the most incredible sunset and our farewell dinner.
