Compare Karpathos Walking Holiday by Oxygen Tours vs Mythical Peloponnese by Personality Journeys
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 937 | $ 1,456 |
| Price Per Day | $ 134 | $ 208 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 1 Dinner |
| 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. |
Discover the hidden treasures of Mani and Arcadia in this action packed small group adventure. Hike above the tree line of the highest mountains in the Peloponnese and paddle around the turquoise waters of Mani peninsula. This is the perfect option for anyone looking for a holiday which combines the very best of the land and sea of Greece. Scale the heights of Mount Taygetus and explore Vyros Gorge amongst ancient Spartan trails. Take a boat-trip to one the most captivating caves in the world, then walk and swim around Cape Tenaro the stunningly scenic, southernmost point of mainland Europe. |
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.
Day 1: Arriving in Athens
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse
Welcome to Athens, a vibrant city brimming over with striking ancient landmarks at every turn! Meet your tour leader at Athens International airport and hop into our van traveling to lush Arcadia, through Dimitsana village where we will visit the unique Open Air Water-Power Museum. The museum includes a restored gunpowder mill, as Dimitsana was one of the country’s most important bases of revolutionary fighters during the Greek War of Independence.
Check-in and refresh yourself at a lovely family-run cottage.
Next, it’s time for dinner in picturesque Stemnitsa village, perched on the lush hillside of Mt Mainalon, where you can unwind as you choose for the rest of the day. The village was where revolutionary leader Theodoros Kolokotronis was based, and in more modern times was known for its people’s traditional know-how in the art of silver-smithing and other crafts.
Overnight: Stemnitsa
Activity: Water power museum of Dimitsana (optional)
Day 2: Stemnitsa
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Activity: HIking 4 hours Ascend 320m Descend 800m.
Overnight: Kardamyli
After breakfast, we will walk to the starting point of our first hike towards the impressive Prodromos Monastery, one of the oldest in Arcadia, where we will see 10th Century murals and enjoy stunning views and luxuriant vegetation around the breathtaking Lousios river. We will end our hike in ancient Gortyna where our journey continues to Kardamyli, which oozes quaintly old-fashioned, traditional charm, with landmarks such as antique monasteries and medieval tower houses that stand out in landscapes of dazzling cobalt-blue seas, sheer cliffs carpeted in many shades of green and deep olive groves beneath towering Mt Taygetos. The area, beloved to ‘explorers’ like the legendary author Patrick Leigh Fermor and his friend Bruce Chatwin, now attracts a larger variety of eclectic visitors from around the world for its rich history, natural beauty, welcoming locals and exceptional ambiance.
Day 3: Kardamili
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
After breakfast, set off on a hike of the Viros gorge, in the heart of Messinian Mani. Descending from the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias and disgorging itself into the sea at Kardamili, Viros is known as an area of unparalleled beauty. The hike, following well-marked paths among tall cypress trees, will take you past pretty villages with stone houses and historic churches such as Moni Lykaki, the interior walls of which are covered with antique, richly colored frescoes. The hike concludes in ancient Kardamyli. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing and rewarding dinner at a fantastic taverna serving fresh and delicious local food, looking out at the horizon and an outstanding sunset.
Optional Hike: Mount Taygetos Summit
For the experienced hikers the summit of stunning Mount. Taygetos – Prophitis Elias – at 2407m. awaits! Follow our expert guide on an off-road drive to the starting point of today’s challenge. Mount. Taygetos is the highest mountain in the Peloponnese, stretching more than 100km, one of the largest alpine routes in the country, known as Pentadactylos, offering panoramic views which reach even Crete on a clear day. A great part of the mountain is covered by ‘black’ pine trees. There are also cypresses, junipers, oaks, evergreen maples, Eurasian smoke-trees and more.
After our descent, we will transfer back to Kardamyli for dinner and some serious relaxation.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Day 4: Kardamili
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Activity: Sea Kayak, swimming. (4 hours)
Today we will take an amazing half-day sea kayak tour around the stunning landscapes of Mani peninsula. Paddle to secret spots such as hidden caves and experience diving in hot water pools. Continue paddling to a beautiful sandy beach and take a swim break followed by a refreshing fruit snack prepared on the spot by our guides.
The rest of the day is yours to unwind as you choose.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Day 5: Kardamyli
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Activity: Road-trip, culture, swimming, walking (1.30 hours) Ascent/Descent: 70m.
Road trip day today! Visit the magnificent Diros cave on a half hour boat ride along the underground lake, taking in remarkable natural sculptures created by the stalactites and stalagmites over millions of years ago.
Explore Vathia village to see its impressive towers, churches, and houses built during the 16th century. Most of the ghostly-looking village was abandoned by the late 20th Century.
Later on, walk the trails of Cape Tenaro the stunningly scenic, southernmost point of mainland Europe. On the path there, see the ancient ruins of Poseidon’s oracle of the dead. At the tip of Cape Tenaro is the legendary sea cave that is said to be ‘the gate to Hades’. Tenaro was once a vivacious Roman city. At the end of the walk, there is a restored lighthouse from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Cretan sea.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Day 6: Trip End
Transfer to Athens International Airport (3:30 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
