Hiking programs

Day 1: Arrival in Chania, one of the most beautiful old Venetian port of the Mediterranean Sea. Free time. Dinner together. Stay for two nights in Chania.

Day 2: Kydoni Gorges: Hike through a gorge with a dense vegetation, ending up in a small oasis, the Botanical Gardens of Chania, where we will try old Cretan recipes and local wines. In the afternoon we drive back to Chania.

Day 3: The South Coast Nymph: Early departure by bus to Paleochora, a place with a very different atmosphere. Paleochora is a lively small town and unique in it’s kind. We will make a nice hike of a few hours with a picnic break. In the evening dinner in the charming little town where we stay for two nights.

Day 4: Coastal hike: This is a fantastic coastal hike with pretty little coves, ideal for swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea. We cross the beaches with forests of cades (Juniperus oxycedrus) of a particular beauty. In the afternoon we take the boat back to Paleochora.

Day 5: Tarra, ancient settlement: We take the boat to Agia Roumeli. We hike from Ancient Tarra upstream of the Samaria Gorge, the deepest in Europe. We have lunch at the village. Boat to Chora Sfakion and transport to the Anopolis plateau, located in the Lefka Ori mountains, where we settle for two nights.

Day 6: The White Mountains: Transport to the foot of Mount Pachnes. Hike to the highest peak of the Lefka Ori, we cross an enchanting landscape composed of countless mountains with 57 peaks over 2,000 meters.

Day 7: From the mountains to the sea: We hike from the high plateau of Anopolis down to the South Coast and we continue along the coast passing by the magical beach “Glika Nera”, till we reach the small town Chora Sfakion, where we take the bus to Chania. Dinner and Hotel in Chania.

Day 8: day of departure. Transfer to the airport.

Practical information:

Including:

• 7 nights accommodation in a double room with breakfast in cozy small guesthouses. (individual room is possible with an extra charge).

• 6 times lunch and 7 times dinner (day of arrival dinner only, day of departure breakfast only).

• All excursions with guide, walks and workshops.

• Transfers to and from the airport of Chania, Crete (Daskalogiannis).

• Transports of the program by public or private bus, boat, taxi.

• Transportation of your luggage from hotel to hotel.

Not included:

• The flight: You can book your flight for example, with Aegean Airlines to Chania/Crete with transfer via Athens. (Good connection). Or by charter flight to Chania/Crete.

• You are expected to arrange a travel- and cancellation insurance yourself.

• Drinks.

General information:

• Nature of activity: The hikes are of a maximum of three hours and in mountain area. One has to take into account the terrain, there are many stones on the paths and therefore good walking shoes and sticks are recommended. The hikes are not difficult for someone with a good physical condition. Hiking participation is at your own risk.  
• Accommodations: We stay in local pensions and family hotels. Rooms with private bathroom.
• Meals: We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner every day with local products and specialities.
• Luggage: For your comfort, luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel. Make sure that you carry no more than one normal size suitcase. A backpack of at least 20 liters is required to take your hiking equipment.
• In case of force majeure: Due to weather conditions, the guide reserves the right to make program changes and will not be held responsible in case of force majeure such as bad weather, strikes or health issues. We will always choose the best alternative for you. 
• Minimum participation: To make the trip possible, there must be a minimum participation of six people. You can register with the contact-form. You will be kept informed of the number of participants. As soon as there are enough participants, the trip will be confirmed  and you can book your flight. The earlier you sign up, the cheaper your flight will be!

Day 1: Arrival at the airport Santorini: Santorini is a volcanic island with one volcano still active. It is perhaps the best known and the most touristic of the Cyclades. But in April there won’t be many people yet. The Caldera is magnificent and the colors are breathtaking in the spring. Today we hike between the vineyards of Santorini and we visit lesser known villages on foot: Megalochori, Pyrgos and Emborio. We take the bus to Perissa, a village by the sea with the famous black beach. We will stay there for three nights. Walking hours: 2 hrs. Elevation: + 200/ -200 m.

Day 2: Ancient Thera: Depart directly from Perissa. We climb to the impressive archaeological site of ancient Thera, which enjoyed its glory during the Ptolemaic era. We visit the ancient city perched on a cliff. Walking time: 2 hours. Elevation: + 300 and -300 m.

Day 3: The Caldera: Bus to Fira. Visit of the Prehistoric Museum of Fira. There we can see the 4000 years old frescoes, and everything that had been buried by the eruption of the volcano in 1650 BC of the Cycladic settlement. An unparalleled discovery of a lost civilization. Extraordinarily beautiful hike along the Santorini caldera from Fira to Oia. Return by private transport to Perissa. Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours. Elevation: +250 /-250 m.

Day 4: Boat to Sifnos: An island still very authentic, where the old mule tracks are maintained and the land cultivated. We hike there in peace to discover its villages, its heavenly bays and its vestiges of more than 5000 years of fascinating history. Artemonas – Poulati – Kastro – Erkies -Apolonia: This is a loop hike with view on the sea and visit of the enchanting village Kastro. We walk old paths. We descend to Kastro and follow a pretty flowery path, then return to Artemonas. Time to visit the beautiful Artemonas village. Walking: 4 hours. Elevation + 350 m -350 m.

Day 5: Agios Andreas – Taxiarchis Skafis – Vathy: Today we start with a visit to a small museum which gives us interesting information on the history of the island, which despite its size played a very important role in ancient times. We start from a pretty village and take the path which makes us discover a beautiful part of the west of the island. We end up at Vathy Bay to eat and swim. Return by bus to the hotel. Walking: 4h30 hours. Elevation -: 450 m

Day 6: Plati Gialo -Moni Vrisi – Chrysopigi: We take the bus to Plati Gialo, South-East of the island, and go up to a small Vrisi monastery, picnic and we go down again by a very beautiful path to Faros bay and the Chrysopigi monastery on the sea. Walking: 4hours. Elevation + 350 m -350 m

Day 7: Apolonia – Profitis-Ilias: Ascent to the highest peak of Sifnos, at 682 m. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the island went up there several times a year for ceremonies and rituals, to venerate the Gods in antiquity. We can oversee the island and see the other Cycladic islands around Sifnos. Walking: 4 hours. Elevation + 450 m -450 m.

Day 8: Discovery of the South of the island: Today is one of the longest hikes. We climb to a monastery, and descend by a beautiful path with a panoramic view to Ormos Fykiadas bay. There we can swim in the turquoise sea. We continue and pass by very old olive trees. We will enjoy our picnic. Then we continue along a very beautiful path to Platy Gialo beach where we can have an other swim or enjoy a terrace by the sea, before taking the return bus. Walking: between 5h and 5h30. Elevation: -450m. +450m.

Day 9: The island Milos: We take the boat to Milos. We settle for 3 nights in pension in Adamantas, the port of the island. Milos is one of the three volcanic islands of the Cyclades with a very particular shape. Today, we will visit the ancient Milos, the catacombs, the old town Plaka: The main original village Plaka is high up. We take the old paths to discover the Roman remains, the catacombs of Milos, the lively little streets of Plaka and its Kastro, offering a panoramic view of the island and the other Cyclades. Return to the hotel by bus (10 mins). Walking: 2 hours. Elevation: +220m. and -220 m.

Day 10: Filakopi to Mandrakia: Today we have the most spectacular hike in Milos. We take the bus to Fylakopi. We pass by the chasm of Papafranga, and hike along the coast. The North coast is made up of limestone rock, creating a lunar landscape, unique in its kind.The creeks at the bottom of the cliffs, the volcanic rocks and the white landscape of Sarakiniko are of an extraordinary particularity. After our swim and picnic, we continue to the small typical fishing ports of Pachena, Mytakas and Mandrakia. Return transfer to Adamantas.Walking: 4 hours. Elevation: +100 and -100

Day 11: Kimolos: Today we go to discover one more island. Kimolos is very sparsely inhabited. Early in the morning we leave for the small port Polonia and we take the shuttle to Kimolos. We arrive in the small port and walk up to the village. From there we continue to discover this small virgin island, with real pearls to discover. Beautiful trails, crystal clear sea and fantastic rock formations. We’ll take a picnic with us. Walking: 5 hours. Elevation: -300 and +300

Day 12: Departure: transfer to Milos airport.

Practical information:

Included:

• Accommodation: 11 nights in a pension and a hotel. The price is for a double room. (Single room possible with a supplement).
• Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners. (day of arrival dinner only, day of departure breakfast only).
• All tours and hikes with an English and German speaking guide.
• Airport Transfers.

Not included:

• You buy your own flight. For example at Aegean Airlines with stopover in Athens or a direct charter flight.
• Your insurance. Make sure you have travel and cancellation insurance. *
• Drinks.

General informations:

• Types of activities: Workshops are for everyone, no specific knowledge required. Take into account sometimes stony trails and be equipped with good hiking shoes and eventually sticks.
• Accommodation: Pensions and hotels. Rooms with bathroom.
• Meals: Daily delicious meals based on local specialties.
• Minimum participation: For the trip to be possible, a minimum participation of 6 people is required. You can register by the contact-form. You will be kept informed of the number of registered members. As soon as we have the minimal of participant, you can buy your flight. Book early for a better price for your flight.

* Due to of weather conditions, the guide reserves the right to make program changes and will not be held responsible in case of force majeure such as bad weather, strikes or health issues. We will always choose the best alternative for you.

* The hikes are not difficult for anyone with a good physical condition. Hiking participation is at your own risk.

Dag 1: Arrival in Naxos:  Transfer to the hotel and we visit the beautiful old town of Naxos or a pretty village in the interior of the island, this depends on the time of arrival of the boat.

Dag 2: Departure for the island of Amorgos by boat. We arrive at  the port Katapola, where we will stay for 5 nights. We will go by bus to visit the picturesque small town Chora, and walk back by the beautiful old “Path of the Mills” from Chora to Katapola.

Hike: 1 hour.

Level:1 shoe.

Dag 3: Katapola- Ancient Arkesini- Broutsi- Moro Bay: Departure from the hotel to visit an historical part of the island. Following ancient paths we will discover archeological sites from the Cycladic period. We will end up at a small shepherds-village for our lunch. Following, we will walk to a nice little beach for a swim. Return to Katapola by taxi.

Walking time: 4 hours plus visiting time.

Level: 2 shoes.

Day 4: Over the ridge of Amorgos: Transfer to the Chozoviotissa Monastery. Beautiful hike on the ridge of Amorgos from Chozoviotissa to Aegiali passing by the small village of Potamos, where we will have our lunch. Arrival at the village of Aegiali with the eventual possibility to swim, before taking the bus back to the hotel.

Walking time: 4 to 5 hours.

Level: 2 shoes.

Day 5: The other side of Amorgos: Transfer to Aigiali. Hike from Aigiali to the pretty village Lagada. We continue along the old paths, we pass by an old Monastery and we continue our walk by an impressive path to reach a small church at the end of a ridge, called Stavrós. After a picnic, we take the way back to Aigiali. Return by bus to Katapola.

Walking time: 5 hours.

Level: 2 shoes.

Dag 6: The Kouros of Naxos: Boat to Naxos. Arrival at the port and transfer by bus to Chalki, an historical village in the center of the island. We follow ancient paths, visit the gigantic marble statues, the Kouros, and we will end up in the village Melanes. Return to Naxos City by bus.

Hike: 3,5 hours.

Level: 1shoe.

Dag 7: Mount Za: Ascent to 1001m, the highest top of the island with a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view. Evening in Naxos.

Hike: 4 hours.

Level: 2 shoes.

Ascent: 700 m.

Dag 8: Villages of Naxos: The hike follows ancient trails through the countryside while passing old olive groves, beautiful oak trees, hidden Byzantine churches and small villages with each its own character.

Hike: 3 hours.

Level: 1 shoe.

Day 9: Apeiranthos – Agia Kyriaki – Moutsouna: We drive by bus to Apeiranthos. From there we take the old road down to the emery mines, a rather surrealistic landscape. After a pic-nic, we walk further through the valley to the small fishing village Moutsouna. Free time to relax and a good dinner in the harbor, after which return to the hotel by private transport.

Walking time: 5 hours.

Level: 2 shoes.

Dag 10: Departure: Transfer to Naxos airport.

Practical information:

Included:

• Accommodation: 9 nights in a pension or a hotel. The price is for a double room. (Single room possible with a supplement).
• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners. (day of arrival dinner only, day of departure breakfast only).
• All tours and hikes with an English and German speaking guide.
• Airport Transfers.

Not included:

• The flight. You can book your flight for example at Aegean Airlines with stopover in Athens or choose a direct charter flight.
• Your insurance. Make sure you have travel- and cancellation insurance. *
• Drinks.

General informations:

• Types of activities: Workshops are for everyone, no specific knowledge required. Take into account sometimes stony trails and be equipped with good hiking shoes and sticks.
• Accommodation: Pensions and hotels. Rooms with bathroom.
• Meals: Daily delicious meals based on local specialities.
• Minimum participation: For the trip to be possible, a minimum participation of 6 people is required. You can register by the contact-form. You will be kept informed of the number of registered members. As soon as we have the minimal of participants, you can buy your flight. Book early for a better price for your flight.

• Due to weather conditions, the guide reserves the right to make program changes and will not be held responsible in case of force majeure such as bad weather, strikes or health issues. We will always choose the best alternative for you.

* The hikes are not difficult for someone with a good physical condition. Hiking participation is at your own risk.