Paros, Naxos, Santorini
Fixed Departure: 21-30/9/E-mail for lowest price (September E-mail for lowest price)
Period of operation : From April to October - Fixed Departure: 21-30/09/E-mail for lowest price
Price: 1570€/e- mail for current price - 3 star hotels, Apr-Mid June & Sept-October period
• 1715€/e- mail for current price - 4 star hotels, Apr-Mid June & Sept-October period
Duration : 10 Days/ 9 Nights
Minimum attendance : 8 Participants (for less or more please request for pricing)
Level requirements : Relatively easy hikes and activities for beginners (3 –4 hours per day), good start for a first outdoor holiday. The walking is on a mixture of dirt tracks and well – constructed stone mule paths. Our trips are designed for active people who enjoy energetic days. We expect participants to be in good physical condition.
This program is designed for travelers who wish to explore the Greek islands in an active way. The Cycladic complex of islands is the most representative of the archetypical Greek style. Fishing villages with whitewashed flat roofed houses and narrow streets, hundreds of chapels, rocky landscape contrasting with the deep blue sea and bays with powdery white sandy beaches. The aim of the tour is to take you to the best spots as well as to the interior of the islands where you will discover the culture and habits of the islanders. By horse, bike, on foot, or sea kayak you will discover places few visitors do and you will taste the best of Greek food through cooking classes and delicious picnics.
We are happy to announce a Fixed Departure date for E-mail for lowest price: 21-30 September - The group will run as long as there are 8 registered participants until latest 30th June E-mail for lowest price when we will be able to confirm that the trip will take place.
Day1: Arrival in Paros island
The trip starts in Paros where you can either fly to or arrive by ferry, depending on your schedule. Depending on season, there are different boat itineraries from Athens available: the boat ride can be from 3hours – 5 hours). Short transfer to your hotel
O/N Paros (B, L, D)
Day 2: Paros Cooking and Horse Riding
This morning we will have the chance to prepare our own meal by participating in a 4hour cooking class where we will learn about the traditional cooking methods and recipes of Paros and Greece. Once the food is ready, enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Transfer to riding centre, where you will enjoy a enjoy 2 hours of horse ride. See the beauty and landscape of Paros traveling on horseback. You will have the unique opportunity to visit some places accessible only by horse or on foot. O/N Paros (B, L, D)
Day 3: Paros Hiking Lefkes – Alyki (Estimated walking time: 5 hours with stops, approx. 15 km)
After breakfast, depart for the village of Lefkes. This is an interesting hike through the interior of the island of Paros, starting from the village of Lefkes to Alyki. Goes through Agios Ioannis (St. John), Agios Georgios (St. George), Aneratza and Kamari before it ends in Alyki. The best part of this path is that it ends in Alyki beach, where you can cool off swimming in the clear waters of Aegean Sea. Lunch in a tavern by the sea. Return to the hotel at around 16:00 and downtime. Early in the evening around 18:00 visit Naoussa. Naoussa has a very picturesque fishing port, packed tightly with traditional fishing boats and surrounded by restaurants and cafes. After dinner transfer back from Naoussa to the hotel. O/N Paros (B, L, D)
Day 4 :Paros to Naxos
After breakfast, short transfer from the hotel to Paroikia. You will have around 1.5 hours sightseeing in Paros including the famous Byzantine Church of Ekantotapiliani. Next you will take the ferry from Paros to Naxos. Arrival in Naxos, transfer and settle to your hotel. O/N Naxos (B,L,D)
Day 5: Naxos hiking & cultural tour (2 1/2 hours trekking, 4 hours duration with stops for rest and lunch)
Today’ s hike starts from Kouros statues. They are conspicuous by their larger-than-life features and consist of incomplete statues of young men, predestined to hold on to a temple roof but were decidedly abandoned by the ancient sculptors due to faults in the marble that were discovered. Then we will follow the path to Ano Potamia picturesque village. After a short refreshing stop at the village’s spring, we will hike to Apano Kastro (Upper Castle). Build on a strategic position, provides panoramic view of Naxos town, port and the surrounding villages. Continue onwards via Tsikalario little village to Halki. In Chalki village, will visit Valindras small distillery that produces Kitron (the local alcohol drink of Naxos). . O/N Naxos (B/L/D)
Day 6: Naxos Biking Duration: 4-5 hours (altitude upwards 600)
We will cycle on streets and paths without traffic through typical Naxian villages, while experiencing the rich vegetation this Cycladic Island has to offer. On small tracks leading us through farmland we will enjoy beautiful views over mountains and some of the best coastline in the Cyclades. Little stony roads will bring us to the beautiful beach of Mikri Vigla, with its stretch of finest white sand and blue sea. There we will stop to swim or eat and drink something small, returning along stretches of sandy beach to our base. O/N Naxos (B,L,D)
Day 7: Naxos to Santorini
After breakfast, relax and enjoy swimming or strolling in the picturesque port of Naxos and around mid-day we take the boat to the fairest island of the Cyclades, Santorini. The view upon arrival with the boat will give us an idea of what this volcanic island is going to be like. Arrive in port and transfer to the hotel. O/N Santorini (B,L,D)
Day 8: Santorini Hiking Fira – Oia (Estimated walking time: 4 hours with stops, approx. 11 km) & Optional Wine Tasting
Meet with your guide after breakfast and depart for a walk that takes us from the town of Fira to Oia with spectacular views of the caldera. Downtime at the hotel. Optional - Later in the afternoon transfer to Santo Wines for Wine tasting. SantoWines Oenotourism center is situated on the top of the caldera cliff, with a magnificent view of Santorini volcano and the Aegean Sea.In the evening dinner on your own. O/N SantoriniI (B,L,D)
Day 9: Santorini Volcano Organized Boat Tour
In the morning, transfer to Athinios port where you will board your boat. Sail to the islet of Nea Kameni where you will walk an ascending soil path to approach the crater of the still active Volcano. Then back to the boat and sail to the second islet called Palea Kameni where you will find Hot Springs. Here, you will have an opportunity to swim in the green sulphur waters. Continue to the island of Thirassia. There you can explore the island or swim at the beach next to the port. Lunch and return cruise along the caldera cliffs, so you will have the chance to take wonderful photos of the amazing cliffs. Return to Hotel and farewell dinner with Caldera view. O/N SantoriniI (B,L,D)
Day 10: Sea Kayaking in Santorini (Approximate duration of sea-kayaking activity, 3 hours)
After breakfast, transfer to the starting point of today’s activity. Enjoy a morning of sea-kayaking. Discover the South coast of the island. Enjoy views of the spectacular rock formations, crystal waters, and the beautiful beaches in the south part of the island. En route we will stop for snorkeling. . After lunch, return to hotel and free afternoon to visit the archaeological museum and shop.
Accommodation in double rooms on B/B basis (3 or 4 star hotel choice)
• Trekking Hellas experienced guide
• Meals as mentioned in the program (Breakfast at hotels/ Picnic Lunches / Dinners in local taverns)
• All ferry tickets (air seats) as per program starting in Paros and ending in Santorini
• Activities: Cooking, Horse Riding, Biking, Sea Kayaking, Volcano Tour
• Hiking tours as described
• All local transfers
3 Star Hotels
• Paros: Asteras Paradise http://www.asterasparadise.com/ or similar
• Naxos:Hotel Porto Naxos: http://www.porto-hotels-naxos.gr/ or similar
• Santorini: Astir Thira http://www.astirthira.gr/ or similar
4 Star Hotels:
• Paros: http://www.parosagnanti.gr/ or similar
• Naxos: http://www.naxosresort.gr/ or similar
• Santorini: http://www.elgreco.com.gr/ or similar
Please try to travel as light as possible. Although you do not need to carry your entire luggage while walking, you will still need to carry it over short distances. Also remember you unpack and repack on most nights. You can leave the luggage that you don’t need on the trek, at the hotel in Athens or in our offices.
• Large rucksack or hold all to contain all your luggage; waterproof liner recommended
• Good waterproof top (Gore-Tex recommended or similar) with hood.
• Thick socks for walking
• Spare shoes for the evenings (optional
• Daypack (small rucksack, 20-40 liters) to carry picnic lunch, water bottle, cold/wet weather gear, camera, etc; straps should be strong, not too narrow and preferably padded. In wet weather, belongings should be packed in waterproof plastic bags inside the pack
• Warm clothes for the evening including spare trousers and top (fleece jackets/pullovers are warm yet light); plus optionally thermal underwear, for April and October
• Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with collar and long sleeves (against sun-burn)
• Water bottle or plastic bottle (at least 1 liter)