8-Day Trekking Holiday in the Dodecanese
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Overview
Strap on your hiking boots and discover the wild, untouched beauty of the Dodecanese, sculpted by winds, customs and centuries-old traditions!
The second-largest island of the Dodecanese has no equal. Karpathos holds on dearly to its past in its ancient acropolis, caves, churches and even its traditional dress. The setting is dramatic in all the best senses of the word: stunning vistas from untouched, cliff top and mountainside villages that defy gravity and a fearful hammering from the wind to keep a vigilant watch over the Aegean.
On this trekking holiday in Karpathos, you’ll discover an island with its Greek soul intact, living traditions, people of real character, musical skills passed down the generations and legendary festivals – untarnished by modern fads.
The north, above Olympos and all the way to Saria, is a favourite haunt for birds, seals, frogs and salamanders as well as the home of large, tasty but elusive fish. There, you’ll also find the palaces of Doric Nisyros, sacred ancient Vroukounda and exotic Tristomo.
If there is a hiker paradise in the Aegean, it must be on Karpathos!
The second-largest island of the Dodecanese has no equal. Karpathos holds on dearly to its past in its ancient acropolis, caves, churches and even its traditional dress. The setting is dramatic in all the best senses of the word: stunning vistas from untouched, cliff top and mountainside villages that defy gravity and a fearful hammering from the wind to keep a vigilant watch over the Aegean.
On this trekking holiday in Karpathos, you’ll discover an island with its Greek soul intact, living traditions, people of real character, musical skills passed down the generations and legendary festivals – untarnished by modern fads.
The north, above Olympos and all the way to Saria, is a favourite haunt for birds, seals, frogs and salamanders as well as the home of large, tasty but elusive fish. There, you’ll also find the palaces of Doric Nisyros, sacred ancient Vroukounda and exotic Tristomo.
If there is a hiker paradise in the Aegean, it must be on Karpathos!
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Diafani!
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Upon arrival at Karpathos Airport, you'll meet your driver and transfer to the charming seafront village of Diafani. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening settle to your room, enjoy the calmness of the surroundings and relax after your journey ahead of your active week!
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Transportations
Private Driver from Karpathos Airport to Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartemnts
Destinations
Diafani
Day 2
Hike to Olympos and Climb the Summit of Profitis Ilias
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Olympos is a village of exceptional beauty and the capital of northern Karpathos. You will cross traditional villages, beautiful green valleys and verdant cliffs until you reach the beautiful settlement on the slopes of a mountain. Having reached Olympos, you will climb to Profitis Ilias peak at 718 metres, to admire the magnificent view of the Aegean sea and you will then descend to Olympos where you will have time to enjoy your lunch. In total, you'll hike 8-10 kilometres over 5.5-7 hours.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Hike to Olympos and Climb the Summit of Profitis Ilias
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Olympos
Day 3
Hike to Papa Mina Beach
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Today, you'll embark on a lovely walk up and down some gentle slopes, through pine trees and past olive groves and wheat fields to the pretty bay of Papa Mina with its pebble beach and shady Tamarisk trees. You will have time to enjoy swimming and snorkelling in this beautiful bay before your return back to Diafani. In total, you'll hike a distance of 7.5 kilometres over 3.5 hours.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Hike to Papa Mina Beach
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Decentralized Administration of the Aegean
Day 4
Hike to Ancient Vroukounta from Avlona and Vananta Bay
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This morning, you'll transfer to Avlona where your hike on a stone path built in ancient times descends to Ancient Vroukounta. Here, you will discover the 3500-year-old ruins and underwater treasures while snorkelling. Then, you will hike up and back to the village of Avlona for a delicious homemade lunch to the one and only tavern in the area – famous all over Karpathos. Then, you will descend to Vananta on a stone path. In total, you'll hike ten kilometres over 5.5 hours.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Hike to Ancient Vroukounta from Avlona and Vananta Bay
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Avlona
Day 5
Hike to Tristomo and Steno
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You'll take a transfer to Avlona and begin your hike following a cobbled road until you will reach Tristomo, an almost deserted village and a natural harbour set in a protected bay on the northwest coast with spectacular views. Afterwards, you will continue to Ag.Aikaterini and Steno – the spot where you can almost “touch” the nearby island of Saria. A traditional fishing boat will take you back to Diafani. In total, you'll hike a distance of 8.4 kilometres over 3.5 hours.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Hike to Tristomo and Steno
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Greece
Day 6
Explore Uninhabited Saria
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With a boat, you will cross to Saria Island, where you will embark on a traverse hike of the island ending at the beach of Palatia where you will enjoy a barbeque lunch and take the boat back to Diafani. Saria was part of Karpathos until it detached from it through erosion. In antiquity, Saria used to be one of the four cities of Karpathos. In total, you'll hike a distance of eight kilometres over three hours.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Explore Uninhabited Saria
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Decentralized Administration of the Aegean
Day 7
Free Day in Karpathos with Optional Cooking Class
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Today, the day is free to spend as you wish. If you still have extra energy, you can choose to go on another recommended hike. Alternatively, you can relax on the beach and soak up the sun or perhaps join a cooking class to learn all about Greek cuisine! During the class, you'll learn how to make homemade "makarounes", the most widely known traditional dish of Karpathos, knead bread together with the local housewives, cook goat meat in a casserole and many other traditional dishes.
Accommodation
Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartments
Activities
Cooking Class in KarpathosOptional Activity: AU$ 327 per person
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Olympos
Day 8
Departure from Karpathos
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Today, your trip comes to an end. Your driver will transfer you to the airport when you're ready.
Transportations
Private Driver from Dorana Trekking Hotel and Apartemnts to Karpathos Airport
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Diafani
Included in Price
- 7 nights accommodation
- 5 activities
- 7 breakfasts
- Airport transfer
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$4,507
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
Book with Flexibility
Flexible Payment
Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
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Our dedicated Travel Concierge Team will work with you to manage any unforeseen changes, where possible.
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