Active Holidays in Greece
8 days trekking Corfu, the island of Phaeacians
Level of difficulty
2

The quasi sickle-shaped island lies near the continental coast of Epirus, from which it is separated by the Corfu Sea. Wide and mountainous in the north, narrow and hilly in the south. Olives and cypresses mark its landscape. Homer introduced it to the world as Scheria, homeland of the legendary Phaeacians. Ulysses is washed up on their shore. The shipwreck was saved from Poseidon’s anger and the force of the elements in a sheltered creek surrounded by high cliffs, and a princess took care of him. His hosts provided the ship for his trip back to Ithaca.
Spared by earthquakes which destroyed the other Ionian Islands, Corfu kept its beautiful old villages and the mediaeval town „Of the Two Summits“. In the nineteenth century the island was a favorite destination of sun seeking people, even royalties. The empress of Austria Elisabeth and the German emperor Wilhelm II were very fond of its picturesque landscapes and its mild climate. The endless nature offers ideal conditions for extended walking tours.

Day 1: Welcome to Corfu


Arrival in Corfu, transfer to the hotel where we spend 7 nights.

Day 2: On Ulysses' steps. Excursion in the NW part of the island

By bus or taxi to Palaiokastritsa, where we start walking through olive trees and cypresses to the village of Lakones and then to the medieval fortress of Angelokastro, 300m. Through the village of Krini we continue on a path with excellent views to the large sandy beach of Agios Georgios Pagon (3,5 hours walk). Time for a swim, before we drive back to our hotel.

Day 3: On the second-high mountain of the island and to the summer-palace of a empress

Transfer to Benitses where we start walking: Through olive groves, bushes we climb the Agii Deka-mountain, 576m. Near the peack, in the middle of orchards stands the abandoned monastery of Pantokrator. We continue through the villages of Agii Deka and Gasturi to Achilleion, 130m, which was the summer-palace of Elisabeth, empress of Austria (4hours walk). We drive back to our hotel and have free time for swimming in the afternoon.

Day 4:  "Kerkyra", the capital of the island. Three thousand years of history

We will visit the town by bus and on foot. Each era left its traces. The old town has a strong Venetian character. Two fortresses were built to protect it. On the esplanade, the Liston-building with its arcades reminds the period of the French administration, its green cricket-pitch the period of the British occupation.  The splendid Gorgo-pediment of the ancient Artemis-temple is kept in the archaeological Museum. From the medieval Byzantine era date the beautiful church of the Saints Jason and Sosipatros.The Kanoni-quarter with its excellent view-point to the „Mouse-island“ stands on the hill of the ancient acropolis . In the middle jungle-like gardens stand the former king’s palace of „Mon Repos“ and two ancient sanctuaries.

Day 5: Day off. Optional excursion by boat to the neighbourring-island of Paxi and to Parga

Turquoise, transparent water, olivetrees and cypresses spreading all the way to the sea, a picturesque main village on a deep creek with a small monastery-island in front of it and some very quiet villages: This is Paxi.
Parga is a pretty small town at the foot of a mountain on the continental coast with a traditional settlement, a medieval fortress and a beautiful sandy beach.

Day 6: Excursion in the south of the island. Walking between sea and lagoon and on olive-planted hills

We drive through Benitses and Moraitika, past the medieval fortress of Gardiki to reach the sandy beach of Alonaki. We walk on a trail and on dunes between the open sea and the Korissia-Sea to the holyday-resort of Agios Georgios. We continue through olive groves to Chlomos (250m), a traditional village with panoramic view, situated on the Chlomos-mountain, and then to Chlomatiana, 110m (4hours walk). Transfer back to our hotel.

Day 7: Climb on Pantokrator-mountain, highest mountain of the island, and drive in the Northeast

Short drive to the Spartilas-village, 340m. First we go through the picturesque village, and then we climb on a path with panoramic view on slopes covered with shrubs, past a ruined monastery and through a laurel-forest to the rocky plateau of Pantokrator. Finally we reach the summit, 911m, where stands an aerial-forest and an uninhabited monastery (2+hours walk). Panoramic view of theGreek and Albanian mountains and coastline. Afterwards we drive to Kassiopi and continue on a panoramic road around the north eastern part of the island  heading back to our hotel.

Day 8:

Transfer to the airport

TRIP DETAILS

Price Includes : All accommodations, all meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 8, all picnic lunches, group transfers from and to the airport, all transportations throughout the trip, luggage transportations, the tour leader - guide,all taxes and VAT.

Not Included : Air fare to and from Corfu, personal travel-health insurance, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest that are not included in the trip description. Excursions described as “optional”. 

Insurance : Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance prior to the trip. The personal insurance must at least cover medical expenses as well as air rescue and the cost of repatriation.

Alpine Travel is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.
(See Terms & Conditions)

Period : From April to October 2010.

Transportation : All transfers during the trip are included.

Accommodation : 7 nights HB in a simple, well-kept Hotel of the middle class in a quiet surrounding on the beach of Gouvia, only 7km from the centre of Corfu-town. Very close by, stand the imposing ruins of the Venetian ship-yards, at small distance is the marina of Gouvia
The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Food : Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunch en route and a dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

Group Size : 6-16 participants.

Difficulty Level : (2)
The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 2-5 hours. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.

Highlights :
- The old town of Corfu
- The walking-tours to Agios Georgios and on Agii Deka-Mountain
- Hiking on Pantokrator- Mountain and panoramic view from the summit
- The olive-plantations and the traditional villages of the island
- In spring-time, the wild flowers of the island

Equipment :
Daypack (approx. 15-20 l)
Trekking shoes
Waterproof wind jacket
Polar fleece
Water bottle
Hat
Sun cream
Sun glasses
Swimming suit

                                    

Check for Prices

Persons & Prices
  • € 790 per person for a group size of 6 - 16 persons
  • Single Supplement € 90
   

Check for Availability

DatesAvailability 
May 01 - May 08Closed 
May 08 - May 15Closed 
May 15 - May 22Closed 
May 27 - June 03Closed 
June 03 - June 10Closed 
June 10 - June 17Closed 
AvailableAvailableLimitedLimitedFullFullClosedClosed 



See also :

8 days trekking Crete | 8 days trekking Crete & Santorini | 8 days trekking Mt. Pelion & Olympus | 8 days trekking Meteora & Olympus | 8 days trekking Corfu, the island of Phaeacians | 8 days trekking Zagoria Villages | 15 days trekking Crete | 15 days trekking Cyclades Andros & Tinos | 15 days trekking Cyclades Naxos & Amorgos