Peloponnesus 12 days trekking
1st day: arrival in Athens and departure through the Korinthos for Nafplion. Night in Nafplion.
2nd day: Breakfast at the hotel and we will spend almost all day to visit the magnificent site of Epidavros and then the gulf of Argos from where we will see the islands of Poros, Hydra and Spetses. After breakfast we depart for the most ancient city of Greece, Argos. We are informed about its history and we start our hiking route. After passing from the ancient theatre and the ancient aqueduct of the city, we make a stop at a monastery of historical interest that dominates proudly above the town and we continue our ascent to “invade” the – over 3,000 years of history – castle. We admire the magnificent view of the Argolic plain and bay and we start our descent in order to complete our circular path. At noon we have lunch at a traditional tavern and later we visit the famous Mycenae, home of the Mycenaean civilization and the Greek prehistory, where we wander to the known burial circles, the Gate of the Lions and the famous vaulted tombs of Atreus and Clytemnestra.Duration: 3 hours Ascent: 235m Descent: 235m Night in Nafplion.
3rd day: Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Leonidio where we check in at the hotel and then we follow on foot the old donkey paths toward the village of Samponakeïka with wonderful views over the islands of Spezai and Hydra. Walking time 5 hours, difference in altitude about 300 meters. Picnic on the way. Night in Leonidion.
4th day: Walking up the old footpath to the village of Kosmas at 1.200 meters of altitude we pass through the Kosmas-Gorge accompanied by pairs of vultures and golden eagles. Then we carry on through forrests of chestnut- and fir-trees and at the end we are rewarded by a meal at Marias' taverna. Walking time 5 hours, difference in altitude 800 meters. Night in Leonidion.
5th day: Transfer to the village of Geraki. We visit 5 of the most beautiful byzantine churches (13th to 15th century) of the Peloponnese. After a good greek coffee we drive downhill, back to the coast again, so that we can visit the medieval town of Monemvasia, birthplace of the famous greek poet Giannis Ritsos. Night in Sparta.
6th day: By bus to the high plains of Kastanitsa and the old monastery of Agios Nikolaos,where we can enjoy our lunch with the monks Kyrillos and Damaskinos. After that we walk downhill to the village of Ano Tiros. Walking time 5 hours, difference in altitude 400 meters. Night in Sparta.
7th day: Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Dimitsana, by crossing the central Peloponnesus and all small mountain villages. Arrival in Dimitsana and check in at the hotel, and then first we visit the restored Dimitsana Open-air Water Power Museum below the Hotel Dimitsana, about 500 meters south of Dimitsana. The road down to the Monastery of St. John the Baptist is nearby that we will visit afterwards.
8th day: Lousios gorge. Lousios gorge and river is west of Dimitsana and crosses with the 15km long gorge. On the way we will visit the 2 monasteries of Philosofou and Prodromou. Since 1997 the gorge area is protected by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Walking time appx 4-5 hours. Night in Dimitsana.
9th day: Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the area of Helmos mountain where we will cross a part of the mountain range, Aroania, also known as Chelmos The city of Kalavryta in an altitude of 760m is the most exceptional, important, and historical city of the area, in the shadow of the Chelmos mountain. Night in Kalavryta. Walking time 5 hours. Deniv. 800 meters.
The most scenic climb in the Helmos Mountains begins in the village of Peristeria which is reached from the National Highway via the town of Akrata. Villagers will identify the path that follows the Styx valley through pine and fir forests to a pass at Diasello Tou Kinigou. Here, the trail descends to a point where the Styx Cataract or the Mavroneri (Black Water) Waterfall plunges spectacularly for 200m. Greek mythology maintains that Achilles was immortalized in the waters of the River Styx which was the principal river of the underworld and marked the entrance to Hades. It takes about 5 hours to reach this point, but there is little time to linger because the hiker must return to Peristeria (4 hrs.)
10th day: Breakfast and departure for Ziria mountain, we first visit goura and the mountain of Ziria. Kyllini (or Ziria) is one of the few Greek mountains which have so many tops over 2000 m in altitude. Five of them are in the Big Ziria and three in the Small Ziria, the highest of which, called "High Top" is 2.374m high. A large plateau is extended at the feet of that complex of peaks. Collected waters are forming two beautiful lakes every winter and spring, the Kefalogianni Lake to the east and the Dasios Lake to the west. The waters of the second lake flow underground to the so called "Small Source" towards the settlement of Middle Trikala. Between the Small and the Big Ziria is located the wonderful Flabouritsa Valley, retaining many streams and waters springing under age long trees and disappearing to underground flows. The peaks of Kyllini rising above the plateau and the Flabouritsa Valley are registered in the European network "NATURA 2000" as sites of particular interest. Walking time appx 4 hours.
11th day: we will have a trip to the history, through Nemea and Mycenae.
The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. These two cities are indissolubly linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia. Night in Athens.
12th day: Depending on the departure times: visit of the Acropolis and the new archaeological museum. Transfer to the airport.
TRIP DETAILS
Insurance: Limited insurance is held by the operator. The client acknowledges and accepts that there may be no policy covering the Company’s liability to its clients for death, injury, damage or loss occurring anywhere in the world. The client also specifically acknowledges that with respect to passenger accident liability cover this cover may be very limited or may not exist at all. The client acknowledges that the company has taken reasonable steps in safeguarding its liability. Although the Company does hold various insurances this booking condition states that the client must assume he/she is not covered by any Company insurance policy, including all liability insurance, for death, injury, damage or any other loss.
Period: On Request Basis from April to October.
Transportation: We travel by our own mini-bus, which leaves us to walk and continues, with our baggage, to the next place where we will stay for the night.
Accommodation: Hotels in the cities, village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities).
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)
Price per person: 1.825,00€
Group Size: minimum 4 participants.
Difficulty Level: Hike (2)
Moderate trek with a maximum of 4-5 hours walk on rocky terrain.