Greece Archives - il viandante

From 2/10 to 9/10/2025

A spectacular exotic dive into the wildest coast of Crete, the extreme south of Europe, between the karst plateaus and the rocky gorges that plunge into the Libyan Sea. Between the mountains of the Gods and the legends of the Minoan Era, the rugged coast of the Sfakia region, the only one never to have been conquered by invaders, will give us truly unique emotions. We will be enchanted by the natural beauty of the island of Zeus and the wholesome hospitality of the islanders, sharing traditions and excellent local cuisine.

Note: We stay in the lovely town of Paleochora, our fixed base camp, and we walk along stretches of the E4 path with transfers by land or sea to the trailheads.

DAILY PROGRAM

2 oCtobeR: FLIGHT TO Chania

Meeting at Bergamo airport, check-in and direct flight to Chania. Transfer to the center towards our accommodation in the city. Visit of the old city with its romantic Venetian port, the maze of narrow streets in the Ottoman quarter and the pastel-colored period houses that frame the ideal seafront for a walk.
Dinner and overnight stay

3 october: transfer to paleochora

Breakfast. We still have the morning to dedicate to “Chania” perhaps visiting the rich archaeological museum or simply browsing in the suggestive local market. In the early afternoon transfer by bus going south to the coastal village of Paleochora, base of our excursions. Accommodation in a studio-type structure. Dinner.

4 october: Sougia – Paleochora – Temple of Lissos

After breakfast we begin our first day of walking by climbing a small gorge and reaching a balcony path that overlooks the sea and the temple of Lissos, an ancient settlement that was part of an autonomous city state founded by the Dorians. We then head inland past Cape Flomès on a suggestive plateau covered with shrubs. We then descend again towards the beach of Anidri where we can stop for a swim, and then continue until we take the dirt road that will take us to the town of Paleochora.
Dinner and overnight stay.
15,2 km, 5-6hr walking time, heigth difference +530m/-530m

5 october: Agia Irini gorge

Breakfast. We take a private van that drives us to the entrance of the lush gorge of Agia Irini. The path, mostly in the shade, follows the river bed along caves that open wide in the walls of the gorge among fig trees, oleanders, plane trees, wild sage and maritime pines. At the exit of the gorge, our private vehicle will be waiting for us and take us back to Paleochora, where we can refresh ourselves in the waters with a well deserved swim in one of the bays in town.
Dinner and overnight stay
8 km, 4,5h walking time, height difference +140m/-600m

6 october: Agia Roumeli – Loutro

Breakfast. We catch our ferry to the coastal settlement of Agia Roumeli from where we begin our excursion first passing by the ancient Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos, in a magnificent naturalistic context between the Mediterranean scrub and the wild goats called “agrimi” that dominate the landscape from above. We arrive at the bay of Marmara where we can have a nice swim in the turquoise waters and get some cold dring in a kiosk by the sea, before concluding at the town of Loutro from where we return by ferry to Paleochora. Dinner and overnight stay.
14,4 km, 5-6h walking time, height difference +480/-440m

7 october: Samaria gorge national park

Breakfast. Transfer by van to the town of Xiloscalo, located on the mountainous plateau of Omalos from where you officially enter the Samaria National Park, home to the most famous gorges in all of Crete. It is an area characterized by a rich biodiversity and some endemic flora and fauna in a truly suggestive context from which we can enjoy a breathtaking view of the peaks of Lefka Ori range (White Mountains). We descend the gorge progressively passing the ancient town of Samaria, which preserves an enchanting charm and then the narrowest and rockiest part until we emerge into the sea in the town of Agia Roumeli, where a nice regenerating swim awaits us before taking the ferry that will take us back to Paleochora.
Dinner and overnight stay
14,8 km, 5-6h walking time, height difference +250m/ -1100m

8 october: Krios – Elafonissi

Breakfast. With our van we move this time towards Krios, a beach located west of Paleochora from where we begin our last walk on Cretan soil alternating great views of the surrounding mountains and inviting coves.
We pass the beach of Kedrosasos and finally arrive at Elafonisi, with its very fine white and pink sand that contrasts with the crystalline water of this portion of the sea. Return by van to Paleochora, dinner and overnight stay.
10,5 km, 4h walking time, height difference +290m/-290m

9 october: return flight

Breakfast. We return by bus to Chania and transfer to the airport, where in the early afternoon we fly back to Bergamo. Arrival in the late afternoon, end of the tour.

Trekking Guide: Alessandro Oprandi

Note: Excursions may be modified due to bad weather or other unforeseen events.

TRIP INFO & DETAILS

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

Intermediate. Good physical condition required, but still suitable for many who have a reasonable level of fitness. There is a stage with a 1000m drop (downhill regular gradient), so those with knee problems may have some discomfort.
You walk from 4 to 6 hours a day, covering distances between 8 to 15km.

group size:

Max. 10-12 participants

trail typology:

You walk on marked paths, some mountain and woodland trails, others with occasional stretches of sand and some short stretches on asphalt.

hiking gear:

Trekking boots with well profiled soles (preferably Vibram or similar), highly recommended ankle-high shoes.
20-25lt backpack with raincover, suitable clothing with hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical shirts, they must be able to dry quickly. Before departure you will receive a detailed list of what to bring.

Climate:

Still warm days but not excessively muggy, highs between +22C°-25C°. Possible cool mornings and evenings, especially on the mountain plateaus. Bring some warm clothing (fleece or long-sleeved sweater, windbreaker). Light chance of showers or seasonal thunderstorms.

ENROL

English Form Greece

Given Name

Family Name

Date of birth:

Street Address:

Town/City:

Canton/Province

ZIP code

Country

Mobile/Telephone Nr:

Nationality

Document Nr:

Type of Document

ID Card

Passport

Document Expiry Date:

I’m enrolling for this trek:

Accommodation choice:

Travel insurance:

Notes: (allergies, dietary needs, special requests…)

€ 1250 price with 8 participants, flights excluded

local transportation in Crete included
hotel/studio accommodation, double rooms
breakfast and dinners included
fabulous guided hikes
the long Cretan summer, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea
the incredible wild nature of Crete, between sea, rugged gorges and impressive peaks
the famous Cretan hospitality, with one of the best cuisines in Greece

tour available

CHF 1190 price with 8 participants, flights excluded

local transportation in Crete included
hotel/studio accommodation, double rooms
breakfast and dinners included
fabulous guided hikes
the long Cretan summer, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea
the incredible wild nature of Crete, between sea, rugged gorges and impressive peaks
the famous Cretan hospitality, with one of the best cuisines in Greece

tour available

Photo Gallery

from 11/10 to 18/10/2025

Tinos is the island you don’t expect… Ignored by tourist brochures despite being the third largest of the Cyclades, it is famous for its splendid traditional villages (over 60!), the typical dovecotes dating back to the Venetian domination of the 13th century, as well as for the marble and the many artists and sculptors who still masterfully work this stone today. The villages in fact show off splendid buildings, squares, churches and marble facades, among the most splendid and well-preserved in the whole of Greece. It is also home to a splendid sanctuary, Panagia Evangelistria, a destination for pilgrimages and one of the most sacred and venerated places in Christian Orthodoxy. Also renowned for its local cuisine, Tinos preserves beautiful secluded beaches, wild bays and crystal-clear sea. We will visit it in early autumn, where we will still have the opportunity to enjoy the moderate heat and take many more baths in the warm waters of the Aegean.

DAILY PROGRAM

11 oCtobER: FLIGHT TO atHenS – FERRY TO tinos

Meeting at the airport, check-in formalities and take-off for Athens.Transfer by bus to the port of Rafina, from where we set sail in the late afternoon and arrive around 9:00 pm in Tinos.
From the port a private bus takes us to Panormos, a pretty village on the north-east coast nestled on the sea, where we spend our first days on the island. Free dinner on the ferry, overnight stay in a studio in the village.

12 oCtobeR: profitis ilias – marlas – mali AND koumelas BEACHES

Breakfast. Our first excursion takes us to discover a remote and wild area. We climb towards the church of Kira Xeni, then continue on a hill where a chapel dedicated to the Prophet Elias is built. From here you can enjoy a unique panorama that spans a good part of Tinos and nearby Andros. We continue passing by tiny hamlets (Marlas and Mamados), then turn north towards two splendid solitary beaches: Mali and Koumelas. A well-deserved swim awaits us! Return to Panormos, dinner in a tavern and overnight stay.
18,5 km, 6,5h walking time, height difference up/down +750m/-750m

13 october: pyrgos – platià – ysternia

Breakfast. We walk along the sea to Rochari beach, from where the climb begins towards the village of Platià through a rather wild gorge. From Platià we climb further until we reach the abandoned windmills of Ysternia. We enter the village, one of the most beautiful on the island, with its white marble houses, churches and shaded squares with an incredible view of Syros and the Aegean Sea. We go down a splendid marble-paved path towards the bay of Ysternia, reaching the beach. After our packed lunch, we go back up towards Ysternia village. From here we can choose, depending on our remaining energy, to walk down to Pyrgos or take the afternoon bus that takes us both to Pyrgos and Panormos, where we spend the night. A visit to Pyrgos is a must, it is considered one of the most splendid mountain villages in the Cyclades! Dinner in a tavern, overnight stay.
12 km, 6h walking time, height difference up/down +760m/-460m

14 october: chora – agios fokas – agios sostis – diaouti – dio choria

Breakfast. Early in the morning we transfer by bus to the Chora of Tinos, where we will stay for the rest of our stay. After having settled into the hotel, we set off on foot along a series of beautiful beaches on the south coast: Agios Fokas, Agios Sostis, Laouti until we reach Agios Ioannis Porto. After eating our packed lunch, we climb the panoramic hills that with increasingly wider and more wonderful views take us to the splendid village of Dio Choria. Return by bus to Chora. Dinner in a tavern and overnight stay.
12,5 km, 4,5h walking time, height difference up/down +528m/-72m

15 october: steni – S- Margarita – Lichnaftià – steni

Breakfast. We take the bus to the interior of the island and get off at Steni, one of the many beautiful traditional villages of Tinos. From here, a circular itinerary begins that takes us to the east coast, through a cultivated valley where cows and goats graze. We arrive at the beach of Santa Margarita, as beautiful as it is solitary. We continue along the coast towards the other beautiful beach of Lichnaftia. Relax time for lunch. We then climb up the other side of the valley, returning to our starting point in Steni. Return by bus. Dinner and overnight stay.
11,7 km, 4,5h walking time, height difference up/down +530m/-530m

16 october: myrsini – falatados – volax – rocca di exomburgo – mesi

Breakfast. We continue by bus towards the interior of the island for a route that will allow us to admire some of the most beautiful villages of Tinos! Starting from Myrsini, we continue towards Falatados and, once out of this village, we enter a plateau with a particular unique geological scene: it is in fact dotted with many granite boulders, as if a storm of rocks had hit the area. We enter Volax, a tiny but beautiful village of artists. We continue towards the Rock of Exomburgo, where an ancient castle stands with a breathtaking view of the entire island, Mykonos, Syros and the Aegean. We get off and reach Mesi, where we enjoy a beer or a coffee, waiting for our bus that will take us back to Chora. Dinner and overnight stay.
9 km, 4h walking time, height difference up/down +354/-333m

17 october: Kionia – kambos – tarabados – ktikados – chora – Rafina

Breakfast. Following the coastal road we walk towards Kionia, always with the sea a few steps away from us. From Kionia we climb towards the central plateau, we arrive at Kambos and then Tarambados. In these places there are many beautifully preserved dovecotes, for which the island is famous. We return towards the coast passing by Ktikados, and then follow a wonderful and panoramic well-maintained path that takes us back to Chora. We catch an evening ferry back to the mainland and arrive in Rafina, where we settle into our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
16 km, 5,5h walking time, height difference up/down +459/-459m

18 october: flight back home

Breakfast. We take a shuttle to the airport and prepare for our return flight. End of tour.

Trekking guide: Marco Carletto

Note: Excursions may be modified due to bad weather or other unforeseen events.

TRIP INFO & DETAILS

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

Intermediate. Good physical condition required, but still suitable for many. Some steep uphill/downhill sections but never strenuous. Some training before departure is required. You walk 4 to 5 hours a day, covering 9 to 15km.

Group size:

Maximum 14 participants

Path Description:

You walk on marked paths, on partly rocky and low wooded terrain, and some stretches of sand. No particular technical difficulty. You walk sometimes on asphalt, with moderate traffic.

required hiking gear:

Trekking boots with profiled soles, preferably ankle-high. Backpack 15-25 lt (you will receive a detailed list of what to bring before departure), suitable clothing with hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical shirts, they must be able to dry quickly.