Karpathos

 4 october: arrival in Karpathos 

Get ready for a morning flight to Athens, followed by a domestic flight to Karpathos. Arrive in the evening and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

5 october: Avlona – Vroukounta – Vananda

Breakfast. Bus transfer to Avlona. The excursion begins from the settlement of Avlona, then continues to the archaeological site of Vroukounta, with the cave church of Agios Ioannis and the Byzantine pool. We return to Diafani on foot via Vananda beach.
Walking time: 5.00hrs
Elevation gain/loss: +367/-639m
Total distance: Km 14

6 october: Tristomo – Diafani

Breakfast. We depart from Diafani and head towards the abandoned settlements of Tristomo. Along the way, we’ll pass a natural fjord with incredible views. We then reach Tristomo beach, where we’ll be picked up by a boat for our return to Diafani.
Walking time: 5.00hrs
Elevation gain/loss: +440m/-440m
Total distance: Km 13,8.

7 october: Olympus – Profitis Ilias – Diafani

Breakfast. We’ll take a bus to Olympus Village, the most traditional village on the island and one of the most beautiful and photographed in Greece. We’ll climb Mount Prophet Elias (730 meters above sea level) for a breathtaking view of the entire island. We’ll hike in a circular route and then return to Diafani on foot.
Walking time: 4,30 hrs
Elevation gain/loss: +544/-770m
Total distance: Km 11

8 october: Saria island

Breakfast. Today we’ll take perhaps the most beautiful excursion of all: we’ll take the boat from Diafani to Saria Island and cross the island on foot. Before starting our hike, we’ll take a boat tour of a beautiful cave and swim in its turquoise waters. On Saria Island, we’ll also hike through the gorge and visit the many ancient sites… and we’ll even see the pirates’ houses.
Walking time: 3,30 hrs
Elevation gain/loss:  +/-250m
Total distance: Km 8
Note: this island excursion can be scheduled to another day, depending on sea conditions. 

9 october: Argoni – Olympus

Breakfast. We’ll take a bus to the Argoni area, where we’ll set off on a hike to the village of Olympus. Along the way, we’ll enjoy splendid sea views. In Olympus and then in Argoni, we’ll visit a river with frogs, the only one on the island. We’ll return to Diafani by bus.
Walking time: 4.30 hrs
Elevation gain/loss: +624m/-684m
Total distance: Km 13

10 october: flight back home

Breakfast, then departure for the airport. Check-in formalities and departure to your final destination, with a stopover in Athens. Arrival late afternoon. End of tour.

Trekking guide: Minas Foundis (local Greek guide  Italian/English speaking)

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

difficulty level:

Moderately challenging. Requires reasonably good physical condition, and some training is necessary before departure.
You walk an average of 3-5 hours per day, covering 9-13 km. The elevation gain isn’t extreme, but there are steep climbs and descents in some sections, so good fitness is essential.

group size:

Max. 15 participants

trail info:

We walk on marked paths, mainly on dirt roads and forest paths, sometimes short stretches of asphalt.

required hiking gear:

Hiking boots with treaded soles, preferably ankle-high. A small 15-25L daypack, suitable clothing including hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical shirts that dry quickly.
Pack: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, packed lunch, water bottles or a camel bag (at least 1.5L), a spare t-shirt, a raincoat or light wind/rain jacket. 
A complete “What-to-bring” list will be sent prior to departure

Climate:

Summery days are still expected, with highs around 24-25°C. Cool evenings, with a chance of wind. Bring warm clothing (fleece or long-sleeved sweater, windbreaker). Seasonal showers are possible, though unlikely.