Greece walking and culture guided experience

Code: SGrW1 Hiking Cultural Small Groups Guided Eco-tours Delfi Olympia Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Athens Arcadia

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DURATION: 6 DAYS

DIFFICULTY: LEVEL 2

DEPARTURES: 10/06/2023, 16/07/2023, 03/09/2023, 24/09/2023, 15/10/2023

During this walking archeological holiday you visit the main historical and cultural highlights of Southern Greece: Apollo’s Oracle in Delfi, Zeus’s sanctuary and the stadium of ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, Mycenae and Epidaurus and also the monastery of Osios Loukas, whilst you go hiking through the beautiful landscapes of the Peloponnese and Southern Central Greece, past rural areas and picturesque villages. Join us in this unforgettable walking & culture small group adventure to regions full of myths and legends!

ITINERARY

Day 1: The byzantine monastery of Saint Lukas. The Corycian Cave

In the morning you meet your tour leader and leave Athens heading towards Delphi. On the way, you will visit the monastery of Saint Lukas (Hosios Loukas) in Boeotia, with its splendid mosaics. Walking along the slopes of Mount Parnassos, to the Corycian Cave; once dedicated to the cult of Pan and the Nymphs. Arrival in Delphi; a lovely provincial town, built on the slopes of Mount Parnassos with beautiful view on the Corinthian Gulf. During Antiquity, this place was considered to be the center of the world. 1 night in Delphi.

Walking: Forth-Back, 1h30min, 5km, + 200m / -200m, easy

Transfer: 230 km, 3h15 min

Day 2: Discovering Delphi. The “Navel of the World”

In the morning you visit the archaeological site of Delphi; known for Apollo’s oracle and Pythia’s prophecies. The hike of the day is an archeological walk on the Sacred Way through the shrines of ancient gods towards the ancient theater and the stadium of the Pythic Games. You will visit the archeological museum with the famous bronze Charioteer, sculptures of Siphnos treasure, colossal statues of “kouros” from Argos and the remains of three gold and ivory statues. Lunch pause and departure to the Peloponnese. You travel on coastal road along the Corinthian Gulf, where there will be a refreshing swimming stop, you cross the Rio-Antirrio straights and you arrive at the sacred land of Elis. 1 night in Ancient Olympia or Katakolo.

Transfer: 241 km, 3 h 15 min

Day 3: Olympia; cradle of the Olympic Games. Trip to Arcadia

In the morning you visit Ancient Olympia, where since 776 b. J.-C. and for over one millennium, the Olympic Games had been organized, until the day when the Byzantine Christian Emperors had decided to ban them due to their pagan character. It took 1500 years for the organization of the first modern Olympic Games; in 1896. You will visit Zeus’s sanctuary with its temples, its stadium and the palestra. In the museum you will discover the sculptures from Zeus’s temple, the victory (Nike) of Paionios and Hermes of Praxiteles. Short drive to the west coast of the Peloponnese for swiming or just relaxing by the beach, before traveling to the mountainous inland of the Peloponnese. Through wild landscapes and picturesque villages you enter the mountainous area of Arcadia; a region full of history and legends; at the foothills of Mt. Mainalo. 2 nights in Stemnitsa or Dimitsana.

Transfer: 126 km, 2h45min

Day 4: The spectacular gorge of Lousios. The stone villages of Stemnitsa and Dimitsana

Today you go hiking through the gorge of Lousios River, from Stemnitsa to Dimitsana; the ‘’stone jewels’’ of Arcadia with their stone mansions and stone paved paths, in perfect harmony with the beautiful lush landscape; passing by the monastery of Prodromos and Philosopher’s (Philosophou); both ‘’hanging’’ on the rocky cliffs. You will have time to explore bothe Stemnitsa and Dimitsana villages.

Walking: Stemnitsa - Dimitsana, 5h, 12.5 km, +1240m /- 1330 m, moderate
Transfer: 15 km / 20 min

Day 5: Mount Mainalon hike. Mycenae and Nafplio

Today you climb Mt. Mainalon; the mountainous heart of the Peloponnese, from the hut of the alpine club of Tripolis; at 1600m to the pick of Ostrakina; at 1981m. Departure to Argolis and the east coast, where you can swim in the sea after two days on the mountains. In the afternoon you will visit Mycenae; homeland of Agamemnon, the military chef of Greeks during the Trojan War. You will stroll through the Bronze Age citadel with the famous Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Beehive Tombs. At small distance you will explore the very picturesqe Neoclassical town of Nafplion; the first capital of modern Greece. Overnight in Nafplion or Tolo; on the gulf of Argos.

Walking: 2h, + 400m / - 400m, moderate

Transfer: 135 km, 2h30min

Day 6: Ancient Epidaurus. Last exploration. Farewell!

In the morning you visit the archeological site of Epidaurus, where during the Antiquity, pilgrims arrived from the entire Greece, in order to find cure in the sanctuary of Asclepius; the healing god. The ancient theatre of Epidaurus; still operating today, is famous due to its acoustics. After walking through the rural area near the region of Epidaurus you go for swimming or just relaxing by the beach. In the evening, this beautiful adventure ends. You leave the Peloponnese through the Canal of Corinth and you eventually return to Athens.

Walking: 2h, 5km, flat, easy

Transfer: 170 km, 2h40min

HIGHLIGHTS

- Osios Loukas: The Byzantine monastery with its magnificent golden mosaics
- Delphi: the center of the ancient world
- Olympia: cradle of the Olympic Games
- Mycenae: the citadel of Atrides
- Nafplio: the first capital of modern Greece
- Epidaurus: the ancient theatre; marvel of acoustics and harmony
- Arcadia: hiking in the wild nature of a land full of myths and legends

ACTIVITY

- 5 hikes: 2 moderate and 3 easy
- Swimming in crystaline sea
- Recommended equipment: hiking boots, hiking sticks, day back-bag, a raincoat and clothing according to the season

RATES

1260 EUR
Single room supplement: 163 EUR

SERVICES

- Accommodation: 5 nights in good well located 3 star hotels or guesthouses
- Meals: 5 breakfast in the hotel, 5 picnics with local products, 5 dinners in taverns
- Professional tour leader for the whole tour including the hikes
- All transfers and tours as described in private comfortable vehicle
- Visits as described in the itinerary
- Licenced cultural guide for the archaeological sites and museums
- Entrance tickets for the archaeological sites and museums
- Pick up from meeting point or your hotel (if in accessible location in Athens city center)
- Professional liability insurance
- VAT 24% & all applicable taxes

OPTIONAL SERVICES

- Additional overnights in Athens before and after the tour
- Airport transfers
- Pick up from your hotel (upon arrangement / possible supplement if in remote location)
- Single, triple or family room