ITINERARY

Day 1: Welcome in Greece

Arrival in Athens. Transfer at your hotel in Athens or Lavrio (depending on the arrival time). 1 night in Athens or Lavrio.

Day 2: Trip to Kythnos Island. First explorations

From the port of Lavrio you take the ferry to Merichas, the port of Kythnos. Ancient terraces and numerous dry-stone walls reveal the strong agricultural past of this island. The village Loutra (= baths) owes its name to its thermal springs; after that, the island was once called Thermia (= the warm one). The thermal baths date partly from the 19th century and are work of the German architect Ernest Ziller. Depending on the arrival time, you may explore the main village of Chora this afternoon. 3 nights on Kythnos.

Day 3: Kythnos. Panagia Kanala, a pilgrimage church

In the morning you visit the village of Dryopis that has always competed with Chora of Kythnos. A must-see here, apart from the traditional village itself and several chapels, is the magnificently landscaped old iron mines. After visiting this place, you go hiking on ancient paths towards the pilgrimage church of Panagia Kanala on the southeast coast. In the afternoon you explore the Chora (if didn’t have the time on day 2). Both, Chora and Dryopis, are listed historical monuments.
Walking: about 3 h, + 200m / - 400m, moderate

Day 4: Kythnos. Traces of antiquity and the unique double-sided sandy beach of Kolona

Today you will hike from Epikopi and via Apokrousi you reach Kolona and the chapel of St. Loukas. Your trail leads to the ancient ruins on the hill of Vriokastro, which belong to the ancient capital of the island. The double beach of Kolona is unique in Greece: a sandy beach located on the isthmus that connects the peninsula of Agios Lukas to Kythnos.
Walking: about 3 h, + 200m / - 200 m, moderate

Day 5: Ferry to Serifos. Pano Chora and Kastro: a very traditional Cycladic village

You leave Kythnos and travel to Livadi, the port of Serifos. Iron was extracted from the island mines, until after WW II. You walk towards Chora and the hill of Kastro. This is one of the most beautiful and authentic villages of the Cyclades and the view from the castle is magnificent. From there, the Venetian lords watched the port and the open sea. 2 nights on Serifos.

Day 6: Serifos. Circular hike in the inland

Your hike starts from Chora. You walk on ancient panoramic trails, partly paved, passing by lonely chapels and herds of goats, until you reach the village of Panagia. Via Kentarchos, you walk back to Chora. It is also possible to stop your hike to Panagia and get transferred back to Chora.
Walking: about 4 h, + 400m / - 400m, moderate

Day 7: Trip to Sifnos Island

Ferry to Kamares, the port of Sifnos. The white villages on the ridge, with the island capital Apollonia, look particularly elegant and neat. Depending on the arrival time, it is possible to go for your first explorations on this beautiful island. 4 nights on Sifnos.

Day 8: Sifnos. To the medieval village of Kastro and the pilgrimage church of Chrysopigi

From Sifnos today’s main village, Apollonia, you walk towards the medieval settlement of Kastro, which was the island capital during a long period; since antiquity and until early 19th century. After visiting the village, you walk through ancient trails to the pilgrimage church of Chrysopigi, built by the sea, on a rocky peninsula.
Walking: about 3 h, + 200m / - 450m, moderate

Day 9: Sifnos. On the highest peak of the island and the bay of Vathy

Today you hike up to the highest peak of Sifnos, with the uninhabited monastery of Prophet Elias, that offers astonishing panoramic view. You continue following scenic trails, towards Vathi Bay on the southeast coast. It is possible to skip the mountain climb as this part of the hike is roundtrip. The rocky landscape of Sifnos with its well-maintained white chapels, its round threshing floors and its dry-stone walls, bathed in the clear light of the Aegean Sea, exude a special charm.
Walking: about 4 h, + 500m / - 700 m, moderate to demanding

Day 10: Sifnos. Hiking to ancient gold and silver mines

From the village of Artemonas, you walk until the chapel of Agios Sostis, built on the homonymous cape. Here were located the gold and silver mines to which Sifnos awed its prosperity during the archaic period. In this area, traces of these mines are still visible today. The afternoon is at leisure.
Walking: about 3 h, + 250m / - 250m, moderate

Day 11: Trip to Milos

Ferry to Adamas, the main port of Milos. The wide and deep bay of Adamas is one of the best natural ports in the Aegean Sea. Milos’ pilots were famous throughout the Levant since the 16th century: ships from West Europe that were about to go on a dangerous trip to the East Mediterranean Sea, came to Milos to hire an experienced sailor to guide them safely through the unknown waters. Depending on the arrival time, first explorations of the island. 4 nights in Milos.

Day 12: An archaeological walk in Ancient Milos. Plaka and Kastro. The Obsidian Way

In the morning, from the village of Tripiti you walk to the ruins of the ancient city with its well-preserved theater. At short distance you can visit the famous Catacombs, from the early Christian period. From the chapel of Prophet Elias, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic view. Eventually, you reach the site where Venus of Milos was found (1). Afterwards, you visit Plaka, the island capital, where we recommend you to visit the archaeological museum and then stroll through the village. From the hill of Kastro, you admire spectacular view on the coast, the island and the open sea. In the afternoon, you can walk on the Obsidian Trail towards Adamas (2).
Walking: (1) about 1h, + 150m / - 150m, easy – (2) about 1h30, - 200 m, easy

Day 13: Milos. A prehistoric site and a traditional fishing village

Today you hike along the north coast; a great moment for hikers in Greece! You walk in a bizarre white landscape characterized by volcanic rocky formations. You visit the prehistoric settlement of Phylakopi, a major manufacturing and trade center of the Aegean Sea during the Bronze Age. This place was inhabited for over two millennia now and fortified many times; the ruins of its cyclopean walls are still impressive today. Walking along the coast, on gravel trails and goat ways, you pass by Papagranga and Sarakiniko (rocky volcanic formations), you reach Mandrakia, one of the island's typical small fishing villages, whose boathouses are carved into the soft volcanic rock.
Walking: about 3 h, + 150m / - 150m, moderate

Day 14: Kimolos; Argentiera, ‘’the silver island’’

Day excursion to the island of Kimolos. It owes its medieval name ‘’Argentiera’’ to the whitish-gray color of its rocks: a short of Argile that was widely used in household, medicine and cosmetics (geological name: cimolite, an aluminum silicate related to kaolinite). You take the local ferry from Pollonia to Psathi, the port of Kimolos. You exlore the main village, Chorio; the castle-like structure of its core reminds of a medieval village. Some traditional wind mills still stand on the hill of Xaplovouni as well as several circular paved threshing floors. Panoramic view in all directions.
Walking: circular, about 3h, + 250m / - 250m, moderate

Day 15: Last explorations. Trip to Piraeus

Ferry to Piraeus. Transfer to your hotel in Athens. 1 night in Athens

Day 16: Farewell!

Transfer to the airport. Farewell!