Rhodes, Karpathos 14 days trekking
1st day: Rhodes
Arrival at the airport of Rhodes. Overnight in the town of Rhodes.
2nd day: Rhodes
Visit of Monte Smith and the old town of Rhodes. We start with the visit of the Monte Smith with the remains of the ancient temple of Apollo and the stadium. Afterwards we walk through the old city with its monuments from the medieval times,several mosques from the ottoman period and the old jewish quarter.In the Castello of the Grand Master we can enjoy the old mosaics mainly from the island of Kos.Return to the hotel and time for a swim before dinner.
3rd day: Karpathos
Departure by boat for Karpathos. Arrival at the island of Karpathos and transfer to the hotel in Pigadia the main town.We settle into our hotel,where we spend the night.
4th day: Pigadia-Menetes-Arkasa
Departure from Pigadia to the village of Menetes partly on the old paths of the island connecting the villages and from the highest point we can enjoy spectacular views over to the island of Kasos and simultaneoulsly to the east and west coast of Karpathos. A nice winding path takes us down to the beach of Arkasa with remains of the archeological site of Arkesine.There is enough time for a nice break to enjoy a swim in the clear water or to have something to eat before we take the bus back to Pigadia, where we spend the night.
Walking time 5 hours, + 350 meters / - 350 meters
5th day: Lastos-Kali Limni-Mesohori
Pigadia Volada by taxi, walk to Lastos - Kali Limni - Mesohori
Breakfast in the hotel and taxi to Volada. The walk up to Lastos, which lies at an altitude of 750 meters, is inside a forest of pine trees. On the way we can enjoy an incredible view over to the sea and from the peak " Kali Limni " at 1215 meters we can see as far as Rhodes and Crete,if the weather is clear.After having conquered the highest peak of Karpathos , we start the walk down to Mesohori where we will spend the night. It is a fairly strenuous walk through wild, magnificent landscape and past a very old mountain chapel with unfortunately only remains of frescoes.
Walking time 6 hours, + 400meters / - 1100 meters
6th day: Mesohori-Lefkos
We depart from Mesohori after breakfast and we walk on a "calderimi" ( old stone paved path ). It is a beautiful path on the foot of the mountain Profitis Ilias 1.160m that winding up and down takes us to the village of Lefkos, with the ancient remains from the roman times, ruins of small churches and cave dwellings. In Lefkos we can have a rest and have a swim enjoying the nice sandy beach.Night in Mesohori.
Walking time 4 hours, -400 meters / +400 meters
7th day: Spoa-Kimara-Olympos
In the morning we leave by car to go to Spoa from where our grand traverse starts, which leads us along the backspine of Karpathos Island. It takes only 20 min.to reach Spoa, where the path takes us uphill toward Mount Kimara and a little bit further we reach the church of Agia Marina. Right next to it we can refresh ourselves with springwater and then we continue to Argoni, where we can stop for our lunch ( lunch packet ). This nice break overlooking the sea will strengthen us for the last part of our walk toward the village of Olympos.Overnight in Olympos.
Walking time 6 - 7 hours, + 350 meters / - 400 meters
8th day: Olympos-Profitis Elias
We depart from Olympos known for its long tradition to conquer the peak Profitis Ilias ( 720 m. ),the top of the mountain right above the village. The way leads us up to the highest point from where we can enjoy the magnificent view of the archipelago north of Karpathos and then we carry on toward Gyzouras making a loop back to Olympos.Overnight in Olympos.
Walking time 4 hours, + 380 meters / - 380 meters
9th day: Olympos-Avlona-Vroukounda-Diafani
Starting from Olympos we walk past the windmills north of the village down a dry river bed and then we continue on the "calderimi" the old stone paved path toward Avlona.It is still quite a while until Vrokounda, but it's really woth the effort.It is a superb site on the north-west coast with a little church of Agios Ioannis built in a cave and some archeological remains, since it used to be a very important settlement in the ancient times, very imposing with its cyclopean walls and the rock-cut graves. After having a rest by the sea we return toward Avlona,which is situated on a small plateau and used to be the main granary of the island and from there we come down to Diafani,where we spend the night.
Walking time 6 hours, + 50 meters / - 300 meters.
10th day: Diafani-Saria Island
This day includes a short boat trip. After breakfast at the hotel we take the boat to Saria,the small island north of Karpathos, which is very mountainous,unfortunately deserted but with spectacular views.It takes appx 45 minutes to reach the island and we start our walk by going up to Agios Spiridonas. From there we continue to walk toward the Palatsia, a very interesting archeological site, where we can have lunch before we get back on the boat in the afternoon to return to Diafani, where we spend the night. The way back with the boat is 1.10 hours.
Walking time 4 hours, + 250 meters / - 250 meters
11th day: Diafani-Agios Konstantinos-Forokli
We use a calderimi to Melena and we continue uphill until the saddle of Agios Konstantinos. From there the path leads us through a river bed, which offers a beautiful shade, down to the remote and beutiful beach of Forokli, with a small valley and a permanent gargling brook. Time to rest and enjoy a refreshing swim away from the crowds. Back to Diafani by boat, where we spend the night.
Walking time 5 hours, + 300 meters / - 300 meters
12th day: Ferry to Rhodes
The acropolis and the city of Kameiros with its houses and its temples bring us back to the antiquity. Before we have a lunch break and a swim in the clear water we can climb up to the Fortress of Cretenia. Our visit of the western coast of the island finishes with the fortress of Monolithos from where - by clear sky and good weather - we can admire the incredible richness of the greek island archipelagos. On the way back to the hotel we have the oppurtunity to see the differences of the rhodian landscape from the extreme dry areas to the green forests. What a fantastic combination on one island!
Night in Rhodes
13th day: Rhodes
From the hill of Filerimos we enjoy the view over the northern part of Rhodes. The island is also famous for the unique species of butterflies in a valley south of the town ,which we visit immediately afterwards. We continue through villages towards the second highest mountain and in a restored chateau of the italian occupation we can enjoy a cup of coffee before we continue for the last stop by the Seven Springs, where in the shade of trees accompanied by the sound of the running water we can relax and enjoy our farewell lunch.
14th day: Departures
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: 2.150,00€
Group Size: minimum 4 participants.
Difficulty Level: Hike (2)
Moderate hikes with a maximum of 6-7 hours walk.