Cyclades Islands Hike

The Acropolis – ferry to Tinos. The Acropolis – ferry to Tinos. After breakfast we have a guided visit of the Acropolis, including the world famous Parthenon and the fabulous Acropolis museum. You will learn about the city's 4,000-year history and understand its importance to our world. After lunch we have a one-hour transfer to the port of Rafina where we depart for the island of Tinos by “normal” ferry (instead of the closed in Catamaran ferries) , which means you can go outside on deck to enjoy the experience of cruising along the Aegean (approx. 3.5 hours). Tinos is one of the larger islands of the Cyclades group and yet one of the least visited by foreign tourists. You’ll love our quiet hotel, the family-run Onar Studios (or similar) in the heart of the old town. Overnight Tinos. The Hike: Urban walking. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Explore Tinos. Our hike takes us up into the hills along ancient terraces and tracks, and past some of the thousands of dovecotes brought to the island by the Venetians in the 17th century. We stop for coffee in a cute little village before continuing on to Tripotamo, where we help make lunch with our wonderful host, who uses ingredients from her own garden. After lunch, we walk down to the port of Tinos, with views out over the turquoise Aegean Sea and the nearby islands as we go. Take some time in town to admire the famous church, peruse the shops, or relax at the hotel pool with a cold drink. Overnight Tinos. The Hike: Volax to Tinos town distance 7,7km/4.8mi, elevation gain and loss 220m/704ft and 520m/1,664ft, duration around 3 hours. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Transfer to Naxos and enjoy the lush interior. This morning we take a ferry to the island of Naxos, capital of the Cyclades Island chain for 400 years when the region was under Venetian rule. We check into the hotel and then depart for a lovely hike through the green valleys of the island, the most verdant in the entire island chain. The hike takes us past a monumental kouros statue that was abandoned in the 8th century BC, a mute testament to the island’s once-thriving limestone works. We end our hike in a charming small town where we visit a distillery of locally-made "citron" liqueur. Afterwards, rub elbows with the locals as we have dinner at a very local taverna. Pass the ouzo and let the fun commence! Overnight in Naxos at the lovely Hotel Grotta (or similar). The Hike: Melanes-Chalki distance 9,5km/5.9mi, elevation gain and loss 538m/1,721ft and 359m/1,148ft, duration around 4 hours. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Naxos: Mount Zeus! We begin the day with a van shuttle to the center of the island for a hike up mighty Mount Zas (Greek for Zeus). It's a steep climb but short, and we'll have sweeping 360-degree views from the summit. The Greek God of Gods was supposedly raised here (he was "born" on Crete, they say) to keep him out of trouble with his father, Kronus. Back at the hotel, watch the sun set behind the Portara, the unfinished temple of Apollo which dominates the harbor entrance. Enjoy dinner tonight in a restaurant along the harbor. Overnight Naxos. The Hike: Mt Zeus hike distance 6km/4mi, elevation gain and loss 419m/1,340ft and 419m/1,340ft, duration around 3 hours. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Transfer to Santorini and hike the crater rim. Enjoy a relaxed morning with free time to explore the labyrinthine streets of Naxos town and its Venetian built citadel before boarding the ferry to Santorini. You will not soon forget the view of Santorini’s famous cliffs from the water as we sail into the caldera. Blown apart by a massive eruption in 1500 BC, the steep volcanic cliffs are surmounted by gleaming white-washed villages. We disembark below the colorful town of Fira and then start the 3-hour hike to our hotel in Oia (pronounced “Ee-ah”). The hike is one of the most spectacular in the world, as it takes you around the rim of the island’s volcanic crater. As we hike, the sun slowly sinks toward the horizon. We then have a short walk to our restaurant for dinner together. Overnight Santorini. The Hike:  Caldera hike distance 10,7km/6.7mi, elevation gain and loss 410m/1,312ft and 512m/1,638ft, duration around 4 hours.Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

The ancient Greek city of Thira. Many people opt to have a relaxed day and simply contemplate the breathtaking view of the sea-filled caldera, punctuated by a little wander around Thira town and some shopping. For those who want to hike we take you to Pyrgos, a pretty village that was the island’s capital during medieval times. From Pyrgos the trail climbs up to the monastery of Prophet Elias. It is the highest point on the island and has commanding views. From there, we continue to the ruins of Ancient Thira, one of the oldest settlements in the Mediterranean and which is delightfully free of tourists. We descend on foot to the coast for lunch by the sea. There’s time for a swim today, so bring your bathing suit!  We reunite for a sunset drink and then dinner in lovely Oia. Overnight Santorini. The Hike: Pyrgos to Kamari hike distance 7km/4.4mi, elevation gain and loss 460m/1,472ft and 790m/2,528, duration around 4 hours. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Departures. Our trip ends this morning with independent departures to the airport or other areas of Greece. You can end your trip here or else join us for a 4-night extension to the nearby island of Crete. Once home to the powerful and mysterious Minoan civilization, Crete has endured the ebb and flow of history. Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians and Ottomans came and went and Crete was the last territory to join the Republic of Greece in 1913. Through it all the islanders have retained a cultural identity all their own.
Santorini is served by Aegean and Olympic Airlines to Athens as well as by other carriers which fly directly to European hubs (see Ryan Air and Easy Jet for connections to Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, etc.). Breakfast included. And transport to Heraklion for those on the extension.

Take the morning to wander the streets of colorful Oia or maybe just relax by the pool, and then take a 5 p.m. hydrofoil ferry to Heraklion, the capital city of the island of Crete. Heraklion, Greece's fifth-largest city, offers a mix of modern vibrancy and historical charm. It boasts a renowned archaeological museum and is just a short distance from the Minoan palace of Knossos. Crete is rich in history and Heraklion is the island's cultural heart. Enjoy a drink on the rooftop of our hotel before heading out for dinner at one of the city's most sought-after dining experiences. Overnight in Heraklion at the eco-friendly Olive Green Hotel (or similar). Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Start your day in Heraklion by visiting the Archaeological Museum, home to the world’s most significant collection of Minoan art. Recently renovated and re-curated, it features stunning artifacts from the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, which are presented in a coherent and accessible way. Here, we enjoy platters of fresh seafood washed down by carafes of cold white wine. Fascinating storylines (in English) make ancient history come to life. It is an excellent introduction to your next stop, the Palace of Knossos. Once the center of Minoan power 4,000 years ago, Knossos was a strategic and cultural hub in the Aegean. After lunch, drive to Rethymno, the "Mediterranean Pearl," and check into your hotel.  We take you on a late afternoon walk through the town’s historic quarter, where Venetian and Turkish influences still shape its charming labyrinthine streets, followed by free time . Dinner tonight is in a quaint taverna in the old harbor set amongst a jumble of colorfully painted Venetian-era houses. Here we enjoy platters of fresh seafood washed down by carafes of cold white wine. Overnight Rethymno. Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. (Drive time to Rethymno is two hours) 

Nestled at the foothills of Psiloritis, Crete’s highest mountain, Ancient Eleftherna is a Dorian settlement and one of the Archaeological Institute of America's top discoveries of 2009. Our hike begins at the ancient Acropolis, passing by Roman cisterns carved into the hillside, a 3rd-century BC bridge, and the Necropolis. The journey ends in the village of Margarites, known for its pottery, where you’ll meet a local artisan who draws inspiration from Minoan and Byzantine designs.

In the afternoon, we drive to Chania, Crete’s most picturesque town. Set against the backdrop of the White Mountains, Chania boasts a lively harbor, rich history, vibrant market, and nearby beaches. Explore its charming old streets, boutique hotels, and some of the island's best dining spots. The Hike: 5 km/3 miles. Duration: 2 hrs Elevation gain & loss: 223 m & 308 m Overnight in Chania at the Amphora Hotel (or similar). Hotel, Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. 

Today we will head towards Imbros gorge at the south side of the island, driving through the rugged interior, which is largely untouched by mass tourism. A dreamy mosaic of sleepy villages and fertile valleys are dotted with Byzantine churches.
Here, you’ll set off on your three-hour hike, following footpaths through meadows of wildflowers before entering the pine tree-lined Imbros gorge. You will follow an ancient route that once linked the city of Chania with the Chora Sfakion village. Wild “kri-kri”goats will keep you company as you go. Eventually, you will come to the most dramatic part of the hike, where the trail tapers to a 2-meter wide passage that meanders at the bottom of a 300-meter gorge. We return to Chania to dine together at one of the city's colorful restaurants along the curving harbor front. Overnight Chania. The Hike: 7 km/4 miles. Duration: 3 hrs to 4 hrs Elevation gain & loss: 67 m & 695 mOvernight Chania. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 

Depart at your leisure today. There are flights throughout the day and we may not all be leaving at the same time. Travel time in a taxi is 25 minutes to Chania airport. We are happy to organize a taxi for you. Chania airport has several flights to Athens throughout the day, as wll as direct flights to the U.K., Italy, etc. If your ideal flight is from Heraklion, you can get there with a two-hour bus or taxi ride. Breakfast included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour, we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.