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Greece

Cyclades - Naxos & Santorini walking trip

Coastal Paths
Food and Wine
Mountain Walking
Independent, Self Guided
  • Two beautiful islands in one trip
  • Panoramic views of the cyclades from summit of mt. Zas (999 m)
  • Kouros ancient statues on Naxos
  • Unique cobbled paths
  • Volcanic layers at the cliffs of Santorini
  • Thira and Akrotiri ancient sites on Santorini

From: 520 €

Tripcode: GRSW003

3 Comfort

 

Level 1 - EN:

Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.

Level 1 - EN:

Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 2:

Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 3:

Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

Level 4:

Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.

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2.5 Difficulty

 

Level 1:

Walking levels:

Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.

Cycling levels:

Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 1:

Walking levels:

Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.

Cycling levels:

Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 2:

Walking levels:

Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.

Cycling levels:

Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 3:

Walking levels:

Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day

Cycling levels:

Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

Level 4:

Walking levels:

Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.

Cycling levels:

Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.

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Duration: 8 days

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Details

Naxos & Santorini: walking trip

Discover two of the most beautiful islands of the Cycladen group in one trip!

In Naxos you explore the highest mountain of the area: Zas. From its summit you enjoy breathtaking views of the sea of olives around you that is in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. Naxos is an island of contrasts: a lively town and beaches and a rural countryside where life is still very traditional.

Santorini is probably the most photogenic place of Greece. The steep cliffs with layers in all colors are the result of an explosion of the Thera volcano thousands of years ago. In the flooded caldera of Santorini there is still volcanic activity, as you can see during your visit to the Kammeni Islands. White washed villages on the cliffs, interesting ancient sites and excellent wines, guarantee a perfect stay. And what is better than to discover this unique landscape on foot?

Itinerary

Expand itinerary Collapse itinerary
 
Day 1: Arrive on Naxos

Arrival at Athens Airport and transfer to the port of Piraeus from where you leave by ferry, late afternoon, to Naxos. The ferry takes 5,5 hrs and you arrive in Naxos around midnight. In case your flight does not allow traveling to Naxos on the same day, you have to book an extra night in Athens and you travel to Naxos the next day in the early morning.

Villages along the way: Naxos Town

Day 2: Walk from Chalki to Melanes

You take a taxi or public bus to Chalki, located in the center of the Tragea plain. Today you explore this fertile inner land with olive groves and rich vegetation. There are some olive trees that are over thousand years old! You walk on cobbled paths via the Venetian Fortress Ano Kastro onto an ancient marble quarry where you find a 10m height statue of an unfinished Kouros from the 6th century BC! The walk ends in the nearby village of Melanes, where you take a taxi or a public bus back to Naxos town.

Challenge: 10 km, 150m climb, 150m descent, 3,5 hours

Villages along the way: Chalki, Pano Potamia, Melanes, Kourounochori

Day 3: Walk to Summit of Mt.Zas

Today´s walk starts at Filoti, a small village that you reach by taxi or public bus. From this village, built at the foothills of Mt. Zas, you start your walk to the summit of this legendary mountain. You may witness the cave in which, according the legend, Zeus -the father of all the gods- was nursed by an eagle. After your descend, you can optionally continue the walk to Apiranthos. From Apiranthos you may walk back via the saddle of Mt. Fanari to Filoti; a beautiful walk with breathtaking views!

Challenge: 13 km or 19 km, 500m or 900m climb, 500m or 900m descent, 4,5 or 7 hours

Villages along the way: Filoti, Apiranthos

Day 4: From Naxos to Santorini

You travel from Naxos to Santorini. The ferry usually departs around noon and arrives 3 hours later in Santorini. In the morning you may visit the Castle in Naxos (Chora) and also visit the museum. Or you can relax on the tempting sandy beach of Agios Georgios. The approach of Santorini by ferry is really unforgettable. You enter the submersed crater of this old volcano and will be impressed by the steep coloured cliffs and the whitewashed villages on top. It is said that the Minoan civilization disappeared suddenly at about the same time as the volcanic eruption, 3.600 years ago, or was this eruption the beggining for the legend of Atlantis?

Villages along the way: Naxos Chora, Akrotiri

Day 5: Walk from Perissa to Akrotiri

A transfer will take you to Perissa from where you start climbing, via an old path, up to a windy ridge. This part is one of the very few places that still exists from before the devastating volcanic outburst. You walk up to Ancient Thira: the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times. The location is really fantastic! Then you descend walking another old path to the quiet inner parts of the island. You walk through vineyards (Santorini produces top class wines!) and along picturesque villages. Through this landscape of volcanic ashes and along the black beach you walk back to Akrotiri village.

Challenge: 16 km, 500m climb, 480m descent, 6 hours

Villages along the way: Perissa, Emporio, Vlychada, Akrotiri

Day 6: Walk from Fira to Oia

You travel by public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleys of this whitewashed town, built on the top of the volcanic cliffs. It houses a couple of interesting museums, such as the museum of prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon you make the renowned walk from Fira to Oia. Along the walk you will enjoy fabulous views of the lagoon and the spectacular cliffs, with its massive drops. Most of the walk is through a really nice wide mule-path. Sure you will make loads of photos during this walk along this scenic Santorini coastline. From Oia you have a transfer back to the hotel.

Challenge: 11 km, 270m climb, 350m descent, 3 hours

Villages along the way: Santorini, Imerovigli, Oia

Day 7: Travel from Santorini to Athens

A last free morning in Akrotiri at leisure before you are takenby the hotel owners to Santorini port, where you will take a comfortable and modern ferry to Piraeus. The journey to Piraeus is about 8 hours long. Upon arrival, you will have an organized transfer by taxi to your centrally located hotel in Athens.

Villages along the way: Akrotiri, Athens

Day 8: Departure

Depending on your flight departure today, you may have time to visit the Acropolis and the fabulous Acropolis Museum before you go by metro or bus to the airport for your flight departure.

Villages along the way: Athens

Practical info

Included:

  • 7 nights accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis (3 nights on Naxos, 3 on Santorini and 1 night in Athens)
  • Transfer Athens-Piraeus
  • Roundtrip transfers on Naxos and Santorini
  • Transfer Akrotiri-Kamari and Oia-Akrotiri on Santorini
  • Transfer Piraeus-Athens
  • All necessary ferry tickets in tourist class
  • 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
  • Detailed route description and maps in English

Not Included:

  • Flights
  • Public transportation
  • Travel insurance
  • Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers etc.
  • Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program

Opctional services:

Transfer from Athens to Athens Airport upon departure - 55 Euro per taxi, max. 3 persons

Extra Overnight:

Extra nights are possible at all locations as the ferries are scheduled daily.

Reviews

Start: Athens

Finish: Athens

 

Dates & prices

Trip availability: From 1st of April to 31st of October

Departures
April 01, 2013 - June 05, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
In triple room: 520 €/person
In double room, traveling with 3 persons: 555 €/person
In double room: 590 €/person
In single room, traveling with 3 persons: 720 €/person
1 person traveling alone: 890 €/person
June 06, 2013 - July 11, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
In triple room: 600 €/person
In double room, traveling with 3 persons: 655 €/person
In double room: 685 €/person
In single room, traveling with 3 persons: 865 €/person
1 person traveling alone: 1030 €/person
July 12, 2013 - August 31, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
In triple room: 685 €/person
In double room traveling with 3 persons: 750 €/person
In double room: 785 €/person
In single room traveling with 3 persons: 1035 €/person
1 person traveling alone: 1200 €/person
September 01, 2013 - September 20, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
In triple room: 600 €/person
In double room, traveling with 3 persons: 655 €/person
In double room: 685 €/person
In single room, traveling with 3 persons: 865 €/person
1 person traveling alone: 1030 €/person
September 21, 2013 - October 25, 2013
Dates of the trip Price
In triple room: 520 €/person
In double room, traveling with 3 persons: 555 €/person
In double room: 590 €/person
In single room traveling with 3 persons: 720 €/person
1 person traveling alone: 890 €/person