Highlights
The Cycladic Islands is probably the most well-known group of islands in Greece. In this trip you discover the unknown islands of Andros and Tinos. Discover a paradise of Calm Waters, Warm Breezes, Panoramic Views and Sun Kissed Beaches. A couple of hours by ferry you reach Andros that is one of the Cyclades islands closest to Athens and also one of the most popular Greek Island Destination. You reach Tinos by ferry and an enchanting island. Arriving on Tinos you see the impressive high fortress of Exoburgo and many dovecotes scattered all around the island. In the inner island you will find picturesque villages, small squares and churches where you make impressive walks. Tinos town delightful old port with its fish taverns invites you for a last dinner on the seaside.
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Itinerary - click for more
Day 1: Arrival in Athens. Travel to Andros.
After your arrival at Athens airport our taxi driver will take you to the port of Rafina, from where you depart in the late afternoon to Andros. The ferry crossing is app. 2 hours. After your arrival in the port of Gavrio you travel by local bus in app. 1 hour to Chora, the capital of Andros. Your pension is in the area Nimborio. In case your flight arrives after 14.30 hrs, we advise to book an additional night in Rafina or in Athens. Following morning you would depart the following morning by ferry to Andro.Day 2: Walk from Apoikia to Chora (4,9 or 8,7 km)
In the morning there is plenty of time to visit Andros Chora with its impressive mansions and museums. Andros has always been an island with many shipowners who built beautiful houses and donated museums to the island. In the afternoon you take a taxi to nearby Apikia, a village built along a wide, green valley. You descend via old, walled mule tracks leading you through the valley. You come along the dilapidated tower of Bitsis with its mystic atmosphere. Via olive groves you reach the beach of Gialia. After a swim, you ascend briefly to cross a cape and further descend to your pension on the beach of Nimborio.
Challenge: 2,5 or 4 hours, 4,9 or 8,7 km, 90 or 410m ascent, 340 or 380m descent
Day 3: Circular walk from Chora (17,5 km)
From Andros Chora ascend a beautiful paved path (kalderimi) through tall cypresses and olive groves. Walls left and right of the path are constructed of slate, almost artistic way. Pass the villages Lamira and Mesaria with their imposing churches and natural springs. Follow a pleasant descend to an ancient Venetian bridge over the river bed. Higher up the mountain the Monastery of Panachrantos comes in sight. A steady climb leads you up to the Monastery, that seems to be clinging to the side of the mountain Gerakonas. The views over the island and the warm welcome in the Monastery are worth the climb. After your visit you descend through the green valley of the Livadia river back to Andros Chora.
Challenge:6,5 hours, 17,5 km, 600m ascent, 600m descent.Day 4: From Ormos Korthiou to Chora (14 km)
Today you will enjoy great views over the sea, Ormos Korthiou and Andros Chora. The walk starts from Ormos Korthiou from where you ascend via an intact old kalderimi along orchards and past the quiet village Kochilos. After Kochilos, the ruins of the old fortress Paleokastro come in sight. The last section to the top is an optional detour, but definitely worth the effort, because of the awarding 360 degrees view over Southern Andros. Through the impressive Dipotama-gorge you make your way to the village Sineti, where you find a local café and a folklore museum. Leaving Sineti, you face your last climb, before making your final descent to the sandy beach of Paraporti, on the east side of Andros Chora. You cross Andros Chora to reach Nimborio beach.
Challenge:6 hours, 14 km, 530m ascent, 530m descentDay 5: From Andros to Tinos (4,5 or 12,5 km)
In the morning you take the public bus to Gavrio and travel per ferry to Tinos. A taxi takes you to the village Falatados in the inner land. In the afternoon you can make a round walk from Falatados. Via a kalderimi you walk to the village Myrsini and descend to the (dry) river bed of the Livada river. You can opt to return from here via another kalderimi back to Falatados and enjoy some free time or you may continue to Livada beach and return partly via the same route. It is definitely worthwhile to spend some time exploring the narrow alleys in Falatados and discover this very traditional village in your own way.
Challenge:2 or 5 hours, 4,5 or 12,5 km, 200 or 440m ascent, 200 or 440m descentDay 6: Circular walk from Tinos (Falatados) (16km)
Todays walk is a great walk leading you all around the remarkable Exombourgo mountain and along the finest villages of Tinos. Top of this mountain you find the Venetian Fortress Exoburgo. Walk through valleys and terraced fields, through villages with narrow alleys and along numerous churches and a monastery. In the wide valley between Loutra and Kambos are the finest dovecotes that are so characteristic for Tinos Island. Overnight Falatados
Challenge: 7 hours, 16 km, 220m ascent, 220m descentDay 7: Linair walk from Falatados to Chora (8km)
Optional round walk from Ormos Panormos, Tinos (Chora). This popular walk on Tinos offers great views on Tinos town and the south coast. You walk through agricultural fields towards the Exobourgo and then head southwards, descending via old mule tracks. You pass a few remarkable ruins of windmills and then descend via a long kalderimi to Tinos town. The walk is only 3 hours and hence there is plenty of time to visit the lively town of Tinos, dominated by the big church of Panagia. Or you may prefer to go to one of the sandy beach that are near the town. If you like to do some more walking, you can taxi or rent a car to explore the northern tip of the island and head for Ormos Panormos. You can walk around from this seaside village to the traditional village Pyrgos and back. You walk from the marina of Panormos via a gravel road and a kalderimi to Pyrgos. Via marble steps you enter the white village of Pyrgos, which is said to be the prettiest village of Tinos. Marble craftsmen from Pyrgos are famous for their crafts. You may visit the Museum of Marble Crafts in Pyrgos or walk about the village to admire the marble reliefs on the houses. On the village square you can opt for a nice coffee in the shade of the 200 year old plane tree. Then you continue your walk via donkey trails to 7 ruins of windmills, situated like giants on the mountain ridge. Then you descend to the quay of Panormos with its sandy beach nearby. Overnight Chora.
Challenge:3 hours, 8 km, 100m ascent, 470m descentDay 8: Departure Transfer to the port of Tinos and departure to onward destination per
ferry.
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Practical Information - click for more
Trip Grade: Moderate day walks are interspersed with more strenuous excursions,
4 – 6 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.Activity Characteristics: The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks;
The best time to travel to the Greek islands is between April and June and September to the end of October. In the summer months it gets very hot.
Arrival time in Piraeus is usually at 20:00 hrs. Ferry crossing Tinos-Piraeus is 5 hours. Additional services: Athens overnight pre and post tour as well as airport transfers.
We send a digital copy of route notes and destination manual to all agents to be printed for clients It is up to the agent to send this digitally or printed by post to client. We advise to print the documentation in A5 booklet size.
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Price per person in CAD Dollars. Price indicative of Euro Exchange, CAD $ subject to change.
Rates based on hotel availability. High season surcharges may apply.