Mainland Greece and Kefalonia! - Backwoods Adventures
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The Best of Greece
Mainland Greece and Kefalonia!
Fall 2019 Itinerary
September 18, 2019 -October 2, 2019
Greece has become a huge part of my life. I really enjoy sharing it with
my groups. I have spent months walking its foot paths, exploring every
village I end up in and getting to know the people
living there.. This has become my home! I have guided
now a dozen treks and paddling tours throughout Greece. I am going to
show you what I believe are some of the best parts and some of the most
beautiful scenery around. My roots run deep since my Grandparents and
Mother were born and raised there and lived there, for a great portion of
their lives. I feel to really appreciate and see Greece, the best way is not
by sitting in a large tour bus looking out the windows and getting off and
on from time to time, but to walk the amazing streets
and footpaths and paddling its beautiful coastline. I have spent my time
trekking from one village to the next, viewing the true Greece. This trip
will encompass two of my favorite places in Greece, the island of
Kefalonia and the mountains of Mainland Greece.
September 16th Depart USA for Athens. Arrive Athens September 17th.
September 17th Overnight Sofitel, Athens Airport (not included in
package, but I will get a special group rate)
September 18th fly to Kefalonia from Athens(price is not included in
package but we will do a group block and pay for domestic flights and
ferries once they are available. Plan on $300 USD total for all domestic
flights and ferry.
th th
September 18 -24 Arrive Kefalonia. Our stay on Kefalonia will be at
the Luxurious Trapezaki Bay Hotel . All breakfasts are included.
1st day
Itinerary: Argostoli Lighthouse
Paddling Distance: 5 nautical miles
Duration: 5-6 hours
In this tour we follow a relaxed and exploring pace. In the first part we
kayak along a scenic coast full of caves, natural arches and rock gardens.
We have a short break for swimming and fruit in Palaiostafida bay
where according to Robert Bittlestone's new theory about Ulysses'
ancient Ithaca, the place where the suitors set up the ambush to
Telemachus, Ulysses son. We continue kayaking and as soon as we pass
the touristy beach of Makris Gialos the scenery changes radically. High
white limestone cliffs are now our terrain. Again, caves, turquoise
waters and remote white sandy beaches make our paddling a really
impressive experience!! We have another break for swimming,
snorkeling and lunch before continuing for the last stretch of our trip.
We land in Minies beach (near the airport) where we can finish our
paddling experience with a cold drink in the local beach bar...
2nd day
Itinerary: Agia Pelagia
Paddling Distance: 7 nautical miles
Duration: 5-6 hours
We kayak part of the scenic south Kefalonia. This part of the island
offers a really big variety of sceneries, from sandy beaches to rock
gardens, caves and sea channels.
Moreover, in addition to these coastal interests, the view to the inland
gives an excellent picture of the island: green slopes and scattered
colourful villages under the impressive mass of mount Ainos which due
to its endemic black fir tree is one of the ten national parks in Greece.
Among the highlights of this tour is the break in the beach with the
crystals as well as the beautiful islet of Dias where if the weather allows,
we visit the chapel in the top.
We land in Trapezaki beach where we can finish our paddling
experience with a cold drink in the local beach bar...
3rd day
Itinerary: Lourdas
Paddling Distance: 7 nautical miles
Duration: 6 hours
We start kayaking in the long sandy beach of Lourdas. This trip covers a
quite remote stretch of Kefalonia's south coastline.
Sandstone cliffs, numerous non accessible sandy beaches and rock
gardens are along the way. We have a short break in a bay with natural
clay where we can play making face masks or anything else we can
think of! After a visit to a complex of sea caves we arrive in the
beautiful beach of Koroni. Fine sand and crystal clear waters make
Koroni an ideal stop for swimming and lunch.
We finish our trip in the little fishing village of Katelios.
4th day
Itinerary: Agia Kiriaki (round trip)
Kayaking Distance: 7-8 nautical miles
Duration: 5-6 hours
We launch from the fishing port of Agia Kiriaki. We paddle along a
coastline of pristine beauty. Being one of the most remote parts of
Kefalonia, we barely see any human trace in the area.
We reach Fteri bay, an area with white limestone cliffs, white-sand
beaches, turquoise waters and green valleys. After a stop for swimming
and fruit we continue along one of the nicest stretches of the island.
Huge white cliffs, blue waters and seagulls flying over our heads! We
stop for swimming, snorkelling and lunch in Amidi beach, a pebble
beach at the end of another green valley. We continue towards the
Kakata cape where we visit a beautiful sea cave before we start paddling
back to Agia Kiriaki.
We finish our day with a cold drink in the local fish taverna...
*We will have four out of six days of paddling. The days we don’t
paddle we will explore the island via the land. Paddling days are
subject to change with the weather*
The Zagahoria Village Trek thru the Vikos
Gorge and climbing to Drakolimni Lake! Sleepy Villages
nestled beneath pine-clad towering peaks, valley floors are covered in
prolific wild flowers.
Here in
Zagoria Villages you can hike through the deepest gorge in the world in
Vikos-Aoos National Park!
We will start our journey from Vitsa Village where we will spend the first two nights trekking each day 6 hours plus. We will then end our stay in Vitsa with dinner at the famous “Mushroom Man’s, (Kanela & Garifalo). We will then leave Vitsa and from this point on we will trek from Village to Village staying only
one night at each and seeing all of the Zagahoria. We
will spend one night up at the Astraka Refuge way up
high above the villages . Here we will
hike to Drakolimni Lake.
This is one of my most favorite places on the planet.
Our last night stay will be in the
village of Kapesovo with a farewell dinner at
Thucydides Restaurant. At the end of this day you will have realized we
have not left any stones unturned! This truly is my favorite hiking in
Greece!
Included in the tour on Kefalonia transfers, all day excursions,
breakfasts, and lunches while on the excursions. Dinner on your own.
On the Mainland Greece portion of the tour, all transfers,
accommodations, and all meals but two are included on the tour.
October 2: Departure to Ioannina. Flights to the USA.
We will fly from Ioannina to Athens, overnight stay will be at Sofitel
Athens Airport(hotel stay not included in the price).
You will then need to book your flights back to the USA on October 3.A view from the Astraka Refuge, where we will spend one night. Due to its remote location,
you will be without your luggage for this one night stay. You will pack your day pack with
enough clothing for the night.Pricing:
$3500 USD includes all of the above itinerary. Does not include
domestic flights, ferry, or hotel stay before and after the tour at the
Sofitel Athens Airport. A deposit of $1000 is due upon booking
confirmation. All deposits are non refundable. Balance is due 3-1-2019.
All payments need to be payable to
Stefanie Woods
191 Wedeln Dr. Bozeman, Montana 59715
208-315-5536You can also read
