Walking in Pelion

Activity code: TRPM01

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. [Participants should be in good physical condition with some relevant hiking experience.]

Duration: 8 Days

Mount Pelion, otherwise known as the Land of the Centaurs is covered with lush vegetation, orchards, olive and chestnut trees. Twenty-four villages emerge through the forests with their remarkable cobblestone paths and characteristic manor houses. Along the coastline you'll discover isolated shores drenched in a tapestry of colours, sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages that create a perfect combination of walking and swimming, while admiring stunning views on almost every route. This tour, combined with a hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, is a hiking lover’s dream and has something for everyone. These monasteries, stunningly built atop steep sandstone peaks (the monks used rope ladders and nets to ascend and descend) are one of the most breathtaking sites in the world and were built by the monastic community that established themselves in the area around 11th century A.D. Today, only 6 out of 22 monasteries are inhabited and accept visitors. The combination of incredible hiking paths, breathtaking views and fascinating cultural and architectural uniqueness make this tour an ideal choice.

This walking holiday is available as part of a Small Group or Private Journey. Our guides are officially qualified Mountain Guides and have many years of experience. Overall this is a hiking and food lover's dream and has something for everyone.

Why book with Rediscover the World ?

Rediscover treks in Greece include all meals, accommodation and comfortable transport; we offer opportunities for sightseeing [Meteora Monasteries, Thessaloniki, Volos] as well as an excellent English-speaking guide/tour escort throughout. Your guide will make every effort to show you a variety of good quality Greek dishes during your holiday - our team love their food, too.

Accommodation: The guest houses and hotels in this itinerary are generally small, independent or family-run, properties which add significantly to your travel experience in this fascinating country. We select accommodation which has been personally inspected and experienced by our team - all hotels and guesthouses are comfortable and fully equipped with heating, en-suite bathroom/shower, air-conditioning, telephone, and television.

Departures: 2019

• Small Group * Guaranteed Dates

- May 2nd, 20th, 30th

- September 7th & October 1st

• For private bookings from 4 to 12 persons - any date upon request between May 1st and October 31st.
• 2020 dates on request.

 * Minimum 2 persons, maximum 8 persons.

What's included in this Greece Hiking Holiday:

• 7 nights accommodation in local guest houses, based on double/twin rooms with en-suite shower/WC
• 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 picnic lunches and 7 dinners.
• Luggage transfers
• Transfer from and to the airport and transport throughout the itinerary
• Experienced & licensed English-speaking trekking guide who will be with you for the entire tour
• All local taxes.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Airfare (though we can include this if you prefer)
• Lunch on day 1 and day 7
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
• Monastery entrance fees
• Travel and personal accident insurance
• Anything which is not mentioned in the programme.
• Overnight Stay Tax In January Greece introduced an Overnight Stay Tax of 0.50 to 4 Euros per room or apartment per night, which is payable locally - the amount varies according to the category of the accommodation (i.e. most self catering and 1-2 star hotels = 0.50 Euros,  5 star hotels = 4 Euros).

Suggested equipment for your trekking holiday :

• Bottle/flask of water (1 litre per day)
• Rucksack
• Walking poles
• Sun protection & sunglasses
• Bathing suit & towel
• Insect repellent
• Waterproof coat / windbreaker, comfortable clothing
• HIKING BOOTS ARE NECESSARY!

Extra Information:

Please note that this tour is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.

• Minimum age - 12 years; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Contact us to enquire or to request a quote.

• Day 1: Thessaloniki Airport - Kastraki

  On arrival at Thessaloniki Airport you will be met by your guide & be transferred to Kastraki, a village lying between the spectacular rocks of Meteora. Check into your guesthouse; dinner in a nearby local taverna in Kastraki village will follow.

  • Overnight stay in Kastraki.
  • Meals: Dinner.
  • Alternative Arrival Airports: Volos (3 hours to Kastraki) & Athens (5 hours to Kastraki) - extra costs may apply

• Day 2: Meteora - Mount Pelion

  After breakfast at your hotel looking out across to the rocks of Meteora you'll head off with your guide on your first hike; you'll walk between the rocky pinnacles of the famous monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The traditional and the best way to explore the beauty of this unique area, avoiding the tourist crowds, is on foot so you'll walk on the same old trails as the monks did in centuries past, experiencing the sanctuaries built on these natural sandstone rock pillars. Along the way you will spot some of the earliest stages of occupation by the monks, simple cave dwellings and more elaborate "monasteries" hundreds of feet up the side of the rocks.

  Ample time will be given for photography and at the end of the tour you will depart for the picturesque village of Milies in Mount Pelion.

  • Overnight stay in Milies
  • Trekking Time: 4 hours
  • Trek Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Trekking altitude: 275m – 330m – 470m – 275m

• Day 3: Miles - Kala Nera - Milies

  Today you will hike on an old stone path as you follow the old steam engine train route from Milies to the train station of Pinakates and continue on to the village of Kala Nera. As you hike through olive orchards you will have a stunning view of Pagasitikos Bay. Upon arrival in Kala Nera there is the chance to swim and have lunch at a quaint fishing taverna before hiking back to Milies.

  • Overnight stay in Milies
  • Hiking Time: 5 hours
  • Trek Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Trekking altitude: 385m – sea level – 385m

• Day 4: Milies - Tsagarada - Damouchari

  Today’s hike will take you to the opposite side of the mountain. From Milies, which is on the south west side of the mountain, you'll travel north-easterly to Tsagarada and Damouchari through an enchanting forest road teeming with tall chestnut trees and other greenery. In Tsagarada you'll see the oldest plane tree in Europe, more than 1750 years old, and enjoy a pleasant picnic beside a charming white chapel along the hillside. After lunch descend to Damouchari beach crossing of one of the most beautiful old stone paths and walk through the lovely seaside village which may be already familiar to those who have seen the movie “Mamma Mia” since many scenes from the movie were filmed here in 2007.

  • Overnight stay at Damouchari
  • Hiking Time: 7 hours
  • Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
  • Trekking altitude:  385m – 850m – 420m – sea level

• Day 5: Damouchari - Fakistra - Damouchari

  The destination on today's hike is the isolated beach of Fakistra with crystal clear blue water. Following the coastal path with magnificent views of the Aegean Sea, you can enjoy a refreshing swim followed by a delicious picnic lunch. Late in the afternoon you will return along the same path to Damouchari.

  • Overnight stay at Damouchari
  • Hiking time: Approx. 3 hours
  • Trek Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
  • Trekking altitude: Sea level – 190m – sea level

• Day 6: Damouchari - Mouresi - Kissos - Agios Ioannis (Chania)

  Today's hike begins at Damouchari taking the shoreline path to Agios Ioannis and the breathtakingly white sandy beach of Papa Nero. It would be a crime not to leave ample time for a splash in the turquoise waters before beginning the ascent to Chania.

  Overnight stay in Chania.

  • Hiking time: approx. 4 hours
  • Hike difficulty: Easy - Moderate
  • Difficulty Level: Easy / Moderate
  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
  • Trekking altitude: Sea level – 530m – 1200m

• Day 7: Chania - Portaria (Makrinista)

  Today you will follow the same path that was used, according to Greek Mythology, by the Centaurs. The centaurs were half-horse half-human creatures that constantly struggled with their two natures, one beastly and one civil. The best known however of their breed and a notable exception was Chiron, famous for his modest and learned ways. He was known for his medicinal skills and teaching abilities and was the tutor of a number of mythical Greeks such as Achilles an Asclepius.

  This path, which begins in Chania at an altitude of approximately 1200 meters and overflowing with Mediterranean vegetation, leads you to the village of Portaria. In the afternoon discover yet another incredibly beautiful village of Pelion – that of Makrinitsa or “the balcony of Pelion”. With its historic old mansions and stunning view of the Pagasitikos Bay and the city of Volos below, hence its nickname, the beauty of Makrinitsa will become etched in your memory forever.

  • Overnight stay in Portaria
  • Hiking time: approx. 3 hours
  • Trek Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
  • Trekking altitude: 1200m – 610m

• Day 8: Departure

  After breakfast, you will be transferred to Thessaloniki Airport* for your return flight.

  • Meals: Breakfast.

    *Alternative Airports: Volos / Nea Aghialos (VOL) & Athens (ATH)

Walking in Pelion

This fully-inclusive walking holiday includes Mt. Pelion, Damouchari, Makrinitsa and Meteora - a hiking & food lover's dream.

It is available as a small group tour on the dates below or as a private booking for any date from May 1st - Oct 30th.

• Single supplement: 115 GBP per person

Date range: , Option: Small Group Departures - 2016

All prices are per person

Walking in Pelion

This fully-inclusive walking holiday includes Mt. Pelion, Damouchari, Makrinitsa and Meteora - a hiking & food lover's dream.

It is available as a small group tour on the dates below or as a private booking for any date from May 1st - Oct 30th.

• Single supplement: £ 133 per person

Small Group Departures - 2019 - available on 02/05/2019

Small Group Departures - 2019 - available on 20/05/2019

Small Group Departures - 2019 - available on 07/09/2019

Small Group Departures - 2019 - available on 01/10/2019

All prices are per person

"Returned from my Greek walking holiday on Tuesday evening and just wanted to email and say thank you very much. It was a great holiday, Thanasis and his friends who guided me were very good company, helpful, friendly and kind. I shall walk again in Greece."

M Smeaton, UK, May 2018

"Overall, a wonderful experience. We were sad to leave the breathtaking and mystical area of Meteora. The Pelion delighted with it's ancient walking tracks and it's ever changing verdant Springtime scenery. Our guide Alex proved to be a friendly, knowledgeable, patient and understanding guide. We shared lot's of laughs and really appreciated being picked up and dropped off at Athens. Generally a paradise for walkers and food lovers alike."

J Field, Australia, May, 2017