Discover the hidden treasures of Arcadia and Mani regions in this action packed small group adventure.
Discover the hidden treasures of Greece in this action packed small group adventure. Hike above the tree line of the highest mountains in the Peloponnese and paddle around the turquoise waters of Mani peninsula. This is the perfect option for anyone looking for a holiday which combines the very best of the land and sea of Greece. Scale the heights of Mount Taygetus and explore Vyros Gorge amongst ancient Spartan trails. Take a boat-trip to one the most captivating caves in the world, then walk and swim around Cape Tenaro the stunningly scenic, southernmost point of mainland Europe.
Visit Dimitsana’s historic Open Air Water Power Museum
Discover the charming and flourishing seaside town of Kardamyli in Mani
Hike through Viros gorge in Mani or to Mount Taygetos summit (2407m.)
Paddle out on your sea-kayaks around the stunning landscapes of Mani
Go swimming to the pristine beaches of western Mani
Visit the stunning Diros cave
Walk to the lighthouse of Cape Tenaro the southernmost point of mainland Europe
Photo Gallery
Day to Day Itinerary
Welcome to Athens, a vibrant city brimming over with striking ancient landmarks at every turn! Meet your tour leader at Athens International airport and hop into our van traveling to lush Arcadia, through Dimitsana village where we will visit the unique Open Air Water-Power Museum. The museum includes a restored gunpowder mill, as Dimitsana was one of the country’s most important bases of revolutionary fighters during the Greek War of Independence.
Check-in and refresh yourself at a lovely family-run cottage.
Next, it’s time for dinner in picturesque Stemnitsa village, perched on the lush hillside of Mt Mainalon, where you can unwind as you choose for the rest of the day. The village was where revolutionary leader Theodoros Kolokotronis was based, and in more modern times was known for its people’s traditional know-how in the art of silver-smithing and other crafts.
Overnight: Stemnitsa
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse
Meals: B D
Activity: Water power museum of Dimitsana (optional)
After breakfast, we will walk to the starting point of our first hike towards the impressive Prodromos Monastery, one of the oldest in Arcadia, where we will see 10th Century murals and enjoy stunning views and luxuriant vegetation around the breathtaking Lousios river. We will end our hike in ancient Gortyna where our journey continues to Kardamyli, which oozes quaintly old-fashioned, traditional charm, with landmarks such as antique monasteries and medieval tower houses that stand out in landscapes of dazzling cobalt-blue seas, sheer cliffs carpeted in many shades of green and deep olive groves beneath towering Mt Taygetos. The area, beloved to ‘explorers’ like the legendary author Patrick Leigh Fermor and his friend Bruce Chatwin, now attracts a larger variety of eclectic visitors from around the world for its rich history, natural beauty, welcoming locals and exceptional ambiance.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Meals: B, L (picnic)
Activity: HIking 4 hours Ascend 320m Descend 800m.
After breakfast, set off on a hike of the Viros gorge, in the heart of Messinian Mani. Descending from the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias and disgorging itself into the sea at Kardamili, Viros is known as an area of unparalleled beauty. The hike, following well-marked paths among tall cypress trees, will take you past pretty villages with stone houses and historic churches such as Moni Lykaki, the interior walls of which are covered with antique, richly colored frescoes. The hike concludes in ancient Kardamyli. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing and rewarding dinner at a fantastic taverna serving fresh and delicious local food, looking out at the horizon and an outstanding sunset.
OPTIONAL HIKE: MOUNT TAYGETOS SUMMIT
For the experienced hikers the summit of stunning Mount. Taygetos – Prophitis Elias – at 2407m. awaits! Follow our expert guide on an off-road drive to the starting point of today’s challenge. Mount. Taygetos is the highest mountain in the Peloponnese, stretching more than 100km, one of the largest alpine routes in the country, known as Pentadactylos, offering panoramic views which reach even Crete on a clear day. A great part of the mountain is covered by ‘black’ pine trees. There are also cypresses, junipers, oaks, evergreen maples, Eurasian smoke-trees and more.
After our descent, we will transfer back to Kardamyli for dinner and some serious relaxation.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Meals: B L
Activity: Trekking 3-6 hours
Ascent/Descent: 700m (Vyros Gorge hike)
Ascent/Descent: 1600m (mount Taygetos hike)
Today we will take an amazing half-day sea kayak tour around the stunning landscapes of Mani peninsula. Paddle to secret spots such as hidden caves and experience diving in hot water pools. Continue paddling to a beautiful sandy beach and take a swim break followed by a refreshing fruit snack prepared on the spot by our guides.
The rest of the day is yours to unwind as you choose.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Meals: B L
Activity: Sea Kayak, swimming. (4 hours)
Road trip day today! Visit the magnificent Diros cave on a half hour boat ride along the underground lake, taking in remarkable natural sculptures created by the stalactites and stalagmites over millions of years ago.
Explore Vathia village to see its impressive towers, churches, and houses built during the 16th century. Most of the ghostly-looking village was abandoned by the late 20th Century.
Later on, walk the trails of Cape Tenaro the stunningly scenic, southernmost point of mainland Europe. On the path there, see the ancient ruins of Poseidon’s oracle of the dead. At the tip of Cape Tenaro is the legendary sea cave that is said to be ‘the gate to Hades’. Tenaro was once a vivacious Roman city. At the end of the walk, there is a restored lighthouse from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Cretan sea.
Overnight: Kardamyli
Accommodation: Family run traditional guesthouse or 3* hotel
Meals: B L
Activity: Road-trip, culture, swimming, walking (1.30 hours) Ascent/Descent: 70m.
Transfer to Athens International Airport (3:30 hours)
Meals: B
Included
Accommodation: 5 nights in 3* hotels or traditional guesthouses
All transfers as described in the itinerary
Professional English-speaking Personality Journeys tour leader
Mount Taygetos summit Hike (100€/person including off-road transfer to/from starting point,
qualified mountain guide, snack)
Beverages
Gratuities (optional)
Single supplement
Know before you go
Our yachts are fully sanitized after each charter with certified products based on COVID19 related cleaning protocols. The captain/skipper is wearing a mask at all times while being indoors, whereas our guests are advised to wear a mask (this is not mandatory). We will provide one mask and antiseptic gel per guest.
All guests are requested to fill a COVID19 related health document before embarkation. Based on recent guidelines, entering Greece requires a negative Covid19 test taken three days before arrival.
In minibus airport transfers, all the necessary measures are taken regarding sanitization after each minibus trip. The maximum size per van is 5 guests. The driver and all guests are required to wear a face mask for the duration of the ride.
By clicking the 'Book now' button above, you will be asked to pay a 20% deposit. This is to secure your booking with us. On receipt of your booking, we will send you full written confirmation of your booking, the trip file and trip notes, together with your trip invoice, which is usually due for payment 8 weeks prior to departure. The date payment is due will show on the invoice. Please call us at +30 2152151629 if you need more information.
Most flights from Europe arrive in Athens by 2:00 pm. Our driver will be at the Athens International Airport at 2:45 pm to drive you to Lavrio Port Marina A' (40km, 30-minute drive) where our yacht is docked. Our sailing trip departs at 4:00 pm.
In case you have arrived on a previous day in Athens city, please arrange your own taxi transfer to Lavrio port Marina A' at 'Mikis Theodorakis' avenue. Our meeting point is at cafe 'Petrino' in Lavrio at 3.15pm
Our monohull sailing yachts are: Ocean Star 56.1 and 51.2, hand-built, beautifully shaped from surface finish to deep under the skin, top-quality, strong and reassuringly solid.
Sailing yacht accommodation is in double or twin/bunk bed cabins with en-suite facilities, suitable both for couples and solo travelers. Solo travellers of the same gender share a twin bed or a double bed cabin depending on availability.
Our tour leaders are qualified, native Greek professionals, fluent in English, with excellent organizational skills and vast knowledge of the regions visited. Our sea-kayak and mountain guides are qualified local professionals.
Breakfasts are taken in the hotel or the guesthouses and may include tea and coffee, orange juice, marmalade mage of local fruits, cereals, occasionally eggs, plus bread with jam, honey or cheese. Lunches and dinner are taken at a traditional taverna, depending on the schedule of the day, with a choice of food or we may have a set meal with vegetarian and meat options. Picnic during the hikes includes a sandwich and fruit snack.
In order to better appreciate the uniqueness of your holiday we advise you to be in good physical condition. Participation in all the activities is optional. Our guides will be happy to recommend alternatives should you wish to skip a scheduled activity.
Mount Taygetos summit trek is optional as it is more demanding in terms of fitness requirements and experience. We wake up at 5.00am and after breakfast we jump on our van for a 90 minutes' drive to the starting point at 1600m elevation. Most of the drive is off-road. Your expert mountain guide will take you to one of the most breathtaking ascents in Greece. It is no coincidence that one of Greece's most prominent writers, Stratis Myrivilis named Mount Taygetos 'The male mountain'.
Mount Taygetos trekking activity is not included in the main itinerary. The cost is 100€/person including transfers, guiding & snack.
If you have not already arranged appropriate insurance cover, please contact our recommended Travel Insurance providers. It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with Personality Journeys that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment.
Trip participants must be at least 15 years old. Guests less than 18 years old must be accompanied by their parents.
• Hiking boots or hiking shoes
• Hiking trousers & socks
• A pair of shoes that will get wet
• Swimming suit and beach towel
• Base-layer shirts (long sleeved and short sleeved)
• T-shirts and/or casual shirts
• Windproof jacket or similar
• Sunhat
• Eye wear - sunglasses
• Daypack (30 - 35 litres)
• Headtorch
• Sun protection (including for lips)
• Water bottles 1 Litre
• Antibacterial handwash
• Small padlock
• Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, insect repellent.
OPTIONAL:
• Trekking poles (recommended)
• Trainers or sandals
• Shorts
• Camera and batteries
• Penknife (for taking a fruit snack during trekking)
The weather in the Peloponnese during spring, summer and autumn is characterized by warm days and occasionally chilly evenings. Water temperature is relatively cool during spring and warm during summer and autumn.
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We had the most exceptional travel experience with Personality Journeys. Both our travel agent and out travel guide (“skipper”) were fantastic! Dimitris was everything we could have looked for in a travel agent....
This was our first overseas trip ever and it turned out amazing! Dimitris planned our trip out within our budget and the lodging was fantastic. Our favorite hotel was the Corfos Bay Hotel in Mykonos for its genuine beauty and true Island architecture. All of our ferry…
Dimitris was everything we could have looked for in a travel agent. Following the parameters we laid out for him, he provided us with the absolute best options for our travels. He was both honest and patient with us, and made sure we took as much time as we needed to finalize a trip that...
Dimitris organized a private sail and hike trip for us. Everything was perfectly planned. Dimitris made us feel safe at all time as he was always in contact. He met us for one of the hikes , which was wonderful. Socrates, our captain and Savy his assistant, were so kind to us...