PELOPONNESE TREKKING ADVENTURE

OVERVIEW

Peloponnese in the south part of Greece has a little bit of everything, great archeological sites such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Tirynth, Byzantine churches, unique settlements and amazing castles, natural beauties such as mountains, forests, rivers and caves surrounded by the sea, beautiful beaches, sandy and smooth coasts on the west – rocky and dentelated on the east, fantastic gorge and river crossings make this part of Greek land ideal for holidays, 4X4 jeep safari and trekking adventures.
In this tour we’ll hike on 4 out of 8 Mainalon mountain trails in Arcadia area and will dross Vouraikos gorge at Kalavryta.

TOUR DETAILS

  • Tour Code: HIKpel_01
  • Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
  • Season: April – October
  • Location: Greece, Arcadia district, Mainalon mountain & Voraikos Gorg
  • Style: Trekking holidays – Hiking nature
  • Difficulty level: Moderate

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hike in the central Peloponnese area Menalon mountain.
  • Cross Lousios gorge
  • Cross Vouraikos gorge
  • Visit monasteries hanging on the cliffs
  • Visit historical traditional villages

ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA

The following activities are available in the area. They are not included in the package, can be included upon request.

  • Rafting
  • Canoe – Kayak
  • River Trekking
  • Mountain Bike

Included

  • All transfers with private minibus or minivan
  • Traditional guesthouses or 3* hotels
  • Meals Full Board(FB) Lunch(L) = pick nic
  • Experienced En speaking mountain guide
  • Meet & Greet on the arrival at the airport

Not Included

  • Flight tickets
  • Accommodation tax (0.5€ per day per room for guesthouses -1.5€ per day per room for 3* hotels – 3€ per day per room for 4* hotels) paid directly by the clients to hotel.
  • Visit to important archeological site of the area, Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, Homeric Mycenae, Ancient Olympia upon request  In this case route change is needed according to sites visit.

*All packages are flexible and dynamic for any changes according to any personal needs and desires upon request.

Contact us for many other trails in Peloponnese

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival. Athens – Vitina.(_,_,D)

Arrive in Athens. Meet our staff at the airport and transfer to Peloponnese at Vitina village. On the way short stop at Corinth canal and beautiful Nafplio.
After a rest at the hotel we have our first short walk in the area with beautiful nature, landscape with olive trees, old bridges and rivers. Short transfer to Elati village from where we start our our hike. The route descends from Elati to the riverbed of the Milaon river. Following the pathway on the banks we pass the Pirgagi drilling water springs and with a dirt road to Elinika, Cross the river and go under the small bridge, follow the nice old mule track to Vytina and passing by three abandoned watermills we arrive to Vitina.
Trekking time: 2,5 hours, 8,5 km, Ascent: 234 m, Descent: 375 m.

Day 2: Vitina – Elati – Zygovisti – Dimitsana (B,L,D)
After breakfast drive to Elati where ours today hiking starts. From Elati passing the Zoodochos Pigi chapel we lead to Paleochori fountain. From there following some small roads and paths we enter to Vlachika Plateau. Then the trail ascent to saddle between Pliovouni and Fragovouni, with a short cut we reach the peak of Pliovouni 1643m, the highest peak of this route). Smoothly descend to Koskitsa plateau and from there ascend to Bilali Pass. Follow the path downhill to Bourniades Spring. Then the route continues through an artificially reinforced footpath to Asoves and a crooked dirt road to Ag.Georgios and the nearby spring. Walk through a beautiful ravine to Pera vrisi and to the old church of Agios Ioannis at Zigovitsi. Bus transfer to Dimitsana (5,6 km – 10 min) if we finish our hiking at Zigovitsi

Trekking time: Elati – Zygovitsi 5,5 hours, 15 km, ascent 653m, descent 650m

Zigovitsi -Dimitsana
The second section of the hike starts from the center of Zigovitsi passing the Immortals Memorial, the guard of Theodore Kolokotronis, leader of the 1821 Independence War and following a succession of footpaths and dirt roads winding a plain of old fields leads to the church of Ag. Paraskevi. This location offers splendid views of Lousios river and the settlements of Dimitsana, Paliochori and Zatouna standing out in the wooded landscape. From the plateau a downhill footpath leads us to Dimitsana village

Trekking time: Zigovitsi – Dimitsana 2 hours, 4,5 km, ascent 256m, descent 61m

Day 3: Stemnitsa – Lousios gorge – Dimitsana (B,L,D)

Today you hike through Lousios Gorge! After breakfast, bus transfer (8,8 km – 15 min) to Stemnitsa where we start our hiking. Coming out of the village you cross an area of farmlands before taking the paved path that leads to the Prodromos Monastery, nested right on the gorge’s walls, with a fountain in its courtyard. Then taking the path that traverses the gorge we ascend to the Old Philosophou Monastery dating to 963 and then to the New Philosophou Monastery founded in 1691. Then via an old mule track we change river bank over the bridge and walk towards the Open Air Water Power Museum and the watermills and finally Dimitsana village.

Trekking time: 5 hours, 12,5 km, ascent 825 m, descent 940m

Day 4: Dimitsana -Valtesiniko – Lagadia (B,L,D)

After breakfast transfer (21km -30 min( with bus to Valtesiniko where we start our hike. We pass by the impressive stone built school and walk upwords to the upper peripheral road of the village, with fantatic northern plains views. Ascend to the ridge to the byzantine fortress of Valtesiniko. Descend to the small country church St. Triada through open landscapes and stunning views. The next part of the route traverses an extensive fir forest through a series of artificially widened paths. Then after a short detour for the spring at the location Grias to Lithari, ascends before descending to Kria Vrisi fountain. From here the path ascends smoothly to the saddle and following the small forest road though a wooded ridge reaches Elatakos place. Go through the open gate to the great Grilas meadow, and find walnut trees, threshing floors and huts. Follow winding course through the smoother valleys. pass by the small Koubliza spring, take a dirt road and leave it heading for the impressive complex of Rapi Watermills and then enter Lagadia village

Trekking time: 5 hours, 14km, ascent 227m, descent 404m

Day 5: Lagadia – Kalavryta – Vouraikos gorge trakking (B,L,D)

Morning drive to Kalavryta (72km – 2hrs). Then discent Vouraikos gorge to Diakopto. The path of Odontotos (Cog railway) is one of the most impressive in Greece. The stunning view of the cliffs, the successive ravines and the amazing natural surroundings will take your breath away. Highlights of the amazing route are the station of Zachlorou with the huge age-old plane trees, the cave of “the Court” because of stalagmite formations and the “siphon”, a narrower passages of the gorge. Then take the rack railway back (1 hr) to Kalavryta.

Trekking time: 3,5 hours, 20 km, Alditude, Kalavryta 700m – Diakofto 150m

Day 6: Nemea Winery visit – Departure (B,_,_)
After breakfast drive to Nemea wine land for wine testing of famus Nemea wines. Then drive to Athens for your departure (235 km – 4hrs)