Your trip begins in Athens. Ancient and modern, with equal measures of grunge and grace, bustling Athens is a heavy mix of history and edginess. The historic center is an open-air museum, yet the city’s cultural and social life takes place amid these ancient landmarks, merging past and present. The magnificent Acropolis rises above the sprawling metropolis and has stood witness to the city’s transformation.
In the afternoon we will meet at our hotel and after a brief orientation meeting, we’ll set off to explore the old part of this lively city. To conclude the night, we will have our first dinner together in a traditional Greek restaurant while getting to know each other in eager anticipation of our adventure.
Overnight in Athens in a 4* hotel
Dinner included
Peloponnese is called a peninsula although it is separated from the mainland by the man-made Corinth Canal. The two sides are connected with a 45 meters high bridge, which serves as a passage to the peninsula. Once in Peloponnese we cannot miss the opportunity to visit the archeological sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus which are of prime importance in the Ancient Greek history timeline. The town of Nafplio will be our last stop for today. In the afternoon when the sun lowers, we will visit the shaded climbing crag of Anatoli, just above the sea at the West side of Karathona bay.
Overnight in Nafplio in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Driving distance:
Athens center to Mycenae 120 km / 2 hr
Mycenae to Epidaurus 40 km / 1 hr
Epidaurus to Nafplio 23 km / 40 min
Today is all about climbing! Karathona Bay is an excellent place to climb even in the hot summer months. In the corner of the bay there are two climbing crags, one facing west, the other east. Our choice for this morning, is the Karathonas crag, with shade until midday. As the sun approaches, we retreat to the beach for a refreshing bath, a lunch or a nap. In the afternoon, back to the rocks, this time to Anatoli or Neraki crags which provide enough routes and difficulties for all tastes. In the evening we will visit the old Venetian style, center of the city for dinner and a walk through its picturesque lanes. In the afternoon stroll in Nafplio, the town where Greece meets Italy. Built with stepped streets overhung with balconies dripping bougainvillea, handsome neoclassical buildings and enticing shops and restaurants, it is the most charming town in the Peloponnese.
Overnight in Nafplio in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Early in the morning we will head towards Sparta. After passing through the city, the curved road ascents the slopes of Mt. Taygetus, up to the altitude of 800 meters. Arriving to Lagada, the fresh mountain air, and the cold spring water fills you up with energy, necessary for a full day of climbing. We will climb on “solid, well-featured limestone with holes, tufas and small edges in a stunning alpine meadow setting”, as it is described in the “Best of sport climbing in Greece”, guidebook. Whether climbing on the easier gray vertical pocketed limestone walls, or in the super challenging overhanging caves with tufas and stalactites, Lagada has plenty to offer for every enthusiast.
Overnight in Pikouliana in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Driving distance:
Nafplio to Lagada 140 km / 2 hr
Climbing is demanding especially on hot days, and after some time spent in the crags, body and mind needs a good rest. What better way to rest than with the light activity, on the mountain range of Taygetos?
Mt. Taygetos is the highest mountain in the Peloponnese peninsula, with an ultra-prominent peak, named "Prophet Elias". Legend says that Spartans used to abandon there the newborns, if deemed unfit after examination for vitality. In Medieval times, the citadel and monastery of Mystras, was built on the steep slopes and became a center of Byzantine civilization. We will visit the remarkably well preserved but not occupied anymore citadel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those of us still energetic enough, Taygetos offers a great network of paths on the mountain where we can choose our hiking itinerary.
Overnight in Pikouliana in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Leonidio is a small town at the East coast of Peloponnese, hidden behind the Parnonas mountain range, which we have to pass in order to get there. Due to its difficult accessibility, Leonidio preserved its old traditions, as well as its own “Tsakonian” dialect, an alteration of the ancient Doric dialect, which is regarded as the most ancient dialect of the world. Descending Mt. Parnonas and entering the Dafnon stream gorge where at its bottom lies Leonidio, one is overwhelmed by the amount and the heights of the rocks surrounding the area. After quick check-in, in our hotel we will get out there and try some of the superb quality rock routes.
Overnight in Leonidion in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Driving distance:
Lagada to Leonidion 90 km / 2 hr
Although the first trad multi-pitch routes opened here as early as the 80’s, with the growing popularity of sport climbing, Leonidio was rediscovered. In a very short time, it has established its place as one of the most exciting new sport climbing areas worldwide. There are hundreds of routes to choose from, and plenty of new ones are being opened every year. For us, the whole day is devoted to climbing! Early morning start gives us the opportunity to climb in the cool environment, and thus maintain our strength to do even more as the day progresses. However, in the afternoon, if we have enough of climbing we can dip our sore muscles in the clear and refreshing waters of the Aegean Sea, before we gather for the dinner in the fish tavern, at the docks of the picturesque harbor of Plaka.
Overnight in Leonidion in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today is the last day of our trip but there is still time for climbing in the morning. Unless you have some unfinished project from the previous days, “Micro Canyon” sector is the most suitable, as it gets morning shade, and is located at the exit of Leonidio towards Athens. After pulling the ropes from our last routes, we’ll return to Athens where we will have our farewell dinner.
Overnight in Athens in a 4*hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Driving distance:
Leonidio to Athens 200 km / 3 hr
Breakfast is at your leisure at the hotel and following that, your Tripin Adventures trip in Greece concludes. Transfer independently from our accommodation in Athens to the airport for return flights home or continue exploring one of Europe’s oldest cities.
Breakfast included
We are constantly updating our unique itineraries based on new information and experiences available. The walks, accommodations, and visits listed may be adjusted. The itineraries presented are subject to modification and change by Tripin Adventures. We reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant, or if we deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants, anything not mentioned in above program.
