Reach the highest summit of Cyclades islands - Mountain Zas at Naxos Island, visit Apollo's and Artemis' birthplace at the island of Delos - one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece! Hike the Shepherd's trails at Amorgos island and visit the impressive Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa. Our "grand finale" is the spectacular island of Santorini, to discover the Fira, Imerovigli and the famous for its sunset village of Ia. 

The Cycladic complex of islands is the most representative of the archetypical Greek style. Fishing villages with whitewashed flat roofed houses and narrow streets, hundreds of chapels, rocky landscape contrasting with the deep blue sea and bays with powdery white sandy beaches. The aim of the tour is to take you to the best spots as well as to the interior of the islands where you will discover the culture and habits of the islanders.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN ATHENS 
Arrive at Athens International airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and transfer on your own to the hotel, which is conveniently located in the historical centre of the city. In the evening meet with your guide for a short walk in the old part of Athens; Plaka and enjoy a welcome dinner in a traditional Greek tavern overlooking the Acropolis. (Overnight in Athens)

Day 2: ATHENS - NAXOS ISLAND 
(4 hrs city walk, 3,5 hrs boat trip)
We begin our day by a stroll through the history of the ancient Athens. We will visit the Parthenon, the new Acropolis Museum and its archaeological surroundings. In late afternoon we depart from the port of Piraeus to arrive at Naxos in approximately 3,5 hours. (Overnight in Naxos)

Day 3: SAILING DAY TO DELOS - RINIA 
After an early breakfast, we embark to our sailing boat to sail to the historical island of Delos, a preserved and uninhabited archaeological island close to Mikonos. Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. It had a position as a holy sanctuary for a millennium before Olympian Greek mythology made it the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Leaving Delos we shall have the chance to swim in the nearby unoccupied island of Rinia. We shall return back in Naxos in the afternoon.(Overnight in Naxos)

Day 4: MOUNT ZAS (walk 4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, we go by taxis or bus to Ag. Marina from where our walk starts. We walk towards the highest peak of Mt. Zas (1004m. altitude) and then we continue downhill on dirt road till the village of Filoti. Duration of trekking, approximately 4-5 hours and then descend back to Filoti village, where we may rest and optionally enjoy a refreshment or a Greek coffee before catching our taxi-bus back to our hotel. The rest of our day is free. (Overnight in Naxos)

 Day 5: NAXOS - AMORGOS (4h boat trip)
You will have free time in the morning to spend it as you like or you can visit the medieval part of Chora Naxou to get the feeling of the ancient time. In the early afternoon we will depart for Amorgos with the small local boat that passes by the small Cyclades. (Overnight in Amorgos)

Day 6: CHORA AMORGOU - PROFITIS ILIAS 
(4-5h walk) 
Today we shall visit the surroundings of Katapola, the down part of Amorgos. We will walk up to Chora, the heart of the island, to Profitis Ilias, one of the highest points of Amorgos (698m) and return back to Katapola. (Overnight in Amorgos)

Day 7: THE SPINE - CROSSING WALK (5-6hrs walk)
Today we shall get the sense of the old trade routes by following the mule path that joined the lower with the upper part of Amorgos. We will start by visiting the Monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa built in the 10th century in a big cave and we will end up in the region of Aegiali in the upper part of the island. (Overnight in Amorgos)

 Day 8: AMORGOS - SANTORINI (Boat trip 2hrs)
Today you will have the morning free to spend it as you like. You can relax, go for a swim in a remote beach or just walk around and keep exploring the island. In the afternoon we will embark in the speedboat that will take us to Santorini. Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Ia town, the strange white aubergine (eggplant), the town of Fira and its very own active volcano. (Overnight in Santorini)

Day 9: CALDERA (4hrs walk) 
Let's fill up our senses with the beauty of the island. After breakfast, we begin our trek from Santorini's main town, Fira. Following a stone built trail that turns into a footpath and enjoying the breathtaking view of the Caldera, we reach the village of Ia, the most famous village for its sunset and it's beautiful alleys. (Overnight in Santorini)

Day 10: DEPARTURE 
Depending on your flight schedule, you get free time for your last shopping.

Price/Person:

€1280    Low Season   (Single Supplement: €140) 
€1450    High Season  (Single Supplement: €190)

*Low Season: May - June, September 
*High Season: July - August

Price Includes: 9 nights in double room in Bed and breakfast basis, 9 dinners, trekking activities as mentioned in the program, all transport throughout the trip according to the program (busses and/or taxis depending on group size, all boat transfers to the islands and all transfers from/to the port to/from the hotels on the islands), baggage transport, services of the tour leader - guide, visit to Delos Island on an organized tour, personal accident insurance, VAT.

Not Included: Transport to and from Greece, transfers from Athens Airport to the hotel, transfer from hotel to Santorini airport, personal expenses, lunches, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, entrance fees in Museums and other sites of interest, anything not mentioned above.

Insurance: Everyone participating in any of Cretan Adventures events/activities is covered by personal insurance through AIG Europe Limited. In case a participant is already covered by their insurance under better conditions for the chosen activities and is unwilling to be covered by AIG Europe Limited, they must notify in paper the above to Cretan Adventures one day before the event (excluding weekends or holidays), the latest.
Cretan Adventures is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.

Period: May - September 2014

Transport: We travel by by buses and/or taxis depending on group size and by boat to the islands.
NOTE: for the boat transfers, our priority is to book high speed ferries but as ferry schedules vary according to weather conditions, this may alter

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Basis 3* hotels (all with private facilities). The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Food: Every day we have breakfast in the hotels and dinner at a local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcomed on the trips)

Group Size: 6-16 participants.

Activity Level: Grade B. The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 6 hours walk on on a mixture of dirt tracks and well constructed stone mule paths. Our trips are designed for active people who enjoy trekking, even going up steep hills. We expect participants to be in good physical condition. We typically walk along either dirt roads or stony footpaths, some of which can be irregular underfoot. In Santorini there are some optional short stretches of footpath, which, although not dangerous, may be uncomfortable for vertigo-sufferers. On the coast we also walk on sand and shingle for short stretches. Some days involve altitude gains of 500m. A stick may be useful (not provided).
Participants should be in good physical condition with a bit of experience.

Equipment: Daypack (approx. 25-35lt), trekking shoes, mountain clothing (waterproof wind jacket, polar fleece sweater etc.) water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.

Note on Itineraries: Please bear in mind that the itinerary can be altered for numerous reasons beyond our control (e.g. harsh weather, trail conditions) to ensure the safety and the well being of the group. The final hiking selection is left up to the trip leader.