Experience Karpathos

Morning arrival at Olympos village and meeting with our tour leader.
After settling into your rooms, the remaining hours will be available for taking a first stroll around the village of Olympos, learn its history and observe the traditional architecture.
A guided tour through the history of the village and its numerous windmills will help us to discover the secrets of this primeval and fascinating community. Let us meet craftsmen making the traditional leather boots, fit either for labor or dancing, and others who make musical instruments for feasts and festivals.
Don’t be surprised if you come across Karpathos women wearing their traditional dress and baking bread in ovens alongside the narrow paths of the village. Just thank them for the hot steaming fresh-made pastry that may slide into your palm and relish the hospitality pouring out of a welcoming verse or so-called “mantinada”. A visit to the cultural museum of Olympos will give us a better idea of the cultural heritage of the place and its people.
Lastly we continue our walk in the surrounding area encountering the regional flora and fauna for first time.
Highlight of our first day, in a preserved house right across Olympos village, a “cooking class” preparing a traditional meal “makarounes”, which we will savoir in good company! (L)

In the morning, we will have the opportunity of a guided visit to the Information Centre of the Protected Area of North Karpathos.
Here we will learn about the natural features of the Marine Park and especially about one of the healthiest populations of monk seals in the Aegean Sea!
Afterwards we’ll start trekking to Papa Minas beach where the next hours will flow smoothly along the seaside, letting us relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sun and the crystal clear waters…
In the evening we will experience another traditional cooking lesson and BBQ! (B,D)

After our mighty Greek breakfast, we depart from Diafani by boat to Saria Island north of Karpathos and “Giaplos” bay.
Our tour starts with crossing the island of Saria from south to north ending up with a guided visit at the abandoned but well preserved rural settlement of Argos.
Our way back to the Palatia beach passes through the medieval pirate hamlet spread around the cove.
After a brief interval, we will swim and snorkel in the crystal clear seabed of Saria island.
Evening return to Diafani for our dinner at a local restaurant. (B)

Following the hiking trail that starts from Avlona settlement to the bay of Tristomo (4-hour trek), we are going to spend our day exploring this picturesque settlement, standing right upon the brink of the waves, and the old dilapidated Italian barracks (kazarmas). Another perfect location for swimming and snorkeling that will reveal us the rich biodiversity of the seabed, varying from the Posidonia sea grass to Noble pen shells and little groupers. A brief voluntary beach cleaning session, attended by the staff of the marine park, will be also available for whoever may wish to contribute to the removal of accumulated marine debris from the seashore.
After this exciting snorkeling session, we will have a special Greek barbeque to power up before our return to Diafani by boat. (B,L)

In the morning, we will depart from Diafani to Vroukounta bay, where we are going to have a guided tour around the ruins, fortifications and burial chambers and learn the history of this ancient Doric city (1st millennium B.C.).
As soon as we feel hungry we’ll have a picnic in the shade and then we set out for our next stop, Avlona village. A 3-hour trek may seem challenging but the magnificent views over the Avlona plateau are definitely rewarding!
Our evening today will be enriched with traditional live music! Opa!!! (B,L)

Around 10:00 in the morning, we will depart by boat to Forokli, Agios Minas and Nati beaches! Let us enjoy Greece’s sea and sun and completely relax our mind and body in the most beautiful and virgin beaches of Karpathos.
Once we get hungry, we will prepare a special and delicious fish BBQ under the shade of the trees!
Evening return to Diafani village. (B,L,D)

Transfer to Karpathos airport. (B)
END OF SERVICES