Walking the Pelion Peninsula

Walking the Pelion Peninsula

102 Views
8 Days
From

$1925

Walking the Pelion Peninsula

8 Days Starting in Milies 370 10, Greece and ending in Portaria 370 11, Greece

Visiting: Milies, Kala Nera, Tsagkarada, Damouchari, Kissos, Portaria

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W07GP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Medium, Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Swimming, Walking

From:
$1925 (USD)

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

This self-guided walking holiday explores the Pelion Peninsula in mainland Greece. It is named the 'Land of the Centaurs' due to its associations with Greek mythology, with its name coming from King Peleus, father of Achilles. Walk from village to village on old cobbled donkey paths, called kalderimi that were mostly built in the 18th and 19th centuries to connect the villages and transport olives and honey.Discover the contrasts of the region from the lush green mountainous interior to coastal trails on the Aegean Sea. The flora of the area is characterised by orchards, olive groves and forests of oak, eucalyptus, walnut, chestnut and beech, wildflowers and herb-scented maquis. The mountain villages have whitewashed, half-timbered houses with grey slate roofs. On the coast discover hidden coves, sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages and enjoy stunning views on almost every route.Starting in Milies with its traditional Pelion architecture you'll start to get a feel for the region with its old houses, mansions and spring water fountains. Tsagarda is considered one of the most beautiful villages of the Pelion and is known for its 1750 year plane tree that measures 14m in diameter. On the coast at Damouchari you can see old Venetian houses and a Byzantine castle and enjoy an array of tavernas with sea views, the village was also used as a set location in the first Mamma Mia film. Heading back into the mountains enjoy stays in Chania and Portaria and visit the 'Balcony of the Pelion' at Makrinista for amazing views out to the Pagasestic Gulf.

Highlights

  • Walk in the Pelion region, 'Land of the Centaurs' according to Greek mythology along kalderimia, ancient cobbled trails

  • Reach isolated beaches where you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea

  • Discover traditional mountain and coastal villages; lush vegetation of beech and chestnut forests; herb-scented maquis and olive groves dotted with wildflowers

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Milies
Location: Milies
Meals Included: No Meals

Arrive in the traditional mountain village of Milies.

Day 2 : At Milies
Location: Kala Nera
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today follow an old stone path to the village of Kala Nera. Take time to

relax at the beach, have a swim and enjoy lunch at a small fish restaurant

before hiking back to Milies.

Day 3 : Milies To Tsagarada
Location: Milies, Tsagkarada
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Cross the mountains from south west to north east walking on a forest road

and old kalderimi (stone paths) through chestnut trees to reach the village

of Tsagarada. At the square admire the oldest plane tree in Europe, more than

1750 years old

Day 4 : Tsagarada To Damouchari
Location: Tsagkarada, Damouchari
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Our destination today is Damouchari on the Aegean Sea - following the

kalderimi out of Tsagarada head first to the isolated beach of Fakistra where

you can enjoy your picnic and a swim in the crystal clear blue water before

following a coastal path to Damouchari.

Day 5 : Damouchari To Kissos (Chania)
Location: Damouchari, Kissos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Continue along the coast to Agios Ioannis and the magnificent white sandy

beach Papa Nero. Ascend towards Chania stopping at the village of Kissos from

where a transfer will take you the rest of the way to the highest village in

the area where you spend the next 2 nights

Day 6 : At Chania
Location: Kissos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Follow the road up the mountain to the ski centre at 1580m and from there you

can enjoy fantastic views of both the Aegean Sea and the Pagasestic Gulf.

Continue through the forest of aspen and beech trees in a circular route back

to Chania.

Day 7 : Chania To Portaria
Location: Kissos, Portaria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will follow the path that was used according to Greek Mythology by

the Centaurs, the half-horse, half-human creatures. The path leads us to the

village of Portaria. In the afternoon continue to Makrinitsa, another

picturesque village of the area with many old mansions, known as the 'Balcony

of Mt. Pelion', offering amazing views to the Pagasetic Gulf and the city of

Volos.

Day 8 : Leave Portaria
Location: Portaria
Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Portaria.

What's Included

  • Meals
    7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 0 dinners.

What's Not Included

  • Travel Insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Any solo traveller supplments (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

Simple buffet style Greek breakfast consists of bread/toast, butter, jam,
fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. For lunch
we recommend taking a picnic on most days although there may be options on
some days to eat at a taverna.   For dinner, in each place you stay there
will be a range of different local tavernas and restaurants to choose from
where you can sample some typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish,
vegetables and much more.

Accommodation

The hotels you'll be staying in are a range of small, family-run properties and larger properties with more facilities, and you will find a choice of restaurants and tavernas so you can enjoy the local cuisine each evening.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 29, 2024 - Jul 06, 2024
$1925 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 06, 2024 - Jul 13, 2024
$2160 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024
$2160 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 21, 2024
$2160 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024
$2160 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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