Climb Olympus, the Highest Mountain in Greece

Mt Olympus was breathtaking. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting Greece who is interested in outdoor adventures. But do not underestimate the difficulty as the climb was pretty steep. Akis was a wonderful guide. He was very kind and adaptive to our fitness and speed and made sure we felt comfortable with the pace of the hike. Was easy to communicate and coordinate.

What a great trip!! Akis is and was every inch the professional, collecting us right outside our hotel and transporting us to the start point, his advice and knowledge were excellent, I learned lots about life on the mountain from him, from the wild horses living the good life to the fit looking cattle and sheep the farmers keep, Olympus was the star of the show, at scala a scary, jaw dropping beauty confronted us, and with Akis’s steady hand we made it up and down with no dramas!! Loved it as did my partner Angie!!

Trip itself was fantastic, the view on Skala was better than expected. On the other hand Akis (our guide) was not what we expected - he was most of the time on his phone during the hike and was not very interested in making this trip nice for us. He barely spoke to us and was going around 100m ahead of us most of the time and since he was on his phone most of the time he didn't bother with us. We expected a friendly guide which will say few things about mountain and make this nice trip for us but we definitely didn't get this. My girlfriend had issue with ligament and he didn't even bother to ask how is she, he kept distance and didn't offer any help. We couldn't even get a 'good morning' from him which looked really weird to other hikers as well, since even they asked what is wrong with our guide and why does he act like that. The only reason i am giving him 2/5 stars is because he set good pace for us. Would not recommend hiring this guide - if you want a friendly person which will guide, help and make trip memorable for you - you won't get that with him

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Great mountain, lovely people and a wonderful experience The first day felt a little empty with alot of down time. I left the tour and walked all the way down from the leaving point .... it was honestly so beautiful, what a shame its not included! People will really miss out on all those beautiful sites and waterfalls you can swim in! The guide was great, patient and directive when needed to be. Checked up on people and was hospitable. What a journey!

Akis was phenomenal. He was very attentive and informative through the whole experience. He even gave me ideas of other areas to explore on my own in other parts of Greece during the rest of my trip. I appreciated that fact that he fed off of me in terms of conversation, rather than trying to lead unnecessary chit chat. I prefer to hike mostly in silence and really enjoy my surroundings. He did make sure that I was comfortable with the pace regularly and also made sure to make me stop for rest and hydration often, even when I didn’t think I needed it (trust me, you need it). It was a once in a lifetime experience, and Akis made sure that it was exceptional!

Akis was an amazing guide, operating at our slower pace and taking breaks when we needed. He clearly knew what he was doing, and he gave good guidance every step of the way.

Akis is a great guide, we wouldn’t have made it up Mytikas without his help! The only thing was really that the car is too small and not really able to fit 3 of us for a 2hr ride to olympus and 2hr ride back.

Akis was a super guide. He expressed great patience & guidance towards us. We were inexperienced climbers & would never have reached the top only for Akis. Thank you to a great guide that we would highly recommend. It was an amazing experience.

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Excellent service from the start of the booking until the day of trip. Pablo answered all of my questions prior trip, which helped me to prepare for the adventure. Trip slightly changed due to weather condition, but Akis ensure that it was enjoyable and safe. Akis is a high skilled professional very friendly and kind guide.

Gear list is incomplete. Sleeping bag, head lamp, clothing type etc lacking. Food, snacks?? No gear check. Day 1: 2 hour drive to trail head. At 4 pm arrived at refuge. Guide wasn't very interactive or explanatory about surroundings. Waking hours was akward and guide on phone most of the time. Day 2: poor weather. Excellent guiding! Cut trip short due to poor visibility. Arrived back in Litochoro around 5 pm. Guide helped me get settled in my motel. Day 3: I chose to hike E4 myself. Meals: boiled tortellini with grated cheese x 1. Breakfast (after asking): dry bread with chocolate spread. No hot beverage offered. If I knew, I could have brought my own stove and prep my own meals and hot tea. I only brought power bars and snacks for during hikes. Suggestions: better gear list, gear check, explanation and orientation of route and area, clarification of what can be or cannot be expected of meals. Akis is the best guide in a challenging situation when you can't talk or see because of a blizzard.

We had a wonderful time with our guide Dimitris. He is a very experienced mountain climber. Although we were unexperienced, he led us through the breathtaking Olympus without any problems. During the climb he told us many stories. It was an unforgettable experience and we couldn't wish for a better guide!

Akis was sublime, excellent pace

I would definitely take up this climb again. Akis was a great guide and we appreciated the pace he set since the beginning. He could adjust to our level and guided us all the way up besides the bad weather conditions of the day. Great experience!

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I don't give 5 stars to anything unless it cannot be improved in any way. This is not the modern way I understand but for me 4 Stars is a very good rating, it does not suggest anything is bad. Akis is a superb guide and knows the mountain intimately. This is, as requested, a challenging trail with great variety of views and terrain. The only reason I would not give the trip the very highest rating is that the first two days, especially the second, is unrelenting uphill which was a physical challenge but was not fun with 13kg packs. It reminded me too much of my army days. But this is a great trail with an exceptionally good guide who made us feel safe at all times and showed us things we would never have discovered on our own. We were all very pleased with the experience.

It was everything amazing!

Akis is an amazing guide. He picked me up from my hotel early in the morning and we made the trek to the base of the mountain. From there it was a wonderful and very exhausting Klein! Through it all, he guided me well and gave stories of the mountain and its historical significance. Akis is fantastic and a wonderful guide. That was one of the most finer and breathtaking climbs I’ve had in my life. Thank you.

We could not have had a more wonderful adventure hiking Mt Olympus with Akis. He made all aspects of the trip planning and details effortless so we could concentrate on taking in the beautiful trails and views. It is clear that he is an expert guide that was able to adapt to our particular group. He is also a lovely person to hang out with and learn about Greece and the mountain. I would highly recommend!

It was the best trip ever! Amazing! A lot of emotions! Thank you so much! Akis awesome guide! I will recommend it for all my friends:)

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This trek to Olympus was beyond all expectations Our guide Akis Parousis was the consummate professional, so experienced so calm and friendly With him I climbed Myticas with my two children aged 12 and 16 , it was only due to him that we were confident to do so. A life changing experience And one I can’t wait to do again … one of the best trips I have done in my life !!!

Our experience hiking with Akis was amazing! The mountain was fabulous and it was a spectacular experience. 10/10 would recommend Akis as we felt safe and well guided the entire time.

Akis was a professional, experienced, knowledgeable, caring, and, above all, entertaining guide for our trip. My wife and I felt incredibly safe and confident in our climb with Akis. My one complaint would have to do with Explore-share’s description of the trip. We did not find anywhere on the site or the trip description that there would be a two hour drive to get to our trailhead. One hour of that drive was over rocky dirt road. A potential recommendation for the future would be to suggest taking anti-nausea medication if anyone in the group experiences car sickness. Further, the site does not highlight a need for mountain specific footwear or footwear with significant traction. Sneakers are not enough for this climb once the scrambling portion of the hike begins. Although Akis made our climb safe and enjoyable the climb does feature some high exposure areas. It would be beneficial for future climbers to be aware that the proper footwear is necessary not just recommended. Otherwise the mountain itself is beautiful, the climb very satisfying and diverse. We overall loved the experience.

Mount Olympus was AMAZING!! We absolutely loved hiking up and seeing the incredible views. Akis was very professional and made us feel very safe at all times. We would have maybe liked to have learnt more about the history of the mountain and the Greek mythology. Akis was an amazing guide who set a good pace and encouraged us! However he was a little quiet which wasn’t a problem for us, but if you want more of a chat maybe another guide would be better. 10/10 experience, would recommend to everyone!!!

I had a fantastic 2-day-hike with Akos, I enjoyed every second of it. The trip was well prepared, Akis double checked everything to make sure we are safe in terms of weather etc. He quickly assessed - as an experienced guide - that this should be a rather silent, almost meditative walk for me and adapted to that 100%. I felt safe during the whole time, the space and rhythm was perfect for me to get the very best of this adventure.

Will never forget this adventure! This was our first real hike and could not have been possible without our guide Akis! He did more than expected and made every effort to make us feel secure and safe. Akis also showed us the best Greek cuisine and seafood we have had during our whole Greece trip. We plan to have many more adventures and we will always look back on this first one and remember our Greek guide :) thank you Akis! We hope to come back and join you again in the future! Deepest gratitude

Professional, inspired safety and confidence, knowledgable of the mountain, nothing is too much trouble - meeting all our needs: as an adventurous couple the first time around and as a small family the second and third, well balanced between friendly and giving space, fully available, in short: exceptional and we would not hesitate to recommend him to all levels of mountaineers: from absolute beginners to the fully accomplished looking to stretch themselves that little bit more.

Spectacular experience in just one day

I booked the Crete hiking trip with 3 other friends and from the first contact with Explore Share and Akis - our guide - I realized that it would be a great experience. The chosen itineraries, the landscapes, the rhythm of pace and all the management of the trip was excellent. Akis took personal care for well-chosen accommodation, fine restaurants with Mediterranean foods and our on-time transfers. His passion for guiding was more than obvious on every part of the hiking trip. Although we were 4 people, we felt that it was a personal guided trip thanks to Akis behaviour. After this, Crete is one of my favourite hiking destinations with huge diversity and magnificent places to discover. Me and my friends, we thank Akis who revealed to us this hidden hiking and cultural paradise.

Akis was a very lovely guide. He set a great, suitable pace throughout the journey, and made me feel particularly safe during the final 45 minutes of rock scrambling before reaching the summit. His knowledge about the mountain's terrains (and even about astrology and mythology), his mountaineering support and his company made the whole experience unforgettable. As a certified mountain guide, you couldn't be in better hands.

I couldn't have asked for a better guide than Akis. I was travelling to Greece alone and this was also my first hike above 2,100m so I was feeling a bit nervous. Akis was there to reassure me, carry my backpack (not a standard service and not included in the price :D) and make me feel safe every step along the way. So, not only a guide but a friend. I can only hope I will have the opportunity to hike with him again. Vedro, Akis!

Don't think I would have reached the peak without Akis. Akis made my son's 21st birthday special by producing a cake with a candle at the top of Mt Olympus.

My trip to Mt Olympus with Akis Parousis was the trip of a lifetime. Akis was more knowledgeable than I could have ever imagined. The hiking, of course, was extraordinary, but all of the extra things that we did made this trip unbelievable. Hiking with Akis, I knew I was safe and cared for. He made sure that I was taken care of in every aspect of the trip. He always has a plan A, B, C and D just in case something doesn’t work out perfect. Thank you, Akis for your love and care!!!

We initially considered hiking without a guide and are very glad that we did decide to go with one. We chose Akis Parousis, a local guide with intimate knowledge of the Olympus National Park. The last part of the hike is a technical scramble and especially if the weather turns (in our case to sudden rain, snow, wind gusts and near-zero visibility), it pays off going with someone safety-minded and experienced with the ascent to the peak of Mytikas. An additional benefit of hiking with an experienced professional guide such as Akis is having a company of a personable, genuine, caring, and helpful hiking companion, knowledgeable about the history and the mythology the mountains. During the hike he shared with us many stories about the Olympian gods and goddesses that ruled the universe from atop the Mount Olympus, information about the Mount Olympus Park, the Greek culture, its customs, food, and other places to see in the region. Thanks to Akis, our Mount Olympus hike was an amazing experience. We would highly recommend looking him up if you are planning to climb to the top of the mountain of the 12 Greek Gods.

We had a magnificent winter climb on the very top of Mount Olympus with Akis !!! The right person to trust for your safety. He knows exactly the right moment to go for it !!!

My trip to Olympus turned out to be a huge disappointment. Not only because we couldn't go to the summit due to bad weather (too much wind), more because the guide Akis lacked communication and social skills. We went with a big group (9). Akis is really a professional when it comes to hiking and knows what he's doing. But his communication in general and towards me I didn't like. I also want a guide that explains stuff about the nature, the mountain and a guide that brings some positive vibes. I didn't feel included at all and I felt like he didn't like me or something. Mostly talked in Greek language and I had to ask for translation a lot. Luckily the group I was with were really friendly and translated some things for me. Besides this he could have been more open that it's a big possibility we wouldn't go to the top because of the wind. That would've saved some disappointment. At the mountain shop before the hike someone told me there's going to be a lot of wind. After asking Akis about it on the way up he said "no, not much wind. The weather will be good" Which I found very strange but maybe this was the language barrier. I've spend 180 euro's for a trip with a guide + 80euro's to rent good gear + 40 euro's to stay at the refuge with food/drinks included. This is a total of 300,- for something I could've easily done by myself (the trip to the refuge is easy). Of course I totally understand that because of too much wind we couldn't go to the top. You can't beat the mountain, it beats you. But as a backup plan we went down and then by car to a small waterfall and a monastery thats being renovated. This crushed my soul and spirit. I strongly recommend that you get part of your money back if you can't reach te summit in stead of this somewhat boring backup plan with zero adrenaline. What was even more f'd up is that after I came back to the mountain shop to bring back my rented clothes I met a couple that did go to the summit. :( So to summarise, my experience was disappointing to say the least and won't recommend Akis as a guide. Service of explore-share is good tho. Cas

For this so unique climbing trip, for your special guidance, the confidence you gave me, the positive energy, thank you Akis.