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“Authentic Islands”, 8-day Self-guided hiking tour of Andros & Tinos (Cyclades)

“Authentic Islands”, 8-day Self-guided hiking tour of Andros & Tinos (Cyclades)
Andros & Tinos, Greece
Andros & Tinos, Greece
Andros & Tinos, Greece
Andros & Tinos, Greece

The certified guides from Trekking Hellas help you with this fun and fascinating 8-day self-guided hiking tour of Andros & Tinos (Cyclades), taking in some of the best scenery and cultural delights that the islands have to offer, from paradise-like landscapes, to quaint villages, to the food and drink.

Private

8 Days

All year

High

Beginner


Highlights

  • Discover the gorgeous and exquisite landscapes of Andros & Tinos!
  • Be wowed by the tranquil, idyllic and peaceful nature of the islands
  • Discvoer, explore and learn about the settlements and villages of the islands
  • Sample the fresh, tasty and amazing local food and drink

Description

The islands of Andros & Tinos, part of The Cycladic Islands, are two of the most spectacular in Europe, and I will lead you on this 8-day self-guided hiking tour around both of them where we will admire and take in the truly special landscape, scenery and terrain, explore the rustique and beautiful villages that dot the islands, and of course, sample and indulge in the exquisite and fresh local food and drink.

Both Andros and Tinos are Greek islands located in the Northern part of the Cyclades archipelago, and are an increasingly popular tourist destination owing to their relatively pristine countryside and abundance of cultural pursuits.

Our adventure starts when we all meet up in Andros, where we will get to know each other and learn more about the trip over drinks and mezes.

Over the subsequent 2 days we explore everything this great place has to offer, with much of the days taking up by hiking through and along amazing and idyllic beaches, ravines and valleys, with medieval castles, water mills and ruins featuring along the way.

On day 5 we travel to the island of Tinos, on which we spend 3 days exploring and winding our way around tranquil hills, valleys, fields and countryside, stopping regularly to explore the tiny villages and settlements we encounter.

There will be ample time to eat and drink the fresh local produce every night, and it cannot be overstated how absolutely amazing the views we will be exposed to are, the beauty and oasis-like vibe of the islands almost seeming overwhelming.

We finish our trip on day 8 in Tinos, our hearts and stomachs full of the best The Cycladic Islands have to offer.

This 8 day journe on the islands of Andros and Tinos will 100% take your breath away – book now to experience!

Price includes

  • Accommodation included
  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Transport during the trip

Price details

  • Fully Guided Mode:
  • Included:
  • 8 days/ 7nights, accommodation in DBL room in --* indicative hotels mentioned below with breakfast
  • Ferry tickets on economy class from Rafina to Andros, Andros – Tinos, Tinos Rafina
  • All necessary transfers for the operation of the program
  • English-speaking Trekking Hellas Guide
  • Meals: Breakfast daily, and picnic lunch box x 6
  • Welcome drinks with local appetizers on the first day
  • Hotel stayover tax
  • Not Included:
  • Drinks during meals
  • Tips & gratuities
  • Transportation to/from Rafina Athens port
  • Anything not mentioned above

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Andros

Arrival in Andros, transfer, and check-in at the hotel. We meet for the first time to get to know each other and have a small talk about the program, in a unique greek manner: with welcome drinks and small bites of Greek delicacies (mezes in Greek). Overnight in Andros.

Day 2: Hike Batsi to Pitrofos

We take the longest route in the network, following the old path which connected southwest Andros to the central villages and Chora, the so-called “Ample Way” (Fardia Strata).

In the first part of the hike, we enjoy panoramic views to the west coast and the ancient port of Palaiopolis on an exceptional cobbled path with holy oak, wild olives and seasonal crops. En route, we pass by two small waterfalls the watermills of Melida and the Olive Oil Museum. We end up in the charming village of Pitrofos for an authentic gastronomic experience: a lunch with special local dishes.

Day 3: Hike Chora - Apoikia - Chora

We start from Chora, for a beautiful circular hiking route. Around Gialia Beach we admire a unique natural environment formed by the river. From there, the cemented footpath parallel to Pythara ravine goes up towards Apikia Village passing through major settlements of seamanship and rural Andros. After some rest and a light lunch, we descend this time to Chora via a different excellent cobbled path, enjoying a magnificent view of the capital city and the sea. During our hike, we visit ‘the Fabrica’, an old pasta factory watermill, a medieval stone bridge, the Bistis-Mouvelas Tower dating from the 17th century and Pythara waterfalls. Light lunch during our hike to a local “mezedopoleo” and return to Chora. Stop for a swim and free time for rest or a walk to the center of the town.

Day 4: Hike Chora - Korthi

We hike a route of great variety and wealth of rural landscapes, connecting central with south Andros. We follow the old road leading to Korthi, connecting the two old medieval
castles of the island on the central agricultural and commercial artery for south-eastern Andros until 1950. We cross Dipotamata ravine, a valley with impressive water mills, an arched bridge, and Kochylou medieval castle.

Day 5: Travel to Tinos

In the morning we transfer to the port where we take a boat to Tinos (2hours), the isle of dovecotes and small Catholic chapels. Having settled at our hotel, we have the rest of the day free to explore the town of Tinos.

Don’t forget to visit the church of Virgin Mary in Chora. Tradition says that a nun, Pelagia, from the nearby convent of Kechrovouni had visions of Virgin Mary revealed to her the burial place of an icon. After intensive searching, an icon was indeed found, at the spot where the Church stands today. Today the icon is widely believed to be the source of numerous miracles and Tinos has become the center of a yearly pilgrimage that takes place on the 15th of August. Many pilgrims make their way the 800 meters from the ferry wharf to the church on their hands and knees as a sign of devotion.

Overnight in Tinos.

Day 6: Hike Chora Tinou - Ktikados - Kionia - Chora Tinou

Today we discover the picturesque villages and dovecotes of Tinos. Following an impressive medieval paved path (kalderimi), we visit the old villages of Ktikados, Xatzirados and Tarabados, the heart of traditional dovecote architecture and we reach Kiona bay. Light lunch during our hiking tour at the traditional “kafeneion” at Ktikados.

Return to Chora hiking or by taxi. Rest and swim in the evening.

Day 7: Hike Chora - Xobourgo - Koumaros - Volax - Falatados

We go up to Xobourgo the old Byzantine fort of the island via an old paved path. The view of the Aegean is remarkable. We continue walking down to Volax, an isolated, small, sparkling white village in the middle of a plateau surrounded by hills of round granite blocks and we return on to the village named Falatados the second biggest settlement in the island, with the imposing Cathedral and the famous House of Scetch.

Day 8: Departure

Depart Tinos.

 

Details

More info

Relatively easy hikes and activities for beginners (3 – 4 hours per day), good start for a first outdoor holiday. The walking is on a mixture of dirt tracks and well – constructed stone mule paths. Our trips are designed for active people who enjoy energetic days. We expect participants to be in good physical condition.

Please bring with you:

  • Large rucksack or holdall to contain all your luggage; waterproof liner recommended
  • Good waterproof top (Gore-Tex recommended or similar) with hood.
  • Thick socks for walking
  • Spare shoes for the evenings (optional
  • Daypack (small rucksack, 20-40 liters) to carry picnic lunch, water bottle, cold/wet weather gear, camera, etc; straps should be strong, not too narrow and preferably padded. In wet weather, belongings should be packed in waterproof plastic bags inside the pack
  • Warm clothes for the evening including spare trousers and top (fleece jackets/pullovers are warm yet light); plus optionally thermal underwear, for April and October
  • Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with collar and long sleeves (against sunburn)
  • Your own personal water bottle (at least 1 liter). As part of our environmental policy and actions, we are committed to eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.

Meeting point

Andros, Greece

About the guide

Guide profile image

Trekking

5.0

(6)

Tour Operator

Trekking Hellas is the largest and most renowned tour operator in Greece, in the outdoor holidays area. For over 33 years, we have been providing high quality services for individuals and groups, offering unique adventures in the most beautiful locations in the country, with highly qualified guides.

The variety of activities in offer is huge, from sea kayaking, hiking and rafting, to biking, via ferrata, rock climbing or gastronomy tours, among many others.

We operate 12 bases all over Greece, with different activities. The personnel in each base has the required qualifications to guide the specific activities we operate: eg. for hiking at low altitudes we work with experienced mountain guides with degrees from mountaineering associations and from our own training school; for sea kayaking we require the BCU certificate.

We contribute to the sustainable rural development by supporting local communities and offering work opportunities to their inhabitants, and the global effort to reduce over-tourism. We strongly embrace and implement a socially and environmentally responsible policy promoting the protection of nature and environmental awareness.

Our network makes it possible to offer and operate at the highest standards a variety of activities all over the country, in classic touristy destinations (Santorini, Athens, Crete, Rhodes, etc.) and less known regions of Greece (Tzoumerka, Karpenisi etc.).

Send us a request and come join us for a unique adventure in Greece!

Languages

Italian | German | French | English

Request more information

What people are saying about Trekking

Cecile

Très beau programme. Les logements étaient magnifiques et un très bel accueil. Dommage que le deuxième soir il y avait un seul restaurant ouvert dans le village et tellement de monde. On a fini par acheter un paquet de chips à l’épicerie. Il est dommage qu on ai pas été épaulé lors de mon accident au genou. On a du tout improviser toutes seules. Et cela nous a engendré des frais imprévues vu mon état. Dommage de ne pas avoir eu de soutien dans un pays qui nous était étranger.

A wonderful experience! We were two people and we hiked several parts of the Menalon trail (self- guided) with Trekking Hellas. The reservation process was smooth. The office staff were very helpful and polite. They responded quickly to all our requests and helped us tailor the hike to our great satisfaction (Thank you Theodore for the patience!). After finalizing the trip details and completing the full payment- we got a detailed description of the trip with all the necessary contacts, including a very useful gpx file of the trail. In the hike itself, everything went smoothly. On the first day we met a guide, who gave us a map of the trail, and advised us about the trail. The company was responsible enough to tell us in advance about part of the trail that was wrecked during the winter (they even pre-arranged a taxi that waited for us in the middle of the hike and transferred us to a nearby point). The villages we arrived at were beautiful (We especially like Dimitsana and Vytina. The hotels were lovely, and the staff were always friendly and helpful. One final tip: The hikes are great but they are not easy. We highly recommend that you read the trail specifications in advance and choose to walk only the parts that fit your needs. In some cases, the advised hikes may be too long. For example, day 3 of the suggested itinerary includes roughly 19.1 km (Dimitsana- Zygovitsi-Elati). Given that the trail is ascending and descending - this means a very long day. We only walked Zygovitsi-Elati (15km; enough for us), but we met a family who did walk the entire path and walked for 11 hours on that day. While it is doable, we recommend that you make your choices in advance -so that the you enjoy your vacation. We wish you a nice stay in Greece. According to our experience, with Trekking Hellas you are in good hands. This not the first time we booked tours with Trekking Hellas, and probably will not be the last. Highly recommended!

The Menalon trail is a very nice and versatile walking path of about 75km in center Greece. We decided to take the self guided trek offered by Trekking Hellas because it saved us the burden of searching for accommodations along the path, and also they take care of transferring our luggage from hotel to hotel, so we can carry minimum weight when walking. I must say our experience was great. We got prompt support before and during the vacation. All arrangements worked perfectly. Every hotel owner knew us and prepare a nice lunch box for the day walk, so we did not have to think about that as well. All hotels selected where highly rated ones. This not the first time we booked tours with Trekking Hellas, and probably will not be the last. Highly recommended!

Natasja

George offered great introduction and guidance. Very patience and increased the level of climbing according to the participants. Great experience!

Yvonne

Our first time with Explore-Share. An absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. Extremely good value, very well organised with attention to detail. We travel widely and this has by far been the best of experiences. Well done to all concerned. We are already looking at booking another trip!


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