Island Hopping Greece
Trip Overview
(Biking, Hiking, Kayaking & Snorkelling) Experience the adventure holiday of a lifetime in the heart of the Mediterranean. 'Island Hopping Greece' showcases Greece as an ancient giant endowed with present-day adventure.
During this 9-day Greek island hopping adventure tour, we hike across pristine beaches, stone ruins, mythological mountains, and multi-colored cliffs. After marveling at the Athens Acropolis, we set sail for rocky isles.
Naxos is known as the cultural center of classic Greece and still bursts with a time-honored Greek flair. Here we spend our days hiking and mountain biking through surrounding villages.
Next, we head to the volcanic island of Santorini for snorkeling, kayaking, and trekking. We explore the Cyclade underworld and trek to the village of Oia, known for its iconic Greek architecture and spectacular sunsets. The cradle of western culture, Greece is the perfect place to merge past civilizations with high-energy hiking and biking vacations.
WOW FACTORS
- Hike and bike through farmland, whitewashed villages, and ancient ruins.
- Hike to the village of Oia, famous for its brilliant sunsets and for being one of the most iconic images of Greece.
- Explore ancient and modern Greece in Athens, visiting the Acropolis and the site of the first modern Olympic Games
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Athens
Arrival
Upon arrival into Athens International Airport, make your way to your comfortable 3-star hotel located in the centre of the city. In the evening you'll be met at the hotel by your guide who will lead you on a walking tour of Athens. Afterwards we'll head to the old part of Athens for a special welcome dinner and orientation. This traditional Greek Tavern overlooks the famed Acropolis.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Athens
Sightseeing
After breakfast we’ll set off for a half day city tour of Athens. We'll start with a visit to the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum. After lunch we'll walk past Hadrian’s Arch to the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first Olympic Games in 1896. We'll wander through the National Gardens to Syntagma Square, where you can see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while also witnessing the changing of the guards. Finally we'll explore Plaka and the Anafiotika district. After that, you have the remainder of the evening free to stroll in the centre of Athens, or sit for a drink on a patio and people watch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Athens - Naxos
Biking
We'll wake with the sunrise and transfer to the port in Athens where we'll catch a ferry to the Greek Isle of Naxos. The journey is about 4-5 hours, traveling at high speed on the Aegean Sea. Upon arrival we'll transfer to a comfortable hotel and have some time to settle in. Then, we will start our cycling fun. We start with a nearly flat part on good surfaced roads before making our first climb. Passing by some ruins of the ancient aqueduct of Naxos, we will soon roll down to the fertile valley of Engares. In the small village, we will have a view of the beautiful church next to the olive museum. If we wish, we can cycle down to the bay of Amiti and its sandy beach. On our way back, we will stay close to the coastline and get a perfect view on to Portara and the entire capital of Naxos island. We'll return to our hotel in the early evening and enjoy a Greek feast in a traditional tavern.
Biking Distance: 25 km / 15 mi
Biking Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Ascent: +250m (820ft)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Naxos
Hiking
Today we switch gears and take to the trails by foot. Our hike starts from The Kouros Statues, which are incomplete statues of young men that were abandoned by the ancient sculptors because they discovered faults in the marble. From here we'll follow the path to Ano Potamia, a picturesque village in the countryside. After a short refreshing stop at the village’s spring, we will hike to The Apano Kastro (Upper Castle) where we'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Naxos town, port and the surrounding villages. We'll hike through the village of Halki and then Chalki, where we'll visit Valindra, a small distillery that produces Kitron (the local alcohol drink of Naxos). The dazzling landscape is lush and the trails are magnificent. We end in Chalki and then return to our hotel for a shower before dinner.
Hiking Distance: 6.5 km / 4 mi
Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: +272 m / 892 ft
Descent: -194 m / 636 ft
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Naxos
Biking
After breakfast, we'll gear up with mountain bikes and then cycle on quiet streets and paths through typical Naxian villages. We'll meander along nook and cranny paths that lead us through fertile farmland, with great views of the rugged mountains and some of the best coastline in the Cyclades. We'll ride to the beautiful white sand beach of Mikri Vigla where we'll break for a swim and refreshment, before returning along stretches of sandy beach to our base.
Biking Distance: 40 km / 25 mi
Biking Duration: 3-4 hours
Ascent: +450m (1476ft)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Naxos - Santorini
Snorkelling & Kayaking
After breakfast, we'll head back to the port to catch a ferry through the Aegean Sea to Santorini. Santorini is a volcano island, famed for it's fabulous sunsets, white buildings and the dramatic views of the surrounding Greek Isles. We'll arrive into the port midday and then transfer to our comfortable 3-star hotel. In the afternoon we'll take to the seas for a snorkelling and sea kayaking adventure exploring the crystal waters, beautiful beaches and rock formations. We'll meet for dinner early evening at an outdoor patio.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Santorini
Hiking
Today we're back on foot, hiking 3 hours from Fira, the main town on Santorini, to the village of Oia, famous for it's brilliant sunsets. We'll begin from the cable car station, weaving along a gravel road that soon narrows into a trail. We'll have spectacular panoramic views of the traditional Cycladic white houses built along the declining caldera, with a backdrop of the surrounding volcanic isles rising out of the Aegean Sea. Midday we'll break under a shady tree for a picnic lunch to absorb the spectacular landscape. We'll end in Oia, and then can either return to Fira by foot or jump in the vehicle.
Hiking Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 mi
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Ascent: +492 m (1,615 ft)
Descent: -619 m (2,030 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Santorini - Athens
Free Day
We have the morning at leisure to do any last minute shopping, relaxing or exploring on Santorini before catching a flight back to Athens. We'll be met upon arrival and transferred back to our same Athens hotel. We'll meet with our guide for a farewell dinner early evening.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
Athens
Departure
This is the end of your Greek adventure. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to explore this lovely city a bit more before arranging your transfer to the airport for your international flight back home or onward within Europe.
Meals: Breakfast
NOTE about Ascent/Descent numbers:
The ascent/descent numbers are usually generated using Ride with GPS. The numbers are TOTAL ascent/descent for the day and these numbers do not suggest altitude. There are usually multiple small ascents and descents added up throughout the day to reach this total ascent/descent for the day. (While our numbers are generally consistent with Ride with GPS, depending on the mapping technology used, numbers may vary).
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
All accommodation (twin shared), meals as indicated, (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), all internal transportation, 24-speed mountain bikes, one internal flight from Santorini to Athens and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare, airport taxes, arrival/departure airport transfers*, gratuities, meals not included and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
8 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 8 Nights
*We can arrange airport transfers on your behalf as an add-on. Let us know at time of booking and we can arrange a quote for you.
Trip Facts
Weather in Greece
The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean. However, due to the country's unique geography, Greece has a remarkable range of micro-climates and local variations. To the west of the Pindus mountain range, the climate is generally wetter and has some maritime features. The east of the Pindus mountain range is generally drier and windier in summer.
Travel Documents
To enter Greece, you must hold a current passport valid for six months beyond your date of departure. There are no visas required for people travelling with Canadian, American, and European Union passports. Citizens of other countries should check with the local embassy for updated information on entry requirements.
Food and Water
Recommended Greece dishes include spanakopita (pastries filled with chopped spinach, feta cheese, onions and seasoning), Gyros (roasted meat served on pita bread with tzatziki), and Baklava (phyllo pastry layers filled with nuts and drenched in honey). While in Greece, it is best to drink only bottled water or treated tap water. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way. The biking portions of BikeHike Adventure’s trips are the most cardiovascular portions of the trips. During the biking section, our travellers don’t have to carry anything on their backs as any packs can be carried in the support vehicle. During the hiking portions of the trip, the most you would have to carry on your back is a daypack.
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 35-60, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
Athens. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip (although arriving by noon is preferable) and depart anytime on day 9.
We run this trip from May to October. The best times to go are the shoulder season from May/June and September/October. It is not as hot as July and August and there are less tourists. If you like the heat, July and August are ideal. Just note that during the day temperatures can reach 40’C / 104’F.
This label just means that this trip is quite suitable for families, but anyone can book it. In fact, the listed group dates usually fill up with a good mix of couples, friends and singles. When families book with us, they usually choose to customize the trip and choose private dates.
Can I take this trip if...
Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is generally good for older children or teenagers. However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.
More about this trip...
We use Ghost SE500 mountain bikes. All bikes have front suspension and disc brakes.
E-bikes are available for an additional charge.
There are two days of biking on this trip. The terrain is a combination of dirt and paved roads, with an average ascent of 300m / 985 ft. There are some hilly sections. Please keep in mind there is no support vehicle available during the biking days.
Accommodation
Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips.
This trip includes the following types of accommodation:
HOTELS
HOTELS BikeHike prefers small, cozy boutique hotels that are generally family-run. In Athens, as well as on the islands of Naxos and Santorini, we have picked accommodations that showcases Greece’s natural beauty and culture.
Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity |
Duration
|
Distance | Ascent / Descent | Lodging | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Athens
|
Arrival
|
— | — | — / — |
Hotel
|
d
|
| 2 |
Athens
|
Sightseeing
|
— | — | — / — |
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 3 |
Athens - Naxos
|
Biking
|
2 - 3 hours
|
25 km
15 mi
|
+250m (820ft)
|
Hotel
|
b,
d
|
| 4 |
Naxos
|
Hiking
|
4 hours
|
6.5 km
4 mi
|
+ 272 m (892 ft)
- 194 m (636 ft)
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Naxos
|
Biking
|
3 - 4 hours
|
40 km
25 mi
|
+450m (1476ft)
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 6 |
Naxos - Santorini
|
Snorkelling & Kayaking
|
— | — | — / — |
Hotel
|
b,
d
|
| 7 |
Santorini
|
Hiking
|
5 hours
|
10.5 km
6.5 mi
|
+ 492 m (1615 ft)
- 619 m (2030 ft)
|
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 8 |
Santorini - Athens
|
Free Day
|
— | — | — / — |
Hotel
|
b,
d
|
| 9 |
Athens
|
Departure
|
— | — | — / — | — |
b
|
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Submit a ReviewWhat an amazing trip. 10+! Our guide Elena was super organized, extremely knowledgeable and a ton of fun. From the restaurants, to the hotels to the biking, hiking and Kayaking it couldn't have been any better. Elena even got me up dancing. A wonderful trip I will remember for years to come. Highly, highly recommend! You will Love it!
This was a great trip. Our guide, Elena, was so helpful, friendly and fun and really did her job well. Since she is Greek, she spoke both Greek and English and was very knowledgeable on so many things. The trip was a perfect balance between activities (hiking, biking, kayaking) and down time. The hotels we stayed in were spectacular and the meals we ate were delicious. Our group became like a small family. I would have loved to stay longer....... I recommend this trip to anyone who desires to visit Greece and who enjoys hiking, biking and kayaking.
Great experience going to Greece with Bike and Hike Adventures. Easy booking process and very responsive to any questions we had. The tour was amazing and filled with many activities but also just enough free time to do some of our own exploring! The whole trip was streamline and stress free as a traveler!
We loved our multi-sport Bike Hike trip to Greece. Our guide Anna was extremely knowledgeable, warm and funny. She quickly became a good friend and helped us to experience the places we visited more like natives than tourists. Hiking was a great way to see this amazing and varied country.
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