'FROM ODYSSEUS TO ONASIS' 10 days
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Duration: 9 days kayaking+ Arrival day/10 nights. Start & finish: Vasiliki. Grade: Experienced. 15-35km/day Accommodation: 7 nights guesthouses, 3 nights camping Meals: All meals are self catered- group contributes to provisions kitty. Or we dine at local restaurants, on pay as you go basis. ABOUT ACCOMMODATION & FOOD > |
Follow mythological heroes & modern Greek legends: This grand Ionian tour combines 3 itineraries: ‘CELEBRITY ISLES' IONIAN BEAUTIES & ‘MYTHOLOGICAL ITHAKI & KEFALONIA’. It includes overland site-seeing by car and short day trips by kayak.
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ITINERARY:
ARRIVAL DAY VASILIKI TOWN, LEFKADA ISLAND
Arrive at Vasiliki hotel before 5pm to meet guide. We check kayaking equipment, help pack your gear into supplied dry-bags. Excess luggage is safely stored at our accom. Full briefing over dinner at local taverna.
DAY 1 MIKROS GIALOS VIA SIVOTA - paddling distance 18km
Pack kayaks after breakfast, and run through safety breifing in sheltered Vasiliki Bay, then begin paddling- heading east along southern coast of ledfkada. First stop picturesque Sivota- a traditional fishing port with a row of tavernas along the waterfront where we break for lunch. Visit the 'old olive mill' - an original stone press restored in the converted café. Continue paddling after lunch heading for secluded beach inside Rouda Bay, set up campsite. Relax and swim in the crystal clear waters. Self catered camp dinner on beach prepared by guide.
DAY 2 LEFKADA, MEGANISI - paddling distance- 12km
After early camp breakfast, we continue east along the coastline towards Meganisi isle. On route we stop for snorkeling inside a hidden, deep sea cave with colourful reef- the rock passage just outside is home to many giant red starfish. On most days’ water inside the cave is phosphorescent - with the effect that while swimming, your body will glow in the dark with a fantastic neon blue ‘aura’. We cross the narrow channel to Meganisi Island, leave kayaks at Porto Spilia, take our overnight bags for the short trek to charming Spartohori - a hilltop village with limewashed houses and narrow cobbled lanes. From the terrace there's sweeping views of the Ionian sea to Lefkada. Check into our local guesthouse. Free afternoon in Spartohori. Dinner at a local taverna. Overnight in Saprtohori guesthouse.
DAY 3 SCORPIOS ISLE, MEGANISI - paddling distance 15km
Today we do a day trip to Scorpios Isle- owned by notorious Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onasis. Kayak by wife Jackie O’s chic beach hut right by the water. Swim and picnic at the only beach open to the public. Paddle to Madouri Ilset, belonging to famous Greek poet Aristotelis Valaoritis. Return to Spartohori for overnight. Dinner at local taverna in the village.
DAY 4 MEGANISI, KALAMOS - paddling distance 35km
As we have a long distance to cover today- depart Spartohori early to paddle the breathtaking rugged coastal cliffs along Meganisi’s western coastline, heading for Kalamos. Highlights: enormous Papanikolaos Cave, deep turquoise lagoons, snorkelling, cliff jumping.
Leave southern tip of Meganisi and cross 8 km channel to Kalamos. Arrive at Porto Leone- a disused old port flanked by derelict old windmills. Picnic lunch under shade of Orthodox Church. Continue to Kalamos harbour- set up camp at nearby serene Myrties beach. Walk to port for taverna dinner. Camping overnight on Myrties beach.
DAY 5 KALAMOS -optional paddle, return distance 15km
Free day on sparkling Myrties beach, walk up the hill above Kalamos port to explore beautiful village with traditional stone houses and narrow lanes. Optional paddle (15km return) around Kalamos eastern coastline. Highlights: 200 year old derelict orthodox church, sea cave with natural skylight- opening in the cave ceiling which lets in daylight. Return to our campsite. Dinner at local taverna in Kalamos port.
DAY 6 KALAMOS, KASTOS ISLE, ATOKOS ISLE, ITHAKI 35km
Early 7am start for our longest day’s paddling on route to Ithaki Island. Cross from Kalamos to nearby Kastos island, continue along eastern coastline of Kastos. Brief stop to visit beautifuly restored Kastos windmill, and for a quick refreshment at adjacent café bar with sweeping Ionian views. Leaving Kastos cross 10km to remote, islet of Atokos- inhabited only by a few hairy, wild goats. Featuring soaring coastal cliffs, mountainous green terrain, and a tiny church hidden amongst thick vegetation just behind the beachfront, this is one of the most beautiful natural islands in the region. Break for early picnic lunch, and quick swim on the island’s only beach, inside a small lagoon-like blue bay. Cross 10km open sea to, Frikes Harbour in Ithaki. Arrive early afternoon, leave kayaks at the port, take our overnight bags for 2 nights stay in our local guesthouse, a short walk from our boats -300m away.
DAY 7 FRIKES HARBOUR, ITHAKI - paddling distance 15km
Explore Ithaki – an island steeped in Greek mythology, yet unffected by tourism & admired for its unspoiled nature.
Morning Paddle to picturesque Kioni (15km return), a charming little fishing port with excellent waterfront restaurants. Lunch at traditional taverna serving authentic home cooked Greek dishes- you are encouraged to walk into the kitchen and chose your meal straight out of the pot. Return to Frikes after lunch.
Early afternoon walk to Stavros village, on the hill above Frikes. Visit beautiful Orthodox churh and nearby 'Odysseus archeological museum' housing artefacts from Homeric period.
Evenings free - dinner your choice – either taverna meal in Frikes, or self catered at our fully equiped apartments with kitchen. 2nd night in Frikes
DAY 8 ITHAKI, KEFALONIA ISLAND distance 25km
Early start on our way to Kefalonia. Paddling north along Ithaki’s stunning eastern coast, via remote bays and unspoiled beaches. Break for lunch at one of the dazzling blue beaches in breathtaking Afales bay, enclosed by high white cliffs. Most of the small beaches here can only be reached from the sea. Snorkelling is particularly beautiful in the crystal clear water lagoons, amongst the rocks and reefs in this bay.
Continue paddling- cross 4 km channel to Kefalonia, heading for the town of Fiskardo, a picture postcard Italianate harbour brimming with expensive yachts, restaurants and stylish boutiques- fashion, jewelery & handicrafts. Sample some of Greece’s best wine from Kefalonia, and the local nougat.
Afternoon free to wander around Fiscardo, and enjoy the choice of sophisticated bars and restaurants along the waterfront where you can sit back and watch the fabulous yachts jostling for position around the small marina. Evening free – to dine at your choice of exceptional restaurants in Fiscardo with ringside seat of the ritzy yachts, or self catered dinner at our local guesthouse. Overnight in our Fiscardo guesthouse.
DAY 9 FISKARDO HARBOUR, KEFALONIA ISLAND
Morning paddle to nearby ruins of Venetian lighthouse and Norman church (3km), continue around the northern coastline to explore secluded bays, and labyrinth snorkelling reefs. Return to Frikes before lunch. Optional drive by hire car (group decision) to spectacular Assos, a peninsular village of pastel coloured houses beneath a grand Venetian fortress, 20km from Fiscardo. Drive on to breathtaking Myrtos – Greece’s most photgraphed beach,, for its dazzling blue water and soaring white cliffs. Return drive to Fiscardo early evening.
OVERNIGHT OPTIONS- We can either transfer our craft on the evening ferry back to our base Vasilki, or stay one more night in Fiscardo, then board morning ferry back to Vasilki. Evening farewell dinner in local taverna- either Fiscardo or Vasilki.
NOTE: Local ferry transfer to Vasiliki on evening of day 10 or morning of day 11. TBA depending on seasonal ferry schedule.
DAY 10 VASILIKI- CHECK OUT
Check out of Vasilki guesthouse. End of services.
INCLUSIONS:
- Kayak hire and all equipment, including camping gear
- Experienced local guide
- 7 nights in charming local guesthouses- twin share rooms /private bath
- 3 nights camping ‘wild’ non organised campgrounds
- One welcome dinner in local Vasilki taverna
- All ferry fares between islands on route
- free transfer from main bus depot in Lefkada town ( not from airport)
NOT INCLUDED :
- Does not include meals or provisions for self catering. Restaurant meals are ‘pay as you go’ and paddlers contribute to provisions kitty for self catered meals and snacks
- Emergency rescue: €120-200, depending on distance and time of rescue
- Hire Car for overland siteseeing- this will be a group decision where all participants contribute to cost of car hire.
