Zakynthos Autumn hiking trip
8 days guided hiking tour; exploring the best parts of Zakynthos island!
take a dip in the Ionian sea #Zakynthos #Zante
Various hiking trails in the mountain area of the island
take a dip in the Ionian sea #Zakynthos #Zante
The trip in short
In a week you basically go around the island, from the flat northwest to the coastal areas, the peninsula and the bays up to and including the mountains through the center of the island.
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With fantastic viewpoints and picturesque landscapes with vineyards and olive trees in many places.
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We make a boat trip of course, to some of the many caves around the island and if we are lucky we see turtles.
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You will also get to know the culture, religion and typical Zakynthian dishes through visits to churches and monasteries, a cheese factory, an agricultural cooperative and authentic taverns.
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All this accompanied by a guide who was born and raised on the island and knows the most beautiful places and shares a lot of 'inside information'.
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Overnight in a cozy small scale hotel in Alykanas, northwest of the island. Between the olive groves and near the sea.
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Optionally a day of cycling (day 7). Otherwise you can have a nice beach walk and swim near the hotel or make your own choices for the day.
Day to day program
1
Arrival in Alykanas
Arrival at Zakynthos airport.
Pick up from airport and transfer to a cozy small scale accommodation with a pool in Alykanas.
Alykanas, located in the bay of Alykes, is a pleasant seaside resort with beautiful sandy beaches on the east coast of the island, with a small harbor with fishing boats and tourist boats, which sail to the famous Shipwreck and the Blue Caves.
2
North east
Pick up from the hotel, for a nice walk nearby, around the village Ano Gerakari, located on mountain top.
Above the village is a church that is visible from all around the area.
The view from the church is absolutely amazing - either the main ridge on Zakynthos, the bay of Alikes or endless olive groves. then hike to the east side, to a nice fish tavern on the beach, where we will have lunch.
Total hike about 9km.
3
Hike & sea - south west
Starting in the morning with hike at the Keri area, ± 7 km. Keri is a charming, authentic mountain village. Part of the houses date from the period before the great earthquake of 1953. The village has been restored in a traditional way.
We hike to Keri Lake, where we will do a boat trip to the Turtle Island and Keri Caves. After the boat trip, we will eat at a restaurant there.
4
South east
A hike at Gerakas (± 6 km). Gerakas is located on the Vassilikos peninsula south of Zakynthos town.
With beautiful sandy beaches, located in a semicircular bay and surrounded by rock formations. Gerakas beach is one of the beaches of Zakynthos where Caretta-Caretta turtles come to lay their eggs.
Afternoon: Lunch in a tavern, located picturesque in a cypress forest; one of the most beautiful beaches in Zakynthos. It overlooks the Gulf of Turtles and is part of the Marine Park. This is also a nice day to take a swim at one of the beaches.
5
Zakynthos town
& sunset hike
- Morning: transport to Zakynthos town for some sightseeing, shopping etc. on our own.
- Back to the hotel to relax. Late afternoon (depends on the time of the sunset), pick up for the sunset hike in Agalas. There, we eat in the night to the canteen.
- Back to Alikanas late in the night, around 23:00.
6
The north mountainous area
Tour by car in the area of Orthonies, a traditional mountain village, located on the slopes of Mount Vrachionas, in the middle of a green area with olive groves and grape groves. Visit to the most famous sight in Orthonies, the historic monastery of Spiliotissa (16th century).
Afternoon: See the world famous ship wreck (‘Navagio’, one of the most photographed locations in all of Greece) and the blue caves.
Lunch at Botega café and historic olive press museum.
7
From the south coast into the mountains by e-bike
This optional e-bike tour start Agios Sostis area in the south. We cycle through olive trees, gardens and vineyards. Cycling uphill, we visit Mahairado village where we can take a break to the local coffee place and visit Agia Mavra church. Cycling further uphill we reach the highest view point to enjoy the plain area. Back from the narrow roads downhill, we will feel the calmness of the village life of the plain area of Zakynthos island. and the contrast with the busy and touristic Laganas area, ending up at our starting point in Agios Sostis.
(extra cost for the ebike 25€/person)
8
Central mountainous area
To Gyri, one of the oldest villages on the island and one of the highest. It is located at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level and close to mount Vrachionas, the highest point of Zakynthos (756 m). Hike in the area ± 7 km; nice views and visits to an old traditional house, a cave and a cheese factory, where we will have lunch under the pine trees.
Afternoon: Walk to the sea at Korakonissi, and enjoy a unique creation of nature: a rock formation creates a huge arch that is more than 20 meters high. The arch hides a small bay in which you can swim.
Around 15 p.m. back to the hotel, to prepare for the transfer to the airport and the flight back home.
Price of the tour
From € 650,- incl. domestic transport and overnights in cozy small scale accommodation in Alikanas. This is the price based on a double room. Additional charge for a single room is € 125.
Excl. flights, meals and e-bike rental (for the optional cycle tour; €25).
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Tours on an individual basis starting from 2 people. Dates in consultation.
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Tour dates for groups (starting from 4 people) in 2024: Friday 27 Sept until Friday 4 October.
New dates in 2025 follow soon. -
The program will be tailored as much as possible to the specific flight times.
In cooperation with
