Cycladic Island-Andros Trail - Greece

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1 S-CAPE TRAVEL - INFO@S-CAPETRAVEL.EU - TELEPHONE style : level : duration : comfort : period: code: WALKING Selfguided 9 days Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct GRSW034 Cycladic Island-Andros Trail - Greece 9 days, price from 520 World-class hiking classed as the first European Quality Trail on an island Great walking across the island on historical mule tracks Enjoy tranquil beaches and Andros's traditional rural countryside Explore tiny Andros town with its impressive mansions Support sustainable tourism, a feature of this holiday The Cycladic Island Andros is THE new walking paradise of Greece. In cooperation with the voluntary organization Andros Routes S-Cape developed a great trek from the south to the north of the island: the Andros Route. This trail is qualified as European Quality Trail which guarantees you excellent sign posting and optimum maintenance of the historic trails. Andros offers you great sandy beaches, lush green valleys, characteristic buildings and ancient sites, picturesque villages and the beautiful capital of the island: Chora. The Cycladic Island of Andros is easy accessible by a 2-hour ferry connection from the mainland. Andros is after Naxos, the biggest island of the Cycladic with high mountains and an indented coastline. The voluntary organization Andros Routes cleared and restored app. 160 historical footpaths. The maintenance is an ongoing project. The local community is involved to a high degree, which makes the project very successful. Even volunteers from abroad come to the island to participate. The old mule tracks are often walled in a characteristic pattern and lead you through terraced fields from one picturesque village to the other. The houses are built in local grey schists and differ from the typical white houses and blue domed churches that is found on the other Cycladic Islands. Your overnight stays are never far from nice and quiet sandy beaches where you don t find many tourists. People from Andros are traditionally involved in shipping businesses and do not rely on (mass) tourism. That is why the island remains so pure and authentic. The Andros Route runs from the South to the North and you stay in 4 different locations. All stays are for 2 nights, allowing you to alternate the trekking days with days that you can make an optional round walk or a relaxing day. Route

2 Day 1 Arrival in Athens. Travel to Andros After your arrival at Athens airport our taxi driver will take you to the port of Rafina, from where you depart in the late afternoon to Andros. The ferry crossing is app. 2 hours. After your arrival in the port of Gavrio you travel by local bus in app. 1 hour to Ormos Korthiou. The public buses on the island connect with the arrival times of the ferry. Upon arrival you will receive a welcome package that includes a small pruner and gloves, in order to contribute to activities of the voluntary organization Andros Routes and help optionally with the maintenance of the trails during your walks by cutting back vegetation on the side of the paths. In case your flight arrives after hrs, we advise you to book an additional night before the arrangement starts in Rafina or in the village of Mati, 5km from Rafina, or in Athens. In that case, you travel on the morning ferry to Andros. Day 2 Walk Monastery Tromarchion -Ormos Korthiou (8 km) The walk starts at a monastery that is situated high up a cliff near the west coast of Andros. You walk via walled paths that provide shadow in some sections. You pass through quiet and interesting hamlets and throughout the walk you enjoy panoramic views on the wide valley of Korthi and, the more you continue eastwards, the sea at the far horizon. A short section is via a dirt road, but most of the walk is via old footpaths that were once the only connections between the villages. In the villages you walk sections on a tarmac road. The route is mostly hilly, with ascents and descents, but without too many height differences. Challenge: 3 hours, 8 km, +130m ascent, -260m descent Day 3 Walk from Ormos Korthiou to Chora (15 or 14 km) Todays walk is from Ormos Korthiou to Andros Chora. You follow a great route through the semi-deserted inland of Andros. Outstanding views, tiny, well-hidden villages, old watermills and beautiful stony trails are what you encounter today. The first part of the route leads you through traditionally cultivated land, that has been made suitable for smallscale farming centuries ago. Then you cross a mountain ridge to go from the valley of Korthi to the even wider valley of Andros Chora. You will have impressive views over this great valley and the white town of Andros Chora. Through forest and orchards you reach the town. Crossing the town you come to the beach of Nimborio where your next accommodation is situated. Challenge: 6 or 5 hours, 15 or 14 km, +700m or +530m ascent, -700m or -530m descent Day 4 Round walk from Chora (9 or 17,5 km) There are a couple of options today. That is also the reason why you could easily book an extra night or two in this location. Andros Chora offers 2 fine museums and is a great town for a stroll and a relaxing coffee in a local café. In the road book that we supply for your trip, you will find descriptions of two possible walks: 1. Via wide paved paths (kalderimia) and through forest to Apikia, a village situated in a green valley that is famous for its spring water. You descend along cypress hedges to the old Bitsis-tower house and further to the sandy beach of Gialia. Follows a short, demanding climb before you finally descend to the beach of Nimborio. 2. Via great walled footpaths you ascend to the charming villages Lamira and Messaria. You will cross the legendary arched Venetian bridge of Stichiomeni whereafter a steady climb leads you via ancient paved steps to the monastery of Panachrantou at 590m elevation. The monastery appears to be literally clinging to the side of the mountain Gerakonas. The hospitable monks will show you around in this important historical and architectural monument. After a break under the old plane tree, you will descend through the lushly vegetated valley of Livadia towards Andros Chora. The excellent path along the river leads you to the beach of Paraporti; the last section through interesting wetland. 3. With the detailed map and excellent signposted trails, you may select a different route or make a detour based on the supplied route descriptions. Challenge: 4 or 6,5 hours, 9 or 17,5 km, +400m or +600m ascent, -400m or -600m descent

3 Day 5 From Chora to Batsi (18,5 or 16 km) Today you will go to the west coast of Andros. You first take a local bus or taxi to Messaria or a taxi to Ano Pitrofos further up. From Messaria you walk to the exceptionally beautiful, verdant village of Menites at its lion -springs. In the village square you will find many water fountains, considered therapeutic in ancient times. Refreshed you start your demanding climb on the Petalo mountain, followed by the old trading route over the side of the mountain with great views over green valleys, villages and the sea far below. On your way uphill you come through the village Ano Pitrofos. (If you take a taxi to this village, you avoid half of the ascent, 300m, and shorten the walk with 5 km.). Lastly you descend to the charming seaside resort Batsi, where your accommodation is near the fine, sandy beach. Alternative (recommended in case you didn t go to Panachrantou yesterday): you make the walk to the Monastery of Panachrantou as under day 4, but you don t walk back to Chora, but continue to Stavropeda. From Stavropeda you take the late afternoon bus to Batsi or you call a taxi to pick you up. Challenge: 6,5 or 5,5 hours, 18,5 or 16 km, +560m or +600m ascent, -600m or -400m descent Day 6 Walk in Batsi area (11 or 12 km) You take a taxi to get to the nearby village Remata. Here starts your walk via a shaded, lush, stream bed ascending to the green villages of Arni and Katakilos with their luxuriant vegetation. Via a wide valley with terraced fields you walk to the hills above Batsi. You descend to the village enjoying great views of Batsi and the sea. Alternative (possible if you didn t walk via Ano Pitrofos yesterday): take the morning bus to Paleopolis and follow the route above the coast line back to Batsi following the description of the route on day 5. Challenge:4 hours, 11 or 12 km, +400m ascent, -600m descent Day 7 Walk from Batsi to Agios Petros/Gavrio (11,5 km) A nice, not too long walk above and parallel to the coast line. On your way you can visit the Monastery of Zoodochou Pigis that looks like a fortress. Further down is the imposing spring at Agios Petros. The walk ends at the enjoyable Beach of Agios Petros where your accommodation is located too. If the accommodation in Agios Petros is not available, you may stay in nearby Gavrio instead. Challenge: 4 hours, 11,5 km, +450m ascent, -450m descent Day 8 Walk around Gavrio (11 km) The last day of your Andros Route, you will make a walk in the interior of Gavrio. You walk below the beautifully located village Ano Gavrio and ascend via a pleasant, but steep, path to the summit of a hill. Great views! Then you descend into the valley of Agios Petros and walk past the imposing Hellenistic Tower back to the beach. If you stay in Gavrio, you walk along the coast to your hotel in Gavrio. Challenge: 3,5 hours, 11 km, +400m ascent, -400m descent Day 9 Departure For today there are two options that you need to indicate at the time of booking. 1. You travel back to the port of Rafina for your outbound flight or other arrangement on the mainland or in Athens 2. You travel onwards to Naxos and continue with the arrangement Naxos-Santorini or to Amorgos to continue with the arrangement on Amorgos. It is always possible to buy a ticket at one of the agencies in the port prior departure on the ferry.

4 Accommodation In this part of Greece the choice of accommodation is limited. The accommodations we have chosen are optimum choices having in mind the atmosphere, comfort, hospitality and their period of operation. All rooms have private facilities and almost always a balcony or terrace. Below you find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, we book a similar alternative for you and inform you about the alternative booked. Extra overnight: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way. If your flight arrives later than 14:30 hrs into Athens airport, you will need to book an extra night in Rafina or in Athens before your trip. If you stay in Rafina you will be transfered from the airport to the hotel in Rafina and walk to the ferry the next morning. If you stay in Athens down town, the transfer from the airport to Athens center is not included. Instead, you will be transfered from Athens center to Rafina port the next day in the morning and you travel on the morning ferry to Andros. Nicolas Rooms (Ormos Korthiou) On the island of Andros, in a great location near the sea, Nicolas Hotel will become your favorite destination, whatever you desire, a brief escape from everyday life that stands out for its aesthetic and its special color. Pension Stella (Andros Chora) Pension Stella is a friendly family-run pension. Owner Popi Regoukou will make you feel at home. The beach of Nimborio is right in front of the pension and there is a nice shadowed terrace for a drink and breakfast. All rooms have private facilities, a kitchenette and a balcony. Hotel Karanasos (Batsi) Hotel Karanasos is situated in a beautiful location in Batsi next to the beach. The owner is involved in the Andros Routes project and works voluntarily on the project. The hotel is simple, but well maintained with a friendly atmosphere and home made products for breakfast. Irene Studios (Agios Petros) Irene Studios is a family-run hotel located next to the beautiful beach of Saint Peters. The friendly enviroment will make you feel welcome and relaxed. Practical info This tour can be booked from April to October starting on any day of the week. The best time to travel to the Greek islands is between April and June and September to the beginning of November. In Summer it gets very hot. We recommend doing this tour in Spring, when Spring is at its best, or in Autumn, when the sea water is still warm. The nearest airport is Athens. There are direct flights from many European countries to Athens. In case you book the trip Naxos-Santorini additionally, you can return by domestic flight from Santorini.

5 Arrival in Andros The transfer from Athens airport to Rafina port is included (app. 30 mins) as is the ferry ticket from Rafina to Andros. Duration ferry is 2 hours. Last ferry in low season leaves at 17:30 hrs. In summer season can be later. In case of flight arrival after 14:30 hrs. an additional night in Rafina must be booked prior the arrangement. In case of flight arrival after 14:30 hrs. an additional night in Rafina must be booked prior the arrangement. Departure from Andros From Andros you can travel either back to Rafina or onwards to one of the other Cycladic Islands. If you would like to order your return or onward ferry tickets, this can be indicated at time booking and catered for. Optionally you can book an additional transfer from Rafina to Athens airport or to a hotel in Athens down town. We can send you GPS tracks of this trip upon request and after booking. Included Included 8 nights accommodation on B&B basis, 2 in Ormos Korthiou, 2 in Chora, 2 in Batsi and 2 in Agios Petros or Gavrio Transfer Airport-Rafina or Athens-Rafina in case you stay in Athens city All luggage transfers Ferry ticket Rafina-Andros Folded map of Andros Routes (1:27 000) Pruning tools on loan during your stay on Andros 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away Detailed road book and maps in English Not included Flights, public transportation and other ferry tickets Airport departure transfer Travel insurance Admissions and entrance fees of any kind Tips and gratuities Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers etc. Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program Optional services (to be booked in advance) Ferry ticket Andros-Rafina or any other destination from Andros per ferry Airport departure transfers Additional night/s at any of the accommodations along the way