Peloponnese Turtle Conservation Holiday

Transcription

1 Peloponnese Turtle Conservation Holiday 2017 Group-guided Tour Trip highlights: Observe, tag and protect nesting females Help monitor and relocate vulnerable baby sea turtles Gather valuable population data of the vulnerable sea turtles Public Awareness work: beach patrols during day and night, running of information kiosk Experience Greek culture, food and hospitality in one of Greece s most beautiful corners: South Peloponnese 1

2 The area: Gythio in South-Peloponnese The beaches surrounding the pretty town of Gythio on Lakonikos Bay is where the Sea-turtles volunteering project takes place. Lakonikos Bay is in the South-east Peloponnese. The project is conducted at four beaches, of total length of 8,5 km (Mavrovouni, Vathi, Selinitsa, Valtaki). The Peloponnese was chosen National Geographic s European Destination of the year The peninsula features Arcadian mountainous landscapes, gorges and lovely beaches and coasts. The Peloponnese is close to Athens and offers you a variety of archaeological sites to discover, Olympia being the most famous of them all. But also, many other archaeological sites and monuments of great splendor, such as the Byzantine sites of Monemvasia and Mystras. The sunny climate and warm seas also contribute to a very high overall score for this part of Greece! ACCOMMODATION Meltemi camping Mavrovouni Gytheio Lakonias Greece Tel & Fax: (+30) (+30) info@campingmeltemi.gr 2

3 The project is hosted at Meltemi camping ( which is located in Mavrovouni beach, about 3 km south from Gythio. The camp carries communal facilities (WC, shower with hot water, kitchen with basic equipment, laundry, wi - fi internet, restaurant, cafeteria, swimming pool, sports facilities) and has been included in the list of the best campings in Greece! It is basically located in an old olive grove, situated right next to the beach. About the Sea turtles in Greece Three Sea Turtle species can be regularly found in the Mediterranean (loggerheads - Caretta caretta, green turtles - Chelonia mydas and leatherbacks - Dermochelys coriacea). Of these three only the loggerhead sea turtle nests in Greece. The most serious threats to loggerheads in the Mediterranean are tourist development of nesting beaches and incidental catch in fishing gear. Since 1983, the primary objective of ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece has been to protect the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, raising public awareness and rehabilitating sick and injured turtles. Day-to-day program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Day 1 - Arrival in Athens, Greece (D) Arrive at Athens airport. Meet your tour leader & fellow travellers. Private transfer to the South-Peloponnese (289 km, 4 hours drive). We suggest to get a flight that arrives 2 PM latest in Athens. Halfway: time for a break and a drink at the impressive Corinth canal. 3

4 Arrive at Gythion.Welcome dinner! Accommodation: Camping Meltemi Day 2 t/m 8 (B, L, D) Sea turtle volunteering You will assist the Archelon team with the following tasks each morning (duration 3-4 hours per day): During nesting season (mid-may mid August): 4

5 Morning surveys to look for adult turtle tracks, locate nests, enclose and mark them to protect them from human activity and predation by mammals or relocate the threatened ones. During nesting season and depending on the project they will probably be able to join ARCHELON volunteers in night surveys where they observe and tag nesting females. During hatching season (mid July end of October): Morning surveys to look for baby turtle tracks and locate nests, marking of hatching nests, dealing with any hatchlings that are still on the beach Shading of the nests to protect the hatchlings from disorientation Excavations of hatched nests to determine the hatching success. Public Awareness work: Beach patrols where we inform beach users how to behave on the nesting beaches in order not to harm the nests Safe guarding of nesting beaches at night to prevent people from entering the beaches and therefore disturbing turtles Running of information kiosk Giving slide shows and conducting Information Tables at hotels (occasionally). During your stay and depending on the current needs of the project you may also do some other activities such as beach cleanings, collection of bamboo sticks to construct the protection of the nest, wooden constructions such as boxes for injured turtles and maintenance activities for the equipment. At the start of your volunteering week, you will attend a presentation for the protection of sea turtles. Day 9 (B) Transfer from Gythio back to Athens airport. (289 km, 4 hours drive). Estimated arrival at Athens airport: 12:30 Take flight back home. We suggest to get a flight that departs 2 PM or later from Athens airport. Price: 850 p.p. Price includes : Private transfer from Athens airport to Gythio on first day, fuel, driver, all road tolls, all taxes Private transfer from Gythio to Athens airport on last day fuel, driver, all road tolls, all taxes 5

6 8 night accomodation in Camping Meltemi-groups will be housed in the Bungalows on Meltemi Camping-or in tents All breakfasts included All lunches included, apart from 1st day 6 times on camping Meltemi: consists of portion Greek Mediterranean cuisine such as: o Chicken in the oven o Mousaka o Pastitsio o Briam (Oven vegetable dish) o Spaghetti Bolognese or Spaghetti with tomato sauce o Stuffed tomatoes with rice o Roasted Meatballs with tomato sauce o Giouvetsi (pasta dish with meat) 1 lunch during excursion eaten elsewhere All dinners included, 6 times on Camping Meltemi-consists of: Grilled meat -choose from: o Pork steak o Souvlaki Pork portion o Chicken o Biftekia pork steak o Kebab souvlaki portion o Chicken souvlaki portion o Pork souvlaki portion All the above accompanied with French fries & extra salad Choose also from other dishes (vegetarian options) one farewell dinner in local tavern, 1 dinner elsewhere English speaking tour leader Fee for Archelon to cover weeklong volunteering: o administration and training costs, o fee of an ARCHELON field leader who will be in charge of the group, o an exclusive Volunteer t-shirt and o being supporters of ARCHELON for one year (annual subscription). Price does not include : Drinks International flights Travel insurance we suggest that you get one. 6

7 Optional Within walking distance from the camping Meltemi there is a windsurfing school (located at Mavrovouni Beach). Possibility of kite-surfing and windsurfing rental and lessons. Day excursions: The Mani The most obvious way to explore this dramatic area, once known as Kakavoulia ( evil counsel ) is to follow the road that runs down one coast and then loops round to come back up the other side, starting and finishing at Areopolis. The total driving time to do this is just under 2 hours with no stops. Day excursion: Mistras The nearby ruins of Mystras, which are being gradually restored, are worth a trip. It is UNESCO-world heritage. Mystras was the central town of the Morea (Peloponessos) until the Turkish occupation in the fifteenth century. It was inhabited until it was abandoned in the 1820's when the Turks re-took much of the Peloponessos after Ibriham Pasha's invasion from Egypt. The old city is rich in churches and is topped by a Frankish castle. There are houses and mansions and many of the churches have impressive frescos. Located near Sparta, can be reached by regional bus. 1 hour drive from Gythio. Day excursion: Monemvasia The citadel town of Monemvasia on the Eastern Peninsula of the Peloponessos is Greece's answer to the Rock of Gibraltar. It's a walled city on the site of a giant stone mountain which rises from the sea, connected by a narrow isthmus. Around a 1 hour drive (60 km) from Gythio by regional bus. Depending on the flight schedules it is possible to stay in an Athens Hotel for a night. 7

8 Weather conditions & what to bring along The weather from mid-june until late August is usually hot with sunshine, but during the night it is cooler. Before you come in the project make sure you have the following: Decent clothing for the public awareness project. Note that we live in a camp, so white or light coloured clothes become dirty very easily Durable and casual clothing for fieldwork (e.g. overalls and sweatshirts, shorts) Swimming suit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent Comfortable and cool clothes and shoes (especially in June, July, August) Waterproof and warm clothes and shoes, especially in early June and September Optionally camera, music, electronic equipment etc. A first aid kit is available in the camping but you should bring with you any medicine you take or you may need, such as allergy medications. Natural Greece Ivis Vari. GREECE. Reg. Tax office GLYFADA. VAT No: Tel Mob Natural Greece is a licensed tour operator - Greek Tourism National Organization license number: 0208E