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Mountains and Villages of Evia

1-800-267-3347

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  • Holiday code
    W07EV
  • Holiday type
    Guided walking
  • Duration
    7 nights
  • Accommodation
    single-centre
  • Activity level
  • From $2079per person, tour only
  • Departures
    selected Sundays plus some Fridays and Saturdays from 2 Apr '23 to 23 Dec '23
  • What's Included?
  • All breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, and 5 dinners
  • All accommodation
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • London flights (if booking incl. flights)
  • Key Information
  • This holiday is operated by our sister company, Exodus
  • 7 nights 2-star seaside hotel with en suite rooms
  • 4 full days and 2 half day centre-based walking; including sightseeing in Athens
  • Between 4 and 6 hours walking per day
  • Altitude maximum 1000m, average 500m
      from 4 reviews

Ms Hine says...
The holiday was relaxed and organised. Great routes and amazing guide, Thanks. Loved it!
Read reviews »

Greece

Mountains and Villages of Evia

  • Operated by our sister company, Exodus
  • Discover an authentic Greek island Walk along dramatic coastlines and visit remote villages Savour delicious cuisine in traditional tavernas Relax on deserted beaches and swim in the warm Aegean waters

The delightful island of Evia is a real hidden treasure, close to Athens yet a world away with old stone paths connecting quaint mountain villages. This walkers’ paradise offers unique history and an authentic atmosphere as you walk past Roman quarries, aqueducts and Byzantine churches. In summer, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming at a deserted beach or a tucked-away cove, while traditional tavernas and waterfront ouzo-meze shops make eating and drinking here a wonderful experience.



We're here to help

If you have any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com

Typical holiday itinerary



We're here to help

If you've any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 , or email usa@exodustravels.com

Day 1: Start Athens; transfer to Rafina; ferry to Evia

We meet at Athens airport and transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 minutes). We then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia (about one hour). It is then a short drive to our hotel at Karystos.

Day 2: Walk through rolling hills and the Gourna villages, passing Roman sites and visiting the Castello Rosso

Our first day takes us through Karystos town up to the villages of Gourna, which are scattered high above Karystos bay and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through the verdant countryside along worn-stone paths next to springs and streams, we reach a Roman aqueduct from 160 BCE. We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest forts of the Fourth Crusade, where we can enjoy lunch with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Using mountain goat trails and country lanes, we walk down to the fertile valley of Mili, full of citrus, olive and cypress trees, before reaching the coast. Ascent: 1,312ft (400m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,476ft (450m); time: six hours

Day 3: Walk through the ravine from Platanistos to the beach at Potami Bay

We drive along the southeastern tip of the island, over the mountains towards the Cape of Cavo Doro, heading to the beautiful ravine of Platanistos and the first of 20 ancient villages of Albanian descent. Over the arches of stone bridges, we follow the river towards Potami hamlet on the coast, a Hellenistic anchorage since Homeric times. En route, we view the site of Hellinikon and see the remains of an eighth-century BCE temple to Poseidon. Walking among large plane trees, we reach the sea and one of the nicest, yet still relatively unknown, beaches in the Aegean. During the warmer months, we can swim and relax here. We return to Karystos by taxi/coach. Ascent: 656ft (200m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,640ft (500m); time: five hours

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi and visit the Acropolis of Styra

We start with an early morning drive along the panoramic mountain road to the north, known as the Eagle Route, which takes us above the evergreen valley of Styra. We then summit Mount Kliosi, home to the remains of an ancient acropolis. An eerie ancient gate, the Cave of St Nicolas and the ruins of Castro Armeno, often in the mist, make this a visit to remember. The gentle walk down takes us past wild strawberry bushes and the remains of Roman marble quarries to the quaint villages of Styra Valley, which overlook Marathon, just across the water on the continent. In the afternoon, we take the bus back to Karystos. Ascent: 1,148ft (350m); descent: 1,804ft (550m); max altitude: 2,625ft (800m); time: five hours

Day 5: Morning walk in the Bay of Marmari; afternoon free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos

This morning we drive to the village of Lycorema. We enjoy a coastal walk around the bay and visit the fishing hamlet of Marmari. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos, an authentic Greek island town. Ascent: 328ft (100m); descent: 656ft (200m); max altitude: 984ft (300m); time: 2hr 30min

Day 6: Imperial Roman quarries on Mount Ohi and the villages in the Valley of Aetos

From the springs of St Theodore in Argastaras mountain village, we climb up on Mount Ohi following multi-trails and worn-marble paths to the heart of the Roman quarries where green and white marble known as cipollino – small onion in Latin, due to its stripes and rings – was shaped into monumental monolithic columns around Biblical times. There are 10 perfectly completed marble pillars still here, abandoned during the decline of Rome. Ancient paths take us to the villages of upper and lower Aetos with superb views of the Aegean Sea all along the way. We reach the coast, dotted with beautiful small sandy coves, on the way back to town. Ascent: 984ft (300m); descent: 1,969ft (600m); max altitude: 2,133ft (650m); time: 5hr 30min

Day 7: Mount Ohi gorge walk down to the rugged east coast and the Aegean archipelagos

Today we walk on one of the oldest paths on the island, an ancient corridor within the gorge to the remote and wild beach on the east coast. We travel by taxi/coach to the isolated village of Agios Dimitrios on Mount Ohi, which is the starting point of the gorge walks. The ancient path in the beginning runs next to the river and gradually rises high above it with outstanding views of the limestone cliffs and the ever-blue Aegean. The dramatic canyon is a natural habitat for thyme, oregano and sage; peonies and orchids; eagles and falcons; plane and chestnut trees. Ascent: 656ft (200m); descent: 1,312ft (400m); max altitude: 1,640ft (500m); time: five hours

Day 8: Ferry to Athens; end Athens Airport

After breakfast, we can visit a local beekeeper to learn about and taste Greek honey and its products. Around lunchtime, we check out of our rooms and transfer back to Athens airport where our adventure ends.

Where you stay

This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.

To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com

Galaxy Hotel

Our base for the week is the 2-star superior Galaxy Hotel which overlooks the sea in the small coastal town of Karystos. Friendly and traditionally Greek, it has been run by the same family for over 30 years.

Situated at the west end of the esplanade just 100 metres from the main square and town centre and a stone’s throw from the beach and its cafes, the Galaxy Hotel is in a perfect location for exploring the town and soaking up the fresh sea air.

All rooms face the sparkling sea and have a balcony with a table and chairs to watch the world go by below with a cup of tea in the mornings, with en-suite facilities, fridge, television, telephone, coffee and tea making facilities, air conditioning, toiletries, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.

There are safe and computer/printer facilities in the reception area, 24hr room service for snacks and drinks, one indoor and one outdoor bar and a dining area where a hearty breakfast is served. 

The tap water is natural spring water from the mountains and is drinkable. 


Meals

All breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches and 5 dinners are included.

The buffet style breakfasts includes fresh bread, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, porridge, eggs, ham and cheese, cake and cookies, honey, coffee/tea and lots of fresh seasonal fruit. 

A dining experience in Greece isn’t the same without spending an evening in a taverna – a small, family-run Greek restaurant – and on this trip we include visits to five of them. Dotted along the Karystos coastline in Evia, these cosy tavernas serve typical dishes in an informal setting, and the delicious food is often accompanied by traditional music which livens up the atmosphere as the night goes on.

Dishes to try in the evenings may include homemade filo pastry pies, moussaka, stuffed vegetables as well as a variety of other vegetarian dishes, fresh salads, crunchy breads, salty cheeses and locally caught fish and seafood. Greek meze will usually be on the menu too and consists of a selection of hot and cold dishes to share such as keftedes (Greek-style meatballs) and dolmadakia (stuffed grape vine leaves), local lamb, pork and beef.

Travel

Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.

To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com

Transfers

Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Headwater has booked it.

If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.

If booking regional flights other than with Headwater, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.

Transportation

We will be using a mixture of public transport, bus, ferry and local taxis.

Joining Instructions

Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days

The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.

Flights from London

We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.

 

Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Athens

The trip starts at Athens airport at the time of the group flight arrival. A local driver will be waiting for you with an Exodus sign. He will then transfer you to Rafina port (approx. 35min). From here you will take the ferry to Evia Island and then a short transfer to the hotel Galaxy in Karystos. Please check the group flight times two weeks before your departure.

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.


Ms Hine, 09/01/2022

The holiday was relaxed and organised. Great routes and amazing guide, Thanks. Loved it!


Mr O Leary, 18/10/2019

Excellent hiking, very good company, relaxed ambience, excellent informative, helpful, friendly guide, outstandingly efficient. The island of Evia is a wonderful place to holiday in - interesting, varied hikes, clear seas for swimming, healthy food.


Miss Peers, 28/09/2019

The holiday was exactly as I had hoped. Lovely walks, all of which were beautifully scenic, with a fantastic guide (Cecile) who was approachable, knowledgeable and supportive throughout. The balance of walking to free time was perfect to give a restful holiday. The day in Athens was a little rushed; sufficient to get a brief snapshot of the city, but with hindsight I would have added a day or two to the end of my trip to spend more time there. Evia certainly feels unspoilt; Karystos has a relaxed feel to it, but had enough restaurants and bars (none of which were 'tacky') to provide variety for the week. The food (particularly lunch) was plentiful, one certainly did not go hungry. Hotel Galaxy was perfectly located on the seafront, and we were lucky enough to all have rooms with balconies overlooking the lovely view - ideal for sundowners before going downstairs to join the group for dinner. The staff were all very welcoming and accommodating. The rooms are pretty minimalist, but clean with a decent sized fridge and lots of storage space. If pushed for a negative, I would say the bathrooms could be updated, but I am told the set up was not unusual for Greece. Morgan at Headwater was great to deal with, extremely pleasant and every time I spoke with her I looked forward to the trip more. I will certainly be using Headwater again in the future.


Dr Grassie, 09/05/2019

beautiful walks, great food, lovely coffee and good company



Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.

This 7 night guided walking holiday includes:

All breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, and 5 dinners

All accommodation

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

London flights (if booking incl. flights)


How to book:

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button below.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' button below.

Departure date Tour only Prices Single supplement  
2nd Apr 2023 US$2079 Call us Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: Call us
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16th Apr 2023 US$2079 US$336 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$336
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21st May 2023 US$2179 US$336 Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: US$336
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11th Jun 2023 US$2179 US$336 Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: US$336
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10th Sep 2023 US$2179 US$336 Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: US$336
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24th Sep 2023 US$2179 US$336 Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: US$336
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8th Oct 2023 US$2179 US$336 Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: US$336
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22nd Oct 2023 US$2179 Call us Tour only: US$2179
Single supp: Call us
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5th Nov 2023 US$2079 Call us Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: Call us
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26th Nov 2023 US$2079 Call us Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: Call us
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23rd Dec 2023 US$2079 Call us Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: Call us
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.

Key information

This holiday is operated by our sister company, Exodus

7 nights 2-star seaside hotel with en suite rooms

4 full days and 2 half day centre-based walking; including sightseeing in Athens

Between 4 and 6 hours walking per day

Altitude maximum 1000m, average 500m

Transfers

Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Headwater has booked it.

If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.

If booking regional flights other than with Headwater, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.

Transportation

We will be using a mixture of public transport, bus, ferry and local taxis.

Joining instructions

Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days

The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.

Flights from London

We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.

 

Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Athens

The trip starts at Athens airport at the time of the group flight arrival. A local driver will be waiting for you with an Exodus sign. He will then transfer you to Rafina port (approx. 35min). From here you will take the ferry to Evia Island and then a short transfer to the hotel Galaxy in Karystos. Please check the group flight times two weeks before your departure.