8-day – “Mountain, Sea & River III”

We start off this active holiday with Rock climbing at the Seloma site  on the north side of Mt. Kissavos (Ossa), at 1000m, so it is quite cool even in the hot summer months, with great views all around, where you are about to try, probably your first vertical steps. This is a great combination of physical and mental effort. The right body placement along with focused concentration on to the next move, will give unexpected great results, under the instruction and supervision of our guides. A great game for all, young and old! The rock climbing session takes about 3.00’- 4.00’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 5.00’ to 5.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

In the Kakoskala canyon in the kakoskala 1a section, for the months April, May & June. A small-scale canyon, but in very beautiful, densely forested area, on Mt. Kissavos (Ossa), ideal for children of smaller ages and the parents alike.

In the Orlias canyon in the Orlias III section, for the months July, August & September, on Mt. Olympus. The beautiful crystal clear pools and the rock formations, ideal for small jumps and water slides, the amazing sceenery, the 5 abseils of 5m, 7m, 9m, 5m & 9m accordingly and the relatively good time (3.00’ to 3.30’ hours), make it an ideal natural water-land and very good canyoning for families with younger children, as well as an ideal place for a very good introduction to canyoning for adult individuals and large adult groups of beginners. The actual time in either canyon, 3.00’ to 4.00’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 5.00’ to 6.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, walk-in & walk-out, stops, picnic e.c.t.

In our Mt. Kissavos (Ossa) base, by learning how to make our own soap with the most natural method and materials. We also learn how to make some traditional Greek appetizers like the well-known Tzatziki, in a very special and genuine way! In the mean while the children can have an archery session.

This evening, you will definitely have a very tasty and special meal and after the end of the program go back home with your own hand made soap. 

Overall duration of the whole session, 6.00’ to 7.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, meals, e.c.t.

Hiking with Via Cordata. After we have met, we are transferred to the starting point of the walk (10’ by road), We take the so called “clefts’ path” – an escape way full of legends and stories – quite steeply for the first 20’ and easier for the rest of the length, until we reach the starting point of the Via Cordata traverse section, the “clefts’ traverse” at about 270m. Stunning views of the western end of the valley and the river Pinios down below! This will take 1.00’ to 1.10’ hours of moderate / challenging walk. Gained altitude 250m.

At the starting point of the Via Cordata, we gear up and your guide /s introduce you to the basics of safety and use of equipment. The feeling is unique as you make this high traverse across the cliffs enjoying views beyond words! Duration of the Via Cordata route, 1.00’ hour.

At the end of the traverse we descend through a ravine and after a series of 3 small abseils particularly enjoyable by the younger ones, we reach the main classic path – after 1.00’ hour’s descent – to continue with the classic Tempi valley crossing route, all the way to the east-end of the valley, finishing at a picturesque chapel where the picnic is waiting for us, at about 100m.

We have completed the full Tempi valley high crossing in a very special way, enriching this wonderful hike with the Clefts’ traverse! This will take another 1.45’ hours of easy but very nice hike. Altitude loss, 150m. The total duration of the hike & the Via Cordata is 4.45’ to 5.00’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration, 5.30’ to 6.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, walk-in & walk-out, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Canyoning 2. Transfer to the north side of Mt. Olympus to canyon in the Agia Kori canyon in the Agia Kori II section, another Mt. Olympus typical beauty with exceptionally turquoise colored crystal-clear water! This section offers 7 abseils / rappels ranging from 7m to 16m, parts of which you can waterslide or jump. A five- minute walk brings us to the starting point of the section.

Another ideal natural water-land and very exciting canyoning for families with younger children, as well as an ideal place for cooling down in the hot summer months and a very good introduction to canyoning for adult individuals and large adult groups of first timers. We finish at the chapel of Agia Kori for a well-earned picnic. 

Duration of actual canyoning, 3.30’ to 4.00’ hours. Overall activity’s duration, 6.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, walk-in & walk-out, stops, picnic e.c.t.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the very historical village of Ambelakia on the northwest slopes of Mt Kissavos (Ossa), overlooking the western end of the Tempi valley. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit the ”Schwartz” Museum and be introduced to the rich history of the place, as Ambelakia is the birth place of the first officially recorded cooperative internationally and with a very characteristic architectural tradition. We go for a stroll around the village and visit the cultural and the cooperative museums.

Towards noon there will be enough time to relax at the peaceful village square enjoying a drink or a meal under huge plain trees along with the locals.

Later in the afternoon we take the road down the valley and the river Pinios for a refreshing Monorafting and inflatable kayaking in the Tempi valley. We cross the Valley and a small part of the river’s delta in two-seater monorafts and inflatable kayaks. The ride is relaxing and straight forward with the valley’s beauty beyond words! High cliffs rise above us dominating the area! The place inspires us to tell stories about mythical nymphs and heroes connected to this historical valley from the very old times… Duration of paddling, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours.

Overall duration of the whole day’s session, 8.00’ to 9.00’ hours, including the Ambelakia tour, gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, meals, e.c.t.

Transfer to the little seaside fishing village of Stomion, where at a little beach just outside the village the sea kayaks are waiting for us and after gearing up and having the appropriate briefing, we are off Sea-Kayaking. The coastal section along the Mt Kissavos (Ossa) coast we are going to kayak along, offers a number of very beautiful isolated sandy and white-pebbled beaches, where we are going to stop, swim, snorkel and have drinks and cookies. Duration of paddling, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration including the gearing up time, briefing, transfers, stops for swimming or snorkeling, picnic e.c.t. can exceed the 5.00’ hours.

Or, if the weather and especially the wind conditions could be forbidding for the sea kayaking (sometimes can happen), we go river canoeing in the Pinios river delta with exit into the sea!   

End of program / Departure.

Pricing policy:

Our multi activity holiday programs / trips are meant mainly for you who “Plan your own holiday” or for you who want to “Do it yourself”. By being retailers and providers at the same time on these actual programs, we are able to deliver and provide a personalized service at an excellent price, without compromising on the quality of our activities. As local activity suppliers, our expert knowledge of the area ensures for you a more personal feel and direct communication with us and the area, thus, more control on your behalf, over your holiday.

Our multi activity holiday programs / activity combinations are designed and put in place for every different proposal / program in such a way, that only our experience and knowledge concerning the local conditions could achieve towards your maximum enjoyment. It took long sessions of evaluating various elements and parameters like the group’s type – individuals/family/children’s age groups – the activities’ level and the time period in relation to the weather conditions, before reaching the desired outcome. We believe that we have succeeded there achieving the harmony we were seeking. Our clients’ comments which have helped us a lot towards it, are in favor of this. We are grateful to them!

Just take the advantage of this work, at prices that you will find nowhere else for such full, well designed, high-quality multi-activity holiday programs!

So, the above Prices apply mainly to the independent traveler, who will have their own means of transport, thus, come independently from their accommodation to the meeting point for every activity and back, with our and our website’s directions at all times. During the booking procedure and contact with us you will also be given all the information / directions needed to get from the airport to your accommodation. The “Google Maps – our activities Destinations” in our website will help you a lot towards it. We take care of the appropriate accommodation for you, being close and handy to the activities area.

As it is explained below (“Things you should know” at “Transport”), if you do not have your own means of transport, the transfers from the arrival stations to your accommodation and back, as well as the transfers from the accommodation to the activity’s location and back, will be done by us at an extra cost.

Note that if you are less than 4 persons without other participants in your actual available dates, we can do the full program exclusively for you if you wish, at an additional 25% if you are 3 persons and 45% if you are 2 persons on the activities price. This means an 18.5% for 3 persons and 33.5% for 2 persons on the above total (activities + accommodation) prices.

Things you should know

Meals & Meal Plan: This trip is organized on a full board basis while on Mt. Olympus in the mountain refuge accommodation. The rest of the trip is on a half board basis only on the activities’ days, as breakfast goes with your accommodation and lunch will be a picnic meal with traditional Greek dishes and tastes prepared with great care by Olympos Trek team, usually during or after the activity, also included in the price. Evening meals while being off Mt. Olympus, are not included in the price and will be taken in local restaurants as this will give you a perfect opportunity to sample real Greek hospitality and delicious food, typical of the region. Water and juices for the children are included with the activity but alcoholic drinks for the adults are not.

Transport: From the airport to your accommodation in Litochoro, in case you do not have your own or hired means of transport (rented vehicle), the best suggested way is the public transport (train or bus), as our area of activities and the accommodation establishments are very close to the main road and rail streams of transport on the eastern side of the country. The nearest airport is the Makedonia airport of  Thessaloniki, 1.00’ hour by train or bus to Nei Pori or Rapsani train stations, being very close to the activities area and the various accommodation establishments. The “Proastiakos” train runs almost every hour from Thessaloniki to the above destination for 18.00€ return. From the airport you take the bus (number 78) to the main train or bus station in Thessaloniki. It takes 20’ to 30’ and costs €01.00. The buses also run in the same manner, though a bit more expensive than the train. They run from Thessaloniki central bus station via Katerini where you change bus to Litochoro or to Leptokaria.

If you land at “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport in Athens, the train seems to be again the best option. Only the journey in this case takes 4.15’ to 5.00’ hours, depending up on the train you are using. From the airport you take the metro or the Proastiakos train to the “Stathmos Larisis” (Larisa’s station) in Athens, from where you take the train to Larisa, where you change train (take the ”Proastiakos” train) to Litochoro.

Note that during the activities, all local transfers will be provided by us to and from the activity’s starting and end points. If you have your own means of transport, you come to the prearranged meeting point for the day’s activity.
Otherwise, it can be arranged to be transferred by us from your accommodation to the activity’s starting point and back to your accommodation, after the end of the activity. This can be done at an extra cost (10.00€ to 15.00€ p.p. for every activity’s day).

Group size and Staff: Maximum group size is 16 people and minimum 4. This trip is led by Olympos Trek and supported by expert local instructors / guides with great knowllege of the local conditions.

Health: No specific requirements on this tour. If you are reasonably fit and in good health, have a sense of adventure and basically swim (for canyoning), any previous experience is not necessary.

Insurance: It is a prerequisite of booking any Olympos Trek outdoor activity program that you possess adequate insurance with certain requirements that must be met by your policy.

Responsible Tourism: Tourism has an effect on any area, it is essential to minimise the negative impact that we may cause. We do not allow our clients or staff to damage the physical environment by leaving litter or rubbish lying around. Anything we take in to an area we must take out again.