8-day – “Mountains, Waves & Torrents II – Spring action”

Normal half-day action

Rafting in the Vernezi route. After we have been introduced to the place’s history by visiting the cultural center and museum, we go off rafting in the Pinios river, which flows deep below the village. Our rafting base is only 20’ to 30’ drive from your accommodation. The actual route is very enjoyable with exciting rapids, rising the adrenaline and the feeling of team work very high! This excitement will last for about 1.15’ to 1.30’ hours. We change back in to our dry clothes, enjoy a picnic lunch at our rafting base before you continue with the rest of the day. Overall activity’s duration, 5.00’ to 5.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Inflatable kayaking and monorafting in the Tempi valley route. 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… at the end enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of huge plane trees by the riverside, before you continue with the rest of the day. The actual time in the river, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours. Overall activity’s duration, 4.00’ to 5.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Full-day action.

Rock climbing at Seloma or Tempi valley locations. Just after breakfast, an early start brings us to a rock face on northern Kissavos or Tempi valley’s north side both 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. Then at noon a good brake for the picnic lunch, before we go canyoning. The rock climbing session takes about 3.00’- 4.00’ hours.

Canyoning in the Kalypso canyon in the Kalypso II section. By road transferred to the Kalypso canyon location on the eastern slopes of Mt. Kissavos (Ossa) (15’ from the Seloma climbing site and 30’ from the Tempi climbing site). A very beautiful drive climbing up the north-east side of the mountain with great views of Mt. Olympus and the Aegean Sea.

After gearing up, a 20’ walk up in the forested slopes brings us to the starting point of this section. Before we start the main descent, we move up in the canyon for another 15’ to the big water fall (75m drop) of the upper part. The words are not enough to describe the place. We enjoy a hot drink and cookies at the spot as well as jumping in the big pool below the great waterfall. Being there, you never feel that you want to leave the place, but we have to return to continue with today’s canyoning. After the beginners’ briefing, the fun begins with abseiling 30m waterfalls, water-sliding the second half of one of them it into a deep crystal-clear pool and fly-foxing over the second 15m waterfall and pool. At the end a short walk brings us to the starting point where we change into our dry clothes and transferred back to your vehicle or the accommodation. The canyoning session takes about 4.00’ – 4.30’ hours. Overall activity’s duration, 8.00’ to 9.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Τo spend at the beach, sample some local good wine or visit places of interest in the greater area (we will be there to propose or organize it for you especially if you do not have your own means of transport), or sample the shops and the cultural life of the nearby Larisa, or a day trip to the impressive landmark of Meteora rocks and its monasteries.

Full-day action.

Via Cordata / Ferrata, the “Apollo ridge”. We meet at the west end of theTempi valley, 20’ to 30’ drive from your accommodation. The ridge is located at the north cliff side of the valley, geologically considered to be on Lower Olympus. After we have met, we are transferred to the starting point of the walk-in (10’ by road). The walk-in follows the old railway line alongside the river Pinios, with great views all along the hike. Duration of walk-in, 15 – 20’, easy.

Start at 20m above sea level and finish at 240m. Gained altitude 220m. Length of route, 290m. The route consists mainly of long sections of narrow ridge scrambling and shorter sections and “steps” of actual climbing of III+ to IV- grade on grey limestone rock. The ridge scrambling is a typical Via Cordata with the protection of fixed ropes, while the climbing sections are also protected with cable, thus making the route a very interesting combination of Via Cordata and Via Ferrata, resulting to extra safety, ease and of course great enjoyment. The views of the gorge with the river far down below are just breathtaking. Duration of the Via Cordata / Ferrata route, 3.00’ to 4.00’ hours.

Hiking. After enjoying some time on the top of the ridge and have our picnic lunch at a spot with great views, we continue via the Cleft’s traverse – a mini Via Cordata – to do the full hiking crossing of the Tempi valley, all the way to its east end. We finish at a picturesque chapel at about 100m from where you will be taken by road back to your vehicle or your accommodation. A wonderful walk indeed! The hiking crossing will take another 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours of moderate walk. Overall activity’s duration, 7.00’ to 8.00’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.   

Long half to full-day action

Canyoning in the Orlias canyon in the Orlias II section. A 50’ walk on a well-paved path in dense forest, leads us into the section’s starting point. Orlias II offers everything that a canyon can possibly offer to the participant / canyoner. Amazing spots for optional safe jumps for all tastes, as well as exiting optional natural waterslides. In addition to the above, 8 magnificent abseils in a continuous row from 8m to 30m and the relatively little walking in the canyon, compose a perfect one-day canyoning activity! One could not ask for more! A 15’ walk brings us back to our vehicles and to a well-earned picnic. Duration of the actual canyoning, 4.30’ to 5.30’ hours. Overall activity’s duration, 6.30’ to 7.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

 Long half-day action

Mountain biking, (Mt. Biking route, shorter option) on Mt Olympus. Transfer in our means of transport to the village of Kalipefki at 1000m on the lower Olympus and the starting point of the Mt. biking route, 30’ by road from your accommodation. A mountain biking day along a beautiful wooded route over Mt. lower Olympus, culminating in views of the Aegean Sea, Halkidiki’s coast on the other side of Thermaikos gulf and in a clear day, not very unlikely, the pyramid of Mt. Athos in the very distance to the east! 22 km of relaxed biking, mainly on flat and downhill ground and short sections of uphill will take us to the mountain village of Paleos Panteleimon, where you were picked-up from and the finishing point of today’s activity. Duration of the actual biking, 2.30’ to 3.00’ hours. Overall activity’s duration, 4.00’ to 4.30’ hours, including the gearing up time, briefing, local transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t.

Full-day action

Sea kayaking & Sea cave abseiling. Transfer to Veneton, in the northern Mt. Pelion, our starting point for this activity (1.30’ to 2.00’ hour drive from your accommodation). We explore in our kayaks the amazing sea caves of Veneton and swim in marvelous isolated beaches. Along with the sea kayaking, for everyone who seeks even more adrenaline and unique adventure, this wonderful place still has the answer! Just after we have started the sea kayaking ride, we stop in a little cove to gear up and after a 15’ walk along a path with fantastic views of the coast below us, we stand breathless next to the big cave’s roof opening, as we look 35m down to the crystal-clear water! The guides prepare the ropes for the abseil and give the last-minute directions. The adrenaline goes to red, as we descend in space in a pandemonium of rock and water colors and strong emotions! Swim and dive in the swimming pool-like water inside the cave, until everyone is down. Then, we swim out to another cave, through which, we get back to the path and our kayaks. Embark to continue our sea kayaking journey and cave exploration, as it is described here.

All the abseiling equipment (harness, helmet) is curried in the kayak’s storage compartment, with the rest of the gear and personal staff. Actual paddling time 2.30’ hours. Overall activity’s duration including the gearing up time, briefing, transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t. can well exceed the 8 hours.

Note that this activity is very sensitive regarding to the weather conditions and it is likely to be moved to a later day in the week for more favorable conditions. Still, if this proves to be not possible throughout the week, the alternative will be:

Cycling, in the River Pinios delta route & Sea-Kayaking in the Mt. Kissavos coast route. Transfer to the seaside village of Stomio, the starting and finishing point of our today’s cycling route. A very relaxed and at the same time very interesting cycling route on Mountain Bikes, on asphalt at the beginning and dirt road after, takes us to the river’s mouth through its delta. Along the route we have the opportunity to observe a rich bird life, as well as cross a polymorphous terrain, changing from corn fields to forested river banks, canals and long isolated beaches. We reach the river’s mouth after about 12 km of cycling. In the summer months one cannot resist swimming in the river and the sea at almost the same time! Return to Stomio, via a different way, another 12 Km, thus completing a circle. Duration of cycling, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours.

After the cycling and a good break and lunch, at a little beach just outside Stomion, where the sea kayaks are waiting for us and after gearing up and having the appropriate briefing, we are off Sea-Kayaking. The coastal section 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. If it is a full moon, then the evening return in the kayaks, with the full moon rising, is something that someone does not experience very often in their life! Duration of paddling, 2.00’ to 2.30’ hours.

Overall activity’s duration including the gearing up time, briefing, transfers, stops, picnic e.c.t. can well exceed the 6.30’ to 7.00’ hours.

Departure with memories.

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 half board basis, as breakfast goes with your accommodation and lunch will be a picnic meal with traditional Greek dishes and tastes prepared with great care by the Olympos Trek team, usually during or after the activity, being included in the price. Evening meals 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 Porior 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.