Self Guided Island Hoping Cyclades

HIGHLIGHT:
Trek on two beautiful Greek Cycladic islands, all with their unique characteristics. Andros for its lush vegetation and water springs; Tinos for its picturesque villages, windmills and dovecotes
Discover traditional Greek villages, local craftsmen, paths and trails with breath taking views, Cycladic architecture, history, sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets….

ANDROS – TINOS
The Cyclades is a group of Greek islands of varied sizes, scattered over the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Some of them are well known both to the public at large and the international jet set, while others remain little known and scarcely figure on the tourist scene. Taken as a whole, they make an ideal Greek holiday destination for visitors of the most varied tastes. This was the birthplace of one of the Mediterranean’s most important civilizations, one that took its name from the islands: the Cycladic civilization (3000-1000 BC).

Tinos (195 sq. km.) is today exactly what Delos Island was to believers in ancient times. Twice a year, on March 25th and August 15th, pilgrims inundate the island. People made pilgrimages to Tinos in ancient times, too. When Poseidon freed the island from a scourge of snakes, the inhabitants built a temple to him. In fact, the name of the island seems to come from the Phoenician word  “Aanoth”, meaning snake.

Andros  ( 373 sq km ). Andros is the most northerly island of the Cyclades and the second largest after Naxos, it is less than one nautical mile from Tinos. Like the other islands of the Cyclades it is washed by the Aegean and cooled in the summer by the Melemi wind. The main advantage of this island is that it is extremely verdant and irrigated with plentiful running water. There are large numbers of olive trees, pines and fruit trees on the island.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Andros
Arrival in Andros and transfer to your hotel, located in Chora, the beautiful capital of Andros
Spend the rest of the day exploring the town of Andros
O/N Andros

Day 2: Andros Hiking
Circular Hike Chora Androu – Apikia – Stenies – Gialia – Chora Androu
This is a beautiful hike, especially because of the marvellous trail between Chora and Apikia, one of the longest kalderimia of the island and because of the great location of the villages of Apikia and Stenies. The hike till the Sariza-well in Apikia takes a little over one hour.
Continue to Pithara Waterfalls. It will only take you 10 minutes to walk there, so approximately an hour to go and return back to Apikia.
From here you have 2 options: Either walk back to Chora or walk down to Gialia. It will take you an hour to walk to the beach of Gialia, by passing underneath Stenies. From there, it takes around 20 minutes to walk back to the beach of Nimborio in Chora.
O/N Andros

Day 3: Andros Hiking
Circular Hike Chora – Lamira – Menites – Messaria – Chora
This is one of the hikes on Andros you really have to make! On this hike you get a marvellous impression of the large valleys above Chora, with beautiful views on the town itself. It also brings you to one of the most watery spots on the island with the wonderful valley of Menites.
The actual hiking time is around 4 hours. Taking into account the pauses for rest or picnic, this hike can be turned into a full day of about 6-7 hours. You can also divide this hike into two by taking the bus from Messaria back to Chora.
O/N Andros

Day 4: Andros Hiking
Circular Hike Chora Androu – Livadia - Moni Panahrantou –Messaria – Lamira –  Chora Androu
On this hike you will walk on a beautiful trail and visit the 16th century Monastery.
Start your hike from Chora and walk, via Livadia, to Moni Panachrantou. This will take you around 2 hours. The hike from the Monasteri to Messaria will take you around 3 hours. All together this means about 5 hours of actual hiking time; taking into account some pauses this will still turn out to be a long hiking day. You can of course shorten this hike by taking the bus from Messaria to Chora.
O/N Andros

Day 5: Andros – Tinos / Free Day
Today you will take the ferry to Tinos. Settle in your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town of Tinos. Don’t forget to visit the church Of Virgin Mary in Chora. Tradition says that a nun, Pelagia, from the nearby convent of Kechrovouni had visions of Virgin Mary revealing to her the burial place of an icon. After intensive searching, an icon was indeed found, at the spot where the Church stands today. Today the icon is widely believed to be the source of numerous miracles and Tinos has become the center of a yearly pilgrimage that takes place on the 15th of August. Many pilgrims make their way the 800 metres from the ferry wharf to the church on their hands and knees as sign of devotion.
O/N Tinos

Day 6: Tinos Hiking
Circular Hike Chora Tinou – Ktikados – Kionia – Chora Tinou
Hike on a very well maintained paved road which starts from Tinos town. Walk to the Church of Kyra Xeni and then take the path towards Ktikados village. The hike to Ktikados takes around 1 ½ hours. After a short rest, walk down to Kionia where you can visit the temples of Poseidon and Amphitrite or spend the rest of the day by the beach. The total hiking time is approximately 3 hours. Walk back to Chora or if you are very tired take the bus back.
O/N Tinos

Day 7: Tinos Hiking
Circular Hike Chora – Ag. Triada – Triandaros – Arnados – Chora
Start your hike from Chora Tinou and hike up to Ag. Triada. Continue to Triandaros village and Arnados. Close by is the Monastery Kechrovouniou, if you wish to stop for a visit. From there walk back down to town or if you feel tired take the local bus back.
O/N Tinos

Day 8: Departure from Tinos

End of services

PRICE / PERSON:
2 people sharing a double room: 585 € /person
This price is not valid for the months of July and August
 
Price Includes:
Accommodation in 3* hotels in double room, BB
Transfer to/from ports to hotels
Boat ticket Andros – Tinos
Maps (1map/island)

Not Included:
Boat tickets to Andros and from Tinos
Meals (lunch & dinner)
Drinks and beverages
Local Bus tickets
Personal expenses
Personal Insurance
Gratuity tips

Recommended months to travel:
From beginning of May to end of June and Septmber to early October. July and August are not recommended as they are very hot.     

Add on Athens
You can stay in Athens for one or two nights at the beginning or end of your self-guided hiking holiday.