What to expect
Guided Walks
Enjoy six fully exclusive guided walks, offering plenty of invigorating exploration across the islands.
Traditional Greek Cuisine
Savor delicious meals in local traditional tavernas, experiencing the authentic flavors of Greece.
Island Hopping
Enjoy the unique opportunity to discover the distinct beauty of two captivating Greek islands.
About this trip...
What's included?
Airport Transfer-
Ferries between islands
-
Private boat transfer from Kioni
-
Airport taxes & charges
Private Room
Breakfast & dinner daily
Fruits, local delicatessens, mineral water on the walks-
Welcome drink
6 fully exclusive guided walks-
Wine Tasting - Avithos
Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Passports & Visas
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
- Entrance to Melissani lake/cave optional, entry $10 pp
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – 3 Star Hotel $8 per night, 4 star Hotel $15 per night payable locally
Itinerary
- Arrive in Kefalonia
- Kefalonia Walk
- Kefalonia to Ithaca
- North Ithaca
- South Ithaca
- Ithaca to Kefalonia
- Last Day On Kefalonia
- Departure Kefalonia
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Kefalonia
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Kefalonia Walk
- Walking Distance approx. 7.46 miles
- Ascent approx. 459 feet
- Descent approx. 502 feet
Day Three: Kefalonia to Ithaca
After breakfast we’ll check out of our hotel and hop on our private coach. First stop is the viewpoint over Mirtos beach. The sight over this famous bay is simply breathtaking - a white sandy cove which sharply contrasts against the azure blue sea and is one of the most photographed beaches in Greece, so cameras at the ready! Before we start hiking, we’ll have another short stop in the small harbour of Agia Efimia, to visit the local bakery for a snack (at own cost) to be taken during our hike. We start in the village of Drakopoulata, where time has stood still since the earthquake of 1953, with the Venetian styled ruins, a silent witness to this event. The only signs of life are the ringing of goat bells from the mountainside.
- Hike Drakopoulata to Sami approx. 9.32 miles
- Ascent approx. 1476 feet
- Descent approx. 1476 feet
- Ferry to Ithaca approx. 45 min
- Transfer hotel – Agia Efimia approx. 60 min
- Transfer Piso Aetos to hotel approx. 15 min
Day Four: North Ithaca
Our walk today starts at the Katheron Monastery, as the narrow paths circle the flanks of the Neriton mountain and ends in the village of Anoghi. If you wish less of a challenge today, you have the option to join the hike at the halfway point in the village of Anoghi. The walk continues (or starts) via a pleasant trail, meandering through dense vegetation with immense views over the south Ionian Sea where we arrive into Kioni around lunchtime. After a spot of lunch (at own cost) a fast boat will take us to the intimate capital of the island, Vathi.
- Hike Katheron – Kioni approx. 9.01 miles (or approx. 3.42 miles from Anoghi)
- Ascent approx. 427 feet
- Descent approx. 2133 feet
- Transfer Piso Aetos – Katheron 30 min
- Private boat transfer Kioni – hotel 30 min including swim stop on Nissaki Beach
Day Five: South Ithaca
Our last walk on Ithaca takes us to the south part of the island with its stunning views. From Marathia, we walk up to the view point where we will be able to see the entire East coast of Ithaca. The trail meanders through dense forests of tall cypress trees and finishes in Vathi.
- Hike Marathia – hotel approx. 6.84 miles
- Ascent approx. 558 feet
- Descent approx. 1378 feet
- Transfer hotel – Marathia 15 min
Day Six: Ithaca to Kefalonia
After breakfast, we check-out of our hotel and transfer to the port to catch our ferry back to Kefalonia for today's walk. Starting at the Byzantine Monastery of Agios Fanentes, with amazing views over Sami, our walk takes us past the Acropolis of Same - a unique archaeological site hidden between old olive trees. You are free to roam around and climb the old Mycenaen entrance, which is still quite intact. Our route descends through a dense pine tree wood with indigenous mastic trees and continues to Karavomilos. Here, we have the option to visit one of the island's bucket list attractions -the Melissani Caves ($9 payable locally). The cave is partially collapsed, allowing sunlight to filter through and create mesmerizing reflections on the water's surface - a true natural spectacle. After lunch along the waterfront (at own cost), our minibus will take us to Argostoli.
- Hike Agios Fanentes & Acropolis approx. 8.08 miles
- Ascent approx. 787 feet
- Descent approx. 787 feet
- Transfer hotel – Piso Aetos
- Ferry to Sami 45 minutes T
- ransfer Sami-Argostoli 60 minutes
- Visit Melissani lake/cave optional, entry approx. $9 USD at own cost
- Stop at Gerasimos monastery
Day Seven: Last Day On Kefalonia
Argostoli is actually quite small and within half an hour, we’ll be walking through fields, listening to the rustling of tall eucalyptus trees. The path will become narrow and ascend in a shady valley. On the rocky path, ancient chariot tracks are clearly visible as it was once a supply route to a huge settlement on top of the hill. Hidden in an olive grove, we’ll stumble upon Mycenaean cyclops walls made of huge boulders. The route continues, descending and following goat tracks. Argostoli is visible in the distance. Finally, we reach the sea, and will spot sea turtles. These Caretta Caretta turtles are being fed by local fishermen and it’s guaranteed we’ll see a few. A fitting goodbye to the natural beauty Kefalonia has to offer. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be celebrated in one of the traditional tavernas where Kantades are sung. These local songs praise the beauty of the Ionian Islands
- Krani circular hike approx. 7.46 miles
- Ascent approx. 591 feet
- Descent approx. 591 feet
Day Eight: Depart Kefalonia
After breakfast (depending on your departure time), you can enjoy the final few hours in town. Argostoli is a vibrant city with so much to do. The town has a pleasant shopping street and a lively vegetable market. Kefalonia suffered quite intensely during the Second World War. With an extra self-guided morning walk, you could visit the monument of the Italian 33rd Acqui Division commemorating the massacre by German forces as portrayed in the novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. We then transfer to the airport for our onward flight.
- Breakfast Included
Accommodation
Kefalonia & Ithaca
- Pessada, Kefalonia Sunrise Inn Hotel (Three-star)
- Vathi, Ithaca Hotel Captain Yiannis (Four-star)
- Argostoli, Hotel Ionian Plaza (Four-star)
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
Not sure what travel documents you need? Our trusted partner, sherpa°, makes it easy to check visa and entry requirements based on your destination and passport. One quick check now means smooth sailing later. Click here to learn more.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
