Zakynthos, Greece -Walking the Flower of theEast
Walks & Treks
$1469
7 nights in Zakynthos
What to expect
Four Fully Guided Walks
Enjoy specially curated hikes that reveal the island’s hidden trails, breathtaking coastal views, and lush landscapes.
Private Boat Trip
Cruise across sparkling turquoise waters on our exclusive boat trip to Marathonisi Island, home to nesting sea turtles.
Exclusive Property
Stay in a charming property reserved exclusively for Solos guests with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Solos Walking
Discover the joy of walking with Solos, designed to create camaraderie, lasting friendships, and cherished memories
About this trip...
About the trip
The Venetians called this southern most Ionian island Fiore di Levante, the Flower of the East. Its nobility and fertility made this delightful island a jewel of their empire. Join us on a week's exclusive fully guided walking holiday to explore and discover why the Venetians held this island in such high esteem. Grade - Easy to Medium
What's included?
Transfers
Private Room
Breakfast daily-
1 x Lunch
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3 x Taverna evening dinners
Welcome drink
Four exclusive fully Guided Walks-
1 x Private Boat Trip - Marathanosi Island
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights not included. Let us help you book them! Learn more.
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- Climate Crisis Resilience Fee payable locally €2.00 per night
- Air conditioning - €9 per day, payable locally
- Lunches except where stated
Itinerary
- Arrive in Zakynthos
- Olive Grove & Vineyards
- Top 3 Walks of Zakynthos- Giri, Agia Marina & Kalamaki
- Day At Leisure
- Loucha Valley, Views & Cooking with the locals
- Cliffs, Coves & Turtle Island
- Day At Leisure
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Zakynthos
- No Meals Included
Day Two: Olive Grove & Vineyards
- Distance: 7.5 miles
- Ascent: 541 ft (25% until 492 ft)
- Descent: 541 ft (50%)
- Plateau: 25%
- Walking Time 4hrs
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Three: Walks of Zakynthos - Giri, Agia Marina
After breakfast, we set off for our two hikes of the day. Zakynthos offers fantastic scenery - the mountains and fertile plains. The first stop is the hamlet of Giri - the highest village on the island, tucked away in the hills. The route runs through rugged terrain where we suddenly discover amazing views over the entire island. We continue through forests of tall cypress trees and fields with wild flowers. Our next hike starts in the traditional village of Agia Marina. Our route zigzags through olive groves, descending along paths only used during harvest time. Here we experience the heart of the island, a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of the islands coastal resorts.
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Giri walking distance: 2.5 miles
- Ascent: 240 ft (30%)
- Descent: 240 ft (30%)
- Plateau: ~40%
- Walking time: ~75 minutes
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Agia Marina Loop walking distance: 3 miles
- Ascent: 279 ft (15%)
- Descent: 279ft (65%)
- Plateau: ~20%
- Walking time: ~ 90 mins
- Breakfast Included
Day Four: Day At Leisure
Perhaps relax by the pool with your favourite book or take a stroll to the nearby beach. Or if you are feeling active, try out kayaking on a Sea Kayak Tour (Approx €60 pp payable locally). Alternatively, visit Smugglers Cove & the Blue Caves (minimum 8 clients approx €50pp payable locally). Make sure you build up an appetite for the included evening meal at a local taverna.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Five: Loucha Valley, Views & Cooking with the locals
After breakfast, we’ll be picked up by our coach and taken to the hidden valley of Loucha. Firstly we will stroll through fields of wildflowers with the scent of thyme, oregano and aniseed dominating the air. Taking unpaved paths through a forest of tall cypress trees, we’ll leave civilisation behind us with only the silence as a companion. A descending trail, with spectacular views over the entire island, ends at the ancient central road, now overgrown and forgotten. The route runs in between the ruins of a hidden village, where time has stood still since being abandoned after an earthquake. The buildings are covered with moss and nature has taken over, giving a fairytale feel of serene beauty.
- Walking Time 4 hours
- Walking distance: 8 miles
- Walking time: ~4 hours
- Plateau: 25%
- Descent: 70%
- Ascent: 5%
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Six: Cliffs, Coves & Turtle Island
Today this spectacular walk begins on the west coast edge of the island where the dramatic high limestone cliffs drop down into the dark blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Those with a feel for heights can have a peek over the edge of the bluff and take some fantastic clifftop photographs. We then follow the traditional goat herder trail that meanders upwards, where just after the summit of Mt Skopos, suddenly a spectacular panorama greets us, spanning over the south side of the island with the bay of Laganas. Via a walk along the coast line of Marathia we’ll finish in the small harbour of the village of Limni Keri. Here we rest and have lunch (not included).
- Walking Distance 6.2 miles
- Ascent 15 %
- Descent 60 %
- Plateau 25 %
- Walking Time 3 ½ hrs
- Breakfast Included
Day Seven: Day At Leisure
Take the opportunity to catch the local bus or a taxi and visit Zante Town and discover a selection of museums, churches and perhaps a spot of shopping. Make sure you are back in time for our last night, farewell Taverna dinner.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Departure Day
It's time to say "Ya Sou"! After transferring to the airport, we will board our flight home.
- Breakfast Included
Trip Reviews
Accommodations
The Angela Studios
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Walking Program Overview
Four guided walks are included in the program. Your walking guide will confirm the daily schedule once on-site. The program is graded Easy to Medium, and you can expect to walk between 6 and 9 miles per day, with some ascents/descents, uneven terrain, and higher altitudes involved.
Below are the approximate distances and elevation details for each walk. Please note these may vary depending on local conditions.
Walk Details
Olive Groves & Vineyards
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Distance: ~7.5 miles
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Ascent: 541 ft (25% until 492 ft)
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Descent: 541 ft (50%)
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Plateau: 25%
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Walking Time: ~4 hours
Walks of Zakynthos – Giri, Agia Marina & Kalamaki
Giri
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Distance: ~2.5 miles
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Ascent: 240 ft (30%)
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Descent: 240 ft (30%)
-
Plateau: ~40%
-
Walking Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
Agia Marina Loop
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Distance: ~ 3 miles
-
Ascent: 279 ft (15%)
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Descent: 279 ft (65%)
-
Plateau: ~20%
-
Walking Time: ~ 90 mins
Loucha Valley & Views & Cooking with the Locals
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Distance: ~8 miles
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Ascent: 5%
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Descent: 70%
-
Plateau: 25%
-
Walking Time: ~4 hours
Cliffs, Coves & Turtle Island
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Distance: ~6.2 miles
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Ascent: 15%
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Descent: 60%
-
Plateau: 25%
-
Walking Time: ~3.5 hours
Shortly before your holiday, you will be invited to join an optional WhatsApp group to connect with your fellow travellers and your Tour Leader.
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.
- 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.
Guided walks are included as part of this trip. Your dedicated walking guide will brief you in resort on the daily walking programme.
The walking programme is graded by difficulty, and you can expect to walk varying distances with a range of ascents and descents. Some walks may be challenging, with uneven or rough terrain underfoot and sections at higher altitude. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for full details of each walk.
A good level of physical fitness is required to fully enjoy this trip.
It is important that you consider whether your chosen trip is suitable for your level of fitness, mobility and any medical conditions or additional needs. If you are unsure, please contact our team before booking. We will be happy to discuss the trip requirements and your individual circumstances to help you decide whether the trip is suitable for you.
We are committed to treating all customers fairly and will consider any reasonable adjustments where possible. Please let us know before booking if you have a disability, medical condition or any additional requirements that may affect your trip. This allows us to assess whether we can safely and appropriately accommodate your needs and to ensure you have the best possible trip experience.
Care should be taken at all times, particularly on uneven or wet terrain. If you normally use walking poles, we recommend bringing them with you. Sturdy walking boots or walking shoes are essential.
Please note that the route and content of the walking programme may need to change during the trip, at the discretion of the specialist walking guide or local organiser, if local conditions require.
If you have any concerns during your trip, please speak to your specialist walking guide or Solos Tour Leader.
For further information, please refer to our website Terms and Conditions https://www.solosholidays.com/us/terms-and-conditions/
