Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and settle into your downtown hotel. From there, the rest of your day is yours to explore at your own pace. The historic neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thisio are great for walking around and getting a feel for the city. If you're interested, you can check out the Acropolis and its museum, or head up Philopappou Hill for views across Athens. Later in the afternoon, you'll join a treasure hunt game that takes you through the city while uncovering hidden spots and learning about Greek history and mythology. Your evening wraps up with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
- Start point
- Athina, Attica, Greece (Hotel)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant - first taste of Greek cuisine)
Included Activities
- Treasure hunt game around Athens (approx. 2.5-3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of the Acropolis
- E-bike tour exploring major city highlights
- Food tour of Athens
- Visit UNESCO site of the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Explore Acropolis Museum
- Visit Parliament House
- Wander through National Gardens
- Walk through neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thisio
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon Acropolis Museum Parliament House National Gardens Philopappou Hill Plaka Monastiraki Thisio - Day 2
Athens to Zarouchla
You'll board a minibus heading toward the Peloponnese, stopping first at the iconic Corinth Canal. From there, the drive takes you up through Mount Helmos slopes with panoramic views overlooking the Corinthian Gulf. By mid-morning, you'll reach Tsivlos Lake sitting at 700m altitude. This blue-green lake was formed by a landslide back in 1913. You'll do an easy one-hour walk around the lake through pine forest, and then spend an hour paddling on the calm waters. After lunch, it's a 30-minute drive to Zarouchla, a mountainous village at 1,050m altitude where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Easy circular walk around Tsivlos Lake (approx. 1 hour)
- Kayaking on Lake Tsivlou (approx. 1 hour)
Optional Activities
- Optional afternoon hike to Mesorrougi waterfall (2 hours total, 2.5km, easy difficulty)
Landmarks Corinth Canal Mount Helmos Tsivlos Lake - Day 3
Zarouchla
Following breakfast, you'll head west to Mount Helmos to find the area's hidden gems. The Cave of the Lakes at Kastria village is your first stop—it has three sections, stretches 2km, and contains 13 tiered lakes. A guided tour will show you paleontological finds like fossilized bones and a hippopotamus. Next, you'll drive to Planitero village surrounded by walnut and plane trees at the Aroani River's springs. Lunch at a local tavern includes a chance to try fresh trout. In the afternoon, you travel to Kalavryta town and visit the famous rack railway station before heading back to Zarouchla for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Cave of the Lakes at Kastria village
Optional Activities
- Hiking path from Kastria to Planitero village (6km, 2 hours, ±90m/-300m elevation)
Landmarks Cave of the Lakes Kalavryta Ski Center Planitero Odontotos Rack Railway Station Vouraikos Gorge Kalavryta Aroani River 
- Day 4
Zarouchla to Dimitsana
After an early breakfast, you'll travel about 3 hours to Karitaina village for rafting on one of Greece's best rivers. Local instructors give you a full briefing and equipment, then you're on the water for 2 hours as part of a 4-hour total activity. After rafting, you'll have free time in Karitaina for lunch and to explore the village castle and surrounding views. Later, it's a 45-minute drive to Dimitsana village at 1,000m altitude where you'll stay two nights. Before settling in, you'll visit the open-air Waterpower Museum to learn about traditional water power methods, and then walk through the narrow paved streets enjoying views over Lousios Gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Rafting adventure on one of Greece's best rivers (approx. 4 hours total, 2 hours in water)
Landmarks Karitaina Dimitsana Waterpower Museum Lousios Gorge 
- Day 5
Dimitsana
You'll hike through Lousios Gorge after breakfast, one of the most beautiful areas in the Peloponnese where nature and history mix together. Starting from the new Philosophou monastery, you'll hike to the Old Philosophou monastery perched on cliffs where a 'Secret School' operated during Turkish occupation. From there, you'll continue down to Prodromou monastery for coffee and local treats before heading to Ancient Gortys and its 4th century BC Temple of Asclepius where the hike ends. Later, you'll visit Stemnitsa village for lunch, then return to your hotel with the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike through Lousios Gorge (approx. 3 hours, 4km, moderate difficulty)
Optional Activities
- Optional afternoon visit to Vytina, the fir-covered village of Mount Menalon, 20km from Dimitsana at 1,033m altitude
Landmarks Lousios Gorge Philosophou Monastery Old Philosophou Monastery Prodromou Monastery Ancient Gortys Temple of Asclepius Stemnitsa Vytina - Day 6
Dimitsana to Kardamyli
You're leaving the mountainous Arcadia region and heading south toward the coast. The drive to Kardamyli takes about 2.5 hours and passes through some interesting stops along the way. First, you'll get a guided tour of Ancient Messeni, one of Greece's best-restored archaeological sites in a fertile valley. You'll see the ancient theatre, agora, Asclepeion, stadium, and gymnasium. Then you'll stop at the medieval village of Malta for an olive oil tour and tasting at a traditional family-run stone mill that's been operating since 1765. After that, it's on to Kardamyli where you'll check into your hotel with the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ancient Messeni
- Olive oil tour and tasting at traditional family-run mill in Malta village
Landmarks Ancient Messeni Mount Ithomi Kardamyli Mount Taygetos Malta - Day 7
Kardamyli
Your morning starts with a 4-hour sea kayak along Kardamyli's coastline at a relaxed pace. After guides brief you on technique and safety, you'll paddle out discovering hidden sea caves, rock gardens, and cliff formations. One highlight is the Blue Cave where sunlight creates an aquamarine reflection on the seafloor. Midway through, you'll swim and have a homemade picnic lunch with fresh bread, vegetables, olive oil dips, local cheese, and fruit. Later, you'll hike around Kardamyli's ancient paths starting from Old Kardamyli, passing the Church of Saint Spyridon and a medieval tower, then entering Viros gorge. You'll head to Lykaki monastery and then to Cheronitsova and Agia Sophia church with views over the Messinian Gulf. A farewell dinner at a local tavern ends your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade picnic lunch with freshly baked bread, handpicked vegetables, extra virgin olive oil dips, local cheese, and seasonal fruits), Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local tavern)
Included Activities
- Sea kayak experience along Kardamyli coastline (4 hours total, 2 hours paddling, including visit to Blue Cave and swimming break)
Landmarks Blue Cave Kardamyli Lykaki Monastery Agia Sophia Church Church of Saint Spyridon Troupakis-Mourtzinou Tower - Day 8
Kardamyli to Athens
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and head back to Athens, a drive of about 3.5 to 4 hours. This final day brings your family adventure to a close with a transfer to the airport for your departure. If you prefer, you have the option to extend your time in Greece.
- Meals
- Breakfast
