7 Days | Get active amongst ancient history on the Ionian Islands
![Sea Kayaking past the Argostoli Lighthouse, Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltfa204b703e4553e4/64ffd52ce7fbd58baa1f5e8e/Europe-Greece-Ionian-Islands-Kefalonia-Argostoli-Lighthouse-sea-kayaking-shutterstock_376082644.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![dimitsana_hillside-village](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt1065b8b431b9ec58/63c8adc71920d33622460ce6/PEHG_dimitsana_hillside-village.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Louisios Gorge near Dimitsana, Greece](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blteee8a6b2512dd418/64f188a1d181007155544e7d/shutterstock_1810083925.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Stone bridge over Lousios river](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt29ac60cdac569dad/64f188a5d2aa0e306d273220/shutterstock_2194767405.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![View across the bay, Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blte72ed3ddc5a2344c/64f188abaacbd41440ab028c/GettyImages-166931404.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Pedal, paddle and pace your way through Southern Greece’s ancient sites and natural splendour on this seven-day active adventure. Starting in the history-steeped city of Athens, it’s not long before you’re hiking along the Menalon Trail to two Byzantine monasteries constructed directly into the vertical rockface. A cycle route will help you see Kefalonia, stopping at a castle that used to mark the island’s capital, while a sea kayaking tour of the Argostolion coastline will treat you to turquoise waters. There’s no better way to see these pearls of the Ionian Sea!
Trip overview
![Map of Southern Greece: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Greece](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltd9ad865a35990edb/64f17429a4991f914924fb8e/ZMXK_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Athens, Greece
- Finish
- Kefallonia, Greece
- Theme
- Multi-active
- Destinations
- Greece
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ZMXK
- Hike parts of the Menalon Trail – one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Europe – on your way to the breathtaking sights of the ancient Philosophou and Prodromou monasteries.
- Cycle around the island of Kefalonia, experience fabulous coastal views as you ascend to a historic castle and visit a local olive grove.
- Sea kayak along Kefalonia’s southern coastline, stopping for lunch on white sand beaches and for swims in the turquoise water.
- Visit the Olympia archaeological site, birthplace of the Olympic Games and an important site in the development of Western society.
- Spend two nights in Dimitsana, walking the cobbled paths of this idyllic mountain village packed full of Arcadian history.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
- Though you don’t need to be an athlete to take part in this trip, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy it fully. Most activities are moderate and slow paced. Hiking activities are approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) in a day, with an uphill gain of 500 m (1650 ft). The cycling activity is 35 km (22 miles) and basic mountain biking skills are required. The kayaking is approximately 6 hours of paddling (9 km), with no previous experience required.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in Greece (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water.
- Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
Itinerary
Inclusions
6 breakfasts
Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry
Hotel (6 nights)
- Dimitsana Hike
- Dimitsana - Lousios Valley hike
- Olympia - Olympia archaeological site visit
- Kefalonia - Kefalonia cycling
- Kefalonia - Kefalonia sea kayaking
- Athens - National Archaeological Museum - EUR12
- Athens - Twilight Athens Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Athens - Acropolis Museum - EUR15
- Athens - Day trip to the Saronic Islands - EUR140
- Athens - Acropolis Pass for 5 Sites - EUR30
- Kefalonia - Kefalonia Sunset Cruise - EUR55
- Kefalonia - Kefalonia Wine tour - EUR70
Dates and availability
Important notes
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
This trip is new to our range this year. Despite rigorous planning and research, new itineraries can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a welcome surprise, but every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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