Activities in Karpathos island.
When you visit Karpathos, there are many activities to enjoy your stay apart from the beach and the sun.
Activities for all tastes, activities for adults and young people, activities for families and young children, and activities for friends!
All these activities will bring you close to the nature of Karpathos and close to our local community!
Guided Tour in Olympos village
The Greek government announced the village of Olympos as the Capital of Culture because of its living tradition. The women still wear their traditional costumes, not as an attraction for the tourists but because they want to keep their traditional way of life alive and it's possible to listen to the traditional music while walking in the streets and drink a greek coffee sitting along with the locals.
The Archeologists protect the unique architecture of the village by setting many rules and that's why until now you will able to see old buildings in a good shape, with the same color and materials for many centuries now. Moreover, the architecture is not the typical Greek, blue and white, in the village, there are many houses with a big variety of colors!
I will meet you at the main entrance of the village and together, we will walk through the houses, and as a local, I know an alternative way to show you the architecture and explain to you the rich history of the village.
After 30 minutes of easy walk, we will visit the main church of Olympos village which is dedicated to Virgin Maria. This church is the most important monument on the island because of its history and the valuable gold icons inside.
Moreover, we will discuss all the unwritten rules of the society and how the local life change as time goes by.
After the visit to the church, we will go to the west side of the village to see the numerous windmills & the remainings of the old castle. We visit one which is still working and the owner will explain to us how it works.
Later, we will visit a local wood oven to try some fresh bread, pies, and sweets.
In the end, you will have free time for shopping!
The tour is adjustable to your needs, so feel free to ask me if you have any special requests!
Traditional Cooking
«A healthy mind in a healthy body»
The Mediterranean diet is scientifically proven to be the healthiest way of acquiring wellness and longevity.
Karpathos is the source of Mediterranean cuisine. Together we are going to cook its delicious traditional dishes using virgin olive oil, pure honey, and biological products from the gardens of Avlona.
During the tours, we will have the opportunity to prepare deliciously, kneaded bread together with the local housewives, and light the traditional wood stove to bake it.
We will also make the most widely known traditional dish of Karpathos, the so-called ‘makarounes’ i.e. fresh pasta sprinkled with grated goat cheese and sautéed onion.
We will stuff courgette flowers and grape leaves we will cook goat meat in a casserole and many other traditional dishes.
Finally, we will fry delicious traditional doughnuts (loukoumades) topped with the pure honey of Karpathos!
Hiking in Karpathos island
«The best way to meet a place is to hike»
Hiking on Karpathos island is the most famous outdoor activity. Guided Hiking Tours help you to see the natural environment with safety but also to learn the history of every path of the island.
With more than 30 paths Karpathos invites us to explore and discover it as each one possesses its own unique history, architecture, and biodiversity.
There are paths, which will lead us to the highest tops of the island (Kali Limni 1215m and Prophet Elias 719m) with a breathtaking view that casts a spell on the senses.
Other paths will lead us to virgin and isolated beaches where we can relax and enjoy the sun and swimming.
A unique trait of the paths of Karpathos is the alternation of the natural environment because during hiking you can come across three different types of ecosystems.
You will also find a pinewood, a river surrounded by plane trees, a region filled with old terraces revealing the past, as well as natural springs with cool water which take your thirst away and give you the chance to relax!
Paths and Trails of Karpathos island
The path of Crossing Saria Island: One of the most beautiful paths in Karpathos is the one that crosses the island of Saria. The total distance of this path is 7.422 km and it takes around 4 hours hiking. The starting point is Giaplos beach and the end is the beach of Palatia. During the hike, our local guides will explain to you the history of the place and the traditional way of the local life because Saria island was well known for the dairy products such as butter and cheese from goat and sheep milk.
The path from Avlona to the natural port of Tristomo: The path which connects Avlona settlement with Tristomo gulf is full of history and breathtaking views! The total distance is 8.646km and it takes 4 hours. Our local guides will show you all the important from the local places and how the residents could survive in the mountains without any river or spring around. Later, when we arrive in Tristomo, we will have a break in a traditional house where we can enjoy a light launch, coffee, or a beer!
The Path to the most important ancient city of Vroukounda: Starting from Avlona, the most important agricultural place, we will follow a path which is more than 2000 years old! The total distance is 4.00 km and it takes 2.5 hours. When we arrive in the place of the ancient city our local guides will tell you in detail the history, when and why the city was destroyed by the pirates. Moreover, we will have a break on a really nice beach and we enjoy a light lunch under the trees!
If you are a solo hiker and you want tips, advice, and transportation support, don't hesitate to contact our professional team!
Follow Your KarPATHos!!!
Birdwatching
The English name and the species name eleonorae commemorate Eleanor of Arborea, Queen or Lady-Judge (Juighissa) and national heroine of Sardinia, who in 1392, under the jurisdiction conferred by the Carta de Logu, became the first ruler in history to grant protection to hawk and falcon nests against illegal hunters.
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The sweetest activity on Karpathos island is Beekeeping!
Do you want to learn how bees produce honey? How do they live all together in the beehive? How did they build the honeycomb?
All the answers will be given by our local Beekeeper who will take us for a visit to the beehives, open one of them, and show us the Queen, the worms, and the drones.
If the visit takes place in spring we will see how the bee society is organized and how each team works in a specific field. We will see the queen bee, which is the leader, laying eggs from which comes the population that collects the honey in summer. We will also observe how they pick and store the pollen which is the food of young bees.
If the visit takes place in summer we will experience the collection, process, and storage of honey on the honeycombs.
In the end, we will later taste the fresh honey we will take from the beehive!!!
All this on one condition: we will be wearing the proper suit to avoid bee stings.
In case someone is allergic to bee stings or thinks he/she is, he/she is not allowed to take part in such a visit even if he/she is wearing the proper suit.
Rent a Car with Driver-Guide
Ecotourism Karpathos offers car rental with a driver for your ease.
Our driver/guide will drive you to every destination in Karpathos!
Your ultimate customized Karpathos Exploration!
It's great to have your hands free while someone experienced is driving - it's a relaxed way of road tripping, and it gives you deeper insights into Karpathos Culture and Wildlife.
Great for those Road trippers that don't fancy driving themselves, and like the company of a guide who can give you deeper insights into Karpathos best places and off-beaten Beaches!
Hire a car and go with our guides on a Private - Guided tour with Safety.
You will still have the luxury to enjoy traveling at your own pace and ''Drive Your Own Adventure'', as it is a private "safari"!
Hiking and Overnight in Tristomo gulf
The landscape during the hikes is spectacular, the alteration of nature, the mountains with the view of the sea are really unique but the highlight of these two days is the Sunset from Tristomo gulf!
Α Breathtaking Sunset will create an unforgettable experience for all of you!
First Day:
We visit the settlement of Avlona which is one of the most important places in Karpathos island as it is still the main agricultural valley. Your local guide will explain to you in detail the history, the unique architecture, and the old way of life. After the guided walk inside the village, we will start our hiking to the natural port of Tristomo.
The natural port of Tristomo is the core of the Protected Area of Karpathos island. It is the natural habitat of many fishes but also a safe shelter for the migratory birds which stops for a break during Spring and Autumn.
The beauty of the gulf especially in the afternoon and the sunset make it one of the best attractions.
While walking downhill, we will meet the abandoned settlement of Koilios and your local guide explains to you how people survive and collaborate with each other.
Once we arrive at the traditional house, we will have a chance to swim and relax staring at the amazing view of the gulf!
During the night, we will enjoy our dinner under a sky full of stars as there is no electricity there!
Second Day:
In the morning, we will enjoy our breakfast next to the sea and in midday, we will start our hiking back to Diafani village through the " Xyloskala" trail on the east side of the island.
The view after 30 minutes of walking will take your breath away as we will see the east shore of Karpathos from North to South!
When we arrive at Vanada beach, we will have the chance for a swim, refill our bottles with fresh water from the spring under the trees and then continue walking until Diafani village.
At the end of our hiking tour, we will arrive in Diafani village, a beautiful place where we are able to have a coffee, lunch, and a cold beer! For those who want another swimming, the beach is just a few meters away from the restaurants!
When you feel ready, we will arrange transportation to go back to Avlona village in order to take your car back.
Aromatic - Medicinal Plants
In our eco-tours, there is a provision for collecting aromatic and medicinal plants.
While trekking, we can observe and, after reaching an agreement with our guides, we can collect a small number of such plants to use in cooking or in the first aid kit we keep at home.
Thus you will be pleased by observing the plants, getting informed about their use, and feeling their beneficial qualities in your body.
Olive Picking - Olive oil
During the tours taking place in the fall, especially in November, we can watch and participate in the process of picking olives as well as in the production of olive oil. We will visit private olive groves, we will help spread special nets and we will pick the fruit together with the groves’ owners if we like.
Then we will visit a traditional olive mill where we will have the opportunity to watch the process of oil production.
Finally, we will taste the fresh oil with kneaded bread and other traditional viands on the spot following the customs.
It is surely one of the best experiences you will gain on the island of Karpathos.
No one who has experienced this has ever forgotten it. It is truly worth a try!
Photographing Rare Plants
Lovers of wild flora are offered the opportunity to photograph rare and endemic plant species of Karpathos.
Minas, with his twenty-year experience, will help us spot these plants, explain the way to recognize them and will analyze their properties.
While trekking you will come across some of the rarest plants on the planet, such as:
- Paeonia clusii ssp. Clusii
- Silene ammophila ssp. Carpathia
- Dianthus fruticosus ssp. Carpathius
- Carlina barnebiana
- Arum creticum
- Medicago heyniana
- Anthemis scopulorum ssp. discoidea
- Campanula carpathia
- Campanula pinatzii
- Ophrys aegaea ssp. Aegaea
- Ophrys ariadne
- Ophrys helios
- Ophrys calypsus
- Ophrys sitiaca
- Ophrys israelitica
- Centaurea raphanina ssp. raphanina
- Teucrium monbretii
- Muscari maritimum
- Crataegus monogyna ssp. aegaeica
- Allium brachyspathum
- Allium tardans
- Allium bourgeaui ssp. Bourgeaui
- Tetragonolobus platylobus
In any case, we are not allowed to touch, cut or bother the plants.
We really believe that you will remember forever the moments you had observing the plants in these hikes.
Make your program
Η μεσογειακή διατροφή είναι και επιστημονικά αποδεδειγμένη η υγιέστερος τρόπος για να αποκτήσουμε ευεξία και μακροζωία.
Πηγή της μεσογειακής κουζίνας είναι η Κάρπαθος και μαζί θα μαγειρέψουμε τα υπέροχα παραδοσιακά φαγητά της χρησιμοποιώντας πάντοτε παρθένο ελαιόλαδο, γνήσιο μέλι και βιολογικά προϊόντα από τα ποστάνια της Αυλώνας.
Κατά την διάρκεια των προγραμμάτων θα έχουμε την ευκαιρία να προετοιμάσουμε μαζί με ντόπιες νοικοκυρές το πεντανόστιμο ζυμωτό ψωμί και να ανάψουμε το παραδοσιακό ξυλόφουρνο για να το ψήσουμε.
Επίσης, θα φτιάξουμε το πιο γνωστό Καρπάθικο παραδοσιακό πίατο, τις μακαρούνες οι οποίες είναι φρέσκα ζυμαρικά πασπαλισμένα με τρυμμένο κατσικίσιο τυρί και τσικνωμένο κρεμμύδι.
Θα γεμίσουμε κολοκυθοανθούς και αμπελόφυλλα, θα φτιάξουμε κοκκινιστό κατσικίσιο κρέας και άλλα πολλά παραδοσιακά φαγητά.
Για το τέλος θα τηγανίσουμε τους υπέροχους παραδοσιακούς λουκουμάδες συνοδεύοντας τους με το γνήσιο μέλι της Καρπάθου!
Culinary Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Karpathos island, check in your hotel
After settling into your rooms, the remaining hours will be available for a short(15 min) presentation of our Eco-Culinary program.
Later, we will enjoy a light dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2: Visiting Olympos Village
In the morning, at 9:00 am we will visit the village of Olympos, the cultural capital of South Aegean islands. Our experienced guide will explain us the history & the unique traditional architecture. We will continue with walking in the around area meeting the regional flora and fauna for first time.
Later, we will start our first Cooking lesson, preparing the most traditional meal “makarounes” which is fresh pasta with caramelized onion and goat cheese and after that we will enjoy our lunch.
In the afternoon, we will return back to Diafani village by bus.
Day 3 : Walking and collecting wild vegetables
After your breakfast, we will start an easy trekking to Avlona region which is the most important agriculture plane in Karpathos island. Our guide will explain you the history and the role of the place from antiquity to nowadays.
During the walking, we will have the chance to see many endemics and rare flora species but also following the guide’s directions, we will collect some wild vegetables in order to prepare another cooking lesson and making three different local dishes only with vegetables!
After the walking you will have some free time and in the afternoon, at 6:00 we start the cooking lesson with the vegetable we collected.
Day 4: Cheese making and tasting local wine
In the morning, after your breakfast we will visit a local farm to see the goats and taking their milk to produce local white cheese!
Once, we have the milk we will make the cheese and after that we will try different types of cheese, fresh butter with local wine.
Day 5: Bread making
Karpathos island is well known for its culture and nature but also for the special bread which we can find only in the north part of the island.
With a local women we will make this special bread in a traditional oven.
Day 6: Last Day – Departure to the airport
We take breakfast; get prepared for departure back to the town of Karpathos and the airport.
