BOTANICAL HOLIDAYS

For Nature Lovers, for endemic and rare flora species “Hunters” but also for everyone who wants to experience,

observe and photograph something very fresh and different.

A botanical week in the Protected Area of Regional Marine Park of Northern Karpathos Saria and Astakidonision will be a life altering experience!

We are inviting you to discover and explore this beautiful place with us because no one else knows its secrets better than we do!

We will meet the Pelophylax Cerigensis, the rarest little frog in Greece, which has been recorded in the Red list of IUCN.

We will also see the Lycias Salamander Helverseri –an endemic species- and we will hear the proud scream of the Falco Eleonorae,

a migrating falcon which takes shelter the majority of the year on these Islands.

 Karpathos and Saria Islands are affiliated with the “NATURA 2000” Network (code: GR4210003)

with more than 100 endemic and rare species of flora and fauna. They are one of the best destinations for everybody who perceive the meaning of holiday with a different – alternative way.

The following tour – program combine beautiful graphic trekking routes with observations of nature, flora and fauna.

Each path in the Protected Area has a unique ecosystem and the wide variety of plants will surprise you!

1^st Day

A guided tour through the history of the village and its numerous windmills will help us to discover the secrets of this primeval community. Here, we meet craftsmen making the traditional leather

boots, fit either for labor or dancing, and others who make musical instruments for feasts and festivals.a visit the cultural museum of Olympos will give us a compact idea of the cultural heritage of

the place and its people.

Then, we will continue with walking in the around area meeting the regional flora and fauna for the first time.

Later, in a preserved house right across Olympos village, we will start our first activity “show cooking” preparing the most traditional meal “makarounes” and after that, we will enjoy what we

made!

2^nd Day

Start trekking from Diafani to Olympos through a path of 7 kilometers and a mixed environment with springs, small rivers agriculture and pine trees!

We will meet the Astragalus austro – aegaeus , Anagalis arvensis ssp. Rutila , Verbena officinalis ,

Gladiolus   italicuS , Centaurea raphanina ssp. raphanina, Rapistrum rugosum,   and more!

In the afternoon, we will return through a trail which is crossing a small river and ending up at Vananda beach near to Diafani village.

3rd Day

Start trekking from Diafani to Agios Kostantinos region, through a beautiful path in which

we can find the Ophrys Ηeldreichi , Medicago Tuberculata, Arbutus Unedo , Cistus Incanus ssp. Incanus , Lithodora Hispidula , Vitex Agnus – Castus, etc.

In the afternoon, we will walk back to Diafani through a path from the other side with a marvelous view of mountains and the coastline!

4th Day

Start trekking from Anakima region to Forokli beach. During the downhill,

we will cross a small river which created a unique ecosystem with rich biodiversity, big trees, small bushes, and Anacamptis Pyramidalis,

Cytinus Hypocistis, Crepis Cretica, Helichrysum Barrelieri, Stachys Mucronata, Picris Altissima, etc.

5^th Day

 Hiking from Avlona settlement to the Gulf of Tristomo, after a 4-hour trek!

At the natural sanctuary of Tristomo, we are going to spend the rest of the day, exploring the picturesque settlement, standing right upon the brink of the waves,

and the old dilapidated Italian barracks (kazarmas), swimming and snorkeling (optional). A brief voluntary beach cleaning session, attended by the staff of the marine park,

will be also available for whoever may wish tocontribute to the removal of accumulated marine debris from the seashore.

18:00 pm we will return to Diafani village by boat.

6th Day

We depart from Diafani village by foot with destination to Avlona, a rural settlement on a high plateau which is the main supplier of farm products and a paradise of endemic plants.

We will see many different species such as Isatis lusitanica, Leontice leontopetalum, Linum arboretum, Ophrys Ariadne, Rubia Tinctoria, Gagea Graeca, etc.

In addition, in Avlona plateau, we will collect some wild vegetables in order to cook them in a traditional way!

In the afternoon, we will return through a trail which is crossing a small river and ending up at Vananda beach near to Diafani village.

At 6:00 pm, we will start our first cooking lesson with the vegetables we collected!

7th Day

End of our Botanical Tour!

After breakfast, we transfer you to the Airport for your return flight.