Day 1 Arrival in Karpathos Arrive at Karpathos International Airport and meet our friends from Dorana Studios who will drive us to Diafani, a beachfront village in the far north of the island. Take possession of your rooms and enjoy the tranquility of this place charged with tangible energy. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 Diafani/Olympos/Profitis Ilias/Diafani
After a sea-view breakfast surrounded by mystical tranquility, we depart from the village of Diafani and make our way to Olympos; here time has stood still, women still wear traditional clothes and dozens of stores display wonderful hand-woven textiles. Reaching the village of Olympos, we continue the trail to the top of Profitis Ilias at 718m. asl to admire the spectacular view of the Aegean Sea. We descend to Olympos for lunch (not included) and to explore the village. Those who prefer can descend toward Diafani stopping at the ancient church of Agios Kostantinos, dating from the 16th or 17th century and now abandoned. Dinner and overnight stay in Diafani.
Olympos, capital of North Karpathos, is a village of exceptional beauty. Here the houses preserve their ancient colors and furnishings. The village itself is an open-air museum and today has 400 inhabitants many of whom support themselves through local agriculture. Olympos maintains an old-fashioned lifestyle where primitive customs play an important role in daily life.
Distance to go: 8-10 km
On the road: 5h30′ – 7h
Day 3 Diafani / Papa Minas Beach / Diafani
The sound of waves crashing on the dark shore reminds us that it’s time for breakfast! Ready for the next adventure? We set off on a leisurely walk through pine trees, olive groves and wheat fields to reach Papa Mina Bay to enjoy some relaxation in the shade of tamarisk trees. After a swim and some snorkeling, we return to Diafani for our sea-view dinner and well-deserved rest. Distance to go: 7.5km
On the way: 3h30 ‘
Day 4 Diafani/Avlona/Vroukounta/Vananta/Diafani Good morning! Breakfast awaits us before we board our minivan that takes us to Avlona. From here we walk along an ancient stone path that leads to the mystical area of Vroukounta, where the ancient city-state of Vrykous once stood. Together we discover the over 3500-year-old ruins, the Church Cave of St. John and underwater treasures that we can only admire by snorkeling. We return to Avlona to enjoy a delicious homemade lunch (not included) at the only tavern in the area, famous throughout the island. We continue the walk to Vananta along a stone path that leads into a beautiful bay. The last section of the path offers incomparable views of the coast. Return from Avlona to Diafani by minivan. Dinner, overnight stay. Distance to be covered: 10km
On the way: 5h30′
Day 5 Diafani / Tristomo & Steno / Diafani
After breakfast, our minivan takes us back to Avlona from where, via a cobblestone path, we reach Tristomo, a semi-deserted village-the last family to inhabit it refuses to abandon it-and a natural harbor located in a protected bay on the northwest coast that affords spectacular views. Continue to Agios Ailaterini and Steno, the point where you can almost touch the nearby island of Saria. Return to Diafani in a traditional fishing boat. Dinner and overnight stay. Distance to be covered: 8.4km
On the way: 3h30′
Day 6 Saria Island
Wake up. A new beautiful adventure awaits us after breakfast. All aboard to reach the island of Saria to cross it with a pleasant walk leading to Palatia beach. Some relaxation and a barbeque surrounded by lush vegetation and overlooking the pristine crystal clear waters, want more? We take the boat back for our dinner and overnight stay in Diafani.
Saria was once the extreme northern tip of the island of Karpathos, from which it became detached due to erosion. In antiquity, it was one of the four cities of Karpathos, as evidenced by ancient monuments, ruins and remains of settlements that can be encountered along the way. In its ancient history, it was the base of Saracen pirates.
The ruins of the city, submerged in the Tristome Strait, indicate the existence of the sanctuary of Apollo Porthmiou. There are traces of human presence from the Neolithic and early Bronze Age. The island is an important habitat and breeding site for birds and marine organisms, which is why it is included in the Natura 2000 European network of protected areas.
Distance to go: 8km
On the way: 3h
Day 7 Day at leisure
This morning let’s take it easy, we have the whole day to relax on the shores of Diafani and store up all the energy we need for the return home. The more daring may choose an optional trekking day or a cooking class of traditional local cuisine. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 Diafani / Karpathos and return
Today breakfast does not taste the same, we have to say goodbye to the spectacle that Diafani has given us every morning but it is only goodbye! Our friends from Dorana accompany us to the airport in time for our flight back to Italy. Thank you Karpathos, walking along your trails is an experience that fills the eyes and the heart. Until next time!
