Kythira’s Wild Orchids Holiday in Greece

8 Days, Multiple Departures

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Kythira’s Wild Orchids Holiday in Greece
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

A Few Spots Left

Kythira has 723 different plant varieties, of which 48 species are endemic to Greece and 5 exclusively found on Kythira. On the island there are about 60 species of wild orchids, like the Orchis italica, Vermeulenia papilionacea var. aegea, Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. ulyssea, Serapias orientalis, Neotinea tridentata, Ophrys calypsus, Anacamptis pyramidalis var. brachystachys.

During this Wild Orchids Holiday you will explore a different area of the island every day. Your guide and Greek orchid lover Frank, together with experienced Greek orchid specialists, will show you the way along unpaved roads, rocky footpaths and through fields. These pleasant walks will be combined with visits to monasteries, churches, villages and a traditional pottery workshop. Of course there will be enough time for a lunch at the village kafeneion or a picnic in a field full of wild flowers.

During the excursions you will visit many interesting places, for example, Paleochora (a Byzantine settlement, Kythira’s former capital), Chora (Castle, Archeological Museum), Mylopotamos (waterfall and watermill valley), Myrtidiotissa (the island’s most important pilgrimage monastery), Kato Livadi (longest stone bridge in Greece, ceramic workshop), Paleopoli (Minoan graves). You will taste Kythira’s local products like thyme honey, organic olive oil and the famous Kythirian olive oil rusks.

About

7 nights’ accommodation (breakfast included)

Welcome dinner on arrival day

Shared use of a B-category rental car

Lunches during the walks (x 6 )

Professional guidance (English spoken)

Per booking: a detailed hiking map (1:25.000), an English information book about Kythira and the famous Kythira’s Orchids Book (in English; written by Stavroula Fatsea

Airfare

Extra taxi costs if you arrive and/or depart on other dates

Dinners (except for welcome dinner)

Personal expenditure

By plane:

There are no direct international flights to Kythira. You will have to change flights in Athens and on many days it is possible to book an onward flight for the same day. Of course you can use the opportunity to stay one or more days in Athens before you come to Kythira. We can advise about accommodation and will give you useful tips about activities and excursions in the exciting Greek capital.

The direct, 40 minute flight, from Athens to Kythira is operated by Olympic Air/Aegean Air or Sky Express. From April until October these flights are usually on a daily basis, from November until March, four times a week.

We will be happy to advise you about the various options.

By boat:

If you want to take your own car, ferries leave from the following harbours to Kythira’s Diakofti Harbour:

Neapolis – Peloponnese, duration 1 hour and 30 minutes (daily)

Gythion – Peloponnese, duration 2 hours and 30 minutes (once a week)

Piraeus – (Athens harbour) duration 7 hours (twice a week)

Kissamos – Crete, duration 3 hours and 30 minutes (three times a week)

We will be happy to give you further information about schedules and, when you have booked your accommodation with us, to make a reservation for your ferry as well.

Car rentals and taxis:

Kythira doesn’t have any public transport. Therefore we advise you to rent a car in order to discover the island in a convenient and comfortable way. Pyrgos House cooperates with Panayotis Rent a Car – Motorent, the only car rental company on Kythira with an office at the airport and the ferry port. It’s very easy: you pay a pre-arranged fair price and you pick up the rental car upon your arrival.

If you don’t have a driving license or if you don’t want to rent a car, you can use our special taxi service. Pyrgos House cooperates with English speaking taxi-drivers who will meet you at the airport or ferry port. You won’t have to wait; you pay a pre-arranged price and get the best service. We will be happy to give you further information.

Food

Breakfast included.

Accommodation

You will stay in one of our accommodations in Potamos. Every accommodation has a kitchenette, private bathroom, a balcony or terrace. Potamos is an ideal base for discovering the island due to its central location.

"A very big thank you from both Bernie and I for a wonderful week on beautiful Kythira island. We loved the scenery on the walking trails but also the warm hospitality of everyone we met along the way. We had a great day with Tasos – he is very kind and interesting. I even managed a quick swim after lunch at Avlemonas which was a nice way to get end our adventure. Best wishes and thanks for everything."

- Emma and Bernie, May 2023

"We loved our recent Walking Tour. Frank looked after us so well. All the accommodations were perfect and our hosts in each were delightful. We enjoyed the whole island experience. In September, whilst the island was quite dry, the weather was perfect and you often felt you were the only tourist on the island."

- Kim and Murray Schlecht, Sept 2023

"April 12-20. The eight day walking tour, north to south, created by Frank van Weerde. I’ve read all the reviews from over ten years of this hike and other similar ones in Kythira, all organized by this incredible person. I first visited Kythira in 1989 and returned in 2019, 2021 and recently in 2023 to accomplish a hike that will last with me forever. Absolutely everything the reviewers say is true. I cannot add anything more original or comprehensive. But I can say this. I have walked and driven this one of a kind island fairly extensively before this recent hike but I was rewarded in ways I could not have predicted. Kythira is hands down the most amazing Greek island I’ve visited over a span of fifty years. The walks Frank has structured and walked every inch himself, will take you into a blend of nature and village life. I cannot imagine any other island which offers the diversity of landscape and plethora of villages, close to 70. These days of hiking will bring you back for more, and believe me, the island has more to offer than one can possibly experience in 8 days. For one who has become a little jaded with Greek islands, over 40, my senses came alive from the ardors of walking in a landscape which seems far larger than the islands actual size. Spread the word to serious hikers. This is a lifetime experience. And, you will be supported in every way by a one of a kind individual. Everywhere I’ve gone in Kythira, speaking to the residents in Greek, no one is better known or more revered than Frank. Andrew Harper, United States.

Thank you Frank!"

- Andrew Harper, Apr 2023

Gallery
About The Host

We like to share our love for Kythira and our knowledge of the island with other walking enthusiasts and Greece lovers. Walking is our passion. In 2024 we will publish the 20th edition of our walking guide ‘Kythira on Foot’. The many kilometers of footpaths between the sixty villages make the green and peaceful island a unique walking paradise. We offer many walking options: individual trekking tours, guided walks, group walking holidays, and our well-known olive-picking walking weeks.

By joining one of our excursions or workshops, you will meet local Kythirians who enthusiastically talk about their island. Prepare the loveliest meals together for example or make organic olive oil soap – all these experiences will make your holiday on Kythira unforgettable.

If you are eager for excitement and adventure, you should have a look at our outdoor program with many different tours like canyoning and sea kayaking. Be inspired!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Kythira Airport where Frank will welcome you. In our rental cars will we drive to your accommodation in Potamos. Late afternoon: dinner and information meeting.

Day 2 – 7

Daily 9.30 am – 5.00 pm: an orchid hunting walk followed by lunch, then an excursion or continuation of the morning’s walk. On Sunday: after our visit to the Sunday morning market in Potamos, we will go for another orchid hunting walk.

Day 8

Departure from Kythira. If you want, you can certainly stay longer, either in Potamos or in one of the other villages. We will be happy to inform you about the possibilities.

Location
Things to keep in mind

Cancellation

If you have to cancel, you have to send us an email about the cancellation. We will send you a confirmation by email.

If you cancel your booking, we will refund:

Four weeks or more prior to arrival date: the total booking costs

Four to three weeks prior to arrival date: 75 % of the booking costs

Three to two weeks prior to arrival date: 50 % of the booking costs

Two to one week prior to arrival date: 25 % of the booking costs

Less than one week prior to arrival date: 0 % of the booking costs

Booking

If you want to make a reservation, please fill in the contact form. Please note this is not a confirmed booking yet, only an enquiry. We will check if the period you want to come is available and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Option

If you need time to think, or would like to book your flight first, please make sure to ask us for an option and we will hold the accommodation for you.

Payment

After we have confirmed by mail your booking, we ask you to pay 25 % of the total amount within 7 days.

Changes

Until four weeks prior to arrival date, you can change your booking, if availability allows. Send us an email and we will consider your request. Less than four weeks prior to arrival date, a change in the booking will be treated as a cancellation.

Difficulty: Rather difficult. Kythira is a hilly island, per walk the descent or ascension is 500 – 950 meters. The walking paths are generally good and clearly visible, sometimes they are more difficult. You should be in a good physical condition and it is preferable that you are experienced in doing self-guided independent walks.

Walking outfit: Good and thick-soled walking shoes. Protection against sun, wind and rain.

Luggage: Your luggage will be transferred from hotel to hotel.

ATMs: please be sure that you bring enough cash because they are only ATMs in Potamos, in Livadi and in Chora.

Assistance: We offer the service of a telephone number (24h a day/ 7 days a week) in case you need any assistance.

Responsibility: At all times, you participate in your chosen activity at your own risk. We are not responsible for any inaccuracies of the published material you will receive that, to the best of our knowledge, was correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for death, injury, or illness of The Kythira Walking Tour participants. You need to have adequate insurance with a reputable insurer to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, loss or damage of luggage and its contents.

Travel insurance: We advise you to have adequate insurance with a reputable insurer to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, loss or damage of luggage etc.