Islands of Greece Climbing Adventure

Day 1: Our trip officially begins at 10:00 AM on the first day at the Heraklion Airport where The Northwest Passage staff will meet you.  From the airport, we will head to Knossos, the mysterious ancient Minoan palace just outside Heraklion. We will then enjoy a scenic drive acoss Crete down to the beach town of Matala on the south coast.  In Matala, we will settle into our rooms, explore the little town, and then head up to a seaside taverna for cocktails and fellowship with our fellow group members and soon-to-be close friends.

Day 2: We will kick off the climbing by staying close to Matala and venturing out to nearby Agios Farago. As we hike down this secluded canyon, we will take advantage of its great sport climbing opportunities. We will do safety checks and training to make sure that all participants are able and ready for some great climbing. The old church of Agios Antonios is a historical site in the canyon with a well that is still operational. After climbing our way down the canyon, we will end up at a beautiful beach and an expansive view of the Mediterranean to the south. We will swim, relax, and climb above the sea. Before we leave, we will hike up above the beach to the amazing deep water pool. This geologic wonder provides us with a once in a lifetime opportunity: a 130 foot rappel into water! This is a must do! That evening we will relax in Matala with a big Cretan dinner at one of our favorite tavernas.

Day 3: We will start early this morning and drive up to Kapetaniana. After dropping off our luggage at the pension (Bed and Breakfast), we will head out and climb some of the many routes that lay close to this tiny mountain town. That evening we will dine with Luisa and Gunnar, our hosts at the pension. At night, we can enjoy their wood fired sauna!

Day 4: Wake up prepared for a full day in Kapetaniana. After breakfast we will head out for Mount Kofinas, 1246M. There are multiple routes to the summit, all around 5 pitches and requiring traditional climbing gear. Your guides will help choose the best route for you and lead you up this spectacular mountain. There is also an easy hike, which serves as our descent route, if you would rather walk to the summit. Back in Kapetaniana, we will dine at this little town’s only taverna.

Day 5: Wake up for your last day in Kapentaniana. After breakfast, we will pack the van and head out for a little more climbing in the area. After climbing, we will head out and towards Heraklion to catch our ferry to Santorini. This trip is relatively quick and will get us to our next island by dinner time.

Day 6: Our first morning on Santorini, we will head out to the nearby cliffs of Perissa beach. This expansive wall is well established and has single and multi-pitch routes, and the proximity to the beach makes this area a paradise. That evening, we will dine in Perivolos and explore this little coastal town.

Day 7: Our last day of climbing for the trip, and we will make it a great one! We will head up from Perivolos and over towards Kamari, stopping at the historic Ancient Thira on the way. We will explore Kamari’s many cliffs and might even head up the infamous Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a challenging multi-pitch route. We will end this day back in Perivolos with a great last meal, sharing stories and memories and saying goodbye to our new friends.

Day 8: Depending on flight and ferry schedules, we could fit in some climbing this day. Otherwise, we will transport the group to the airport and ferry port and say goodbye.

**This itinerary is subject to change. As with all adventure travel, some activities are dependent on appropriate conditions. But fear not -we have many alternative activities available in case the weather is not cooperative.