2day excursion with Canyoning and Hiking at Kalavrita 9th Oct

If you want a different weekend with adventure and activities, without having to break your piggy bank, we have the perfect trip for you! We have combined Canyoning in the Gorge of Gerakina with hiking in the National Park of Vouraikos Chelmos in Kalavrita for an excursion that will be unforgettable! Walks, adrenaline and relaxation. This trip has it all!

Excursion schedule:

1st day, Saturday 9 October

• We meet at Syntagma square at 7.00 am. and depart at 7.15am with destination the gorge of Gerakina in Corinth.
• We will reach the gorge at 8.30 p.m. for Canyoning.
• End of activities will be at 2.30 p.m. when we will depart for our hotel in Kalavrita.
• We will arrive at Kalavrita at 5.00 pm and the rest of the day will have a free program and rest.
• Food is included in a traditional tavern in Kalavrita whenever you want.

2nd day, Sunday 10 October

• We have breakfast at the hotel and pack our things to leave at 11.00am.
• We arrive at the Vouraikos Chelmos National Park to start our hike which will last about 4 hours.
• At the end of the hike we will have free time in Zachlorou for coffee and a walk.
• Departure at 5.00 pm and return to Athens at 8.00 pm.

Description of activities

Canyoning in the gorge of Gerakina

The gorge most months is completely dry (no water) and is ideal for those who want to have a first experience in a gorge! Most of the descents are relatively large and almost consecutive with some narrow impressive passages overlooking the Corinthian gulf!

It has a length of 1100 meters, while the altitude difference is about 350 meters.

The hike to reach the entrance of the gorge will last about 1 hour and at the exit 5 minutes.

• Canyoning / Rappel / Hiking
• Number of Rappel descents: 17
• Maximum descent: 30 meters
• Length of the gorge: 1,100m
• At the entrance of the gorge there will be a twenty-minute beginners' lesson
• Duration of activity: 6 hours
• Degree of Difficulty: 2/5

Hiking in the Vouraikos Helmos National Park

In the heart of the Vouraikos Chelmos National Park there is an excellent hiking trail that connects the monastery of the Great Cave with the area of ​Livadi ​Louka, a beautiful plateau against the backdrop of the peaks of Helmos. In the summer, nomadic shepherds go up to the meadow with their herds, also a small herd with semi-wild horses is maintained in the area. The path is also known as Kalogeravlako as along it there is a ditch that carries water from a spring of Helmos to the monastery for centuries. The route crosses a dense forest away from residential areas, for this reason it played an important role during the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule.

Accommodation

HELMOS Hotel

The HELMOS hotel was built in 1922 and since then it stands haughtily in the historic Eleftherias Square in Kalavrita. In 1943 it was burned by the German Nazi troops, a few days before the Kalavrita Holocaust. In the period 1952-1953 it was reconstructed and has been declared a protected architectural monument. The accommodation is in the center of Kalavrita, just a few steps from the Folklore and History Museum. Its 28 modern rooms, divided into 2 floors, provide the guest with all the necessary amenities for a hassle-free stay. On the ground floor of the hotel, in the Esperides room, an elegant and comfortable place, you can relax enjoying your coffee, dessert or snack by the fireplace, while the "Neve Blu", the hotel bar is waiting for you for your drink accompanied by atmospheric music.

The rooms have air conditioning, central heating, fan and bathroom. Most rooms have a balcony with views. Internet access, telephone, TV are available.

Avli Traditional Restaurant

You will find Avli next to the center of Kalavrita, below the traditional station of Odontotos. It is a creation of Gogo and Grigoris, two young people with experience in food, who with a lot of passion and taste, set up their restaurant. The space exudes warmth with earthy colors, wood, stone and a large fireplace.

You can have lunch at the restaurant any time you want from the moment we arrive in Kalavrita. Lunch is included in the price of the excursion.

The menu includes:

• 1 main meal (choice of 6 dishes)
• 1 salad for 2 people
• 1 appetizer for 2 people
• wine

Participation fee:

• 150 euros / person (for accommodation in 2 or 3 beds)
• For a single there is an additional charge of 12 euros

Limitations and Instructions About Covid-19:

Everyone can participate in the trip, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated. We comply with all health and safety measures and rules imposed by the government.

The following applies to the participation in the excursion:

• Those who have a certificate of vaccination or illness (up to 6 months from the diagnosis) have no restrictions other than the demonstration of their certificate. However, for the safety of all of us, we would recommend that you take a self test or rapid test the day before. Also, anyone who has any symptoms should have at least a rapid test. Participants who have symptoms and do not have a negative test with them will be excluded from the trip and will not be entitled to a refund. Any participant who has made a reservation and has a positive rapid test or has been quarantined, will be entitled to a full refund.
• Participants who do not have a vaccination certificate or illness (up to 6 months after diagnosis) must have a negative test (72-hour PCR or 48-hour rapid 48-hour). In addition, during our stay in the tavern they will have lunch in the yard or if the weather does not allow it there is the possibility to take your meal normally in a package.

Details of the measures announced by the government and in force since September 13:

• The embarkation of unvaccinated passengers aged 12 and over on airplanes, trains and buses is permitted if the passengers have been diagnosed negatively or in a laboratory test for COVID-19 coronavirus by the PCR method performed by taking a mouthwash or nasopharynx two (72) hours before the scheduled time of arrival at their destination, or in a rapid coronavirus antigen test COVID-19 (rapid test) within the last forty eight (48) hours before the scheduled time of arrival at their destination.
• Those who are fully vaccinated, ie who have completed at least fourteen (14) days before the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccination and demonstrate a vaccination certificate, are exempted from the above obligation of diagnosis by laboratory test (PCR or rapid test). Those who show a certificate of illness within the last six months are also treated as vaccinated.
• Catering and entertainment: Only indoor restaurants (cafes, bars, restaurants, taverns, clubs, nightclubs) can be entered: vaccinated and sick (up to 6 months after diagnosis).