Difficulty rating: medium

Comfort level: medium

4 days on Methana:

The short version of the Methana walking tour is ideal for those who have not too much time but want just to spend a few days exploring and hiking in this unique and extremely beautiful volcanic area. Because of its vicinity to Athens it is ideal as a counterpart to a visit of the capital itself and would perfectly fit into a one-week program combining the experience of the city with relaxing in a very rural area.

Program:
11-14 September 2004

1. day
Either: meeting in Athens (or Pireus), boat transfer in the afternoon to Methana. Or: arrival to Methana (usually via Athens) on your own. Transfer to the accomodation, a pension overlooking a small fishing harbour. Group dinner in a local tavern, short presentation of Methana's geology. 

2. day
Visit of the ancient Akropolis of Methana, walk or bus ride to Methana town, visit of the Methana spas and warm springs (bathing/swimming possible), short walk to nearby Mycenaean excavations and descend into a hydrothermally active bay. Transfer back in the evening.

3. day
Transfer to the historically active volcano at Kameni Chora village. Easy climb (200 m) to the center of the lava dome. Spectacular cooling fractures, impressive natural rock sculptures and great views over the Saronic Gulf. Coffee or lunch break afterwards in a small cafe in the remote village at the feet of the mountain. Hike to the limestone outcroppings near the coast, observation of the contact between limestone and lava; unique setting of lava flows emerging from natural limestone caves. Swim break at a beautiful secluded beach. 1/2 to 1hr-hike or boat transfer back in the late afternoon.

4. day
Departure (usually in the afternoon, so that a large part of the day can be used for smaller excursions, swimming etc.) or prolonged stay.

Price: 380,- Euro
(min. 6 participants):

The price includes:

- 3 nights accommodation w/ breakfast in double room with bath (single-room supplement: 60 EUR)
- Half pension (dinner incl. wine and drinks)
- Transfer Athens-Methana and back by ferry or hydrofoil
- All local transports on Methana
- English-German-Greek speaking geologic guides (Tobias Schorr and/or Tom Pfeiffer)

The price does not include:

- travel to Greece (Athens)
- meals and drinks (relatively cheap on Methana)

Location of Methana and other Greek volcanoes. Map copyright USGS.

(2 Photos, courtesy H. Beutler)

(Photo courtesy H. Beutler)

Additional information:

Arrival to Methana:
In order to let everyone plan his trip individually, arrival to Athens is private, but we can help with information for flight booking and the easy transfer to Methana. Usually, a meeting point in Athens can be arranged in Athens, from where Tom can accompany the group to Methana. In any case, detailed descriptions will be given how to get to Methana (usually involving a 2 hours ferry ride from Piraeus port).

Equipment:
Walking boots or similar, sun and wind protection, a day-backpack, light dressing, pullover or jacket for the evenings.

Physical requirements:
Easy to intermediate hikes of up to 10-15 km total length, climbing of up to 500 m during 5-8 hours total walking time (incl. breaks etc.). Normal good condition is required - a day' s long hike in hilly terrain should not be too much for you. Experience in hiking is not necessary, but a secure step on stony, sometimes sandy and gravelly terrain, as well as - on a few places - no fear of altitude. Usually, it is possible for individuals, or part of the group to shorten a hike, especially towards the end and e.g. return by other means of transportation.

Contact / Information / Booking:

If you are interested in the program, want more information or book a tour, please contact us directly:
Tobias Schorr: Tobias@Methana.de
Tom Pfeiffer: tpfeiffer@decadevolcano.net

(Photo courtesy H. Beutler)

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