4-day trip to mountainous Arcadia

We have planned a beautiful 4-day excursion package that is full of activities, unique experiences, tastes, history, and contact with nature. It concerns nature-loving, environmental groups or groups of friends.

First day: Athens-Capsia Cave-Kalogri winery-Vytina-Piana. (198 km)

The journey begins with the destination of the village of Kapsia, just 154 km from Athens, where we will visit the cave of the same name, one of the ten most remarkable caves in Greece.

Very close to the cave is the Kalogri winery, the 1st certified organic winery in the Peloponnese.

The Kalogris family will show us around the restored building of 1870, explain what organic farming is and we will enjoy the organic farming wines accompanied by handmade pies, etc. in the tasting room.

Next stop for coffee and rest, in the picturesque village of Vytina where we can buy traditional products and local honey from the beautiful shops of the village and enjoy our coffee in the square next to the temple of Agios Tryfons.

Then we take the road to the village of Piana and the Papanikola guesthouse. Only 20 minutes from Vytina through a beautiful route in the fir forest of Mainalo is the village of Piana. In the village square is the traditional tavern "O Panas" where we will enjoy local meats and appetizers.

Arrival at Papanikola guesthouse.

Second day: Dimitsana hydrodynamic museum - Stemnitsa - Prodromou Monastery - ancient Gortyna - Chrysovitsi - Piana (109km)

After breakfast, we leave for the hydropower museum just outside the beautiful village of Dimitsana, where we will see up close the operation of the gunpowder mill, the water mill, the process of leather processing in a traditional way, and the exploitation of the power of water for the cleaning of textiles, the distillation of the tsipouro and the movement of the miller's millstone.

The next stop is the neighboring Stemnitsa, one of the most beautiful traditional villages in Greece, which is a popular base for accommodation in the area but also a classic stop for a stroll through the alleys with the wonderful houses or a coffee and dessert in the picturesque square.

Then we take the road to the Holy Monastery of Prodromos. Through a beautiful 15-minute hiking trail we will visit the monastery which was built in the 16th century on a vertical rock with a panoramic view of the Lousios river gorge. We will follow the marked path and after 2 kilometers we will reach ancient Gortyna where an impressive archaeological site is located at the mouth of the Lousios river. Ancient Gortyna is one of the most important Arcadian cities of the ancient world.

We take the way back with a stop for food in the village of Chrysovitsi, at the tavern "To steki tou Moria", where we will enjoy a wide variety of salads, appetizers, stews, and roasts of the hour.

Return and overnight at Papanikola guesthouse.

Third day: Chrysovitsi Forest History Museum – Elati Horse Riding - Kolokotronai House Limbovisi – Mainalo Refuge (75 km)

After breakfast, we will start at the forest history museum of Mainalo in Chrysovitsi. It is a place that traces the first steps of the industrial revolution in the Arcadian area and at the same time highlights the importance of the great mountain in the history of the place.

Afterward, we will visit the village of Elati and live a unique riding experience with Christos and his horses in the green forest.

Next stop the historic Limbovisi, towering at 1200 meters high, above the ravines of Mainalo stands invincible. It is the village of the Kolokotronians, their eagle's nest. Here 12 whole generations of this great family lived and prepared for the great blow of the revolution. In Limbovisi we have the opportunity to visit the house where Th. Kolokotronis grew up which functions as a museum and walked a beautiful two-hour path following the footsteps of our great general. Then the owner of the traditional cafe will kiss us local pasta and meat and quench our thirst with gargling water from the spring under the centuries-old plane trees.

After the meal, we will depart for the mountain refuge of Mainalo where we will settle in our shared rooms, spend free time in the warm living room, and enjoy moments of peace and tranquility at 1620 m altitude. In the evening we will enjoy appetizers and local wine next to the large fireplace.

Fourth day: Mainalo Shelter – Areos Square – Tripoli War Museum – Athens (169km)

After breakfast, there is an optional 2:15-minute circular trail guided by Aris, the manager of the refuge and a certified mountain guide.

After the hike, our next stop is Tripoli, the capital of Arcadia. We will visit Areos Square, the second largest square in Greece, where the statue of General Kolokotronis dominates.

We must not miss the opportunity to drink traditional Greek coffee at the "Great Cafe", one of the oldest coffee shops in Europe which have been operating non-stop since 1840.

Right next to the cafe is the war museum of Tripoli, it mainly includes exhibits from the war of 1821, as well as from the war of 1940. In the halls of the War Museum and its collections, you can see in relief the history of Tripoli and all of Arcadia.

A delicious table at "Kafe Potiraki" awaits us full of appetizers and unique flavors to close our excursion in the best way.

* For the stay at the shelter you will need an optional sleeping bag or set of sheets, and a pillowcase.

* In case you don't have one, there is a supply from the shelter for a €3 fee.

The journey to Arcadia has come to an end. Back to Athens!