Day Trip Land Rover Safari in Menalo Forest


Day Trip Land Rover Safari in Orini Arcadia. An area yet "off" the well-trodden path of mass tourism. Follow us in a unique Off-Road Tour at Mainalo Forest, through 23,000 hectares of fir and 8,000 hectares of oak trees and a have spectacular Trek in Lousios Gorge visiting the hanging by the cliffs monasteries of Prodromos and Filosofos.

Highlights

  • Trekking in Lousios Gorge
  • Visit the hidden school of Filosofos Monastery.
  • Visit the hanging from the cliffs Prodoromos Monastery.
  • Cool off with a dip in the natural swimming pool of Lousios River.
  • Walk through the picturesque stone-build villages of Dimitsana and Stemnitsa.
  • Experience the spectacular Off-Road Tour of Mainalo Forest through fir and oak trees.
The Program

The trip starts and ends in Athens. After taking a scenic drive along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, we will have a short stop at Corinth canal for some photos, before continuing to Tripoli, following the hi-way, and further the main road to our destination.

We will choose alternatively "off the beaten tracks" using our Land Rovers and following a few dirt roads we will arrive at the Ancient Gortys.
From there we get a short transfer to the Monastrey of Filosofos where the trek begins.

The Trek in Lousios Gorge offers a beautiful combination of history with nature.

We will walk amongst trails of dense vegetation going parallel and criss crossing the Lousios River.

We visit 2 monasteries and the hidden school that appear to be literally hanging from the cliffs.

We will have short brakes for picnic with refreshments and end the trek back to the archaeological site of Ancient Gortys.


This is one of the most stirring of all Greek sites as it is based along the rushing river known in ancient times as the Gortynios.

We may cool off with a dip in the natural swimming pool of a nearby stream before we drive up to Dimitsana and Stemnitsa for launch* and have a leisurely walk through the picturesque stone-build villages.

  

Trekking Duration: ~ 2 hrs | Trek Distance ~5km | Altitudinal difference: 200m ( from 380m-580m)


After lunch, on our way back to Athens, following a unique Off-Road Tour in Mainalo Forest, through 23,000 hectares of fir and 8,000 hectares of oak trees, we will have a short stop at Vitina.
It's one of the most picturesque villages in Arcardia. In the local shops you can find walnuts, chestnuts, dairy products, herbs and local wines.
Don't forget to buy Fir-tree honey from Mainalo Forest, also known as vanilla honey, which is creamy, with a caramel flavour, golden colour and mild texture. This is the only honey in Greece with a protected name of origin Vanilia Mainalou, awarded in the European market. Late afternoon return to the original departure point in Athens.