Adventure Camp in Valia Calda & Sivota

ACTIVE PERIOD: A': 30 June - 8 July - Sold out; B': 9 July - 17 July - Sold out
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 2

DURATION: 9 days
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS: Ages from 11-15 years old

Adventure Camp in Valia Calda & Sivota

Price from €840

Overview

An exciting 9-day adventure camp in Valia Calda and Sivota that seamlessly blends the best of both worlds - the awe-inspiring mountains and the serene sea!

Our base for mountain expeditions is the cozy "Casa Calda" guesthouse in the Krania village, standing tall at an elevation of 960 meters. Nestled amidst vineyards, Krania village is situated in a small valley within the massif of northern Pindos and borders the National Park "Valia Calda," meaning "Warm Valley" in Vlach. Don't let the name deceive you, this region is one of Greece's coldest and wettest areas! Amidst the stunning scenery, comprising of dense forests, steep cliffs, and gushing streams, we will explore, discover, learn, and appreciate the stunning nature. Over six unforgettable days, we will undertake exciting activities such as hiking, mountaineering, canoe kayaking, climbing, rafting, flying fox, and many others, before descending to the seaside town of Sivota. Here we will revel in the magnificent sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, enjoying activities like boat rides, diving, sea kayaking, and more, leaving a salty taste and unforgettable sea experiences.

At the core of the Adventure Camp in Valia Calda & Sivota lies adventure, exploration, and experiential learning for children, enabling them to meet new friends, enhance team spirit, and develop personal empowerment and skills.

All our activities are supervised by specially trained Trekking Hellas guides/animators, and adhere to all safety guidelines! Our camping programs are staffed with trained guides, tailored to the number of participants and type of activity.

Medical Form

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Day 1: Athens - Kalambaka - arrival in Krania of Grevena, walk in the pine forest ( total 410km, 5 hours' drive )
Day 2: Canoe-Kayak in Lake Aoos, visit to the waterfalls "Boulouvarou"
Day 3: Ascent to the top of Batlses, climbing on a track
Day 4: Rock climbing, archery, walking in the gorge of Portitsa
Day 5: Crossing the gorge of "Klefti"

Day 6: Rafting, Flying Fox
Day 7: Krania - Archaeological site of Dodoni - boat ride & snorkelling - Sivota / Karavostasi
Day 8: Sea Kayak, hiking archaeological site of Dimokastro, Water Sports, Karavostasi/ Krania
Day 9: Krania - archery, skill games - Kalambaka / Athens

Activities / Schedule

Day 1

Our journey begins with a 7.00 a.m. departure from Athens, from the meeting point to the village of Krania in Grevena, with a brief stopover in Kalambaka. The total distance covered is 410km, which takes approximately 5 hours' drive.

At 15.00, we arrive at the cozy Casa Calda guesthouse, where we will be accommodated. We then embark on a walk through the pine forest of Profitis Ilias around the village. Finally, at 20.30, we indulge in a delectable dinner at the quaint "Baltses" tavern, located in the village square.

Day 2

Rise and shine at 8.00 a.m. for morning wake up and personal hygiene, followed by a hearty breakfast at 8.30 a.m.

At 9.30 a.m., we set off for our morning activity. We will be transferred to the southeastern shore of the artificial lake of Aoos Springs, where we will gather our equipment and prepare to cross the lake with our two and three-seater Canoe - Kayak. Our destination is the northeastern springs of the lake, where we will approach and conquer an island. Towards the end of the trip, we can take a break from paddling and dive into the crystal clear waters of the lake.

At 2.30 p.m., we indulge in a scrumptious lunch at the "Baltses" tavern located in the village square.

Our afternoon activity begins at 4.30 p.m., where we visit the awe-inspiring "Boulouvaros" waterfalls nestled in the forest, with towering black pine trees in the peripheral zone of the national park Valia Kalda, located right on the border of Western Macedonia with Epirus. Here, we can dive and swim in the cool waters of the stream.

Finally, at 8.30 p.m., we delight in a delectable dinner at the "Baltses" tavern located in the village square.

Day 3

Get ready to kickstart your day with morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m. Fuel up with breakfast at 8.30 a.m., before setting off for our morning activity at 9.30 a.m.

At 10.30 a.m., we will make the exhilarating ascent to Baltses (Kakopleyri), standing tall at 2,159m, one of the peaks of the North Pindus National Park Valia Kalda. Here, we will visit the streams that create natural meanders or circles, known as verlages, filled with alpine newts, also known as Pindus dragons.

At 2.30 p.m., we will have lunch around the natural spring at the foot of the mountain, standing tall at 2,034m. This is also the point where we will come across the unique forest cluster, not scattered as commonly seen with White-skinned Peyka-Robola in Europe.

At 6.00 p.m., we will climb the artificial 5m piste at the campsite and get familiarized with the basic equipment such as belts, ropes, and keys.

Finally, at 8.30 p.m., we savor a delicious dinner at the "Baltses" tavern located in the village square.

Day 4

Start your day with morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8.30 a.m., before setting off for our morning activity at 9.30 a.m.

At 10.30 a.m., we will visit the Spilaio (Cave) village, where we will showcase our skills in rock climbing on the vertical cliffs at the entrance of the village. We will also indulge in rappelling for a thrilling experience! In the village park, we will take shots with bow and arrows to score as many points as possible.

At 2.30 p.m., we will relish lunch at the "Perdika" tavern in Spilaio village.

At 5.00 p.m., we will head to the village square and follow the path that leads us to the awe-inspiring Portitsa gorge and the stunning stone bridge connecting the two banks. We will venture into the middle of the gorge to admire the towering height of the vertical cliffs.

At 7.30 p.m., we will set up tents (per three persons) on the riverbed with a stunning view of the imposing gorge and prepare for an overnight stay. We will gather wood and build a fire to enjoy our dinnerl at 8.30 p.m.

Day 5

Get ready for another day of adventure with morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8.30 a.m., before setting off for our morning activity at 9.30 a.m.

Today, at 10.30 a.m., we will conquer the narrow canyon of "Kleftis," with its imposing vertical cliffs. We will travel approximately a kilometer through the river water, sometimes walking from rock to rock, and sometimes swimming. Of course, there will be no shortage of diving in the deepest parts!

At 2.30 p.m., we will enjoy our lunch at the "Perdika" tavern in the village of Spilaio.

At 5.30 p.m., we will return to our camp and have free time to play and rest.

Finally, at 8.30 p.m., we will delight in a delicious dinner at the "Baltses" tavern located in the village square.

Day 6

Our day starts with morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8.30 a.m., before setting off for our morning activity at 9.30 a.m.

Today, at 10.30 a.m., we will experience the exhilarating river rafting descent on the Aliakmon River, a serene summer trip on one of the main rivers of Northern Greece. Swimming and diving will complete the activities on the river.

At 2.30 p.m., we will have lunch at the outdoor area of the company's rafting base.

At 5.00 p.m., we will be transferred to a special area of natural beauty shaped by the Venetikos River and its banks with coralwood rocks. It forms a unique natural pool where we can swim and also embark on an aerial passage (flying fox) over the rocks and the river from bank to bank.

At 7.30 p.m., we will take a 10-minute drive from the central square of the town of Grevena to stop for some organic traditional ice cream from a local vendor.

Day 7

Rise and shine at 8.00 a.m. to get ready for the day and enjoy breakfast at 8.30 a.m.

At 9.30 a.m., we will board the bus for the departure of our morning activity.

At 11.30 a.m., we will transfer to the sea near the area of Sivota, where we will spend two days indulging in wonderful activities. Our first stop will be at the archaeological site of Dodoni for a fantastic guided tour.

At 1.30 p.m., our boat will be docked at the port, waiting for us to tour the beautiful islands. Sivota has been a popular attraction for tourists in recent years, and we will visit nice beaches for diving, large and small caves, and observe the seabed with the appropriate equipment (snorkeling).

At 3.30 p.m., we will enjoy lunch at a fast food restaurant in Sivota.

At 5.00 p.m., we will take the bus to Karavostasi beach, where we will have free time for swimming.

At 7.30 p.m., we will get ready for an exciting sea kayak adventure! We will pack our necessary personal belongings and sleeping bag, board the double-triple kayaks and paddle to the secluded and deserted beach of Prapa Mali, where we will spend the night with only our sleeping bags.

Finally, at 9.00 p.m., we will enjoy dinner at the overnight accommodation.

Day 8

Start your day with morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8.30 a.m.

At 9.00 a.m., we will return to the beach-base where we picked up the kayaks for our previous day's excursion. We will enjoy a fantastic trip along the coastline of Thesprotia in the turquoise waters and steep cliffs. We will definitely not miss any opportunity for a few dives in the crystal clear waters.

At 10.30 a.m., we will return to the original starting point.

At 11.45 a.m., we will embark on a short hike that will give us the opportunity to visit the archaeological site of Dymokastro (ancient Elina) with a fantastic view of the Ionian Sea.

At 2.00 p.m., we will enjoy lunch at the restaurant of Karavostasi Beach Hotel, followed by rest during lunch hours.

At 4.00 p.m., our afternoon will be filled with fun and exciting water games and water sports. Everyone can choose a route with different games (inflatable sledges) either with "6-person couch" and either a route with the single-seater "kouloures" or "slides." We will depart and return to our camp in the village of Krania.

Finally, at 9.00 p.m., we will delight in a delicious dinner at the "Baltses" tavern located in the village square.

Day 9

We will begin our day with a morning wake up and personal hygiene at 8.00 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8.30 a.m.

Today, at 10.00 a.m., we will prepare our things for our return.

At 10.30 a.m., we will engage in some fun activities at our campsite, such as practicing archery and participating in group skill games.

At 1.00 p.m., we will board our bus and depart for the return journey. During our journey, we will stop in the town of Kalambaka for lunch.

Finally, at 6.30 p.m., we will arrive in Athens, concluding our fantastic 9-day adventure camp in Valia Calda and Sivota!

Information

DURATION

9 days

ACTIVE PERIOD

A': 30 June - 8 July - Sold out

B': 9 July - 17 July - Sold out

PRICE

840€ /per person

Minimum participation, 17 children.
Maximum participation, 21 children.

Participation Form

In order to finalize your booking it is required to fill out the Participation Form. The form is personal and needs to be completed for each child individually.

Infrastructure

Valia Calda

Casa Calda is a charming, traditional guesthouse run by a small family and features a beautiful courtyard. For our adventure camp, the children will be accommodated in ground floor rooms that have been renovated and specially designed. Each room will house six children in bunk beds, separated by gender and age. Furthermore, each room will have its own toilet, ensuring that everyone is comfortable and has the necessary privacy. Adjacent to the rooms, we have a small outdoor dining room with monastic-style tables situated in a shed area. This space will be where we enjoy our meals together in the great outdoors.

Accommodation

Valia Calda:

During our adventure camp in Valia Calda, our campers will be accommodated in a specially designed area on the ground floor of the Casa Calda guesthouse located in Krania, Grevena. Casa Calda is a small, simple guesthouse with a beautiful courtyard. The children will be housed in ground floor rooms of the guesthouse, with each room accommodating six children in bunk beds based on their gender and age. Additionally, each room will have its own toilet to ensure maximum comfort and privacy. Adjacent to the rooms, we have a small outdoor dining area with monastic-style tables situated in a shed area. The guesthouse will be exclusively operated for our camp and will not have any other resident guests.

Camping:

As part of our adventure camp, we will have one overnight stay in the impressive Portitsa Gorge where we will pitch our tents (per three persons) on the riverbed with a stunning view of the imposing gorge.

We will also spend a night at the isolated and deserted beach of Prapa Mali in Sivota where we will only have sleeping bags for overnight stay.

Activities

Canoeing and kayaking in Lake Aoos with a stop at the northeastern springs and a visit to the nearby island.
Climbing to the peak of Balces, followed by climbing on a track.
Rock climbing and archery, as well as a walk through the Portitsa Gorge.
Crossing the narrow canyon of "Kleftis".
Rafting and a thrilling ride on the Flying Fox.
Boat ride and snorkeling to explore the beautiful islands around Sivota.
Sea Kayaking and water sports.
Archery and skill games at our campsite.

Organisational structure - Staff

Program Manager: George Tottas

Movement/ Transportation

Please note that any changes to the pick-up or drop-off of children must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance and confirmed by the Reservation Department in Athens via telephone at 210 3310323. Changes made without confirmation will not be valid.

Visiting hours

As the program is of a short duration, there will not be a visiting day scheduled. However, the program coordinator and the Reservation Department are available to assist and answer any questions you may have about the program and your child's participation. Please feel free to reach out to them for any assistance you may need.

Meals

Our dietary program for the children is designed to cater to their nutritional needs and preferences. It includes five meals per day and is customized to align with the activities that the children participate in, both inside and outside the camp. Our aim is to ensure that the children are provided with a well-rounded and balanced diet that will support their physical and mental well-being throughout the program.

DAY	LUNCH	EVENING MEAL	DINNEL
Day 1		Cheese pie Kourou	Pasta with minced meat
Day 2	Chicken skewer with potatoes	Fruit (Banana)	Homemade pizza
Day 3	Greek pie (greens)	Fruit (Watermelon)	Rice with chicken
Day 4	Gigantes in the oven	Cereal bar	Falafel with Arabic pita bread
Day 5	Burgers with potatoes	Rice pudding	Omelette with cheese
Day 6	BBQ	Traditional ice cream of Grevena	Sour trahanas with feta cheese and mushrooms
Day 7	Gyros pita bread	Cereal bar	Beans
Day 8	Spaghetti carbonara	Croissant	Farewell BBQ
Day 9	Chicken nuggets

Breakfast: Whole grain bread with butter and jam/honey, milk with cereal, eggs, cake, seasonal fruits, mountain tea or milk. Served between 08:15-09:15.
Morning snack: Cake/brioche, fruit, natural juice, cheese pie. Served at 11:00.
Lunch: Served between 13:30-14:30.
Afternoon snack: Served at 17:30.
Dinner: Served between 20:30-21:30.

All meals are accompanied by salad, feta cheese or spread, bread.

Equipment

We kindly request parents to pay close attention to equipping their children with the appropriate gear, as listed below. The unique and thrilling camp activities require suitable equipment to ensure the children's comfort and safety. Backpacks and footwear that are not designed for mountain activities may cause discomfort or even injuries.

Luggage:

Large backpack or sac voyage (not suitcase)
35-45 Lt mountain backpack for activities (not school bags) We recommend that children do not have more than one large piece of luggage with them, as they will not fit in the tents.

Sleeping:

Comfort sleeping bag: +8° Limit: +3°
Torch with spare battery
2 single bed sheets and 2 pillowcases (and a small pillow for camping)

Clothing:

1 pair of sports shoes
1 pair of hiking boots for safety and comfort during hikes
1 pair of shoes for the river or Teva-type sandals or sports shoes
Flip flops only for the accommodation area
Sportswear (short-sleeved t-shirts, shorts, tracksuits and sweatshirts)
Underwear, cotton socks, pajamas
Fleece or warm sweater
Waterproof and windproof jacket

Excursions:

Hat
Water bottle (1 Lt.)
High SPF sunscreen (face, body)
Swimsuit & beach towel

Personal hygiene:

Personal hygiene items (2 towels), beach towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, shower gel, Liposan for lips
Bag for dirty laundry

Optional:

Sunglasses
Musical instruments (optional)

Children are not allowed to have with them:

Mobile phone
Camera
Electronic games
Valuable items
Sharp and dangerous objects (e.g. knives, lighters)
Large sums of money (we recommend not more than 30€)
Sweets and food.

Contact

Contact

For communication with your children and to ensure the smooth operation of the program and achieve its goal, specific hours of telephone communication have been set. Frequent communication with your children will make their adaptation more difficult and slower. Children have a full daily program of activities.

Program Coordinator: George Tottas
Contact phone numbers: 6977 010060 & 6981878794
Contact hours: 20.00 – 21.30 Reservation
Department phone (Athens): 210 3310323 (Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 17:00)

Medical Coverage

Our camp collaborates with an external pathologist in Grevena who is available to our campers at any time.