SWIM & EXPLORE
Swimtrekking & Orienteering is a programme that combines epic swims to organized walks. Two days of the expedition we will focus on both activities. Swimming up the coastline of Limnos to a specific point and then trekking the inner land to the final destination using maps and compass well assisted by an orienteering guide. This year for the first time this special programme will include 9 days of swims, walks and visits around the enchanting island of Limnos.
This program follows, in collaboration with Legambiente, a project linked to the protection and safeguarding of the sea with census activities of marine species, beach litter and marine litter.
Swims
You will be swimming daily around the beautiful coastline of Limnos. Coastal swims will have a length of approximately 5 km per day. Itineraries will be decided by the Swimtrekking instructors that will be guiding and swimming with the group to the final destinations. Swimtrekking will provide you 7/8 full days of coastal swims and 1 half day of coaching session. As part of this holiday during the 9 days programme we will be visiting archeological and historical sites together with some natural landscapes around the island. During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. In Limnos participants will be provided with a simple local map and the activity will not be at speed but at a regular walking pace. We are planning to have 1 day of Orienteering activities and 1 combined activity of Swimtrekking and Orienteering in the sea.
Equipment
Swimtrekking involves the use of specifically designed equipment. One swimmer out of two will tow a light weight, water tight barkino during coastal swims. This is attached to the swimmer by a harness worn around the waist. Barkinos allow swimmers to carry drinking water, aqua shoes, lunch, spare equipment and anything else you will find useful for the days adventure as well as being a visible piece of safety equipment. In addition to this Swimtrekking will provide all guests with a mask and snorkel, wetsuit and fins. These items are provided by the club and allow you to freely explore your underwater environment whilst giving you the personal protection required.
About Limnos
Limnos is a Greek island in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Composed mainly of volcanic rock, its western region rises to 1,410 feet (430 metres) at Múrtzeflos Cape.
Dates of tours
09-18 August
About the trip
Start point: 09 of August @ Seaview Saravari Studios .
Start time: on the arrival day meet @ 15.00 your Swimtrekking Instructors. Check in, lunch, briefing and first swim in the afternoon.
Finish point: 18 of August @ Seaview Saravari Studios .
Finish time: on the departing day last breakfast @ 9.00 and transfer to the nearest port.
Typical day Swimtrekking
Breakfast and briefing.
Pack up your essentials for the day before heading out for the morning swim.
Short walk or take our vehicle to our start point for the day.
Once on the shoreline we kit up before beginning our morning adventure.
We’ll stop off in a cove for lunch, after which you have time to spend exploring the inland beauty of Limnos or just relax on the beach.
Once lunch has settled and everyone is ready to cool off in the water again, we continue our sea adventure off in search of groupers, sting rays, tuna fish, shells, multi-coloured star fish, sea bass, morays and much more…
During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
We work up a final appetite by the time we get back to the studios having dinner in one of the characteristic Limnos tavernas’
Getting to Limnos
Suggested routes to get to Limnos are as follow:
To reach Limnos best thing is to fly to Greece via Athens and then take the ferry from Pireus to Kythnos.
Fly with: from any European destination with Ita Airways, Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Easyjet, Vueling Airlines, Ryan air, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SAS, KLM, British Airways, Swiss, Iberia, Eurowings, Norwegian, EL AL Israel Airlines . Internal flights from Athens to Limnos is operated by the following companies: Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Sky Express.
Sail with: from Thessaloniki and Kavala within 4-5 hours; from Lavrio within 9 hours; from Pireus within 9 hours. Ferry companies are: Blue Star Ferries, Seajets.
Alway remember to double check public transports and ferry timetables. These are always subject to changes and cancellations.
Accommodation
We stay 9 nights in large and comfortable facilities at Seaview Saravari Studios in Áyios Aléxandros that that is located between Paralia Savari and Paralia Amniou . You will be staying in twin / triple bedrooms (with single beds) and full board accommodation.
Food
Breakfast will be arranged on the terrace of our studios and traditional Greek dinners will be served in local tavernas The Restaurant is located next to the apartments. Lunches will be a selection of sandwiches, fruit and snacks.
We can cater for vegetarian and gluten free diets but please ensure you inform us of your dietary requirements on booking.
Temperatures and conditions
August: air temperature 28°C; sea temperature: 26°C.
Sea conditions will vary according to the weather and currents. This all adds to the experience of being in open water.
What to bring
On top of your normal clothes you should bring with you:
a waterproof/wind jacket, warm sweatshirt, walking shoes/sandals, sun hat and sun glasses. There are ATM cash machines in Chora.
For the Orienteering activities bring some trekking poles and walking shoes.
Places of interest
Get more informations about what to see in Limnos and plan a visit to your favourite places.
Important informations
Approximately daily swimming distance: 5 kilometers.
Approximately walking distance: 7 kilometers (twice in 9 days).
Program will be supervised by qualified Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides.
Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides will be responsible for all the camp organization and logistics.
Timing and itineraries can be modified according to the sea and weather conditions and may be cancelled.