Rock climbing courses hiking trekking on Kalymnos Island in Greece

Guided hiking trekking climbing holidays on Kalymnos Island

Kalymnos is a unique Island

When God created Earth, at the end of his hard work he remained with only some rocks in his hands. As he was tired, God threw the stones into the Sea and thus Kalymnos was born. Now the Greek inhabitants of the Island are claiming that God had created the island for the climbers: it is really a scrambling paradise like Lake Garda. From beginners to experts: everyone finds his suitable routes. Kalymnos is the ideal place for our instruction, guiding, personal tuition and courses: everywhere there are easy routes on multicolor rocks, turquoise sea, blue sky, warm sun. Kalymnos is a small Greek island which makes part of the Dodecanese archipelago. It is located North of the well-known island of Kos, not far from Rhodes and the Turkish coast of Bodrum, its dimensions are ca. 25 x 10 km. In the past the island used to be famous for its sponge divers. The normal tourism is not invasive and the climbers have started to come here only since 1998. The best periods to come here are spring and fall. The summer is extremely hot and the likelihood of very strong and long-lasting winds is rather high. The climate is very mild and dry throughout the whole year. Rainy days are rare and mostly during winter-time. (PLEASE SEE THE DATES OF OUR PROPOSALS). Languages spoken: English, Greek. Currency: EURO. Passport is necessary for non EU travellers, otherwise the identity card is enough. If in doubt, please check with your consulate or travel agency.

How to get to Kalymnos

How do you get to Greece and Island ? Please forget a "romantic cruise" from Athens by ferry (10-12 hrs.): we have tried this terrible trip ourself and we are convinced that this is not the best way to reach the Island !
You get there by plane to Athens from all major European and international airports. After the construction of the new airport on Kalymnos, the most direct way to reach the Island would be a domestic flight from Athens to Kalymnos but the poor connections of flights and the strange schedules may force you to spend the night at the airport of Athens ! Sometimes it is convenient book flights online with AEGEAN AIRLINES - OLYMPICAIR - RYANAIR to Athens and Kos. From the harbour of Kos you take a ferryboat to the Island (ca. 30 min.). As you can see Kalymnos cannot be reached as easy as it seems: depending on your flight schedule it might be necessary to spend an extra night in Athens or on the island of Kos. Timetables and conditions to reach the island are changing almost every season, anyway we are able to provide you directly with useful information. How to get around on the Island: by scooter with automatic gear, suitable for 2 people (please bring along your drivers license and wind-proof jacket) or by rent-a-car. (Cost for a scooter per day: ca. EUR 15 - 20; rent-a-car per day: ca. EUR 40 - 45).

Accommodation - Hotels and Studios

Up to the year 2000 the hotels have been open only from June through September. The first rock climbers which came to Kalymnos found their first accommodation in the so-called "studios": small apartments with kitchen, bedroom, balcony or terrace. The cleanliness and furniture however was not like ours at Lake Garda. Some of them are still in the same condition as years ago and so it happens that you reserve in internet a very "romantic" studios with seaview for only 22 Euros per night and when the night is over you leave disappointed the next morning: either you try to experience on your own or you trust our recommendations because we know exactly which accommodation on the Island you should avoid. Good studios on Kalymnos or generally in Greece cost from 40 to 50 Euros per night, the same price you have to pay for a hotel room BB. The climbers are mostly staying in the so-called "studios" which is the local name for a holiday flat. The studios are furnished with a small kitchen, private bathroom and a porch. Our local collaborators are the owners and managers of the studios which are available for 2 up to 3 people. We can give you a hand with the reservation of a hotel room or the studios for 2-3 persons and the scooter for the duration of course. The studios are very nice and clean; the price is from 40 to 50 Euro per day. There are various small restaurants (Taverna) where you can eat local and international food at very reasonable prices. The locals most of whom speak English, are very gentle and friendly towards the climbers or trekkers.

Rock climbing and crags

The history of climbing on Kalymnos is very recent. Only in 1996, an Italian climbers couple has discovered the Island as a climbers' paradise. It offers a great number and variety of lime stone rocks with different kinds of difficulty degrees (overhangs, caves with stalactites, slabs...). At the moment there are about 50 crags with more than 1000 single pitch routes. There are also some multi-pitch routes available. During our last rock climbing courses we have visited some sectors which have been just recently opened. In particular we have climbed in those areas where there are almost only easy routes from 4a to 6a, also suitable for beginners. We have been in recently opened sectors on fantastic and still stinging rocks with routes that sometimes exceed 30 meters. Wherever you are you can enjoy the panorama, uncontaminated nature and the typical blue of the sea. We recommend to wear long, technica trousers both to avoid the pungent shrubs and to protect the knees. On the new, easy and sharp slabs, falling while leading is absolutely to be avoided.
OUR OFFER INCLUDES A: 5-DAY-ROCK CLIMBING COURSE with an internationally licensed MOUNTAIN GUIDE (language: English, German, Italian), rent of the general technical material such as rope, quickdraws, carabiners.

The sea and the beaches

Kalymnos is best known as the island of some of the world' s finest sponge divers. The sea has always been a central element in the local life which has preserved its traditional character colour and style to a great extent - nowadays the Island is part of a protected National Marine Park. Most of the beaches are rocky and you will find crystal clear turquoise water. The "normal" tourism is rather limited. The water temperature in the periods which we are offering is between 18 C in spring and around 22 C in fall. We recommend to bring a light wetsuit (3-5 mm), fins and mask. In the Vlychadia Bay there is a private diving museum: it contains all memorabilia (including remnants of war) which an old diver named ... has collected in about 60 years of activity. We recommend to visit the Museum which we found to be one of the most interesting spots on the Island.
We especially recommend a visit of the wild Island of Telendos where the new crags, the crystal clear water of the sea and the white gravel beaches fulfill the concept of rock climbing and sea.

Program of Alpine School Arco Lake Garda Dolomites

Starting dates: Suspended - upon request

Pax: 4/5 - Price: Euro 667,00 p.p - Duration 5 days

Program of rock climbing courses
day 1 - Crag Arhi - climbing top-rope and rope manoeuvres from 4c to ...
day 2 - Crag Kasteli - climbing technique in leading or top-rope 4b - 6a
day 3 - Crag Odyssey - leading climb or top-rope difficulty 5b to ...
day 4 - Crag Palace - leading tactics or climbing top-rope from 5c to ...
day 5 - Crag Telendos - leading or top-rope difficulty 6a - 6b
NB: The program is subject to changes according to weather conditions, capacity or requests of the participants.

Our scope of performance includes
- a five-day- course: guidance/supervision of an internationally licensed mountain guide (language: English, German, Italian), rent of the general material such as rope, quickdraws, carabiners. The goal of most participants in the courses is to go climbing independently and to "lead". In the beginning of the course we still climb top-rope on difficult routes trying to reach the limit our your capacity with the objective to attain a higher degree, to correct possible mistakes and to refine your climbing technique. Next step in the course is advanced techniques for climbers who are 'leading'. The success of the course depends of course on the participants' prior experience and a small number of participants. The duration of instruction is ca. 5-6 hours per day.

What to bring to Kalymnos
Helmet - harness - shoes - chalk- chalkbag - backpack - bottle - light wetsuit (3-5 mm) - fins - mask - snorkel - windcheater.

Reservation of our rock climbing courses
Per e-mail to: office@alpinguide.it

Individual tuition and personal instruction

This proposal, valid for two persons, is also dedicated to people who due to business reasons or certain dates of school holidays are not able to match their needs with our calendar program dates of our rock climbing courses on Kalymnos Island.
Often we are receiving special requests from individual guests who would like to participate in our holiday trips to Kalymnos island with just 2 people, with only their partner or a friend and without other participants. We are happy to meet the special requests and expectations from people who have specific date requests or certain requirements regarding the program of the course.
During a customized individual rock climbing course our mountain guide is able to transmit profound knowledge and to dedicate completely to your own requirements and capacities.
The rate is EUR 1.235,00 and included:
- Individual tuition from a English speaking Mountain Guide
- We make available rope, carabiner, quickdraw and belaying gear (the participants must bring their own helmet, harness, shoes, chalk and chalkbag).