Hiking tour on Santorini

The Santorini archipel is part of the active volcanic arch of the Aegean with the last eruption dating 1950 A.D. with signs of activity in the last 10 years. It is sure that in 2012 a magma chamber was rising up. There is no cause to panic or to expect an eruption in the very near future. But the scientists are watching every change in temperature, gas exhausts, GPS data and small earthquakes to determine the status of the volcano. On the hiking tours of this journey, Tobias Schorr will introduce you into the history of the volcanic archipel of Santorini and how it affected the nature and culture of this beautiful island. There are many rare species of plants to be photographed and sometimes you may even watch rare birds or reptils. Tobias Schorr has been doing tours on this island for more than 20 years and his knowledge of Greek language gives you an direct contact to local people. This hiking tour is also ideal for photographers and Tobias Schorr will support you in taking unforgettable photographs. The Greek food will be also a nice discovery for all senses!

Your guide Tobias Schorr will pick you up at the airport of Santorini JTR. If your flight is different from the other participants, we will send a taxi with your name & our logo. At the dinner at our hotel in the village Ia Tobias Schorr will give you a first introduction in this tour. If you and the others arrive early in the morning, there will be enough time for a round trip through the lanes of Ia village. If you arrive 1 or more days earlier, we can arrange your transfer and accommodation if we know it in time.

After the breakfast we will take the bus to the capitol city of Santorini, Thira. There we will have time to explore the archaeological museum with the most exciting discoveries of the Minoan excavations of Acrotiri. Some of the items exhibited we will also discover on our hikes. Through the lanes of Thira we will ascend to the higher parts of Thira,Firostefani: Leaving the tourist area we will walk to the cinder cone of little Profitis Ilias and will have a little break at the caldera café. Later we will have a great view from the top of Mavro Vouni and Kokkino Vouni towards Ia village and the sunset. A nice dinner will wait for us at the Anemomilos tavern in Ia.

Pyrgos is an old village situated on a little mountain top. We will take photos of the great view and will descend on a nice path through vine yards. After a while we will discover the scenic view on the castlelike village of Emporion. In former times people where afraid of pirate attacks and so the created a labyrinth of lanes . In the late afternoon we will take the bus back to Ia and have our dinner at Anemomilos hotel.

When 1627 B.C. the volcano of Santorini erupted, it conserved with its ash an complete culture. The Minoans were one of the first (cultural) super powers in the Mediterranean Sea. The excavations brought to light houses with artistic wall paintings and a nearly modern infrastructure. After visiting the archaeological site of Acrotiri, we will see the so called "red beach" cinder cone of an old volcano and will ascend to the village of Acrotiri. On the hike we will discover so called pillow lavas and may be some zeolithe crystals. Later we will pick up the bus to get to Ia village. There we will enjoy our dinner.

Today a charter bus will bring us up to the ancient acropolis of Thera where we can stroll through the lanes of an ancient town. It was discovered by an German archaeologist and shows all public buildings, like sanctuaries, a theatre and some special service points... If there is enough time, we will visit also the water source of this ancient city. Later we descend to Perissa village with its black beach for a snack or a bath. The bus will bring us back to Ia and our hotel.

We begin with a bus ride to Thira, the lively capital of Santorini, and walk down to the old harbor. From here, our excursion boat sets off for Nea Kameni, the youngest volcanic island of Greece.

On a marked trail, we hike up to the still-warm craters. Along the way, Tobias Schorr explains fascinating geological details: steaming fumaroles, bright yellow sulfur deposits, and solidified lava flows bring the volcanic power of Santorini to life.

Next, the boat takes us to the small neighboring island of Palia Kameni, where the adventurous can jump straight from the boat into the sea and swim in the natural sulfur springs. The mineral-rich, pleasantly warm water is known for its relaxing and healing effect.

Finally, we cross over to the unspoiled island of Thirasia, a quieter, authentic contrast to busy Santorini. Those who wish can enjoy traditional Greek specialties in one of the simple seaside tavernas. If time permits, there’s also the option to climb up to the charming village of Manolas, with its white houses, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking views over the Caldera.

This day is a free day or a buffer for a tour that could not take place due to weather conditions or other organization changes. If everything was possible like in the schedule, you may use this day for shopping or relaxation.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will get a transfer in a minibus or with a taxi in time to get your flight. We recommend top be at the JTR airport at least 90 minutes before your flight leaves. If there are many charter companies flying the same time, you have to be early there. It is a very small airport and you may need time to get to the check-in. If your flight is leaving in the evening, you will still have time to enjoy Ia village. Of course you may leave your baggage at the hotel and you can use the hotel infrastructure (shower, etc.).

Most readers wonder how a hiking study trip differs from a hiking trip? If the tour guide is very familiar with the destination, it does not matter whether the tour is called a "hiking study trip" or a "hiking trip".

The only thing that is decisive for a hiking study trip is that you experience a target area with all topics. The tour guide shows the guests rare orchids, explains historical processes or finds interesting, geological places. Basically, such a trip is a kind of "study" in the field and you expand your knowledge.

A hiking study trip (also with a special topic) is not a special trip that is only intended for "specialist idiots". It is something for everyone who wants to find out more about the facets of a travel destination.

For many guests who traveled with Tobias Schorr, a trip was the occasion to become interested in new hobbies.

The hiking study trip to Santorini, for example, is a good start for anyone who wants to visit a (dormant) volcano without danger. A hike to Santorini is also always something special for photographers, because with Tobias Schorr they come to places that not every million Santorini visitors have photographed X times.
And also there you can "study" how to take better photos, because your guide is also a photographer and will be happy to advise you on how to take better photos.

Conclusion: A pure "hiking trip" has more "sporty" style and it is often only a question of walking as many kilometers as possible in an area. Trekking is an increase.
A "WanderStudyTravel-Tour" can contain both elements, but has a thematic goal. This can be the geology, nature or archeology of a target region. It's about the details and your understanding.

• All transfers on Santorini
• Boat tour
• Entrances
• Half board
• Accommodation in the good ***Hotel Anemomilos
• Guide Tobias Schorr
• German insurance "Reisesicherungsschein"

• Flight to Santorini (we can arrange that for you!)
• Tipps
• Souvenirs
• Optional lunch or snacks
• Travel Insurances
• Your equipment

Minimum participants: 4-6 people

For individual tours and individual groups up to 16 people, please ask for an offer!

From 1880 Euro (single room supplement 150 Euro)

03.04.2026 - 10.04.2026
04.05.2026 - 10.05.2026
22.05.2026 - 29.05.2026

Because we have good connections to our local partners a longer duration of your stay on Santorini is possible if we know about it in time. Please ask for an offer!

There are many charter flights from different European countries to Santorini JTR airport in the time between May to October. If you book early, you may get very economic offers. If you are travelling from outside Europe, it may make sense to use airlines who corporate with Aegean Airlines / Lufthansa. Probably you will fly to Frankfurt - Athens - Santorini. If you have got enough time, we recommend to stay 1-2 nights in Athens and do a little sightseeing tour there, before you go on to Santorini. It is also possible to fly to Athens and to sail with one of the fast ferry boats to Santorini. Depending on the ship you will do Piraeus - Santorini in 4-9 hours.
You can also combine your stay on Santorini in that case with the islands of Naxos or Paros.

• Warm and wind resistant clothing for windy days
• Rain coat
• walking boots
• Sunprotection
• Daypack
• Drinking bottle
• Binocular
• Photographic equipment / Smartphone

Tobias Schorr has been living on the most western part of the active Greek volcanoes, the peninsula Methana. From 1996 he is doing guided, geological and photographic hiking tours on Santorini island. He is an experienced expert of Santorini and knows about the nature, geology and history of this interesting region. On his walking tours he will show you all aspects of Santorini. He will guide you to the most beautiful photo points, interesting geological and archaeological sites and discovers rare animals and plants (like orchids). He has got long experience as an co-founder of an volcanological tour operator in organising geological & volcanological tours to all 4 Greek volcanoes, to Ethiopia and other regions.

Depending on which time of the year we are doing this tour, we are using different hotels on Santorini. In spring time, we prefer the Anemomilos in Ia village and the other times also hotels at Acrotiri peninsula, like the Guilelmos or the Acrotiri hotel.

The Santorini trip is a true hiking tour. This means we go on daily hikes of about 3 to 6 hours. Weather conditions can vary — it may be cool, hot, or windy — and the paths are often rocky, sometimes loose underfoot, and can include ascents. No climbing skills or fearlessness of heights are required, but you must have stamina, surefootedness, and the physical fitness to walk at a normal pace.

If you already struggle to climb a flight of stairs at home, this trip may be too demanding. Natural stone steps appear frequently, and you should feel comfortable walking on sandy or gravelly terrain without fear.

This is not a matter of age — we’ve had 87-year-old guests who climbed hills like 17-year-olds, and 30-year-olds who found the walks challenging. Compared to alpine hikes in Austria or Switzerland, or long trekking tours, our Santorini hikes are considered “easy to moderate.”

We don’t want to “sell the trip at any cost.” It’s better to ask yourself honestly whether you enjoy hiking and can handle these conditions. These are not extreme endurance tours — any normally fit person can join. The group is always supportive and considerate if someone has a slower day. But keep in mind: participants who lack basic fitness or have health limitations can affect the experience for the whole group.