e-banner espa epanek
IMG_1226
0N9A4048bd
IMG_1136d
0N9A5159d
IMG_1165d
More info

The Big Blue

from 2,500

Mountain biking and catamaran sailing at the Aegean Sea.

  • Activity Level Intermediate
  • Trip Duration 5 riding days
    8 Days
  • Destinations Aegean Sea, Dodecanese
  • Group Size Small Group
    6
All about the The Big Blue.

At a glance

A combination of mountain bike and sailing trip at the Aegean Sea! A sailing catamaran yacht will be your house, your kitchen, your transfer and bike garage for a whole week! You will have the chance to ride at some amazing landscape island trails, with the best views of the Aegean Sea and make some of the most refreshing dives at the big blue of the Mediterranean Sea.  Food, drinks, music and at the same time single tracks and trails that ends at some of the most exceptional beaches of the mediterranean sea.

Your Captain, and Outline’s team will make theirs best for you to have a memorable boat and bike trip. But to be honest there are not a lot to do… We have the salt and the breeze of the Aegean Sea that makes the most. So, why wasting any more time? Just grab your bike and a sea towel and come to Greek islands for the best mtb holidays of your life!

Tour Highlights

  • Aegean island hopping
  • Accommodation at a sailing catamaran boat
  • Sailing at the Aegean Sea
  • Riding and swimming to hidden beaches
  • Riding in to a volcano crater
  • Visit the apocalypse cave of Saint John

 

Please note: A mountain bike adventure may be affected by numerous factors, with more common the weather conditions. Outline Adventures and its people have the experience to adjust the itinerary and proceed to what is needed in order to update the tour and provide you the best experience depending the conditions.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • English speaking, local expert mtb guide(s)
  • Five (5) days riding the islands
  • Seven (7) night boat accommodation
  • Seven (7) breakfasts
  • All meals required by the itinerary (FB)
  • Visit seven Aegean islands
  • Maintenance toolset always available
  • All transportation required by the itinerary
  • Airport pick up and drop off
Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • International and/or domestic flights
  • Alcoholic / non-alcoholic beverages
  • Tickets for sights and visits
  • Bike rentals
  • Personal safety and bike equipment
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Anything not mentioned as included
  1. Day 1 Arrive at KOS Airport - Transfer to the yacht

    The adventure begins at KOS Airport where your guide will be waiting to pick you up and transfer you to your yacht at Kos harbour. (Check transfer details at Trip Details section). Please do not forget to inform us by email about the details of your flight, at least 7 days prior to the arrival day, in order to schedule your pick up from KOS Airport on time. After the arrival and settlement into the yacht, a first meeting with the captain and your Guide(s) will take place.

    Now you will have the chance to assembly your bike. Make sure you have double checked our bike kit list for this tour before traveling. A tour briefing will be given to you accompanied by some traditional “meze” and welcome drinks – just a few since some serious riding and sailing is waiting for you the next days!

  2. Day 2 Sailing to Nisyros and riding

    First day starts with a good breakfast and right after we fix our bikes and verify all of our gear is in shape. Make sure you have double checked our bike kit list for this tour before traveling.

    First day starts with a good breakfast while your captain is getting ready to sail to Nisyros. This is approximately a 2,5 hours sailing, so you will have time to prepare your gear while having your coffee at the deck of the catamaran.

    Nisyros is located in the Dodecanese south-west of Kos, where the most recent active volcano in Greece exists and gives to Nisyros island a unique landscape and an exceptional flora.

    We will unload the bikes from our catamaran and start our ride from a small fishing village named Pali. We will peddle till the village of Nikia for our first stop in the central square for a cold lemonade or a greek coffee before we start our downwards ride.

    Through old stone path, narrow switchbacks, single track and a breathtaking view of the volcano, we will end up into the volcano crater and from there we will start to ride uphill, in order to reach the medieval castle, where we will admire the beautiful view of Mandraki village. A stone path trail will lead us to a magnificent volcanic rock beach, for a cold beer and some swimming. On our way back to the boat, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. After our lunch, we will return to our boat and have free time to relax before our light dinner at the catamaran and maybe a chill beer at the village of Pali.

    Ride distance 25km

     

  3. Day 3 Kos sailing and riding

    Today we will be sailing back to Kos island. Sailing time is 2,5 hours approximately so you can enjoy your breakfast with the wild view of the south side of Kos.

    Today we will have the chance to ride through shuttles at the Kos trail network, which consists by a variety of purpose-built-mtb-trails for all tastes and levels. After shredding some berms and dropping some jumps inside a pine forest, we will be heading down to Kos city for a light lunch.

    As soon as we finish our snack it will be time for us sailing to a secret bay located northwest from Kos on a small island called Pserimos, where we will enjoy Aegean Sea by jumping from the boat in the crystal green-blue water, snorkel or just relax on the deck of the boat. Afterwards we will continue sailing for an hour to Kalymnos island. We will reach the bay of Vathi where we will have our dinner in a traditional fishing taverna and stay for the night.

    Ride distance 17km

     

  4. Day 4 Kalymnos sailing - Mtb free day

    Breakfast is served at 8:00 and the day starts on the island of Kalymnos. The island is world famous for it’s sponge divers and it’s rocky climbing routes, which makes Kalymnos the most famous climbing destination around the world. The landscape is rocky and its majestic mountain slopes fragrant with thyme, sage and oregano.

    Today is a free mtb day. We will have some choices for the day like hiking or climbing but everything depends on the weather, since today we will sail the longest of our daily routes to island of Patmos. We will have a light lunch at our boat while sailing and before we reach Patmos island, we will make a stop for a swim at a hidden marvellous spot at Telendos island.

    If winds are on our side, we will have also the chance for a sailing lesson, under our captain’s commands. After our arrival at the port of Skala in Patmos, we will have the time for a walk in the small town and dinner in a traditional restaurant.

     

  5. Day 5 Patmos riding and sailing to Lipsi

    The smell of fresh bread and the traditional cheese pie form the bakery is welcoming us for a breakfast.

    Today is a relaxing cultural ride. We will start riding from the port of Skala with destination the apocalypse cave of Saint John. We can optionally hire a tour guide, who will give us a tour in the cave and after that we will continue riding our way up to Chora, through alleys and arches till we reach the main square for a greek coffee. The fortress monastery of saint John the Theologian located on top of the ancient temple of Artemis has a religion museum and a panoramic view worth to visit.

    Patmos trails are mostly for hiking, but we can use them for our descent. The ride starts from the main square and takes us down at the sea level from a stone path. From there we will continue riding at the coastline and after a climb on the highest point of Patmos, we will ride a couple of trails before return to our boat.

    Our captain will be wait for us in order to start sailing to Lipsi, while we will enjoy our light lunch. Before our arrival, a swim stop is a must-do in Makronisi, with some surprises waiting for us. As soon as we arrive at Lipsi, we will enjoy our dinner at a traditional, island-style, greek tavern.

    Ride distance 28km

  6. Day 6 Leros sailing and riding

    After the easy riding day in Patmos, we will ride the rocky trails in Leros, so it is time for a healthy mediterranean breakfast while sailing from Lipsi to Leros island. Leros is a small paradise, for all visitors searching for peace combined with a traditional way of life and some amazing mountain bike trails.

    Our ride will start from the Port of Agia Marina, heading to the hill of Patella where the main mtb network of the island is located. All trails here are built by the small -but very active- local mtb community, so it is very likely to ride with the locals, since they do not like to miss the chance to show theirs trails and host the incoming riders.

    Afterwards we will have a nice light lunch by the beach.

    For the ones who are hungry for more riding in the afternoon, there are some more trails nearby in a pine forest. Last but not least we can visit the castle of Panagia for one sunset descent, from a stairway that ends where our boat will be docked. Our dinner will be served by the sea in a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant.

    Ride distance 25km to 30km

     

  7. Day 7 Kos sailing and riding

    Our final riding day will start with a good revitalising breakfast, while we sail to Kos island for approximately three and a half hours. Our ride starts from the marina heading to the Sympetro hill, where the trail network is located.

    We will pedal up through the city and forest roads until the top of the hill. There we will admire a panoramic view of Kos island and get ready for a fun descent. We will ride down until the level of the sea where we can swim in natural hot spring water and have some beverages along. On our way back to the boat through the coastline, we will stop for a light lunch before heading to our catamaran.

    In the afternoon we will have a free time for a city walk in the Kos centre, before our dinner at a local Greek meze – tapas tavern. Drinks have no limit tonight!

    Ride Distance 28km

  8. Day 8 Departure Day

    Sadly, this is the end of your magnificent mtb riding and boat sailing holidays in Greece. Depending on your flight’s schedule, you may have time to have some free time in Kos before we transfer you to KOS Airport and say to each other, “Till our paths meet again!”

0N9A4108d
0N9A5137d
b3dd3f36-170d-41af-a13a-3fa2e6e02124

Fitness and Skills Level

Fitness Level: 3

  • You have a reasonable level of fitness, exercising at least twice a week for 45 minutes or more, throughout the whole year
  • You can ride for up to 5 hours per day at a moderate pace, with snack and photo stops, for 3 consecutive days
  • You are capable of tackling one or two moderate climbs per day, of up to 400m

Skill Level: Intermediate

  • You have been mountain biking regularly for at least one year
  • You have reasonable bike handling skills, and are confident riding in a variety of terrains and conditions including: single track, double track, muddy, wet, dry, loose
  • You are competent at riding undulating trails with moderate climbs and descents, some of which may be slightly technical in nature, but may get off and walk some sections
  • You ride at least three to four times per month

Preparation of your Bike

Here is our Bike kit list in order to help you get prepared for your adventure. Please read and check it carefully. The ideal bike for this mtb trip is a high quality full-suspension mountain bike with at least 140mm of travel. Make sure, that your bike has been professionally and authorised serviced, including all suspensions and your equipment is in proper condition.

Accommodation – Catamaran Yacht

All of our accommodations will be in a catamaran yacht, by which we will also travel from island to island. This way we will have the chance to take the most from a sailing experience at the Aegean Sea and at the same time riding at as many as possible Aegean islands.

Food & Beverages

Dodecanese are famous for their quality traditional Cuisine and raw materials. Due to travelling by boat, we will have our breakfasts and some of our meals onboard. But we will also enjoy dinners at restaurants -one in a different island- in order to taste as many as possible local Mediterranean flavours.  After all you are in Greece, you have to spend some quality time feasting with the locals.

Arrival & Departure Details – Transfers

This tour starts and finishes at Thessaloniki Airport, SKG.

 

Your Guide will meet you at the exit of Arrival department of Hippocrates International Airport of Kos, holding an Outline Adventures sign.

International Airport of Kos, is well connected to many international destinations. Please let us know if you require any assistance with your flights.

After gathering on the boat and a welcome shot, a brief will follow from the Captain and your Guide(s) about boat safety, hygiene standards and some information about the trip and the rides.

On your departure date we will drop you off to International Airport of Kos, to catch your homeward flight.

If you wish to arrive sooner or extend your trip to Greece, please contact us.

 

Please Note: All transportations from and to KOS Airport are scheduled to take place from 9am to 9pm at arrival and departure dates of the trip. If your flight(s) are before or after this range, an extra fee of 25€ per person will be charged.

 

Travel Factors

Terms & Conditions

Please read and accept our Terms & Conditions before you book one of our adventures. It is very important for us, to know that all of our customers have read and agreed to our terms.

Cancellation Policy

We hope that you will never have to cancel your trip. Although, if for any reason you have to cancel, make sure you are aware of our cancellation policy.

Travel Insurance

You are required, as a condition of booking, to be insured against medical and personal accident risks. In this policy you must include cover for mountain biking and we recommend that you take out a policy which covers cancellation and baggage.

 

 

Please note: We are more than happy to help you understand all of the trip aspects. Feel free to ask any kind of question you may have for this trip.

The duration and dates of this trip are specific. If you want to arrive earlier or expand your trip, feel free to mail us. Also if you book your own group you can tailor many of the trip aspects in any way you want.
Due to the facts that there is a specific capacity at the boat and that the minimum required number of people is per boat, the group size must be from 6 to 8 people AND/OR from 11 to 14. In other words, if the bookings become 8, then we require at least 3 more people in order to accept another booking for this trip.
We welcome anyone 18+ years old. As long as the riders fulfil the Skill and Fitness level for this trip, age does not really matter.
Our tours are addressed to mountain bikers. Although, if you would like to bring your partner please inform us in order to help you and your partner to have a great time without losing any of our rides.
This is a sailing and mountain biking trip, at different islands. We will have daily briefings to let you know what is coming up.
Probably the best weather conditions you can find. Typically South Mediterranean weather. The season that we choose to provide our Big Blue trips, is usually late spring or early autumn, in order to have cool weather for riding bikes and at the same time warm enough for swimming.
The trip price is €2.500 per person based on two sharing a room. Please note: accommodation is as limited as it can be, because of the boat restrictions and the number of the cabins. If you are travelling alone, you will share a cabin, with a person of the same sex.
We can arrange for you a Scott Genius 950 2019 full suspension bike hire for the duration of the trip. The rental cost for the whole trip is €350. Let us know as soon as possible in order to arrange your request.
Whether you have vegan, gluten free, or any special request regarding your diet preferences, feel free to inform us and we will take care of it. All of our restaurants have menu proposals for any kind of diet preferences.
100% safe. The islands that we will be travelling to, are very close to each other, so basically we will travel along the coastlines. Also, the seasons that we have chose to provide our Big Blue trips, are without strong winds and with plenty of sunshine. Aegean Sea (as the whole Mediterranean), is famous for its mild weather conditions.
Catamaran yachts, especially during sailing mode, are probably the best boat category for people that get dizzy at the sea. We can provide you of course all of the infos needed, (what and when to eat, how to move, small tips, etc) and some medical help, but we can not guarantee 100% that all of those will work. At the end of the day it is up to you to decide if you can handle it
There is the option for wifi on request while onboard. The price is €50 for 10GB, or you can ask for a railing net which will cost €150 per charter.
You can enjoy a SUP (Stand Up Paddle board) on request for €120 per week.
Package Confirmed Dates Trip Status Trip Status Price (PP) Excluding Flights .
May 11, 2024 - May 18, 2024
The Big Blue
2,500
May 25, 2024 - June 1, 2024
The Big Blue
2,500
October 5, 2024 - October 12, 2024
The Big Blue
2,500
October 19, 2024 - October 26, 2024
The Big Blue
2,500
Font Resize
Contrast