The Island of Samos

Tour Code: GRC06

A 9-day holiday on the Mediterranean island of Samos in search of spring flowers, insects and migrating birds.

9 days from
£1,895 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,495

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Highlights

The beautiful Greek island of Samos lies in the Aegean Sea, on an important migration route just a mile from the Turkish mainland. On daily wildlife walks and excursions from our friendly, family-run hotel in Karlovassi, Bee-eaters and Rollers will be amongst a range of colourful migrants we will enjoy, while in the island's mountainous interior we should find a good variety of raptors. A wide range of orchids will be found amongst the meadows and Cistus scrub, plus dragonflies and damselflies aplenty at a coastal marsh. Spectacular butterflies, too, complement the fine flora on this comparatively little-visited and charming Mediterranean island.

Fabulous wildlife on this tranquil Aegean island, home of Pythagoras
Rollers, Black-headed and Cretzschmar's Buntings & Rüppell's Warbler
30+ orchid species amongst a rich flora
A wealth of reptiles, butterflies & other insects
Rugged, scenic terrain with many historical sites
Seven nights at a friendly, Greek, family-run hotel serving tasty home cooking

Grading

Day walks only.

The beautiful Greek island of Samos lies in the eastern Aegean Sea, just a mile across the strait that separates it from the Turkish mainland, and close to the ancient site of Ephesus. Similar in size and shape to the Isle of Wight, Samos is a rugged island with two mountain ranges — the Kerkes and Ambelos — rising to nearly 1,500 metres. These ensure the island remains relatively green and fertile throughout the year, in contrast to the more barren, less mountainous neighbouring islands. They also contribute to an extremely varied landscape, and a wide range of habitats. These attract many migrant birds for, like nearby Lesbos, Samos lies on the main migration route along the Turkish coast. Bee-eaters will be amongst a range of colourful migrants we enjoy, whilst in the mountains we should find a good variety of resident birds of prey. The island’s varied habitats also support a rich and unique spring flora comprising a mix of eastern Mediterranean plants as well as localised montane species.

Samos, thankfully, remains comparatively little-visited and undeveloped. Hills are crowned with old churches and monasteries, and unspoiled mountain villages still foster a time-honoured lifestyle, offering travellers a warm welcome in traditional village tavernas. Best of all, a network of ancient tracks, many of them paved, allow us to explore the island as much as possible on foot as we search for and enjoy its natural history from our hotel in Karlovassi in the north-west of the island. From this excellent harbour base we will first explore the nearby coast and headland along to Potami. Here, in the Cistus scrub, we should find such orchids as Orchis italica, Ophrys fusca and Ophrys speculum, as well as Gladiolus illyricus and the strange Clathrus ruber, a bright red fungus. On the shore are Yellow Horned-poppies, whilst Cory’s Shearwaters may be observed gliding out at sea. A damp area, where a stream joins the sea, proves excellent for dragonflies and damselflies, and spectacular butterflies such as Swallowtails complement the fine flora.

On another day we will walk further, towards the two bays of Mikro and Megalo Seitani, following a path that hugs a spectacular and wild coastline. Audouin’s and Mediterranean Gulls, as well as Blue Rock Thrush, Blackeared Wheatear and Black-headed Bunting, are likely to be amongst the day’s highlights, together with such new plants as Swordleaved Helleborine, Helichrysum and Dracunculus vulgaris. We will search, too, for the chameleons which are found here.

On the south-eastern corner of the island, close to Turkey, is a seasonal lake at Psili Amos. In spring this is home to Ruddy Shelducks, occasional flamingoes (presumably visiting from nearby Turkey), and many passage migrants, waders and other waterbirds. It is also a key staging post for many migrants, so virtually anything can make an appearance. Plants are also abundant and we will look for orchids such as Pyramidal, Orchis anatolica and the local Horned Woodcock, (Ophrys scolopax ssp. cornuta) amongst the carpets of Crown Daisy. We will combine this excursion with a visit to Pythagorion’s interesting and ancient ruins which, also being surrounded by flowers, are likely to satisfy even the most single-minded botanists amongst us!

The lower slopes of the Ambelos provide good easy walking. Here streamside meadows hold an excellent flora and a wide variety of dragonflies and damselflies. Spring plants include Paeonia mascula, Anemone blanda, Lithodora hispidula, Scilla bifolia and Broad-leaved Helleborine. The song of Nightingales fills the air in this picturesque region and our progress may be marked by the scolding rattle of Sardinian Warblers in the scrub and perhaps the song-flight of a Rüppell’s Warbler. We will also explore other foothill regions, particularly along the south coast, looking for such birds as Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle and Black-headed Bunting and such new plants as Orchis fragrans, Sawfly Orchid and Honeywort. At a higher altitude, the rocky plateau at the summit of Mount Karvouni rears up above the pine forest and can be reached by a good path. Here we are in a very different world; plants cling to rocky crevices in this typical alpine habitat and many sport the intense colours of high mountain plants, veronicas, saxifrages, geraniums and erodiums being particularly obvious. Birds of these higher elevations include Chukar, Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle and Goshawk. There is also much to see on the walk to the summit, in particular a variety of orchids including Late Spider, Orchis mascula ssp. pinetum, Orchis tridentata, Dactylorhiza romana, Neotinea maculata and Violet Limodore.

After our week-long exploration of Samos by means of day walks and other excursions, we will have experienced a sound introduction to the diverse delights of the island and its wide range of wildlife, yet without exhausting the sheer variety it has to offer.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Depart London for Samos

Day 2/8

A daily programme of botanical and natural history walks from our base in Karlovassi

Day 9

Fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
A comfortable family-run hotel in Karlovassi, with private facilities.
Food:
All included in the price.

Reviews

Our itinerary was so varied and interesting. The hotel was utterly charming, local food, delicious, set in a flower filled valley with views of the sea. I’d wander before breakfast along the dusty lanes, fields of yellow wagtails, paths of purple mallow and chamomile. Every day we set off to explore a different part of the island, beautiful mountain roads, stopping along the way, wild herbs everywhere. Our guides went out of their way to point out rare flowers and birds of every kind. We explored waterfalls, wetlands, watched the terrapins swim along the river, saw Black Ibis, rare Swallowtail butterflies, poppies along the beach, so many different kinds of orchids, wild peonies among olive groves, swam on a deserted pebble beach of exquisite clear turquoise waters, enjoyed late lunches in villages, views through blossom trees of the sea and mountains curving along the distant shore. The trip more than exceeded my expectations. It was wonderful!
S.D. Glamorgan, Apr 24
In Samos itself, the tour was effectively organised and run by Greeks. The guides were Greek and the hotel was operated by a Greek family. So we saw the wildlife, but we also benefitted from local knowledge of the language, history and geography of the island. In particular Geórgios Fakas calmly took the minibus up steep and winding hill roads that would be a challenge to many UK drivers. An authentically Greek tour in unspoilt and sometimes rugged country.
N.O. Hampshire, April 24
I was in paradise throughout, being delivered to exciting and beautiful places by guides who knew the Island so well, and absorbing the information from them and other members of the group. We explored so much of this beautiful island - it was a feast of the senses: aesthetically stimulating, (we saw glorious plants, insects and birds, and stunning landscapes), amazing birdsong, delicious food and drinks, and a bonus of fascinating archeological sites! Our guides, David Koutsogiannopoulos and Geórgios Fakas, were so knowledgeable, informative, and personable; they provided a perfect holiday! Nothing was too much trouble, and their constant enthusiasm was infectious! The group had diverse interests, and we were all immensely satisfied by the adventure Naturetrek and our guides provided! Wonderful service and delicious food from our host and his mother. I think the highlight was the visit to the mountain, where we picnicked by the spring, surrounded by wild peonies and glorious views.
S.U. Hampshire, Apr 24

The friendly nature of the hotel proprietor and the guides really helped make the holiday - together with the wildlife and cultural experiences.
G.C. Glamorgan, Apr 23

The guide David and driver Georgios were very entertaining with their local knowledge. The excellent views of the Rollers and in particular the Woodchat Shrike and Bee Eaters in close proximity to the Hotel were outstanding. Having the whole hotel to ourselves was very nice and the family who ran the hotel were very welcoming. The fields of wild flowers beyond the beach areas we visited were wonderful.
M.G. Hampshire, Apr 23

Seeing a variety of habitats and being in the company of naturalists, amateur and professional, whose interests were wide ranging. Finding so many different and often difficult to find reptiles was a personal treat. Toby and Phil were remarkable in finding and pointing out the wildlife interest on the island. Their expertise seemed endless and their approachable and humorous personalities added to the enjoyment of the holiday.
E.D. Leicestershire, Apr 19

I thought the holiday was fantastic in all aspects. As far as I am concerned it was one of the best holidays I have ever had, and long will the memories stay with me. It was perfect. And both tour leaders should be commended for their hard work and dedication. Super flowers, super birds, fantastic scenery, superb weather, great food and wonderful wildlife and company. Who could ask for anything more. Keep up the great work and I look forward in anticipation to my next trip.
P.R. Surrey

A fantastic holiday due in no small part to the efforts of the leaders, who put themselves out to ensure that everyone got as much as possible from the holiday. It worked very well having two leaders, allowing for some flexibility in the itinerary to enable people to follow our particular interests. Toby’s lunches were the best picnics I have ever had. The leaders were knowledgeable and approachable. James took a lot of trouble to make sure that everyone got good views of the birds and his enthusiasm was infectious and inspiring. The hotel was very welcoming. The food was great and nothing was too much trouble.
J.O. London

This holiday gave me everything I wanted. The leadership was excellent, with care taken to cater for the various interests and fitness levels of the group. The leaders were prepared to spend more time with the clients than might be expected. They were enthusiastic and knowledgeable and were prepared to recognise the varying levels of expertise of the group members and make sure they were included. The leaders should be congratulated.
D.F. Buckinghamshire

I very much enjoyed the holiday. As well as seeing lots of wildlife in spectacular surroundings, the leaders and other participants ensured that it was also fun.
J.T. Hampshire

I think we all felt that the tour leaders efforts to make this an enjoyable holiday went beyond the call of duty in respect not only of professional expertise, but also in terms of driving, shopping, food preparation and general welfare. Similarly the hotel, run by a genial and obliging young man and his mother, far exceeded expectations. There was a great variety of main course and side dishes through out the whole week and all of excellent home-made quality!
J.T. Warwickshire

Yet another excellent Naturetrek tour. The group were ably led by Peter & Paul who were not only knowledgeable in bird and botany respectively but also very patient with those of us who were not so knowledgeable. The range of interest amongst the botanists was very broad and Paul made sure that everyone had a share of his attention. The picnic lunches they provided were excellent and much appreciated by all of the group. The meals at the hotel were excellent and they attended to our every need and made us very welcome.
J.P. Buckinghamshire

… for many reasons it was one of the best trips I have done with Naturetrek and in particular this was due to the superb leadership of both Paul and Terry… They both had such enthusiasm which they eagerly passed on to us and never tired of being asked the same thing over and over again! They were great fun and easy to get on with, we really couldn't have wished for more.
Mrs P. Oxfordshire

A wonderful holiday. Paul and Terry were such enthusiastic, knowledgeable and patient leaders.
Mrs F. Oxfordshire

Paul was, as always, an excellent leader. Full of a very wide range of knowledge he made sure all our varied interests were catered for. He was also very attentive to the needs of each person in the party.
C.H. Dorset

The flowers certainly lived up to expectations and Paul's encyclopaedic knowledge of every aspect of natural history made a one-leader trip perfectly acceptable. He always went the extra mile with identifying species and preparing picnic lunches!
R.L. Suffolk

Paul Harmes should be complimented on his tremendous efforts to make things work well. He was considerate of individuals and worked very hard indeed to support and inform the rather varied interests of the group. He's good at preparing lunches too!
P.L. Suffolk

Paul Harmes proved to be an excellent leader with an in-depth knowledge of the flora and fauna of Samos. He worked unstintingly throughout the holiday to provide each member of the group with a worthwhile experience - this was not an easy task in view of the fact that the group was made up of individuals with diverse interests. He is an excellent all-round naturalist and I would have no hesitation in taking a holiday in the future under his leadership. In addition to providing a well balanced programme, Paul also produced some first rate lunches, drove us safely all over the island and kept us entertained at dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed this, my first Naturetrek holiday - you have a first class product.
J.C. Herefordshire

Paul Harmes was an excellent leader. He encouraged us to look in his scope at the birds and told us all about them - it was very exciting to see the citrine wagtail, the golden oriole and the roller. He had a wide knowledge of natural history and could answer all our questions whether it was about flora, lizards or butterflies and we walked in beautiful countryside. He balanced all the interests of the group and was open to suggestions from the group when we asked if we could visit the Temple of Hera. He went out of his way to help us and he took us to the Temple on the way to the airport on the last day. It was absolutely fascinating and I saw a balkan green lizard there too!
J.C. Herefordshire

Just to let you know that the trip to Samos was everything we could hope for. Our two leaders - Paul and Terry were excellent for their 'leading' and for their knowledge of the birds and plants. To have seen so many new birds and plants made this (our wedding anniversary trip) exceptional. To top it all seeing the endangered and elusive Golden Jackal was a rare moment indeed. The hotel was as friendly and comfortable as had been reported, and Theo and his mother could not do enough for us. We look forward to further trips with you as both our ventures with Naturetrek have proved to be exceptionally rich in experiences and enjoyment.
D.M. Hampshire

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Fri 18th Apr – Sat 26th Apr FULL £1,895

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£160

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Fri 17th Apr – Sat 25th Apr SPACES £1,895

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£160

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Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?

All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife

What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?

Travel with a group of like-minded people
Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora

In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  

Our specialist recommends...


"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader

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Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:

Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
 

Our specialist recommends...


"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader

  
 
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - April 2013

Tour report - April 2012

Tour report - April 2011

Tour report - April 2010

Tour report - April 2008

Tour report - April 2006

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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