CHELMOS
THE NORTHERN PELOPONNESE
The Peloponnese is rightly renowned for its wonderful flowers. There is such variety and a staggeringly high percentage of endemic species. Perhaps the finest site in the region, Mount Chelmos, is the focus of this tour. We can walk among thousands of Fritillaria mutabilis and sheets of Tulipa orphanidea. A very good Orchid site has Ophrys delphinensis, Neotinea maculata, Cephalanthera longifolia, and is one of the best butterfly sites in the whole Peloponnese!
Powdered Brimstones, Southern Knapweed Fritillaries and Southern Swallowtails inhabit the warm Kerinitis Valley where a rich rock-plant community includes rarities such as Campanula topaliana, Silene congesta and Onosma frutescens. On Mount Klokos fine plants include Fritillaria graeca, Ornithogalum nutans, Ophrys argolica, Orchis quadripunctata, Aristolochia microstoma and very many more. On magical Mount Chelmos the hillsides of Xerokambos will produce masses of yellow Tulipa australis, endemic Cyclamen peloponnesiacum, large cushions of Aubrieta deltoidea, violet Viola graeca and yellow Viola aetolica. Orchids are plentiful especially Orchis pallens, Orchis pinetorum, Orchis spitzelii and both colour forms of Dactylorhiza sambucina. On Chelmos’s summital ridge glorious Crocus sieberi subspecies sublimis puts on a show with Scilla bifolia, Corydalis blanda oxelmannii and cushion-forming Arabis bryoides. Rock Partridges erupt from slopes alive with butterflies such as Greek Mazarine Blue, Southern Festoon, Grecian Copper and Gruner’s Orange-tip. The large yellow-flowered endemic Adonis cyllenea grows on Mount Saitas together with Biebersteinia orphanidis in its only European location. Saitas also hosts endemic yellow Viola mercurii and creeping pink-flowered Prunus prostrata. Lake Pheneos is known by locals as “the Switzerland of Corinthia”. The nearby church of St George’s Monastery is covered with beautiful frescoes. Black and white Ophrys leucophthalma and greenish Ophrys hebes are among the orchids, and we’ll find Hammatolobium lotoides, a stunning pea with red buds and yellow flowers.
INFORMATION
Focus
Flowers and Butterflies. Also Reptiles and Scenery.
Leaders
Tristan Lafranchis , Martin Catt
Walking
Four or five miles a day, often less, and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to flower and butterfly photographers. Sometimes slopes are quite steep and the ground rough underfoot.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Greece. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including insurance, are not included.
Group Size
The minimum is 4 and the maximum is 12. Only Tristan will accompany a group of 6 or less.
Accommodation
For the first four nights we’ll stay in the excellent Xenia Hotel in Kastania. We’ll be made to feel totally at home here and the location is beautiful, surrounded by woodlands, yet with great views of the mountains. Next are three nights at the comfortable Chris-Paul in Diakopto close by Tristan’s home. The last four nights of the tour will be at the welcoming Filoxenia at Kalavrita, handily situated on the lower slopes of Mount Chelmos. All these hotels are of a decent three star standard and all rooms on this tour have en suite facilities.
Climate
Generally warm and sunny. However cooler, rainy, weather is possible and at higher levels it can be quite chilly.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send you one to you) from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will receive confirmation of your place and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. Flower, butterfly and bird checklists are available.
