Sailing and Rock Climbing in Kalymnos

What you get in this adventure:

• • VST well-proven organization (world-leading Sail & Climb guided tours since 2013)
  • An experienced, U.I.A.G.M. certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Skipper 
  • Accommodation on a sailing boat — double size bed or bunk beds sorted and arranged by and among guests
  • VTS T-shirt
  • Insurance covering the crew and the group during sailing and climbing
  • Pantry-ready service (shopping for food and beverages will be done by the VST staff prior to your arrival)

If you have any dietary restrictions, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Due to the nature of this adventure, the guide requires that a part of the cost of the trip, 300 euros, is paid upon boarding in cash. This will cover the costs of:

• • Food and pantry service
  • Bedsheets and towels
  • Final cleaning of the boat
  • Other incurred costs during the trip.

If you have any questions about this, contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

What’s not included:

• • Travel expenses to reach/leave the harbor of departure
  • Meals on land (skipper’s and guide’s cost of the meal on land divided among all guests)
  • Harbor fees for any extra nights spent in the harbor (if the skipper decides to stay due to adverse weather or sea conditions)
  • Boat fuel (to be divided equally among participants, estimated to be €25 per person)
  • Alcoholic beverages on board
  • Personal items and equipment
  • Climbing gear

Good physical shape is important but don’t worry — regardless of your climbing grade, you’ll always find a partner matching your level, and if that’s not the case, your guide will be there for you. Rock climbing is more about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun retreat, your guide will be there to supervise the climbing and to help all the climbers to improve their skills, and to choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level. You don’t need any knowledge of sailing — the skipper will take care of everything!

Still, health and physical fitness are crucial to actively engage in daily activities of hiking and rock climbing. Participants are strongly encouraged to have proficient swimming skills, especially if they plan to engage in the challenging deep water soloing during the tour.

Please keep in mind that there’s no multi-pitch climbing, no slack-lining, no deep water soloing, and no water skiing available on this trip.

Kalymnos has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

For intermediate to advanced climbers, Kalymnos has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.

You will spend your week on a 45 to 55-foot Monohull or Catamaran sailing boat. This magnificent boat has 4-5 two-people cabins, a spacious living room, well-equipped kitchen, and a deck perfect for late night hang-outs. With her, you’ll sail countless coves and experience the island the way it was meant to be experienced! If this is your first time on a sailing boat and you don’t know what to expect, here is what you can expect from life on board:

• • On board, everyone is responsible to clean up after themselves.
  • Teamwork makes the dreamwork! Be ready to participate in cooking, prepping food, washing the dishes, etc. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to cook or if you hate to wash the dishes, you can always swap the job with another crew member.
  • When at sea, it’s important to use water and electricity conservatively. You may be asked to use water and electricity with moderation while out at the sea.
  • Don’t worry about any sailing knowledge. The skipper will be there to ensure your safety and will give you precious tips on how to live on board.
  •  If you wish to learn how to sail or if you are an experienced sailor and want to help your skipper, they will be glad to operate the sails with you and teach you anything you want to know!

Personal climbing gear:

• • Helmet
  • Single rope 60/80 m
  • Climbing hardware (quickdraws)
  • Sport climbing single rope
  • Belay device
  • Chalk bag
  • Harness with a locking carabiner
  • Spare carabiners
  • Climbing shoes shoes 

If you need to rent any gear, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Personal items:

• • Pack large enough to carry all the items listed (no rigid suitcases — make sure your suitcase is foldable to save space on board)
  • Backpack for daily tours, climbs and hikes (35/45L)
  • Hiking shoes (no sandals, the terrain is rough)
  • Clothes for a week of sailing and climbing
  • A warm pullover and a waterproof jacket
  • A pair of long pants and a pair of shorts
  • Bathing suit
  • Bathing towel
  • Water bottle
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 9:1, and cost is per person.
  • Costs per person doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  • It takes a minimum of 7 people for the tour to operate.
  • The crew typically consists of the skipper, the mountain guide, and occasionally a third staff member, along with 7 to 10 guests.

Climbing days can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Kalymnos, most people fly into Kos International Airport, about 30 minutes away from the marina. You can also fly to Athens International Airport, Greece, and then fly to the island of Kalymnos just an hour away. Once you get there, you can rent a car or motorbikes to get to the Kos marina.

You can board the boat in Kos Marina from 6 pm onwards on Day 1.

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Greece, please refer to the Discover Greece website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!