Dates & Prices

 BOOK NOW

Dates: 3rd – 10th Apr 2027 Confirmed departure

Price: £1,495 places available

3 day pre-tour extension: £600

Single Room Supplement: £none

Deposit: £150 per person

Price Includes: All meals, accommodation, all ground transport including transfers, services of guides, tour report

Not Included: Flights, travel insurance, drinks & any other personal items

Conservation Donation: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI)

Leader: Sotiris Alexiou & Rachael Alexiou-Ayrton

Group Size: Minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 guests plus 2 leaders

Grade: Gentle paced walks in a variety of terrains

Holiday Highlights

  • The ultimate & authentic Rhodes orchid tour, designed by us nearly 15 years ago
  • Discover 40-50+ of the islands rich variety of orchids, especially in the Ophrys genus
  • Endemic / regional Orchid such as Ophrys colossaea, Ophrys oreas, Ophrys lucis, Ophrys regis-fernandii, Ophrys candica, Ophrys cretica ssp. beloniae, Ophrys attaviria & Ophrys reinholdii
  • Led by locals! Our knowledge of Rhodes, Greek nature & culture & the ability to adapt to seasonal variation is second to none!
  • More than orchids! There are 1,500 plant species on Rhodes & we’ll show you a good range of them – including endemics such as the Rhodes Peony & Rhodes Fritillary
  • Enjoy butterflies & birds, such as Eastern Festoon, Green Underside Blue, Eastern Baton Blue, Long-legged Buzzard, Snake Eagle, Crested Lark, Alpine Swift & Crag Martin
  • NEW! Optional 3 day tour of beautiful Symi island

Enjoy a wonderful array of flora & fauna, on the ultimate & authentic Rhodes orchid tour!

BOOK MAIN TOUR + SYMI EXTENSION

Join us for the ultimate & authentic Rhodes Orchid Odyssey tour – a unique journey through one of Greece’s most fascinating islands. Experience the magic of spring on Rhodes, where rich Mediterranean and Asian influences create an extraordinary blend of flora, fauna, and natural beauty.

Although famous for its beaches and summer sunshine, Rhodes holds a world of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Our exclusive tour, first launched in 2013, has become one of our company’s flagship nature experiences. Designed and led by passionate local naturalists, this adventure offers a truly authentic encounter with the island’s landscapes, wildlife, and culture.

As locals — both Greek nationals and long-term residents — we know the island intimately. Our team has spent years exploring its diverse habitats and cataloguing its fascinating flora and fauna. We have added to scientific knowledge of the island’s orchids, for example, finding & recording 2 new species of Ophrys Samia and Ophrys chiosica.  We have a year round presence on the island,  as well as access to a network of naturalists who share their latest field observations with us, which helps keep our knowledge up to date & extremely accurate. This helps ensure that our tour adapts to seasonal changes and thus maximizes your chances of seeing the best available plants and blooms.

Rhodes boasts over 1,500 recorded plant species, including more than 50 species of orchids. For an island only 80 km long and 30 km wide, that is an impressive number! The island’s gently hilly terrain, dominated by Mount Attavyros at 1,215 meters, provides ideal habitats for orchids to flourish. You’ll encounter a wide variety of Ophrys species, such as Ophrys colossaea, O. saliarisii, O. halia, O. rhodia, O. oreas, O. lucis, O. regis-fernandii, O. candica, O. cretica ssp. beloniae, O. attaviria, and O. reinholdii. Hybrid orchids are also a thrilling possibility — nature often surprises us with unexpected finds!

In other genuses we can hope to find the first flowers of Limadorum abortivum, alongside others which are more certain to be in flower including Anacamptis laxiflora, Neotinea lactea, Neotinea maculata, Orchis provincialis, Orchis anatolica, Orchis italica,  Anacamptis morio, Anacamptis papilionacea, Anacamptis collina, Serapias carica, and more! Depending on the season we may also see Anacamptis sancta in flower, as well as A. fragrans and the hybrid between the two, A. x kallithea.

Our tour is about much more than orchids and celebrates all aspects of the island’s flora. You’ll see several endemic species unique to Rhodes, including the Rhodes Paeony (Paeonia clusii ssp. rhodia), whose sweet scent fills the forests, and the graceful Rhodes Fritillary (Fritillaria rhodia). Beneath tall cypress trees, carpets of Cyclamen (Cyclamen rhodium) add vibrant colour, while the cliffs of Mount Attavyros are home to the rare Star Thistle (Centaurea lactucifolia), found only on Rhodes and the nearby island of Halki. Plus some local Eastern Aegean species such as Large Rhodian Bellflower (Campanula hagielii), Rhodian Wallflower (Erysimum rhodium), and Rhodian Catchfly (Silene salamandra).

Your base for most of the week will be a family-run hotel in a charming traditional village. Each day, we’ll set off on new adventures to explore the island’s most beautiful and biodiverse sites. During our outings, you’ll enjoy fresh picnic lunches, featuring homemade dishes prepared by our founder’s family. Evenings are spent relaxing in welcoming tavernas, sampling local Rhodian cuisine and classic Greek flavours.

We will also spend some time in Rhodes itself, to sample its cultural and natural riches, including a private tour of the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In early spring, its cobbled streets and historic architecture set behind high walls & a deep dry moat, offer a peaceful & unique retreat. You’ll have time to explore, and soak up the atmosphere of this unique place.

Symi island extension 31st March - 3rd April

Experience a genuine, untamed Aegean adventure on the stunning island of Symi. This 3-day excursion offers a peaceful, nature-focused alternative to the busier, more commercialized neighbouring islands! Enjoy picturesque daytime boat trips travelling to and from Symi, serving as a beautiful introduction and farewell to the island.

Most people visit the island in summer and only get to see the beautiful port façade of colourful building adoring the hillside. We take you beyond this frontage, to discover the rest of the island behind and at a greener, quieter time of year!

Nestled in the Dodecanese archipelago, the island of Symi is a rugged gem tucked between Rhodes and the Turkish coast, which sits just 5 km away. Though compact at only 58 square kilometres, its dramatic 85-kilometer coastline is carved with steep cliffs, sweeping capes, and secluded bays.

What truly sets Symi apart is its striking, split landscape. In the north, the island is dominated by low, aromatic scrub vegetation known as phrygana, where wild Mediterranean herbs like thyme (Thymbra capitata), Turkish oregano (Origanum onites), thorny burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum), and Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa) perfume the air.

In contrast, the southern hills host a highly significant, scientifically valuable conifer forest, dominated by Mediterranean cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens) and pockets of Turkish pine (Pinus brutia). This dramatic shift makes Symi a fascinating destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

In terms of wildlife, there’s a good number of Scops Owls keep us company at night, and we’ll have breakfast with the presence of Blue Rock Thrush over our heads. We should also see Auduin’s Gull and Laughing Dove.

A very possible butterfly highlight is the African Ringlet (Ypthima Asterope), a rarity in Europe! It’s a small and shy butterfly that hides among rocky, grassy slopes and scrub. It rarely flies unless disturbed, often fluttering briefly around your feet before vanishing instantly into the landscape. Spotting one requires sharp eyes!

Plants to see include millions of Cyclamen persicum and Arum creticum, and a range of orchids, including Ophrys umbilicata. There is also a population of tulips we discovered, that is currently under investigation regarding identification and status.

Terrain & Activity Level: While walks are highly manageable and never exceed 1 km at a time, the terrain on Symi is generally harsher and rockier than that of Rhodes or Crete. Guests on this trip should pack sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven ground.

Symi Island Info

Approaching the port of Gialos on the Greek island of Symi, visitors are immediately captivated by a scene that resembles a perfectly painted fairytale village. The hillsides are adorned with listed neoclassical mansions, featuring two and three-storey stone structures painted in vibrant shades of indigo, ochre, and terracotta. These stunning buildings, often topped with red-tiled roofs and delicate balconies, reflect a past era of prosperity driven by captains and sponge divers.

The port area offers numerous historical landmarks, including the 1838 Cathedral of Timios Prodromos, the old shipyard in the Harani district, a stone bridge, and an 1881 clock tower. For those wishing to explore further, the Kali Strata—comprising five hundred wide stone stairs—leads from the harbour to the upper village, Ano Symi. This beautiful area is home to remarkable sites such as the Spetsaria (an old municipal pharmacy), the Archaeological-Folklore Museum housed in the Farmakidis mansion, and the impressive residence of Hatziagapitou-Hatziioannou.

Beyond its architectural beauty, Symi is renowned for its wonderful swimming waters and picturesque taverns where visitors can sample the famous Symian prawn. On the southwest coast lies one of the island’s most significant landmarks: the 18th-century Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis. Set between the mountains and the sea, the monastery is dominated by an imposing bell tower built in 1905 and is a destination for those seeking a “miracle”.

Because of its immense historical and cultural value, the Central Archaeological Council has declared the entire island an archaeological site. Whether viewing it in person or through a guidebook, Symi offers a breathtaking reality that often exceeds expectations.

    

Please note: the itinerary is subject to changes in terms of the daily running order and content. We take the local weather conditions into account, along with how the flowering season is progressing and make appropriate adjustments to provide you with the best daily excursions possible.

Symi pre-tour extension 31st March – 3rd April

31st March

Arrival and transfer to Rhodes town. Local excursion if time permits. Dinner in a local taverna and overnight Rhodes Town.

1st April

Transfer to the port for our ferry to Symi Island. Arrival and check in at our hotel. First local excursion and dinner. Overnight in Symi

2nd April

A full day of exploration on the island. Overnight in Symi.

3rd April

After breakfast, and if our schedule permits, we will have further excursions on the island. Travel back to Rhodes by ferry and check in to our hotel in Rhodes town.

If time permits, we may be able to fit in an afternoon excursion.

Main tour in Rhodes 3rd – 10th April

Day 1 (3rd April): On arrival at Rhodes Airport you will be met by your guides, who will accompany you throughout the trip.

From the airport we head north (journey time approximately 25 mins) to the town of Rhodes. Once checked we will (depending on the time) have a local wander, followed by dinner together at a local traditional taverna & an introductory talk about the days ahead.

Day 2 (4th April)

An introduction to the island’s rich heritage of history and nature. We’ll take a private tour of the medieval old town and visit some sites outside of Rhodes town too.

Day 3 (5th April)

After breakfast we will leave Rhodes town and head south, a journey time of approximately 1 hour (with comfort and nature stops on the way). We will be staying at a family run hotel nestled at the base of one of the islands three mountains in a traditional Rhodian village. Once arrived and settled in we will make our first local excursion, have dinner together and retire for the evening.

Days 4 – 7 (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th April)

We will enjoy full and rewarding days from the following suite of locations:

South Rhodes: An exploration of various locations in the ‘deep south’ of the island in some well-preserved phrygana habitat. The orchids we can expect to find are numerous and include Ophrys regis-fernandii, Ophrys cretica ssp. beloniae, Ophrys parvula, Ophrys iricolor, Serapias carica, Ophrys calypsus, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys halia and cornutula. We shall also look out for the endemic Fritillaria rhodia & Campanula rhodia.

Mount Attavyros: Various sites on Mount Attavyros and some other nearby locations. It won’t be long before we are among orchids and our finds should include some or all of Ophrys reinholdii, Ophrys dodekanensis, Ophrys lucis, Ophrys omegaifera, Orchis anatolica, Neotinea lactea, Ophrys umbilicata, Ophrys ferrum-equinuum and Ophrys candica.

In Greek mythology Althaemenes (son of Catreus, king of Crete) founded an altar to Zeus on the mountain. He was said to have chosen the site as the only point on Rhodes from which his homeland of Crete could be seen. The remains of the sanctuary can be seen near the summit. Upon the mountain there were, it is said, brazen bulls which roared when anything extraordinary was going to happen – we must listen out for them during our visit!

Mountain & more in south-central Rhodes: We head inland to a mountain top in southern Rhodes – a location that is invariably extremely productive for both orchids and other wildlife besides. We will make several stops at various elevations, before our arrival at the top, on which we will spend much of the day. All stops should yield good orchids, and more plants besides. Our orchid finds are likely to include Ophrys tenthredinifera, Ophrys phryganae, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys oreas, and Ophrys sitiaca. We may also find swathes of Orchis anatolica and Anacamptis papilionacea.

Mount Profitis Ilias: The beautiful and forested mountain slopes of Profitis Ilias will be our destination and plant hunting playground. The orchids usually come thick and fast as soon as we start to search the slopes and the forest floor, which is decorated with Anenome blanda & Cyclamen rhodium at this time of year.

We should find a good variety of orchids in flower, including Ophrys oreas, Ophrys cinereophila, Ophrys Persephone, Ophrys lucis, Ophrys reinholdii, Orchis provincialis, Neotinea maculata, Neotinea lactea, Anacamptis morio and Orchis anthropophora.

Of course, the week isn’t entirely about the orchids, and it is impossible to ignore the lush white flowers and scent of Paeonia clusii ssp. rhodia, the Rhodes peony. Depending on the season we hope to see it with fresh flowers.

East Rhodes: We will drive through the centre of the island with interesting landscapes en route & a stop for orchids such as Anacamptis laxiflora & Ophrys bombyliflora. We will explore sites close to the coast as well as drive a short way inland, to look for orchids in olive groves and similar habitats. Orchids we will look for today include Ophrys colossaea, Ophrys rhodia, Ophrys calypso, Ophrys polyxo, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys attaviria, Serapias bergonii and Serapias carica.

Day 8 (10th April)

 Day of departure. We bid our farewells to our hosts at the hotel and head to the airport after breakfast, with the possibility of a stop or two on the way, depending on our schedule.

2024 “Both guides were superb, Sotiris especially was super patient pointing out birds and other wildlife and taking the time to explain key orchid identification pointers to a beginner botanist (me).  He managed to deal with the wide range of personalities within the group perfectly, always with a smile and friendly attitude, nothing was too much trouble.  He is an asset to Greenwings and I would actively go on any future holidays where he is leading” Rachael E

2024 “Both guides are experts in their field and very good at sharing information. I would also say that Sotiris is exceptional in people skills and diplomacy, tuned into his clients’ needs and highly considerate and caring. He is also an excellent driver! He is all round the best guide I have had on any of the guided trips I have done.” Rosamund W

2024 “An excellent trip, beautiful weather, very lovely locations, knowledgeable leaders well prepared about the area and sites to visit and fantastic wildflowers, forests etc. Sotiris is a gem; very good with people, knowledgeable, patient and easy going – nothing was too much trouble for him. Picnic lunches were very good – credit due to Matt’s mother-in-law.” Adron W

2024 “First time with Greenwings – small group, impressive knowledge of guides both of locations and orchid species, general flora and fauna.” Sue M

2022 “The Orchid Odyssey trip in Rhodes was amazing. From start to finish the guides were helpful and patient with all the group which ranged from complete beginners to accomplished botanists. Everything was done to the pace of the group and no-one had to miss out if they were not as quick as others. Even when one site did not yield the expected treasures, which on a wildlife holiday is always a risk, alternative sites were tried which came up with the goods. The guides were approachable, exceptionally knowledgeable and kind.” Ken and Tracey C

2022 “Objectives more than met. 44 flowering orchid species seen and photographed. Knowledgeable guides and so made the best use of time available. Would not hesitate to travel with Greenwings again.” Ian H

2018 “The Greenwings tour to Rhodes fulfilled our every expectation and more! We enjoyed the leadership of two excellent naturalists, spent each day eagerly searching new sites, with great success, and had every possible help identifying not only the many orchids we found, but every other plant, as well as insects from gorgeous butterflies to beetles and reptiles. Everything went smoothly, the group got on well, and we even managed a final visit to a very interesting archaeological site.” Robin

2018 “A perfect holiday with wonderful food, excellent guides and plenty of exquisite orchids!” Alfred

2018 “A first class holiday for orchid enthusiasts!” Philip

2018 “Do you love orchids? Then you will love Rhodes! My third visit and still seeing new things! Book now, spring will be here sooner than you think! Your expert guides await.” Judy

2015 “For me it was a very relaxing holiday I liked it very much and I’m very happy about all the new Orchids I saw!” Maja

2015 “We enjoyed the holiday immensely, due in large measure to your excellent planning, and the nice people who come on your trips!” Gordon & Diane