Description

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 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.

To conclude this unforgettable journey, we’ll spend our final part of the trip in Rhodes itself, 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, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a few final floral discoveries before bidding farewell to this enchanting island.