DESCRIPTION

Are you ready to see a unique sight, hundreds of colorful butterflies flying around in a mesmerizing valley? This is the tour for you! First, we will have a short drive and ascend to the top of the 267 meters high Filerimos Hill, situated about 15 km from Rhodes Town, where we will stay for 1 hour. The hill overlooking the small town of Ialyssos and the bay of Ixia and Trianda is the place where once stood the Doric City of ancient Ialyssos. Ialyssos was one of the three most famous ancient Rhodes cities. An abundance of ruins dating back to the end of the 3rd millennium BC, as well as settlements and cemeteries dating back to the Mycenaean – Minoan period prove the surrounding area was inhabited.

Arriving at the top of the hill, you will see a well-organized parking lot. At the right side you will notice the ruins of the ancient Ialyssos and to the left side a small kiosk with souvenirs and beverages. You are free to decide to either enter the Archaeological site (at the left) or walk (on the right) the path enjoying the panoramic view over Ialyssos. Either way, you won’t be alone! You will be accompanied by the mating cries of peacocks!

 You can visit the monastery of Our Lady and the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Ialyssos. (The entrance fee for visiting the church is 6 euros). Visitors can walk along the “Golgotha”, a tree sheltered pathway built during the Italian period of 1912-1945, with a series of shrines representing scenes of the Holly Passion. This path accessed on foot leads to the west edge of Filerimos hill, where an enormous imposing cross emerges. One can really appreciate the outstanding view of villages and bright green valleys that are generously stretched around from the top of the Hill. This site is famous because of the lovely and quiet walkways.

Leaving Filerimos Hill, we continue our tour, visiting the Valley of the Butterflies, where we will stay for 2 whole hours to marvel at one of the most unique destinations of Rhodes. The valley is hosted at the Canyon of Pelekanos River and it is named after the butterflies inhabiting it (Panaxia Quatripunctaria/Jersey tiger moth species). The Valley was found in the 1930s by Italians who developed a beautiful 1 km path that goes through the canyon to reach the areas most densely populated by butterflies. The first studies were conducted by a German entomologist Reinhard Eiger.

It’s a unique and peaceful ecological setting, the true pride and joy of Rhodes’ natural environment, with narrow rock walkways, lakes with water-lilies, rustic bridges, clear running waters, waterfalls and resting places packed with millions of brown-red butterflies. During July, August & September, thousands of butterflies of the Panaxia genus swarm into the valley in order to reproduce. The sweet smell of the resin attracts them and when you are walking around, you will see Liquidambar trees everywhere with hundreds of Butterflies on their trunk and leaves.

We will be stopping at the parking area No2 just 50 meters away from the main entrance-reception of the valley so you can be free to walk as long as you like, relax in one of the coffee shops or buy souvenirs. Visitors can witness a spectacular phenomenon rarely occurring in nature; swarms of butterflies congregating in the valley during the final stage of their life cycle.

Butterflies, attracted by the scent of the oriental sweetgum trees in the area at the end of the wet season, cover the entire landscape. They are actually adult insects that follow the waterways and migrate here to reproduce due to the high humidity of the area, while females look for other suitable locations to lay their eggs in the early fall.

So, the Valley is basically a resting place for the butterflies! The moths cannot eat during this final phase of their life cycle, so they rest here to preserve their energy. Any loud noise can force them to fly away; consuming this valuable energy can lead them to die. You can observe them as they sleep in the tree trunks well camouflaged in black and yellow, and when they fly you will be amazed by their cheery red underwings flashing. A sight for sore eyes!

(From October to the 31st of May the price for entering the Valley of Butterflies is 3 euro per person and from the 1st of June to September the price is 5 euro per person).

Operation period: 01/04 - 30/09

DAYS: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday

DURATION: Half Day (09.00 am to 14:00 pm)

PICK UP TIME: From 08.20 am to 09.30 am

PICK UP AREAS: Kolymbia, Afandou, Faliraki, Kallithea, Rhodes City (Tourist Port-cruise ships), Ixia, Ialyssos, Kremasti.

PRICE: 27€ per person

GUIDE: Self - Guided tour

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Hotel pick up & drop off (Please mention it in the Reservation Comments)
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Only small groups
• Map of the area with useful information in English

PRICE EXCLUDES:

• All Fees and Taxes
• Meals & Drinks
• Not guided

DON'T FORGET

• Comfortable shoes
• Hat for the sun
• Sunscreen
• Pocket money for entrance fees