Kos 4x4 Safari Tour: Mountain Views, Villages & Lunch

Off-road through Kos's hidden chapels and mountain villages

A 5–6 hour off-road 4x4 tour of Kos that climbs to Profitis Ilias chapel and Mount Dikaios, stops at Turtle Lake and Osias Melou church, passes through Chaihoutes village, and ends with lunch overlooking the island in Zia. Groups stay under six per vehicle. Hotel pickup and traditional Greek platters are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kos island by 4x4 safari

• Pick up from meeting point
• Drive to Psalidi Wetland
• Photo stop at Psalidi Wetland
• Drive to Prophet Ilias Chapel
• Photo stop at Prophet Ilias Chapel
• Drive off-road to Turtle Lake
• Photo stop at Turtle Lake
• Drive off-road to Osias Melou church
• Photo stop at Osias Melou church
• Drive to Chaihoutes village
• Photo stop at Chaihoutes village
• Drive to Zia village
• Lunch and free time in Zia
• Drive to Salt Lake
• Photo stop at Salt Lake
• Drive back to pick-up points

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel, then heads straight into the unpaved mountain routes that most visitors never see. A 4x4 vehicle handles the terrain while the drive to Profitis Ilias chapel takes about 20 minutes. The chapel itself sits at a high point with views across the whole island and down to Mount Dikaios. From there, the route turns off-road toward Turtle Lake, a secluded spot ringed by wild vegetation where you stop for photos and a moment to take in the quiet.

The journey continues deeper into the island's interior, climbing toward Osias Melou church (another historical site set into the landscape) before dropping down to Chaihoutes village, where you have time to walk through the streets and see how the community lives. The pace slows here. This is not a rush through photo stops but a chance to stand in the village itself. From Chaihoutes, the route leads to Zia, where you sit down for lunch with traditional Greek platters and water, still looking out over the panorama you climbed to reach.

The final stop is Salt Lake, a stark natural formation that marks the end of the day before the drive back to your hotel. The whole route is designed around the off-road vehicle itself. A 7-seater 4x4 that can handle the unpaved sections and keeps the group small enough that everyone gets a seat and a view. Your driver speaks English, German or Greek and knows the timing of each leg, so you move through the day without planning the route yourself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• 4x4 off-road vehicle with a multilingual driver speaking English, German or Greek.
• traditional Greek platters and water at lunch in Zia.
• liability insurance and local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 14 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 24 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish, German and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by "Uncharted Escapes"

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a small group, no more than six, and are comfortable on unpaved mountain roads. The 4x4 vehicle and the route's design make the rough terrain part of the experience, not an obstacle to it.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Under 7: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the actual road like on this tour?

Most of the route follows unpaved mountain tracks. The 4x4 vehicle is built for that terrain. The drive to Profitis Ilias chapel uses a paved road, but once you head toward Turtle Lake and Osias Melou church, you're on off-road trails through dense vegetation and rocky ground.

How much time do you actually spend at each stop?

Profitis Ilias chapel gets 15 minutes for photos; Turtle Lake gets 20 minutes; Osias Melou church gets 10 minutes; Chaihoutes village gets 30 minutes to walk around; Zia is the main stop with 1 hour 30 minutes for lunch and free time; Salt Lake gets 10 minutes at the end.

What kind of lunch is included?

Lunch in Zia consists of traditional Greek platters, local dishes served family-style, plus water. The meal is eaten in the village with views over the island. Coffee, wine and beer are not included.

How many people will be on the vehicle?

Groups are semi-private, with a maximum of six passengers per 4x4. The tour requires a minimum of four people to run, so you'll travel with at least three other guests.

Does the tour include getting to and from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Your driver will collect you from your accommodation and return you at the end of the day.