Ancient Ruins Family Trek

What’s the Vibe?

This tour’s a perfect mash-up of Indiana Jones thrills and family fun. It’s for folks who love history but want to touch it, not just read about it. You’re exploring real archaeological sites, digging into the past with hands-on activities, and hiking just enough to feel adventurous without wearing anyone out. Guides are like history buffs with a knack for storytelling, making the ruins exciting for kids and fascinating for adults. It’s educational but never stuffy, with plenty of time to laugh, explore, and soak in the ancient vibes. Think less museum, more treasure hunt.

Where You’re Headed

The Sunken Stones Archaeological Park is a sprawling, otherworldly site where ancient ruins—think crumbling temples, carved pillars, and mysterious mosaics—peek out from rolling hills and olive groves. It’s a 2.5-hour drive from the nearest city, through dusty roads that make you feel like you’re time-traveling. The landscape’s a mix of rocky outcrops and wildflowers, with views that stretch forever. You’re staying in a cozy guesthouse just outside the park, with simple rooms and a courtyard where you can sip tea under the stars. The ruins feel alive, like they’re whispering stories, and the air’s warm with a hint of sage.

What You’ll Be Doing

Guided Ruins Tours: Each day, you explore a different site in the park with a guide. Day one’s a grand temple with massive columns; day two’s a village with intact mosaics; day three’s a hilltop fortress with secret tunnels. Tours last 1-2 hours, blending stories of ancient people with cool facts—like how they built without machines. Kids get “explorer notebooks” to sketch or jot down clues.

Artifact Workshops: On days one and two, you join 1-hour workshops to make “artifacts.” One’s clay pottery—kids shape and decorate pots like the ancients did. Another’s mosaic tiles, where you create mini designs with colorful stones. Guides tie it to the ruins, and you keep your creations. Parents can join or chill nearby.

Family-Friendly Hikes: Between ruins, you do short hikes—30-45 minutes—through the park’s trails. Paths wind past smaller ruins or viewpoints, with guides pointing out things like old wells or eagle nests. The hikes are easy, with stops for water and snacks, and kids love spotting lizards.

Archaeology Dig Game: On day three, kids play a mock “dig” in a safe, sandy area. Using brushes and trowels, they uncover buried replicas (like coins or pottery shards). It’s about an hour, guided, and feels like real archaeology. Everyone gets a small keepsake, like a replica amulet.

Storytelling Evenings: Nights at the guesthouse feature stories about the ruins’ past—think traders, priests, or lost treasures. Guides make it lively, and kids can add their own spins. There’s tea, cookies, and sometimes a lantern-lit vibe. One night, kids make “ancient maps” with paper and charcoal.

Ruins Scavenger Hunt: On the last day, there’s a family scavenger hunt across a ruin site, finding “clues” like a carved stone or hidden symbol. It’s a team effort, takes about an hour, and ends with prizes like mini replica statues.

What’s Included?

All meals (Mediterranean-inspired dishes like hummus, grilled veggies, and kid-friendly options like flatbreads).

Guesthouse stay (comfy beds, family-friendly setup).

Workshop materials (clay, tiles, dig tools) and explorer notebooks.

Scavenger hunt prizes and keepsakes.

Guides who know archaeology and keep it fun.

Transport between sites (short van rides).

Basic first-aid and 24/7 support for dusty shoes or minor bumps.

What to Bring?

Sturdy shoes for trails, a hat and sunscreen (it’s sunny), and light layers for cooler evenings. A reusable water bottle’s a must, and kids might want a small backpack for their notebook or finds. A camera’s great for capturing the ruins’ beauty. We’ll send a packing list when you book, so you’re set. Dust can be a thing, so a bandana or scarf’s handy.