8 days tour

Walking In Crete

Walking In Crete

This tour includes:

Transport

We will be using a mixture of private transport and local ferries.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Meals

All breakfasts, four picnic lunches and four dinners are included. The buffet breakfasts include fresh bread, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, honey and wild cherry syrup, porridge, eggs, ham and cheese, cereal, muesli, cake and cookies, honey, coffee/tea, chocolate and lots of fresh seasonal fruit. A dining experience in Greece isnโ€™t the same without spending evenings in a taverna โ€“ a small, family-run Greek restaurant โ€“ and on this trip we visit many of them. Dishes to try in the evenings include homemade filo pastry pies, moussaka, stuffed vegetables plus a variety of other vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh salads, crunchy bread, cheeses and locally caught fish and seafood. Also try the local meat, such as lamb, pork, chicken and beef.

Accommodation

We stay at small two- and three-star family-run hotels where possible, choosing traditional accommodations that highlight the local architecture of each destination. Most offer free wifi. Worth knowing Single accommodation is available on this trip for a supplement; see the Dates & Prices. In the remote villages of South Crete (Agia Roumeli and Loutro), due to the limited availability of accommodation, there is a possibility that the group will not be accommodated in the main hotel , but in the back or next to them buildings belonging to the same group/owners.

Others

Entrance fees to ancient Aptera, Eleftherna and Samaria Gorge Licensed archaeological guide in Aptera

Not included:

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Visas or vaccinations โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Tourist tax (paid locally)

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights before and after the tour are not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking In Crete

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Chania; Optional Orientation Tour; Welcome Briefing And Optional Dinner
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Chania; Optional Orientation Tour; Welcome Briefing And Optional Dinner

      The adventure begins in Chania, a historic port city with a 14th-century Venetian harbour and atmospheric old town. If thereโ€™s time, we can enjoy an orientation tour, visiting the old harbour to see the Venetian lighthouse; the renovated Grand Arsenal, an ancient shipyard in honey-coloured stone; the Splanzia ruins; and Kum Kapi beach. Thereโ€™s a welcome briefing this evening followed by an optional dinner together (if the flight timings permit), a great chance to get to know each other a little better. Accommodation: Three-star hotel in Chania

  • Day 2 Day 2: Transfer To Paleochora; Coastal Walk To Sougia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Transfer To Paleochora; Coastal Walk To Sougia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We transfer (1hr 30min) to the coastal town of Paleochora, where we begin our first hike. Our adventure takes us east along a seaside route โ€“ part of the European E4 trail โ€“ to the village of Sougia, initially tracking a paved path before taking us to Anydri beach after a few minutes. We ease into things with a gentle first half of the hike; after around 5mi (8km), we begin an ascent to the ancient city of Lissos, once a hydrotherapy hub that bloomed in the Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine eras. Here we visit a well-preserved temple with a floor mosaic dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, and take a small loop around the city. We enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea and lunch, before our final ascent to Sougia beach. We then catch a transfer to our hotel for the night, where we have dinner and put our feet up. Accommodation: Neos Omalos Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Hike The Unesco-Listed Samaria Gorge (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Hike The Unesco-Listed Samaria Gorge (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we tackle the Unesco-listed Samaria Gorge, a 10mi (16km) long chasm running through the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea. We begin with a 10-minute transfer to the starting point, before setting out on what has to be one of the most spectacular walks in Greece. Along the way, we navigate pine, cypress and holly forests, pass 22 freshwater springs, and cut through abandoned villages and churches. The sheer gorge walls expand and contract as we go, stretching to 490ft (150m) at their widest but squeezing to just 10ft (3m) in the tightest sections. Our route is downhill and we cross a river several times (over wooden bridges or rock hopping) but it is not a technical or difficult hike. Our goal is Agia Roumeli beach, where we stay the night โ€“ our luggage is transferred to the hotel for us. Upon arrival and after check-in, we have time to relax and enjoy a sea swim before a group dinner. Accommodation: Calypso Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Hike To The White-Washed Village Of Loutro (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Hike To The White-Washed Village Of Loutro (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Post breakfast, we check out and begin todayโ€™s walk from Agia Roumeli beach, which takes us along the southern coastline. Our goal is the tiny seaside village of Loutro, an all-white bundle of buildings backed by rocky mountains and a contender for the most beautiful settlement in Crete. Our route takes us along the coast, through the beach, past the 10th-century Byzantine chapel of Agios Pavlos and to Marmara beach. Itโ€™s then a 2mi (3.5km) hike to Loutro (with some steep climbing), though you can hop in a private boat taxi (additional cost) if youโ€™d prefer. Accommodation: Hotel in Loutro

  • Day 5 Day 5: Ferry To Chora Sfakion; Hike To The Palm-Backed Preveli Beach (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Ferry To Chora Sfakion; Hike To The Palm-Backed Preveli Beach (Breakfast,Lunch)

      We bid a fond farewell to Loutro this morning, hopping on an approximately 20-minute ferry to Chora Sfakion, where we jump into a transfer (1hr 30min) to our starting point for todayโ€™s hike: the 18th-century Preveli Bridge. From here, we walk through olive groves to the renovated ruins of Preveli Monastery, before following a trail towards Preveli Beach, enjoying views of the Megalopotamos river and the mighty cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge as we go. After around 2.5mi (4km), we reach the palm-forested beach. The hike is a little hilly and includes 450 steps down to the shore, followed by a steep climb. We have time to recuperate after, perhaps with a swim in the Libyan Sea. We return to Preveli Bridge taking a route on the other side of the gorge before a transfer to our hotel for the night. Accommodation: Hotel in Rethymno

  • Day 6 Day 6: Visit The Ancient Greek City Of Eleftherna; Pottery Village Of Margarites; Winery Tour And Tasting (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Visit The Ancient Greek City Of Eleftherna; Pottery Village Of Margarites; Winery Tour And Tasting (Breakfast)

      Our hike today is a culture-soaked adventure. It starts in the once-powerful ancient Greek city of Eleftherna, now a small village, where we admire the Byzantine tower at the city entrance, the Roman reservoirs and tunnels, the acropolis, and the Hellenic bridge, before visiting the archaeological museum. Then, after a countryside walk, we visit the pottery village of Margarites, where we can visit ceramic workshops and learn about a pottery tradition stretching to the Minoan period. We also enjoy a traditional taverna lunch here and visit the nearby Arkadi Monastery. In the afternoon, we journey back to Rethymno, visiting one of the most popular wineries in Crete along the way for a tour and tasting. Accommodation: Hotel in Rethymno

  • Day 7 Day 7: Circular Village Walk; Return To Chania; Farewell Dinner (Breakfast,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Circular Village Walk; Return To Chania; Farewell Dinner (Breakfast,Dinner)

      This morning, we continue our cultural immersion with a visit to the lesser-known archaeological site of Aptera, a city-state during the ancient Greek period and, with a spot between the two port cities of Minoa (now Marathi) and Kisamo (Kalives), a one-time commercial hub. Itโ€™s then time for our final hike of the trip, a near 5.5mi (9km) loop that takes in the traditional villages of Stylos, Paidochori and Neo Chorio. We return to Chania in the afternoon with free time to relax, explore the city and pick up any last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, we enjoy our farewell dinner, an excellent chance to swap numbers and toast our adventure. Accommodation: Arkadi Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 8 Day 8: End In Chania (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: End In Chania (Breakfast)

      Our trip ends today after breakfast. Depending on when you wake up, you may have time for one last wander around the beautiful city of Chania before you begin your return journey home.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.

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