Crete is the largest and most mountainous of the Greek islands, it boasts an incredible variety of scenery and vegetation, and an amazing history dating back to the 4000 year old Minoan civilization. At the island’s western end rise the spectacular White Mountains, reaching almost 2500. The peaks towers above a coastline of sheer cliffs cut by deep ravines running down the sea. Our tour alternates between coastal walks, magnificent gorges and peak ascents. Highlights along the way include the famous Samaria gorge, the longest in Europe, and last refuge of the “kri-kri’ mountain goats.
Level Requirements: Walks average 5 hours per day, following well maintained trails over a mixture of high rocky terrain, forest trails, coastal paths and beaches. In the gorges, we spend some time in the riverbeds, which may have water flowing at times. Some days involve altitude gains of 800 – 900m. During our trip we will have many opportunities for swimming in beautiful beaches with crystal clear water.
Day by Day program:
Day 1: Arrival in Chania Crete
Arrival in Chania, and transfer to the hotel in the old part of Chania. In the evening, we have dinner altogether at a tavern close to the old picturesque harbour, tasting for the first time the delicious regional Cretan cuisine.
Day 2: Chania - Sougia
After breakfast, we leave by private A/C bus to Agia Irini while our bags will continue to Sougia; we rejoin them in the evening. From village St. Irini we walk through the St. Irini gorge to Sougia (the gorge is 7 km long and 4 more km. on road to Sougia, approximately 4,5 hours easy walk). This is a lesser-known gorge than Samaria, but rivals its neighbour for beauty and spectacle.
Day 3: Around Sougia
For those who are interested in the Greek history, today’s walk will be a rewarding one with the visit of the ancient site of Lissos, a spa in Roman times with a mosaic floor as highlight. Picnic in the deserted Lissos bay where we also have the opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters. Overnight in Sougia. (Easy walk)
Day 4: Sougia – Omalos – Gingilos
By private A/C bus we arrive after an hour’s drive to Xiloskala. This is where our trekking starts, we follow the path to Gingilos. After an hour and a half moderate to strenuous walk, we make our first stop at Linoselli spring. Then we carry towards the top of the mountain. (4 hours moderate walk)
We spend the night back to Omalos (Omalos means smooth), where we can taste home made recipes and enjoy a quiet night.
Day 5: Omalos - Samaria Gorge - Agia Roumeli
An early local car brings us to the head of the Samaria gorge, Europe's longest and certainly one of its most spectacular. The descent begins on a good path in shady pine forest, dropping steeply and crossing the river before reaching the deserted village of Samaria. Soon the path is in the riverbed itself before we climb away again at the point where the (underground) river re-emerges. Now the path criss-crosses the river before bringing us out to the village of Agia (St.) Roumeli and the sea. After a swim and/or drinks, we settle into our rooms. (Moderate walk, 17 kilometres, between 5-6 hours.)
Day 6 : Agia Roumeli to Loutro
A coastal walk. We make an early start in the cool of the morning, walking on sand and shingle next to the sea to the picturesque chapel of St. Pavlos (Paul), said to mark the place where Saint Paul landed on Crete. Next to the chapel is a freshwater spring coming out of the pebble beach. We make a short stop for swimming. After 5 hours moderate walk the silhouette of the blue and white washed houses of Loutro village appears. Overnight in a beach hotel on the Libyan Sea.
Day 7 Loutro- Free Day or (optional SEA KAYAKING)
Half day sea kayaking, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
First there will be an introduction on how to paddle and then we move on to visit places around Loutro like, sweet waters, sea caves, Marmara.
Mode of transportation: walking.
Overnight: in Loutro, in hotel Mandares
Day 8: Loutro to Chora Sfakion and return to Chania
We follow the coastal path to Chora Sfakion this morning, stopping for a swim at Freshwater Beach. This 2-hour stretch has some fine path building on a steep rock face overlooking the deep blue sea. From Chora Sfakion our private A/C bus brings us to Chania.
Or we may follow an alternative route, take the boat from Loutro to Sfakia (15-20 minutes ride) and then from Sfakia take the bus and go to Chania port to catch the ferry back to Athens. End of services.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price / person:
890€ for 16-20 participants
960€ for 12-15 participants
1120€ for 8-11 participants
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
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