More about the route
This walking holiday requires you to be in good shape and able to hike 3-6 hours per day. The biggest elevation change is a descent of 1100 metres in the Samaria Gorge.
pictures from the trip
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
You arrive in Chania, perhaps the most beautiful city in Greece, which is characterised by influences from Venice and Turkey. The city is extremely charming and beautiful and it is an experience just to wander around the small streets, the harbour or just on a terrace or café.
Hotel (example): Hotel Kriti
Hotel (example): Hotel Arkadi
Take the bus from Chania to the small coastal town of Paleochora. The journey takes approximately three hours and the bus ticket is not included in the price. Upon arrival at your hotel, you'll be shown to your room and have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the Cretan atmosphere. We recommend a visit to the beach and/or the ruins of Castello Selino, built in 1279 by the Venetians.
Hotel (example): Hotel Aris
This is a fantastic hike that starts by the sea, climbs to a plateau and then leads you through a gorge to the remains of the ancient village of Lyssos. The town is a paradise for history buffs who can bask in the remains of both Greek and Roman influence. It's beautiful and can only be reached on foot or by boat. You walk on the plateau and further down through the small Selinou gorge. Eventually you will reach the village of Sougia, where you will find a cosy harbour and beach.
Hotel (example): Hotel Syia
You start the day with a transfer to the start of the Agia Rini Gorges (the walk is 5km and can also be hiked - transport is not included). You hike up through the gorges and follow the small dry creek, enjoying the green trees and oleander bushes that adorn the banks of the creek. Some years there is water in the creek until July.
The sea seems far away when you reach the top of the plateau. From here it is possible to hike to the village of Omalos where you will spend the night, but it is also possible to book a transfer. If you choose the hike to Omalos, you can add approximately two hours of hiking to the day's distance.
Important: The entrance fee for the Agia Irini Gorge is 2 euros. This is payable locally.
Dinner is included today.
Hotel (example): Hotel Exari
The day starts again with a short transfer to the start of the famous Samaria Gorge, which you hike down through to the village of Agia Roumeli on the south coast. The Samaria Gorge is 18km long and was formed by a river between the mountains of Lefká Óri and Volakias. The gorge is one of the longest in Europe. When you reach the sea, it is possible to take a dip in the Libyan Sea.
Important: The gorge is open from 1 May - 15 October. Access to the gorge depends on the weather and if the weather is bad the gorge may be closed. If you are unlucky enough for this to happen, we will arrange for you to be driven to Sougia (approximately 1 hour drive) from where you can take the ferry to Agia Roumeli (ferry leaves at 9:20 and arrives at 10:00). You can explore the surroundings for the rest of the day.
Important: The price for access to the Samaria Gorge is 5 euros per person. This is payable locally.
Hotel (example): Hotel Tarra
You'll walk along the coast past Agios Pavlos and the church, which was built in the 12th century. According to legend, this is the place where St Paul washed ashore during a storm and where he baptised the first Christians in the West. You'll finally reach Loutro, a beautiful village with white houses. The town is totally isolated on a mountainside on the coast.
During this tour you will have several opportunities to go for a swim - especially towards the end of the tour when you reach the beautiful turquoise waters of Likos and the small beach with large marble stones. You can either hike the last stretch to Loutro or you can take a taxi boat here. Loutro can only be reached on foot or by boat.
Hotel (example): Hotel Ilios
This day can be spent relaxing until you take the boat to Hora Sfakion (included in the price) and then a bus to Chania.
Hotel (example): Hotel Kriti
Hotel (example): Hotel Arkadi
Today the tour is over. You'll relax until you're driven to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights in 2-star hotels and guesthouses
- Breakfast every day
- 1 dinner in Omalos
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Transfer from Omalos to Xyloskalo
- Transfer from Omalos to Sougia in case the Samaria gorge is closed
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Transfer from/to the airport
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Crete
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
- Transfers with public busses (roughly 35 euro in total)
- Boat transfers (roughly 10 euro)
Praktisk information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Crete are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday
- You arrange your transportation
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
You will stay at 2-star hotels, apartments, or cozy family-owned guesthouses. All rooms have a private bath/toilet.
Since January 1, 2018, the government in Greece has required a tourist tax, which must be paid locally. Expect this to be 7-9 euros.
Note: Hotels in Greece often charge for the use of air conditioning.
On this tour breakfast is included every day. It is also possible to buy half board (7x dinner). The dinners consist 3-dish menus and is sometimes served on restaurants close to the hotel. See the bookingform to buy half board.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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