Walking in Crete

8 Days
From CAD 3895
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating

Experience Overview

Twinkling Mediterranean waters, a rugged interior and millennia-old civilisations make Crete a must for any hike-loving adventurer. See it for yourself on this highlight-heavy walking getaway, which includes a never-forgotten journey down the dramatic chasm of Samaria Gorge and a stop at the peaceful sugarcube village of Loutro. We also dig deep into the local history and culture, admiring ancient ruins of long-gone empires, discovering ancient pottery traditions and sampling the popular local wine at a vineyard. Of course, tracking plenty of coastal trails means we have time for refreshing dips in that inviting sparkly sea.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotels), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Six days of walking — Between four and six hours of walking per day
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotels), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Six days of walking — Between four and six hours of walking per day
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate) with six days of walking. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. It offers the chance to experience the magnificent mountain scenery of Crete. Routes have been chosen to showcase the best of the natural and historic sites on the island. Terrain will include footpaths and mountain terrain, which is rocky and loose in places with sloped ascents and descents. The walks require a good level of fitness and all are optional. Please note, that temperatures can be high.
Eating Drinking
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 isn’t the same without spending evenings in a taverna – a small, family-run Greek restaurant – 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.
Transportation
We will be using a mixture of private transport and local ferries.
Joining Instructions
Key information Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Chania Airport (CHQ) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
February to March and November/December: Daytime temperatures of 10C-18C (50F-64F); nights of 5C-9C (41F- 48F); rain and chances of snow on high mountains. April, May and October: Daytime temperatures of 17C-27C (63F-81F); nights of 8C-13C (46F-55F); chances of rain. June and September: Daytime temperatures of 20C-30C (68F-86F), nights of 14C-19C (57F-66F); very dry and warm, ideal for swimming.
Spending Money
Allow approximately €150-€200 for food and drinks not included. A typical three-course meal with alcohol costs between €15 and €20. The city tax - or otherwise called the climate crisis resilience tax - is charged to the clients upon check out and it is not included in the package. It is also recommended to have some cash available. The charges for every hotel’s category are: €1.50 per night per room for one or 2-star hotels or guesthouses €3  per night per room for 3-star hotels €7  per night per room 4-star hotels €10  per night per room for 5-star hotels
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work; however, most travellers wish to tip their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This is not compulsory and depends on the service received. If you feel you would like to leave a tip, we suggest approximately €30-€50 per person for the leader. It is also customary to leave a tip for any additional local staff who support your holiday – for example, drivers, cooks and hotel staff. This can be handed to your leader at the end of the week to distribute accordingly. We recommend approximately €10 per person per week for the leader to distribute to all relevant staff.

Highlights

  • — Walk the UNESCO-listed Samaria Gorge — Stay overnight in the all-white coastal village of Loutro — End a gorgeous hike with sea swims at the palm-backed Preveli Beach — Soak up the history of the once-powerful ancient Greek city of Eleftherna — Tour one of the most popular wineries in Crete and taste their produce

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 4082

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: ferries.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: TFD

StartStarts: Chania, Greece

FinishFinishes: Chania, Greece

DurationDuration: 8 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Average

Includes

  • — Seven breakfasts, four boxed lunches, four dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Necessary luggage transfers and ferry tickets — Entrance fees to ancient Aptera, Eleftherna and Samaria Gorge — Licensed archaeological guide in Aptera

Accommodation

Family-run hotels
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.Please note, some hotels don't have elevators.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3895 (CAD 487 /day)

Itinerary

1
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 there’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. There’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

2
Day 2: Transfer to Paleochora; coastal walk to Sougia

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 – part of the European E4 trail – 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)

3
Day 3: Hike the Unesco-listed Samaria Gorge

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 – 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)

4
Day 4: Hike to the white-washed village of Loutro

Post breakfast, we check out and begin today’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. It’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 you’d prefer. Accommodation: Hotel in Loutro

5
Day 5: Ferry to Chora Sfakion; hike to the palm-backed Preveli Beach

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 today’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

6
Day 6: Visit the ancient Greek city of Eleftherna; pottery village of Margarites; winery tour and tasting

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

7
Day 7: Circular village walk; return to Chania; farewell 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. It’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)

8
Day 8: End in Chania

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.

Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

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