Walking Crete

Name: Walking Crete
SKU: 2979
Rating: 4.61 (18 reviews)

Rated 4.61 out of 5 based on 18 customer ratings

(Average 4.6/5 from 18 reviews)

Activity level: Moderate
Scheduled on demand
Possible dates: April, May, September, October, contact us if you are interested.
Price: from 730 € excl Flights.

Essentials

This trip takes place in the beautiful East of Crete. Center based in Chania,you will enjoy the lively ambiance of the town as well as the ideal location to access beautiful walking sites.
Airport: Fly to Chania airport.
Hotel: Arkadi Hotel Chania.
Included:
– Local transports and luggage transfer service during the trip.
– Airport transfers from and to Chania airport.
– 7 nights in 3* hotel Arkadi in Chania. 7 breakfasts.
– 5 Guided walks with qualified international mountain leader.
Not Included:
– Single room Supplement: from 195€ for the week.
– The flights. Individual insurance.
– Beverages.
– Lunches and dinners
– All extras not included in the itinerary.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Start Chania
Pick up at Chania airport and transfer to your 3* hotel Arkadi in the centre of Chania North West Crete (less than 30 minutes transfer).
There will be 5 walking days offered on this trip and for every walking days 2 levels of walks will be guided.
Moderate level: Distance from 7 to 12 km with 350 m to 600 m of Ascent
Every day, Breakfast is included, Lunch and diner are not included.
Day 2 : Walk Akrotiri peninsula
Superb first walk at Akrotiri peninsula, located East of Chania (short transfer 30 min). It is a dry area with some hills on the northern part. The Agia Triada Monastery was built in the 17th century and was still a very important religious school up to 50 years ago. Finish at Stavros on the lovely sandy beach where they shot the final scene of Zorba the Greek.
Day 3 : Imbros gorges
Today you will transfer by bus to the entrance of the Imbros gorges (1 hour). From there you will walk down the gorges, which even if less popular than the Samaria gorges have a lot to offer. Spectacular with some very high rocky cliffs on each side, really nice rock formation to observe as well as flowers and birds. The walk takes about 3h30 minutes maximum and you can relax at a cafe before going back to Chania.
Day 4 : Falassarna
Today after a transfer of 45 min you will take a superb coastal walk on the Western side of Crete to Falassarna, one of the island’s nicest beaches. The route goes through a pretty village and olive groves before taking a path with stunning views overlooking the far West coast of Crete.
Day 5 : Free day
You can just relax in Chania, archaeologic museum, local beach or take an excursion to Heraklion (with one of the local travel agencies in Chania).
Day 6 : Walk to Kallergis Shelter or Samaria Gorges
The Samaria Gorge is Crete’s best known natural feature and certainly the most popular walk on the island. Each year many thousands of people complete this route and at times the trail can feel very crowded. Nevertheless this popularity is certainly justified by the superb scenery and the sense of achievement.
The gorge itself is 10 miles long and descends from the Omalos Plateau to the sea at Aghia Roumeli. It is now designated as a national park and a small entrance fee is payable. If some people in the group don’t feel like descending the whole length of the gorges, it is possible to take a boat from Sougia and explore the end of the gorges. In early and late season high water levels can mean that the gorge is closed to tourists – in this situation alternative walks will be substituted.
Alternatively, we could walk to the shelter Kallergis that is located in the White Mountains at 1680m high. It is built on an amazing site on Plateau Omalos with breathtaking views of the surroundings peaks and the sea of both North and South Crete.
Day 7 : Almirida walk
After a short transfer (40 minutes) to the coastal village of Kalyves you will walk along the olive groves to the lovely village of Douliana, and then will take a nice track to Gavalochori where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon it is all the way to the sea, passing old water wells you will finish your walk at Almirida sea resort where you can enjoy a swim and a refreshing drink!
Day 8 : FAREWELL!
Spend the morning relaxing or exploring Chania, before your airport transfer in the afternoon.

Map

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18 reviews for Walking Crete

Rated 4 out of 5

Mary – October 21, 2019

Guides were very patient & cheerful.
Delighted with four walks (A) and pace.
Will travel with Outdoor France again.
Time schedules were spot on.
Beautiful Island, beautiful scenery
Rated 5 out of 5

Helen – October 21, 2019

Loved the 4 days walking, maybe if you had coastal walk on the first day we would have had a better walk on Gingilos day one.
Crete is really lovely and enjoyed every minute.
Found some great restaurants.
Thank you !
Rated 5 out of 5

Jacqueline – October 21, 2019

First trip abroad with you.
Everything EXCELLENT
Guides awesome
Will be back
Rated 4 out of 5

Michael – October 21, 2019

Very pleasant experience on my first trip.
As I was staying at the hotel front, sometimes it could be noisy at nightime. Only minor issue !
Rated 5 out of 5

Catherine – October 21, 2019

I would like to thank Yves for his patience & kindness on the walks and his encouragement as I suffer from a bit of vertigo so at times walk was challenging.
Rated 4 out of 5

Florence – October 20, 2019

Thanks for all kindness.
Loved the walks.
Hotel very good.
Rated 4 out of 5

Anne – October 20, 2019

Disappointed that there was no bar in (or seating area outside) the hotel where the group could meet in the evening.
Walk leaders very courteous and helpful.
Rated 4 out of 5

Matilda – October 20, 2019

Eating out at night in the restaurants I found staff nice & courteous.
Staff in the smaller coffee shops weren’t very nice, in fact majority were “rude”.
Rated 4 out of 5

Dolores – October 20, 2019

Short walks could be a little longer.
Walks coul start earlier + finish earlier before day gets too warm.
Thanks for a brilliant week of walking & fun with excellent guides.
Rated 5 out of 5

Pat – October 20, 2019

Excellent holiday. Chania is a good base but the long bus transfers were a disadvantage.
Terrain is very rugged, ok for A hillwalkers but not easy for ramblers.
Rated 5 out of 5

Peter & Anne – October 20, 2019

Guides were excellent, taking care of group, always helpful.
Rated 5 out of 5

Pat – October 20, 2019

Overall very enjoyable.
Town really nice
Scenery great
Coffee superb
Rated 4 out of 5

Maire – October 20, 2019

Transfers a bit too long.
Day 1 – A+B walks were hikes no ramble.
All other days walks were very satisfactory.
Guides excellent. Hotel staff very good.
Fantastic holiday
Many thanks to all.
Rated 5 out of 5

Bernie – October 20, 2019

Enjoyed all walks. Though 1st day walk not suitable for first day when guide did not know ability of walkers.
Several people disappointed re Samaria Gorge. They were not allowed do it but they were well able for it.
Rated 5 out of 5

Kay – October 10, 2019

As always I enjoyed your trip, however I was a bit disappointed there was not a 16 to 18 k ramble on day1. I did the C option instead & really enjoyed it.
Thank you.
Rated 5 out of 5

Judith – May 20, 2019

Vincent is very helpful on walks. He takes us to places with beautiful views.
Vincent knows the group well and we look forward to each year.
The choice of restaurant was excellent. I liked the idea that Vincent picked the menu.
Vincent always allows the group to differ from plans if we choose to be back early.
Rated 5 out of 5

Terri – May 20, 2019

Once again a spectacular trip. Can’t wait for next year’s adventure.
Rated 5 out of 5

Kathy – May 20, 2019

Loved the way you organised the meal!
Loved the way you go with the flow.
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU !!!