Walking in West Crete – Fitzamblers

Itinerary – Walking in West Crete

Mon. 17th October: Start Chania
Welcome by your guide at Chania airport meeting (Ryanair flight FR 7354 due at 19:45 hours) and then transfer by private transfer (30 min) to your 4 star Hotel Samaria, ideally located near the centre of Chania. Late arrival but plenty of good value restaurants and snack bars around the hotel to get food in if you wish. Outdoor swimming pool at the hotel, 15 min walk to Nea Chora beach, 8 min to the Harbour, 5 minutes to many restaurants. The location of the hotel is also very convenient to access quickly the mains roads by bus.
Dinner not included. Tues. 18th October: Walk near Chania– Villages – sea finish
The first day starts with a short transfer (40 minutes) to the traditional and pretty village of Vamos. You will start your walking experience in Crete with a good introductory walk on easy terrain and plenty of stops possible in the charming villages of East Chania. First enjoy a very interesting visit to an old chapel, then an ancient olive oil factory and walk along the olive groves all the way to the sea. The A walk will start from Exopoli village, with a technical track going up and plenty of villages to visit on the way. All walks will explore some of the villages around, (Vamos, Kefalas, Gavalochori), the A and B walk will be mostly on easy track / dirt road. All walks will finish in Almyrida where you can enjoy a swim and a refreshing drink!
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Wed. 19th October: Mountain walks – Omalos – White Mountains
Today after a bus transfer to Omalos (1 hour) you will explore the White Mountains and a total different scenery from Tuesday. The A and B walk will take a route to Kallergi shelter through two different routes, a mountain refuge will amazing views all around of the north. Return by bus (1 hour) in the afternoon.
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included.
Thu. 20th October: Rethymnon – Sightseeing
Bus transfer (1 hour) to the busy town of Rethymnon with its castle Fortezza and its lovely sandy beach. Rethymnon is an interesting town from an historic point of view. In the old centre there are lovely Byzantine & Venetian style churches near a mosque, Turkish fountains and picturesque streets. Also visit the harbour. Return by bus.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Fri. 21st October: Walk Akrotiri Peninsula
The 2 groups will take a short bus transfer (30 min) to the Akrotiri peninsula. The walks will explore many sites, the Monastery Katholiko (16th Century and still a working monastery), the cave of the Hermit John (It is a large chamber with a massive stalagmite in the middle resembling the shape of a bear. In ancient times this cave was dedicated to the goddess Artemis) and Catolico Fiord. The A and B walkers will be on some technical terrain with loose stones. All 2 groups will enjoy magnificent sea views and will finish in Stavros, a great place for swimming. Return by bus.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Sat. 22nd October: Samaria Gorge
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 18km miles long and descends from the Omalos Plateau to the sea at Agia Roumeli. It is now designated as a National Park.
For those keen to walk the entire Samaria Gorge (challenging walk) you will take an early transfer to the village of Omalos (1 hour) the north entrances to the Gorge. Fantastic but long walk on rocky terrain.
Alternatively another bus will transfer the rest of the group to Sfakia (1h30 min) were you will take a boat to Agia Roumeli at the south entrance to the Gorge (nice cruise). The boat transfer is 1 hour and we will walk up and down part of the gorge. It will save you from the very long descent from the top on rocky terrain and will get you quicker to most spectacular part of the Gorge which you will then have time to enjoy more. Both group will take the boat back to Sfakia and will return by bus to Chania. Long but fantastic day.
Note: Sometimes high water levels can mean that the Gorge is closed to tourists – in this situation alternative walks will be substituted.
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included. Sun. 23rd October: Free day in Chania
Your free day is an opportunity to relax at the hotel or on a nearby beach (Nea Chora beach, 20 minutes walk from the hotel is really nice). Alternatively explore the charming Venetian city of Chania built around its picturesque harbour.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Mon. 24th October: Agia Irini Gorges – Walks around Sougia
Transfer in the morning to the entrance of Agia Irini Gorges (1 h 15 min) or Sougia for the whole group. Many options are possible today. We can walk the gorges or a coastal walk or half of a coastal walk and return by boat.
After a transfer to the small village of Agia Irini, located in a valley along the winding road that leads from Chania to Sougia in south-west Crete, we will walk down the Agia Irini gorge. The gorge is a deep cut along the western edge of the White Mountains which will take you all the way down to the shores of the Libyan Sea to the small village of Sougia.
We can also a walk from Lissos to Sougia a beautiful and peaceful place with interesting remains of ancient civilization (extension possible). Transfer by bus back to Chania in the afternoon (1h15 min).
Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner not included. Tue. 25th October: Balos excursion
Transfer in the morning by bus to Kissamos (1 hour) and boat transfer to reach the Crete’s western coast where we can walk to one of the island’s most amazing beach, Balos lagoon. After a short visit of the bay, enjoy the view and a swim if you wish! Also possible to do a short walk to discover the northern tip of the peninsula. In the afternoon take the bus back to Chania (1 hour).
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Wed. 26th October: Farewell!!
Enjoy the morning in Chania at your own pace, before your transfer to Chania airport in early afternoon to catch Ryanair flight FR 7355 to Dublin due to depart at 21.40 hours.