Walking in West Crete – RTA Group 2023

Itinerary – Walking in West Crete

Mon. 16th Oct. : Start Chania
Welcome by your guide at Chania airport (Ryanair flight coming from Dublin FR 7354 ) and transfer by private transfer (30 min) to your 3 star hotel Arkadi, ideally located in the centre of Chania. Plenty of good value snacks / restaurants around the hotel to get food in the if you wish. Late arrival but plenty of restaurants and snack bars open late in town.
Dinner not included. Tue. 17th Oct. : Walk Akrotiri Peninsula
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 antique times this cave was dedicated to the goddess Artemis) and Catolico Fiord. The walk involves some technical terrain with loose stones. You 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. Wed. 18th Oct. : Walks around Paleochora – Hill walks
Today you will explore the east side of Paleochora. You will start your walk inland (from 500 to 700 m high) after a short transfer, and will walk through the countryside, olive trees and will see some nice example of old medieval churches. Depending the walk level, many options are possible, the gorge of Kandanos or Anidri.
Breakfast incl. Lunch & dinner not included. Thu. 19th Oct. : Samaria Gorges
The Samaria Gorge is Crete’s best known natural feature and certainly the most popular walk on the island.
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.
You will the entire Samaria gorges (challenging walk) you will take an early transfer to the village of Omalos (1 hour) and the entrance of the gorges. The Samaria Gorge is Crete’s best known natural feature and certainly the most popular walk on the island. Fantastic but long walk on rocky terrain.
In the afternoon and after the walk, you will transfer to Sfakia by boat (1h30 min), lovely cruise and back by bus to Sfakia.
Note: Sometimes high water levels can mean that the gorge is closed to tourists – in this situation alternative walks will be substituted.
Breakfast incl. Lunch & dinner not included. Fri. 20th Oct. : Free day Chania
Your free day is an opportunity to relax at the hotel or on a nearby beach. Alternatively explore the charming Venetian city of Chania built around its picturesque harbour.
Breakfast incl. Lunch & dinner not included.
Sat. 21st Oct. : 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 incl. Lunch & dinner not included. Sun. 22nd Oct. : Agia Irini Gorges – Walks around Sougia
Transfer in the morning to the entrance of Agia Irini Gorges or Sougia for the whole group. Many options are possible today, the gorges 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 southwest Crete, you 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.
You can also walk from Lissos to Sougia a beautiful and peaceful place with interesting remains of ancient civilization (extension possible).
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. Mon. 23rd Oct. : Farewell!!
Enjoy the morning in Chania at your own pace, before your transfer to Chania airport to match Ryanair flight Chania to Dublin (FR 7355).