Starting from Chania with its picturesque Venetian port, you will explore the southwest coast of Crete.

Depart for the village of Agia Irini and enjoy a picnic lunch in its quite gorge before emerging at the crystal clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. Follow ancient paths to reach the second Roman city in Crete, visiting the temple of God Asklipios and exploring the ruins from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine period.

Europe's longest gorge, the awesome Samaria gorge, offers one of the most rewarding walks through a spectacular botanic garden with plants, birds and animals that exist only here.

Relax in the charming village of Loutro by refreshing yourselves in the azure blue waters of Marmara beach before return back to "civilization" in Crete's capital - Heraklion, to visit the magnificent archaeological area of Knossos with its famous Minoan city and palace dating from 1450 BC.

The "grand finale" of this unforgettable holiday is the spectacular island of Santorini.

Walk through small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to discover the Fira, Imerovigli and the famous for its sunset village of Ia.

Trek on the comfortable path on the edge of Caldera's ochre cliff, enjoy the spectacular view of the islands Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirasia, swim in the hot springs and explore the still active volcano of Nea kameni!

DAY 1: Arrive in Chania. Explore the old "Venetian style" city of Chania with its picturesque harbor. (Overnight in Chania)

DAY 2 (4-5hrs walk): After breakfast you depart to the village of Agia Irini in Chania area and you walk through Agia Irini gorge to Sougia. This gorge provides a nice and quiet path next to a stream. Sougia is a beautiful village on the southern coast of Crete where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. (Overnight in Sougia)

DAY 3 (3hrs walk): Cultural walk through the beautiful gorge of Selinou, thick with brilliant pink oleanders and carob trees, to the ancient city of Lissos. Lissos was an important center of hydrotherapy in ancientyears, which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you will visit a well-preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and you will have much to admire by making a small loop around the city. Refresh yourselves in the cove and return to Sougia. (Overnight in Sougia)

DAY 4 (6 hrs walk): You will be transferred to Omalos plateau, the starting point of Samaria gorge. Samaria is the largest gorge in Europe and one of the most beautiful that nature can provide. The walk is on a good path in shady pine forest and beside a melodic stream. You reach the small village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and enjoy a swim before take the ferry to the charming village of Loutro.(Overnight in Loutro)

DAY 5: Relaxing day to spending it either in Loutro or in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach. For the people that wish to walk, an optional guided walk is available. Either they will follow the ancient path until Anopolis village, a historic area from where the revolution against the Turks began in 1866, and return back to Loutro (2½ hrs walk) or they can extend the hike to cross Aradena gorge (very beautiful and slightly more difficult than the previous gorges). In the way back to Loutro they can swim in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach. (Overnight in Loutro)

DAY 6: 15 minutes boat-ride will take you from Loutro to Hora Sfakion from where will be transferred to Heraklion. In the afternoon will visit Knossos, the magnificent archaeological area holding remains of a Minoan city that thrived 3500 years ago and the famous palace dated 1700-1450 B.C. (Overnight in Heraklion)

DAY 7: Today you will ride the ferry all the way to Santorini island. Santorini, the most beautiful of the Greek islands, with its stark, white, cubist-shaped houses perch atop ochre cliffs, with endless stretches of beach with sand or shingle and its dramatic volcano surrounded by the Aegean Sea, compose the jewel of Cyclades. In the afternoon you will have the chance to participate in an optional hike to ancient Thira and to the monastery of Profitis Ilias, the highest point of the island. (Overnight in Santorini)

DAY 8 (3-4 hrs walk): Starting from Fira, the capital of the island, will initially walk through the small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to Imerovigli. You will continue on a path till Ia having on our left-hand side the breathtaking view of the islands of Nea Kameni (with the volcano in the middle) the island of Palea Kameni and the island of Thirasia. (Overnight in Santorini)

DAY 9 (20 min walk): Today will embark on a sailing boat to go to the island of Nea Kameni. Explore the volcano of Nea Kameni and enjoy the breathtaking views of what once originated the legend of Atlantis. Our boat trip will continue to Palea Kameni, where we will swim at the hot springs and visit the island of Thirasia. (Overnight in Santorini)

DAY 10: This is the end of the trip. You may explore the city of Fira.

Highlights include: Samaria gorge (longest in Europe) Agia Irini gorge and Aradena gorge, the ancient city Lissos (Ruins from Hellenistic, Roman Byzantine period), crystal-clear beaches to swim, coastal walks, picturesque fishing villages and the spectacular island of Santorini, the jewel of Cyclades, with its volcano and the small- whitewashed houses.

Price/Person:

€980    Low Season   (May - June & September - October) (Single Supplement: €120) 
€1020    High Season  (July - August) (Single Supplement: €150)

Price Includes: All accommodation with breakfasts (9 nights in double rooms), boat ticket to Santorini, land transport throughout the trip in Crete, English hiking description, maps and information, baggage transport, personal accident insurance, VAT.

Not Included: Air tickets to Crete and from Santorini, all meals (lunches and dinners), group transfers from Chania airport and to Santorini airport, entrance fees in Samaria National park, entrance fees in Agia Irini gorge, transport throughout the trip in Santorini island, boat ticket to Loutro, boat ticket to Nea Kameni (day 9), alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest that are not included in the itinerary (i.e. monasteries, caves, etc), everything that is not listed above.

Insurance: Everyone participating in any of Cretan Adventures events/activities is covered by personal insurance through AIG Europe Limited. In case a participant is already covered by their insurance under better conditions for the chosen activities and is unwilling to be covered by AIG Europe Limited, they must notify in paper the above to Cretan Adventures one day before the event (excluding weekends or holidays), the latest.

Cretan Adventures is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.

Period: Any date upon request from May to October 2014.

Transport: You travel either by taxi or by our own rented air-conditioned mini-bus, which leaves you to walk and continues, with your baggage, to the next place where you will stay for the night.

Accommodation: Hotels in BB basis in the main cities, local inns and village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities). The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Group Size: 2-16 participants.

Activity Level: Grade A/B. The hikes offer easy treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous experience is needed.

Equipment: Daypack (approx.20-35lt), trekking shoes, sport shoes, water proof jacket, water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.

Note on Itineraries: Please bear in mind that the itinerary can be altered for numerous reasons beyond our control (e.g. harsh weather, trail conditions) to ensure the safety and the well being of the group. The final hiking selection is left up to Cretan Adventures.

Price/Person:

€1475  Low Season  (May-June & September-October)(Single Supplement: €120) 
€1600  High Season  (July - August) (Single Supplement: €150)

Price Includes: Services of the tour leader - guide, all accommodation in BB basis (9 nights in double rooms), 9 dinners, boat ticket to Loutro and to Santorini, group transfers from Chania airport and to Santorini airport all transport throughout the trip, baggage transport, all entrance fees in the Museums, archeological sites and Monasteries that are included in the itinerary, personal accident insurance, VAT.

Not Included: Air tickets to Crete and from Santorini, picnic lunches during the walks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest that are not included in the itinerary (i.e. monasteries, caves, etc), everything that is not listed above.

Insurance: Everyone participating in any of Cretan Adventures events/activities is covered by personal insurance through AIG Europe Limited. In case a participant is already covered by their insurance under better conditions for the chosen activities and is unwilling to be covered by AIG Europe Limited, they must notify in paper the above to Cretan Adventures one day before the event (excluding weekends or holidays), the latest.

Cretan Adventures is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.

Period: May to September 2014.
Available Dates:

June 5 - 14 
July 3 - 12 
July 24 - August 2 

Or any date upon request from May to September 2014.

Transport: We travel by our own air-conditioned mini-bus or taxis, which leaves us to walk and continues, with our baggage, to the next place where we will stay for the night.

Accommodation and Meals: Half Board. Hotels in the main cities, local inns in Sougia and Loutro and in Santorini hotel with swimming pool. The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Food: Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels and a nutritious dinner at local taverns with dishes of personal choice or traditional Greek and Cretan cuisine. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

Group Size: 4-16 participants.

Activity Level: Grade A/B. The hikes offer easy treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous experience is needed.

Equipment: Daypack (approx. 20-35lt), trekking shoes, sport shoes, water proof jacket, water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.

Note on Itineraries: Please bear in mind that the itinerary can be altered for numerous reasons beyond our control (e.g. harsh weather, trail conditions) to ensure the safety and the well being of the group. The final hiking selection is left up to the trip leader.