Crete, island of wonders

From Chania airport transfer (included) to your hotel located in the center of the most beautiful city of Crete with the multiple influences of its architecture, inherited from the different occupations that Chania has known: Venetian and Ottoman. Chania is a particularly attractive, beautiful city. It is very pleasant to stroll in its alleys, on the port, or quite simply to spend the time on the terrace of a café.
Overnight in Chania.

You take the public bus to Paleochora (at your own expense, approx. 2 hours), a Cretan seaside village grouped together on a peninsula between two beautiful beaches. After settling in at the hotel, free day to enjoy the beautiful Cretan atmosphere and visit the village dominated by the few ruins of Castello Selino, erected in 1279 by the Venetians.
Overnight in Paleochora.

After a short transfer (not included) to Krio beach, your walk begins on a coastal path that takes you to the magical site of Elafonissi, passing the White Chapel of Agios Ioannis and Viena Beach. You will see some barrels of ancient columns, lying by the sea, and testifying to a past of several millennia. Arrival in Elafonissi in front of a turquoise sea and pink sand which makes it one of the most beautiful seaside places of Crete, therefore, very frequented in summer. Return by boat or regular bus (depending on the season) to Paleochora (not included).
Overnight in Paleochora.

Here is a beautiful hike that begins along the seaside, before reaching a plateau and descending to the ancient site of Lissos. Surprising and moving discovery of Greek and Roman remains, drowned in an islet of greenery and above a cove with emerald reflections, with a tiny port, only accessible by sea or on foot! After crossing a plateau, you will descend the small shaded gorges of Selinou, to reach the beautiful village of Sougia, and its beach lined with pleasant taverns.
Overnight in Sougia.

Today you have the choice:
Coastal hike to the church of Agios Antonios and the site of Pikilassos, a small Cretan fishing village in a paradisiacal site and return to Sougia on foot or by water taxi (not included).
Instead, you can also very well, enjoy the beach and its taverns.
Overnight in Sougia.

After a transfer (not included) to the gorge of Agia Irini (5 km) or an additional 1h15mins walk, you go up the gorge of Agia Irini (entrance fee € 2 not included), more secret than this of Samaria but still very spectacular. The bed is green, planted with plane trees and oleanders, and the water runs over some portions sometimes until July. Transfer to the pastoral plateau of Omalos (not included, to be arranged with the hotel on-site).
Here you are in the mountains; the sea is far away...
You can also continue past the Agia Irini gorges, on foot, to Omalos. Add 2 hours of walking and 400 m of vertical drop.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Omalos.

At an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters, directly above the Samaria Gorge, Gingilos peak dominates the Omalos plateau, but also the Aegean Sea to the north and the Libyan to the south. Short transfer (included) at the start of the ascent which gradually reveals its most wonders. The end part is steep but superb! You can also stop at the pass before the final climb or opt for an easier hike up the mountain opposite, which stops at the Kallergi mountain hut, at 1650 m, and offers magnificent views of the Samaria Gorge. Return to Omalos on foot or by taxi (not included).
Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Omalos.

Short transfer to Xyloskalo (included), to the entrance of the famous and very popular Samaria Gorge, that you will descend to the seaside, in the village of Agia Roumeli, to find the south coast. The Samaria Gorge is a colossal fault, 16 km long; it is a site classified by Unesco. Descending into what is one of the largest gorges in Europe is an unforgettable memory. Swimming on arrival in the Libyan Sea. Note: The gorge is open from 01/05 to 15/10. Entrance fee 5 € (not included)
Night in Agia Roumeli.

Important: Outside the opening period of the Samaria Gorge or due to inclement weather justifying the official closure of the Gorge, we offer the following program: you will be transferred early in the morning (inclusive, approx. 1 hour) to Sougia. You then take a ferry (at your expense, approx. 12 € / person, departure at 9:20 am, arrival at 10:00 am) to Agia Roumeli. You can then explore the surroundings (walks along the coast, stroll towards the gorge).
Night in a family guesthouse in Agia Roumeli.

This very beautiful coastal hike passes through the site of Agios Pavlos and its 12th-century Byzantine chapel. It is here, according to legend, that the apostle Paul was thrown by the storm and baptized the first Christians in the West. At the end of the stage, you reach Loutro, an adorable village of white houses, isolated by the sea and backing onto the mountain. During your hike, you will have the opportunity to combine walking and swimming, especially at the end of the stage in the turquoise waters of Likos and its small beach with white marble slabs. From there, you have the possibility to reach Loutro by water taxi (not included).
Night in a hotel or guesthouse in Loutro.

From Loutro, a magnificent path climbs up to the Anapoli plateau and its olive trees. It offers a magnificent panorama over the entire coast. In Anapoli, you can stop at a tavern, to enjoy the already "mountain" atmosphere of this locality. Return through the deep gorge of Aradena, where semi-wild goats live, before returning to Loutro. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can reach the lower part of the gorge through the village of Livaniana. You can also opt for a free day in Loutro: stroll and swim on the marble beach, visit the Venetian fort ... The place is really special.
Overnight in Loutro.

Depending on the boat schedule, free time on the beach before crossing to Hora Sfakion (not included), then regular bus to Chania or Heraklion (not included)
Night in a hotel in Chania.

End of stay after breakfast. Depending on the time of the flight, free day then transfer to the airport (included).