Highlights by
Kélifos
- Chania: the most attractive city of Crete
- The gorges of Samaria and Agia Irini
- Welcome to seaside villages and mountain inns
- The mix of hiking, swimming, and sightseeing!
Useful
informations
- Length
-
8 days
- From
-
495,00 €
Wild, untamed ... and yet so welcoming. Crete is an island of character, a rebellious island, sometimes, but one that opens its doors wide before you even knock. Crete is like its mountains, crisscrossed by spectacular gorges tumbling down into the sea of Libya, to the tiny seaside resorts where you will relax like in a dream.
Crete is the quintessence of the alliance between sea and mountains, many of which exceed 2000 meters, especially in the mountain range of Lefka Ori, (means White mountains in Greek - a hint to the limestone that constitutes them) where our hike takes place.
Our eight-day tour follows a part of the European E4 trail along the south-west coast of the island with magnificent forays into the gorges of Agia Irini and Samaria for the island's most famous hike.
But a nature trip in Crete cannot be confined to a simple landscape discovery even gorgeous. It is in fact associate with exceptional cultural discoveries. The beautiful heritage of Chania borrows from the Venetian and Ottoman occupants who followed on the island. Another important discovery: some ancient remains that punctuate your hike such as the site of Lyssos between Paleochora and Sougia or the chapel dedicated to Saint Paul between Agia Roumeli and Loutro.
The icing on the cake, every evening after the walk, you will certainly have the opportunity to discover with delight the original and tasty culinary specialties without forgetting the famous "Cretan diet" which gives pride of place to fruits and vegetables.
Dates and prices
We are updating the next travel dates. Please dial +30 266 304 1476 or send us an email to info@kelifos.travel for any request.
Specify
Departure at your convenience.
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Dates |
2 persons |
3 persons * |
4 persons |
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From |
To |
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01/05/2021 |
31/05/2021 |
495 € |
470 € |
445 € |
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01/06/2021 |
30/09/2021 |
535 € |
515 € |
490 € |
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01/10/2021 |
15/10/2021 |
495 € |
470 € |
445 € |
* Price for 3:
- 1 couple + 1 child under 15: price for 3 as indicated above, accommodation in a triple room
- 1 double + 1 single: price for 3 people as indicated above with the single room supplement
Prices include
- overnight accommodation and breakfast for 7 nights
- dinner at Omalos
- baggage transport
- return transfers Chania airport - Chania city (or Heraklion airport - Heraklion city round trip)
- the transfer from Omalos to Xyloskalo on D5
- transfer from Omalos to Sougia on D5 in case of closure of the Samaria Gorge
- the travel file
Prices do not include
- flights
- transfer between Heraklion and Chania (if arriving at Heraklion airport)
- boat transfers
- public bus trips
- the drinks
- lunches and dinners (except dinner at Omalos)
- tourist taxes including government tax to be paid on site
- personal expenses
- site visits
- the insurance
- registration fees
- anything not indicated in "Prices include"
Options, extras and discounts
- low season single room supplement: 210 € / person
- single room supplement high season: 230 € / person
- private transfer from Heraklion airport to Chania one way (1 to 4 people): 205 € / taxi
- private transfer from Heraklion airport to Chania round trip (1 to 4 people): € 395 / taxi
- additional night in Chania in low season with breakfast double room / single room: 50 € / person, 70 € / person
- additional night in Chania in high season with breakfast double room / single room: 60 € / person, 80 € / person
- additional night in Heraklion with breakfast, double room / single room: 50 € / person, 70 € / person
Your expenses on place
It is necessary to plan, (per person) for an evening meal approximately 10 to 20 euros, for a picnic from 10 to 15 euros; instead of the picnic you can also go to a small tavern and have a Greek dish or salad for 10 to 15 euros). Entrance to the Samaria Gorge Park costs around € 5. Entrance to Agia Irini Gorge: around € 2. For public buses and optional transfers during the stay at your expense, count around 40 € / person.
Itinerary
Chania
Arrival in the most beautiful city in Crete (Venetian architecture, Turkish district and janissary mosque, Venetian port, museums...). Chania is a town that is particularly charming and beautiful, where it is very pleasant to wander in the alleys, on the port or simply hang around at the terrace of a café.
Night in a hotel near the Venetian district.
- Accommodation
-
Hotel
Chania - Paleochora
Regular bus (not included in the price, about 3hrs) to Paleochora, a Cretan seaside village. Check-in at your hotel. Free day to experience the Cretan atmosphere. Swimming and sunbathing on the beautiful fine sandy beach; visit of the village overlooked by the ruins of the Castello Selino, which was built in 1279 by the Venetians. Night in a hotel in Paleochora
- Accommodation
-
Hotel or Studio
- Walking time
-
1h - 2h stroll
- Elevation +
-
50m
- Elevation -
-
50m
Paleochora - Sougia
This is a splendid hike that starts at the seaside and reaches a plateau, before going down a gorge, towards the antique site of Lyssos. This village is a paradise for those who are really keen on history as there are Greek and Roman vestiges. With its emerald cove and its port, it is an oasis of greenery. It is only accessible via the sea or by foot. You climb to a plateau, then follow the little shady gorge of Selinou, that leads to the beautiful village of Sougia, with its port and beaches.
- Accommodation
-
Hotel or Studio
- Walking time
-
5h - 6h
- Elevation +
-
220m
- Elevation -
-
220m
Agia Irini gorge - Omalos
Transfer (not included in the price) to the beginning of the Agia Irini Gorge (5 km) or walking to that point. You will ascend the Agia Irini Gorge, which is wilder than Samaria. The streambed is green and planted with plane trees and oleanders bushes; some years, you can even see water flowing until July. Transfer to the village of Omalos (not included in the price; you must arrange with the hotel prior to departing). Arrival on the plateau among grazing sheep: the sea seems really far… It is possible to keep walking after the Agia Irini gorge, directly to Omalos. In that case, you have to add 2hrs of walk and 400 m of ascent.
- Accommodation
-
Hotel
- Walking time
-
4h-5h
- Elevation +
-
500m
- Elevation -
-
50m
Samaria gorge
Short transfer to Xyloskalo, at the beginning of the famous Samaria Gorge, which you will descend down to the village of Agia Roumeli, on the southern coast. Samaria gorge represents a unique and striking 16 km long gorge; it is classified by Unesco. The progressive descend is gorgeous. You can swim when you arrive in the Libyan Sea. Warning: Opening of the gorge from May 1st to October 15th.
Important : out of the opening period of the Samaria gorge or in case of bad weather (the gorge can be closed due to risk of fire or huge rain) you will be transferred in the morning to Sougia (about 1h, transfer included) and you will take a ferry (not included, about 12 € / person) to Agia Roumeli (departure at 09h20am, arrival at 10h00am). You can explore the surroundings (coastal walks) during the day.
- Accommodation
-
Hotel
- Walking time
-
5h-6h
- Elevation -
-
1277m
Agia Roumeli - Loutro
Hike on the seashore passing by the site of Agios Pavlos and its chapel dating back to the 12th century. According to legend, this is the place where St. Paul was driven ashore during a storm and where he baptized the first Christians in the West. You will reach Loutro, a beautiful village with white houses, totally isolated on the seaside and clinging to the side of the mountain. Several times during the hike, you will have the opportunity to alternate walking and swimming, especially at the end of the stage, in the turquoise waters of Lykos and its little beach with slabs of white marble, or at the ancient Phoenix and its little port, not far from Loutro. At the beach with marble slabs, you will be able to reach Loutro directly with a taxi-boat (not included in the price, to be paid on the spot). You will visit the Venetian fort overlooking the sea and the village. Loutro is only accessible via the sea or on foot.
- Walking time
-
4h-5h
- Elevation +
-
200m
- Elevation -
-
200m
Loutro - Chania
Free time, then boat to Chora Sfakion (not included in the price), then regular bus to Chania (not included in the price).
- Accommodation
-
Hotel
End of the trip
Free time then transfer to Chania airport
Optional Day
The climbing of Gingilos
Gingilos (1,980 m) overlooks the plateau of Omalos and the Samaria Gorge, as well as the Aegean Sea in the north and the Libyan Sea in the south. It is a wonderful hike that progressively unveils its most beautiful aspects. The last section is steep but splendid!
This option includes one night with half-board and the round-trip transfer for the climbing.
- Accommodation
-
Hotel
- Walking time
-
5h-6h
- Elevation +
-
900m
- Elevation -
-
900m
We may sometimes have to modify the itinerary indicated a little, in particular because of the availability of accommodation. Trust us, these modifications are always made in your best interest, for your safety and better comfort!
Technical description
Travel documents
We take care of booking hotels and transporting your luggage. We provide you with a detailed map of the route, an explanatory "step by step". A complete travel file will be given to you, including, among other things, detailed maps, the topo guide, the list of accommodation as well as the vouchers. Depending on the case, you will receive your file before departure, or you will find it at the first accommodation. There is no guide for this trip.
Accommodation / Catering
► Accommodation
In a 2 * comfort hotel, equipped apartment or in a comfortable family pension in a 2-person room with bathroom. Possibility to book a single room according to availability, with supplement. Triple room on request, few possibilities.
► Catering
Breakfast included. Dinner at Omalos is included. Local produce can be purchased for the picnic in all the villages. The local taverns are many and varied and it is a real pleasure to go find the one that suits you. Please let us know when registering any food allergy or special diet; we will do our best to adapt your meals.
Photos
You take great photos! Do not hesitate to send us a CD, a USB key, a Dropbox or WeTransfer link of your best photos taken during your trip. The fact that you provide us with photos implies that you accept that your photos will be used free of charge on our various media (catalog, website, technical sheet, etc.).
Equipment
To hike
- Mountain boots holding the ankle with a good notched sole, with a heel counter, and good waterproofness
- Comfortable “special hiking” socks
- A polar fur
- Comfortable pants for walking (technical material that dries quickly)
- Shorts, t-shirts, and technical underwear (quickly drying material)
- A long-sleeved shirt (technical material that dries quickly)
- Walking poles (telescopic), very important to facilitate walking
Note: synthetic technical clothing is very efficient. New merino wool clothes have also appeared; they are very efficient and comfortable to wear, and have the advantage of not developing perspiration odors! (Icebreaker brand, Ruka, etc…).
In general, do not use cotton, which cools when wet.
For the midday picnic
- Plastic bowl, box, or plate
- Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
- Water bottle with a minimum of 1.5 to 2L (compulsory)
Against the sun and the rain
- Sunscreen (high protection) and sunglasses
- Hat, cap, or bob
- A rain cape or a "Goretex" and possibly Goretex pants
After the effort
- A pair of jogging-style sneakers for the evening
- Change of clothes and personal linen
- Kit and towel (mini)
- A swimsuit (it is often possible to swim)
- A mini-pharmacy: personal medicines, elastoplast, biogaze or "2nd skin", gauze, disinfectant, medicine for seasickness, arnica granules and aspirin in case of small injuries ... (quite a program! But reassure yourself) you, the pharmacy often comes back intact from your week of hiking)
Luggage
- A small, comfortable 40 to 50 L backpack with a waist belt to carry your personal belongings and the picnic during the day
- A following baggage: a backpack, a travel bag in good condition, or a suitcase that is not too bulky. One piece of luggage per person; limited to 20kg.
Formalities
► Papers
Travelers, minors included, must be in possession of a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).
► Health
Bring the European health insurance card, to ask your health insurance fund at least 15 days before departure. The sanitary conditions are similar to those in most of the European countries.
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