15 days trekking Crete, Greece

15 days trekking Crete

Level of difficulty

CRETE

• The 5th largest island in the Mediterranean
• Surface area of 8,700 sq km
• 250 km long
• 56 km in width in the west to to only 12 km in the east
• 100 kms from the European mainland (Peloponnese) 300 km from the North African coast
• About 200 kms from the coast of Asia Minor.

With such vital statistics, Crete is more than an island it is nothing less than a little continent.
Discover mysterious caves and traces of the ancient Minoans whose civilization was the earliest of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean. Wander through stately Roman remains amidst olive groves. Pause in the shade of little, frescoed Byzantine churches hidden among swathes of wild flowers, including spectacular orchids of which a number are very rare and endemic to the island. From Samaria Gorge National Park with its unique and amazing geology, to historic coastal cities where the architectural monuments recall Venetian and Turkish conquerors, - Crete has it all!
By day - action and adventure along hiking routes through this stunning landscape.
When the sun goes down, relax by the sea whose colour ranges from turquoise to ‘wine-dark’ as described by Homer. Explore the mosaic of music and dance that has been a part of Cretan tradition since time out of mind!
Sample delicious dishes that make up the phenomenal Cretan Diet, hailed by scientists as a possible key to longevity.
Crete is a land of colours and contrasts, always different, always changing. Every day brings new experiences and lasting impressions.

Day 1: Chania

Arrival at Chania airport where the group is met by their guide. Transfer to the hotel in Chania.

Day 2: Chania-Paleochora

After lunch in the old harbour of Chania, there is time for the group to visit the old town and/or the Archaeological Museum. Later in the afternoon, the minibus takes us to Paleochora on the south-west coast. The hotel is close to a sandy beach, and there is plenty of time for our first swim in the Libyan Sea.

Day 3: Paleochora-Anidri-Paleochora

On our first day of hiking, we follow the coast for a little while and after reaching the small village of Anidri (1 hour) continue along a mountain path known only to very few. Two hours later we will arrive at the small mountain hamlet of Azogires (490 m), where we can rest for a while and enjoy the tranquility of the landscape. Then we descend along the same path, but this time with spectacular views out to sea. We stop for lunch in Anidri, and finally head for the beach to end our first day of hiking. (5 hours walking; deniv. 500 m)

Day 4: Paleochora-Sougia

We leave Paleochora and walk to Sougia, always with the sea on our right. After descending and ascending, the path reaches the ancient site of Lissos, where we will stop for lunch and spend some time looking at the ruins. After a hike of one more hour we arrive in Sougia, to end the day, once again, with a swim. (5-6 hours)

Day 5: Sougia-Agios Antonios-Sougia

An easy day! We go east again, following the coast; the views of the cliffs dropping into the Libyan Sea are stupendous. Our destination is a small creek where we can swim and have lunch before going back to Sougia by boat in the afternoon. (2h30)

Day 6: Sougia-Agia Irini gorge-Omalos

Today we leave Sougia and the sea to walk up the Agia Irini Gorge. The path is good, and the scenery beautiful and quite different from that of the previous days. We stop for lunch at the top of the gorge (600 m). Afterwards, a minibus takes us to Omalos, in the White Mountains. (4h00)

Day 7: Omalos-Gingilos-Omalos

After a short transfer (5 minutes) to Xyloskalo (1200 m), we begin the ascent of the Gingilos peak (2080 m). On the way there we enjoy panoramic views out over the Omalos plateau, the Samaria Gorge and the White Mountains. We arrive at a spring and continue on to a mountain saddle where the scenery is even more grandiose. After the col the path is less well-defined and we have to scramble briefly in a few places. At the top of Gingilos (3 hours from the beginning of the hike) we can spend some time to admire the great views in every direction: Chania to the north, the Libyan Sea and the island of Gavdos towards the south, and the White Mountains, especially Pachnes (2452 m) towards the east and westerly, a large part of the west coast of the island is visible. We descend by the same path (about 2 hours) and stop for lunch in a taverna with a stunning view of the mountain we have just climbed. We walk back to the hotel after lunch (1 hour). (6 hours)

Day 8: Omalos-Samaria Gorge-Agia Roumeli

Samaria Gorge: We begin at Xyloskalo (1200 m)like the day before.Today we take a downward path. The first part of the walk is the steepest, but the trail well maintained and soon (after 1 hour) we reach the bottom of the gorge and begin to follow the river-bed. We can have our packed lunch by the river if we like. After a 6 hour walk, we arrive at the village of Agia Roumeli, our destination for the night. There is plenty of time for swimming or resting on the beach. (5-6 hours)

Day 9: Agia Roumeli loop

A day in the mountains. We first head towards a ruined Venetian fortress high above the coast (650 m); the Papoura (900 m) peak towering above beckons us. After another hour of walking along a trail that sometimes almost disappears, we will be rewarded at the top by tremendous views out over the coast and the White Mountains. The descent will take about 2 hours. (4 or 6 hours)

Day 10: Agia Roumeli to Loutro

Our walk today is from Agia Roumeli to Loutro, as usual we leave early. The path follows the coast, and sometimes we even walk on the beach. After about 1 ½ hours we reach the picturesque little Church of Agios Pavlos and take a short break. Then the path climbs gently up over the cliff and our next stop is at Marmara Beach (2 ½ hours from Agios Pavlos) for lunch and - if desired - a swim. After Marmara, it will take us a little more than an hour to reach Loutro, a wonderful tiny village sheltered in a lovely creek where we will spend two nights. (6 hours)

Day 11: Loutro loop

After walking up through old terraced fields, we come first to the hamlet of Livaniana, about 320 meters above the sea; the views are unending. Then we start our descent into the Aradena Gorge, and on reaching the bottom follow the dry river-bed. Once again, we will stop for lunch at Marmara beach, where the sea tempts us just as it did the day before. Since a taxi-boat will take us back to Loutro, we can spend more time there . (3 hours)

Day 12: Loutro-Sfakia-Axos

Today we take the impressive-looking path that climbs above Loutro to Sfakia. However, it is not as steep as it looks and in 2 hours we will be in Sfakia, an old village with a great backdrop of the tall peaks of the White Mountains. The minibus is waiting to take us to to Axos in the foothills of Psiloritis, the highest mountain on Crete (2456 m), our hiking goal for tomorrow. (3 hours)

Day 13: Psiloritis summit

Vehicles will take us to the trailhead where our walk begins in a very pastoral setting. The landscape soon becomes arid and rocky as if on a different planet. Almost the whole of Crete is spread out at our feet, and we will take time to rest and enjoy being at the highest point on the whole island. Back to Axos where we will spend the night. (4-5 hours’ walking)

Day 14: Axos-Chania

Early in the morning, we drive to Chania for a last opportunity to explore the city.

Day 15:

Transfer to the airport for the flight home.

TRIP DETAILS

Price Includes : All accommodations, all meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 15, all picnic lunches, group transfers from and to the airport, all transportations throughout the trip, luggage transportations, tour leader - guide, entrance fees in the National Park (Samaria gorge) and Agia Irini gorge, all taxes and VAT.

Not Included : Air fare to and from Crete, personal travel-health insurance, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest not included in the trip description.

Insurance : Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance prior to the trip. The personal insurance must at least cover medical expenses as well as air rescue and the cost of repatriation.

Alpine Travel is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.
(See Terms & Conditions)

Period : From April to October 2010.

Transportation : All transfers during the trip are included.

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

Food : Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunch en route and a dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

Group Size : 4 -16 participants.

Difficulty Level : (2)
Moderate treks, approximately 5-6 hours on rocky terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.

Equipment :
Daypack (approx. 15-20 l)
Trekking shoes
Waterproof wind jacket
Polar fleece
Water bottle
Hat
Sun cream
Sun glasses
Swimming suit

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Persons & Prices

€ 1350 per person for a group size of 4 - 16 persons
€ 130 Single room supplement

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Dates	Availability
April 05 - April 19
April 19 - May 03
May 03 - May 17
May 17 - May 31
July 05 - July 19
July 19 - August 02
August 02 - August 16

Available

Limited

Full

Closed